Billy Madison

My father loved telling crass age-inappropriate jokes, and even he thought “Billy Madison” was too mean-spirited. I can still see why I enjoyed it as a child, but I fail to see how it would appeal to anyone 18 or older. A feature-length series of jokes built around laughing at “others” (closeted people, the dyslexic, artsy types—you get the idea) with a protagonist that goes on one of the lousiest hero’s journeys in film history. Does he change? No, not really. Only a few admittedly good scenes and a constant demented spirit save “Billy Madison” from being completely worthless.

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