Caddyshack

<<

Catching Up

>>

As the film opens, we meet a kid named Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe). He's a caddy at the Bushwood Country Club, and his thoughts on his future are clouded. He often seeks the guidance of a charming golfer named Ty Webb (Chevy Chase), who he often caddies for.

Danny sees a chance at getting his life together by earning a caddy scholarship from Judge Elihu Smails (Ted Knight), the owner of the Country Club, who has to deal with the obnoxious and eccentirc millionaire, Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield). He has interests in purchasing Bushwood, and soon enough, a conflict rises between them.

In the meantime, the biggest comic relief of the film comes in a "Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd"-like feud between country club groundskeeper, Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) and a gopher, who Smails wants gone from the gold course by any means necessary. It's a whole fantastic cartoon that runs alongside the main plot, which already offers plenty of humour.

This film is a great example of peak 1980's humour. Starting with the writers, we have the late Harold Ramis (who also directed), Brian Doyle Murray (the boss from 'Chritsmas Vacation' and Bill Murray's brother), and Douglas Kenney (writer on 'Animal House', and surprisingly enough, the first upcoming episode of 'Marvel's What If...?'). Beyond that, the previously mentioned cast speaks for itself.

It's a title that has gone on to become regarded as one of the best comedies of all time. However, I haven't watched it for about two decades, so it was practically new to me again, and I hate to say it, but it felt kinda dated. Don't get the wrong idea, I still had fun here, and had quite a few genuine laughs. But some of the random moments, especially from Dangerfield, are kinda cringe-worthy by today's standards. This is no fault of the movie though, it's just a product of its time. In 1980, this was kinda top of the line when it came to comedy.

I particularly enjoy the overall cartoon quality of Bill Murray's character here, along with the gopher. When I say it's like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, that's no exaggeration. It's Carl trying to kill this gopher any way he can, and the gopher taunting him the whole way through. It even dances for the credits. Beyond that, Chevy has some good low brow, casual dialogue as only he can deliver, and I meet Dangerfield somewhere in the middle. We're supposed to find him annoying, and I can honestly say I kinda did. But you find him annoying ironically. He's one of those party animals we all know who just has to have a good time, even if it means ruining everyone else's, and you can't help but find the comedy in what he's doing.

So,if you're on the lookout for a good movie from the 80's that serves as a prime example of what 80's comedy was largely like, 'Caddyshack' is definitely a very solid title for it. Once again, bear in mind that if you're new to it, it might feel a bit dated. But if you are interested in 80's culture (face it, it's a thing these days), it's probably one of the best titles you can watch for the comedy side of things. I had a few issues, but it's still just a good time, and nothing to take seriously whatsoever. It has big potential to grow on me, and that earns it bonus points.

​4/5 

---