CADDYSHACK

a film by Harold Ramis released through Warner Brothers Pictures in 1980

Here we have some of the wittiest, most sublime dialogue in cinema history...set off by outlandish sexcapades and gross-out humor, peppered with blasphemy. 

Indeed, Caddyshack fails badly, despite having Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase, and Bill Murray in their prime; a compelling third act; and a glorious, unheralded Johnny Mandel score.  Truly, this could have been a generation-spanning marvel had the filmmakers just drilled down on their 'snobs vs. slobs' premise and excavated some drama to complement and inform the jokes. 

Instead, Caddyshack is shackled by its inspiration—we're stuck with Animal House-on-a-golf-course, and nobody can get the ball in the hole.

★☆☆☆☆

Best for ages 18+

FEATURING

CHEVY CHASE, RODNEY DANGERFIELD, TED KNIGHT, MICHAEL O'KEEFE, AND BILL MURRAY

© 2023 Ian C. Bloom