#196: Caddyshack

Caddyshack (1980)
Directed by Harold Ramis
Written by Brian Doyle-Murray, Harold Ramis & Douglas Kenney
Starring Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Michael O'Keefe, Bill Murray

"Rat farts!"

Caddyshack is one of those movies you see as a kid and while you laugh you're not quite sure why. Cue a few years down the road and it all makes sense.

Contrary to popular belief, Chevy Chase was actually funny once upon a time. This is the best film he was ever involved in, with Fletch being a close second. He had the deadpan delivery that very few can match and it was only one style present in a melting pot of comedy.

Rodney Dangerfield is thankfully not the center of attention save for his few scenes so he doesn't overstay his welcome. In fact when he's playing the foil to stuck up crumb bumb Judge Smalls, he is a riot. "Hey everybody! We're all gonna get laid!"

You get a before he was a huge star Bill Murray in one of his iconic roles as Carl Spackler, the stoned, half-retarded groundskeeper tracking down a troublesome gopher. His scene in his shack where he discusses life with Ty Webb (Chase) is gold.

Caddyshack makes golf interesting and I think it's the only movie to ever accomplish that. Sure, Tin Cup wasn't terrible but Costner has better sports-themed films.

Caddyshack is a fun time, and sometimes that's all that's needed for a movie to be good. Yes being deep and thoughtful has its place but if that was the only kind of movie someone loved then I imagine they'd be a pretty big asshole. Is it perfect? No. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it hilarious? Every time I watch it.