Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the biggest red flag for this movie is the cursing and violent behavior of Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler). His short fuse results in a number of skirmishes, including an extended (comic) fight scene with Bob Barker. The two brutally pound on each other until Gilmore is eventually knocked unconscious. Another scene has Gilmore threaten another golfer with the shards of a broken beer bottle. The profanity shies away from sexual comments and is composed mostly of "f--k" and "s--t." Older kids will enjoy Sandler's over-the-top and abrasive humor, as well as the ongoing joke of a golfer's handicapped hand that was eaten by an alligator.
Sexual
Content
When asked to go to his "happy place," Happy has a fantasy of the lead actress in a park on a bed, dressed in lingerie and holding two pitchers of beer. As he starts to get famous, Happy is shown autographing the cleavage of a young woman and then an elderly woman.
Violence
As a frustrated hockey player, Happy GIlmore frequently (and comically) resorts to violence when he loses his temper. He gets into an over-the-top fistfight with the game show host Bob Barker. He throws a man through a glass door. He also is shown breaking a bottle and threatening to fight the antagonist of the movie.
Language
Frequent profanity: "f--k," "piss," "jackass," "dips--t," "goddammit," "a--hole," "s--t," "bastard." While losing, Happy is shown going on a foul-mouthed tirade on national television where every other word is bleeped out.
Social
Behavior
In its own silly way, the movie shows the importance of controlling one's temper, in golf and in life.
Consumerism
Frequent and unrelenting product placement of Subway subs, in the form of hats, T-shirts, signs, commercials, and a scene where two of the main characters are eating at a Subway restaurant. The various golf tournaments are sponsored by AT&T, Michelob, Visa, and Pepsi.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Characters are shown drinking beer, wine, and martinis. People attending the golf tournaments are shown drinking beer; Happy's caddy is shown wearing a hat that holds a six-pack of beer with plastic tubes going from the beer to his mouth. Cigar smoking.
