MovieChat Forums > Billy Madison (1995) Discussion > This is an important film

This is an important film

posted 11 years ago by tom718
21 replies | jump to latest

It seems like people tend to fall into two main camps about this film: those who consider it worthless immature garbage, and the "frat boy stoner" types who are endlessly quoting lines from it with their buddies.

While I admittedly fall squarely into the second camp, I also think it deserves more serious consideration in the pantheon of comedy movies. The brand of humor in this film is unique. Some might argue it's a clone of Animal House, Caddyshack, etc. It's definitely strongly influenced by those movies, but there's also something else about it that makes it appeal so strongly to the "millennial" generation, i.e. those born late 80s/early 90s. It is a watershed film, strongly influential to the "hipster"/"ironic" culture of today's twentysomethings. I consider it one of the defining films of that generation, much like Bringing Up Baby, Some Like it Hot, and Blazing Saddles were to previous generations.

[–] Mark_Graisons_Moustache 11 years ago

I actually agree, and the surreal style of humor I haven't seen even attempted in other Sandler movies, which basically just became more and more generic as time went on.

Abby: "Olivia, something terrible has happened."

Olivia: "What, did you run out of eye makeup?"

[–] Torrevado 11 years ago

I agree with the Caddyshack analogy.

I also think that people nowadays don´t know how to appreciate Billy Madison, and mainly because of internet and our desensitized culture. When BM came out, it was so unique. The part with Chris Farley eating sandwiches with Billy´s friends was so random and clever. BM has inspired modern movies, such as Superbad, Anchorman.

In Philadelphia it's worth fifty bucks.

[–] cubstml 9 years ago

LOL I'm so glad you brought that up. I always felt like such a weirdo because whenever I'd watch this movie with people that part always makes me laugh hysterically and everybody always looks at me weird. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks that scene is funny.

"DID YOUR ASS GET ENOUGH WINGS?!"- Frylock


[–] ben6161 11 years ago

I was six years old when caddy shack came out and by the time I saw it years later in high school it had already become very dated and lame. Whereas I was nineteen when billy Madison came out and it spoke too me at every level. BM is sanders masterpiece. It is a true black comedy and not a bs one like many movies of that time. It seems like every time I watch it I see something new and insane.
Although it is superior to caddy shack in everyway it is similar in that it would be difficult to sell BM to people today as other than a kids movie.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] hellobrisvegas 11 years ago

As far as film analysis goes, this is a surprisingly important movie, yes. I did my critical analysis of it at uni; there are a whole bunch of themes that could be applied to this film. (And yes, I studied it as part of a dare.) Whether or not they were deliberate is a different matter...

...all I know is that I got an A. That's good enough for me. Thank you, Billy Madison.

Am I the messiah? I don't know, I could be, I'm not ruling it out.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

And yes, I studied it as part of a dare.

Good. I was going to ask you.

[–] Doc110894 11 years ago

After Punch-Drunk Love/Reign Over Me/Funny People, this is my favorite Sandler movie.

It's so hilarious and oddball. One of the funniest comedies of the 90's.

[–] Betta_have_my_donutz 11 years ago

I agree with all of this!

People say why can't Sandler be funny like he was in Billy Madison. Well Sandler definitely was funny but a lot of the movie's humour comes from the absurd/surreal things that happen in the movie. I.E. when the clown awakes randomly during the musical number & starts singing, Eric on fire lol. It was very creative but you have to have a good sense of humour to get it.

I was not surprised at all when I found out the director of Billy Madison, Tamra Davis also did Half Baked. That movie has a lot of the similar surreal humour as well. This also tells me that she was likely the one influencing all the awesome absurd humour. Sandler probably had limited control on this movie. This makes a lot of sense because you never saw any of Billy Madison's creativity in his other movies. Except for maybe Happy Gilmore.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (6672705) 10 years ago

What a great observation and comment. I have seen this movie at least 20 times and it is as funny as ever. My wife and I use lines from this movie on a regular basis. I am about the same age as Sandler, and my friends view it as a comedy classic

[–] kiwikind 10 years ago

Tom718, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this forum is now dumber for having read to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[–] Mercified 10 years ago

Hahaha nicely used.
Although I have to agree with Tom.
I watched BM numerous times while growing up, it has this uniqueness that makes it so fresh and watchable. In the scene they break out into a musical is such a classic moment in my opinion. Absolutely loved it.

[–] Mercified 10 years ago