among the highest-rated Adam Sandler movies, Billy Madison is possibly one of the first of his films I watching. The viewing probably took place in a friend's basement, with my parents unaware because, as some more recent fans of Sandler may not know, his comedies used to be much more raunchy and adult than his recent crop of family-targeted movies would suggest.

The movie stars Sandler as the titular Billy Madison, a spoiled man-child who, rather than preparing to take over his father's company, spends his days drinking and carousing with his friends. However, it's revealed Billy never finished grade school or high school and is sent back to the classroom to get his diplomas. It's a wacky premise, and thanks to Sandler's hilarious commitment, it works wonders. It was the start of my and many others' love affair with Sandler's rage-filled characters, and beyond a hiccup or two in the story, it still makes me laugh the entire time.

Billy Madison's Plot That Roots For A Nepo Baby Has Not Aged Well

The Villain Of The Film Is A Hard-Working Employee

I don't think the term "nepo baby" was in the consciousness back in 1995, but in the 2020s when someone as beloved as Jamie Lee Curtis gets the side eye for being the daughter of Janet Leigh, the Billy Madison plot does feel a bit grating. Billy is the wealthy scion of a father whose only prerequisite for inheriting his company is that Billy graduates high school. The film's villain is Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford), whose crime seems to be working hard for his position and asking that he be rewarded for his years of service to Madison Hotels. Hmm...

Of course, Eric isn't exactly the nicest guy, but are we really supposed to be rooting for the spoiled, lazy Billy who can't keep his anger in check despite having everything in his life handed to him? Even Billy's dad, Brian (Brian McGavin), seems content giving his company away to Eric if Billy can't get through school. Eric eventually proves he's a pretty bad guy, but even then, Billy Madison seems to be saying that even if you work for something, the owner's son comes first.

Billy Madison Still Has Some Of The Funniest Moments In Any Sandler Movie

This Is One Of The Most Quotable Sandler Movies

Despite that somewhat backward characterization between the "hero" Billy and the "villain" Eric, Billy Madison is much more interested in making the audience laugh than it is in depicting some treatise on capitalism, loyalty, and fairness. In that regard, the movie holds up incredibly well and there are still dozens of eminently quotable scenes in Billy Madison that make me laugh just as hard today as they did when I first heard them. It's almost an affliction that I can't see a swan without quietly mumbling, "Stop looking at me, swan."

The Movie's Overall Message About Self Improvement Holds Up

Billy Madison Works Hard To Show He Is More Than Just A Layabout

Despite the very low stakes of Billy Madison and the absurdity of the characters and premise, it does still have a sweet message about self-improvement. When we meet Billy, he is more or less wasting his life, wiling away the days in his pool while everything is taken care of for him. Then, when he's given a last chance to make something of himself, he decides to take it.

Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore each inspired one-half of Adam Sandler's production company, "Happy Madison".

There's something that inspires me about Billy's willingness to "lower" himself to improve. It's a pretty egoless move on his part and makes the character so much more likable. Billy Madison may have some flaws, but the idea that you can always get right back on the horse, no matter your age (or temperament), is not one of them.