Review: Billy Madison (1995)

Ok, so two posts previous, I posted a quote from Billy Madison and Becca figured it out. Well, she "cheated" it out, but still, she got it first and you gotta admire someone who cheats just to figure out a random piece of trivia that someone posted on their blog. Way to go, Becca. I totally know why we're friends. You know I do the same.

Anyway, I posted the quote because Billy Madison is a movie that totally fucking rules. I'm not 100% sure why I love it so much, but I think its because it was made just before Adam Sandler started sucking. I'm not bashing Adam Sandler, because lord knows he's made me laugh my ass off when I've been totally wasted, but his movie period from 1998 to 2004 (The Waterboy (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Little Nicky (2000), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Mr. Deeds (2002), and Anger Management (2003)) was not so good for him. Interestingly, his movie just before his sucky period was The Wedding Singer (1998) with Drew Barrymore, and he broke his curse with by reuniting with Drew Barrymore in 50 First Dates (2004). I really enjoyed these two movies. But I digress... back to the review.

Billy Madison is so hilarious. If you haven't seen the movie, and you are in the mood for a comedy where you don't have to think much, this is for you. Sandler plays Billy, a grown man who has some serious educational issues. His father, a very rich hotel owner, tells Billy and all the executives in his company, that Billy will inherit his company, IF, Billy re-takes and passes grades K-12, with only 2 weeks to complete each grade. No problem!

Billy sails through the first few grades. Kindergarten rocks. Lots of painting.

His first grade teacher, Ms. Lippy, is a little freaky, but gets Billy passionate about animals when reading a story about a lost puppy.

Billy: Whoa whoa whoa, Miss Lippy. The part of the story I don't like is that the little boy gave up looking for Happy after an hour. He didn't put posters up or anything, he just sat on the porch like a goon and waited. That little boy's gotta think 'You got a pet. You got a responsibility.' If your dog is lost you don't look for an hour then call it quits. You get your ass out there and you find that fucking dog!!

But it's his third grade teacher (Bridgette Wilson) that really throws Billy for a loop. Billy falls in love with Veronica Vaughan. But the problem is, Veronica, not so interested. Her third grade student must win her over. And all while this is happening, he must dodge everything that his father's evil company underling who does everything in his power to help Billy fail.

How can you not enjoy this movie? Its got everything a good movie would ever need. Imaginary penguins, Norm MacDonald, and Snack Packs. Mmmm... Snack Packs. But this movie isn't all fun and games. Oh no... it also explores the century long struggle to decide the pros and cons of shampoo vs. conditioner. And that, my friends, is a battle that I don't know will ever be won.