Billy Madison

Billy Madison is a 1995 comedy starring Adam Sandler in the title role about a slacker who must go back to school in order to take over his father's company. The comedy also features Bradley Whitford, Josh Mostel, Bridgette Wilson, Chris Farley, Norm Macdonald, Steve Buscemi and Darren McGavin. It was written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy and produced by Universal Pictures. The MPAA rated the film with an PG-13 for language and crude humor. It made $24 million worldwide.

27-year-old Billy Madison (Adam Sandler) has spent his entire life reaping the benefits of his father's hotel chain. He spends his days drinking with friends Jack (Mark Beltzman) and Frank (Norm Macdonald), and creating disturbances across his father's estate. One day, Billy ruins a dinner meeting between his father Brian (Darren McGavin) and his associates by acting obnoxiously. This prompts his father to lose faith in his son, and choose Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford), to become the next owner of the hotel. Billy despises Eric, and begs his father to reconsider his decision. However, his father states that Billy only managed to pass through school because he bribed his teachers. The two finally come to compromise; Billy must pass elementary and high school within the course of twenty-four weeks (two-weeks per grade), in order to prove his competence.

Shortly after enrolling into school, Billy becomes attracted to a teacher named Veronica Vaughn (Bridgette Wilson), who initially attempts to ignore him. Nevertheless Billy successfully progresses to his first two grades. He eventually finds himself as one of Vaughn's students in the third grade. He manages to earn her respect by defending Ernie, his friend and classmate. Billy becomes popular among the third graders, and misses them as he advances through school. Billy's development and progression alarms Eric, who becomes increasingly agitated as Billy completes each grade. Eric takes the offensive while Billy struggles in high school. He visits Billy's grade school principal, Max Anderson (Josh Mostel), and makes numerous references to his controversial past as a professional wrestler that could threaten Max's education career. Coerced, Max publicly states he took bribes from Billy in return for passing Billy to the next grade.