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Why is The Waterboy rated PG-13? The MPAA rated The Waterboy PG-13

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The guide to our grades, parent movie review by rod gustafson.

Saying this is the best Adam Sandler movie I’ve ever seen reminds me of the time my mother baked our weekly liver dinner instead of pan-frying it. It was the best liver I ever had, and I’m happy to say I haven’t eaten liver again in almost thirty years…

Sandler plays Bobby Boucher, a 31 year old simpleton from Louisiana who has an obsession for water after being told from childhood that his “daddy” perished in the Sahara. Working as a waterboy, Boucher strives to give the state football team the best water he can. Instead the team sees his childish personality and water purification equipment as a sideline target for their ridicule, which leads to Boucher being fired for distracting the players.

Co-written by Sandler, this script offers few realistic examples for teens who are mocked and trying to regain self esteem. Certainly if most of us tackled a football thug we’d have good reason to consider health insurance. More amazing yet, he gets 97% on his high school equivalency test, even though he’s never gone to school (his momma kept him home).

The movie does include a handful of positive elements, like when Boucher turns down advances from Vicki (Fairuza Balk), a girl who will try anything to get his attention—even removing her shirt (we only see Boucher’s reaction). Also, Boucher is eventually accepted by the community and his mother as he asserts his independence and furthers his education.

But no matter how you cook it, this movie is peppered with profanities and sexual innuendo, and is still a tough choice to recommend to your teens

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Rod Gustafson

The waterboy rating & content info.

Why is The Waterboy rated PG-13? The Waterboy is rated PG-13 by the MPAA

Page last updated February 13, 2012

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I believe in giving every movie the benefit of the doubt. I walked into "The Waterboy," sat down, took a sip of my delicious medium roast coffee and felt at peace with the world. How nice it would be, I thought, to give Adam Sandler a good review for a change. Goodwill and caffeine suffused my being, and as the lights went down I all but beamed at the screen.

Then Adam Sandler spoke, and all was lost. His character's voice is made of a lisp, a whine, a nasal grating and an accent that nobody in Louisiana actually has, although the movies pretend that they do. His character is a 31-year-old man who, soon after the film opens, is fired as the waterboy of a championship football team. Then he talks himself into a job with a team of losers, led by the insecure Coach Kline ( Henry Winkler ).

Bobby Boucher, the waterboy, is one of those people who is so insufferable, in a passive-aggressive way, that you have to believe they know what they're doing. No one could be that annoying by accident. I am occasionally buttonholed by such specimens. They stand too close, they talk too loudly, they are not looking at me but at an invisible Teleprompter somewhere over my shoulder. If I were a man of action, I would head-butt them and take my chances with the courts.

"The Waterboy" tries to force this character into the ancient movie mold of the misunderstood simple little guy with a heart of gold. By the end of the movie we are supposed to like him, I think, especially as the whole school turns up in a candlelight vigil outside the hospital where he waits at the bedside of his (not) dying mother. There is only one way I can see myself liking this character. That would be if "The Waterboy," like " That Obscure Object of Desire " and " Lost Highway ," had two different actors play the same character, so that by the end Bobby Boucher was being portrayed by Tom Hanks .

Kathy Bates has the best scenes in the movie, as Bobby's mother, a possessive and manipulative creature who has kept her son tied to her apron strings in their bayou cabin, which looks like it was furnished by the same artist who draws How Many Mistakes Can You Find in This Picture? Mama Boucher and Bobby share space with large animals and junk shop treasures, and she serves giant swamp snakes, coiled in a tasty brew of herbs and spices. Bates makes her character work as a comic creation, and knows the line between parody and wretched excess.

Henry Winkler is luckless as Coach Klein, because he is given little to do other than be a creature of the plot. And the plot is that exhausted wheeze of a sports movie formula, in which the hero is scorned by everyone until he comes off the bench, shows remarkable talent, and (a) wins or (b) loses the big game. (I do not want to reveal the ending, so you will have to guess for yourself which it is. If you voted for [b], you are reading the wrong movie critic.) Do I have something visceral against Adam Sandler? I hope not. I try to keep an open mind and approach every movie with high hopes. It would give me enormous satisfaction (and relief) to like him in a movie. But I suggest he is making a tactical error when he creates a character whose manner and voice has the effect of fingernails on a blackboard, and then expects us to hang in there for a whole movie.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film Credits

The Waterboy (1998)

Rated PG-13 For Language and Some Crude Sexual Humor

Adam Sandler as Bobby Boucher

Kathy Bates as Mama Boucher

Henry Winkler as Coach Klein

Fairuza Balk as Vicki Vallencourt

Jerry Reed as Red Beaulieu

Directed by

Frank Coraci
Tim Herlihy
Adam Sandler

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DVD & Streaming

The Waterboy

Comedy , Sports

Content Caution

In Theaters

Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler, Fairuza Balk, Jerry Reed

Home Release Date

Frank Coraci

Distributor

Touchstone Pictures

Movie Review

Gunga Din he’s not . In The Waterboy , Adam Sandler plays a dim-witted, Cajun mama’s-boy dedicated to serving college football players “quality H2O.” He’s a human tackling dummy. Then, after years of public humiliation, Bobby Boucher becomes a hero by releasing that pent-up hostility on opposing ball carriers and turning his team into a winner.

Critics panned Waterboy , but teens flocked to see Sandler’s crude antics, making the movie a $160 million theatrical hit. Now on video, this comedy’s profane language, sexual innuendo, and mockery of virginity and Christian faith are overshadowed only by its twisted path to vindication. While it’s easy to root for the pathetic aqua toter to overcome his social handicaps and earn respect, what message is Sandler sending young fans by having his character achieve success by going ballistic and leveling people who’ve wronged him—including an old man? Brutal.

Adam Sandler has developed a huge following based on some very mean-spirited, vulgar, sexually explicit material. R-rated films. Salacious comedy albums. While The Waterboy doesn’t quite compare to his worst offenses, this watered-down version of Sandler’s shtick relies on entirely too much crass, kinky humor for discerning families.

Bob Smithouser

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Film Review – The Waterboy (1998)

By now you know that I end every article by asking, “what movie topic should I discuss next?” Then, I exclaim, “whether it be old or new, the choice is up to you!” However, it dawns on me that I haven’t been living up to this statement. So, from now on, every Tuesday a reader requested review will be posted. If you want a certain filmed reviewed, be sure to comment down below or reach out on Twitter! Today’s review is The Waterboy and comes from @MadAsAHatter9 .

Before Adam Sandler went off the deep end, he made some pretty ridiculous comedies. The following review will be spoiler free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8yv9eq5s14

The Waterboy is directed by Frank Coraci and stars Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates , and Henry Winkler.

We follow a 31-year-old named Bobby Boucher (Sandler) that lives in a local backcountry swamp in Louisiana. As the title suggests, Boucher is a waterboy for a local college football team. But when his anger causes him to lose his job, he picks up another gig at a consistent losing college in Louisiana where he quickly learns that he is capable of becoming a dominant football player when he utilizes his rage. In order to turn the fortunes of the team around, Coach Klein (Winkler) gets Boucher on the team with aspirations of returning to glory as a coach.

image via Examining Life

Suprisingly, The Waterboy had an Oscar-friendly release date of November 3rd, 1998. While the film isn’t exactly Oscar material, it was actually nominated for AFI’s list of 100 Years…100 Laughs which notes the funniest films of all-time. However, Adam Sandler was also nominated for a Razzie Award for worst actor.

Luckily, it appears that The Waterboy was a massive hit with fans, becoming Adam Sandler’s second film to eclipse $120 million worldwide by grossing a total of approximately $186 million . Considering the film had a mere $23 million budget, The Waterboy was a bonafide hit.

Most turn to this film along with others as the height of Adam Sandler’s powers as an actor before he began to phone it in by many people’s standards. Although he continues to make films on Netflix such as April’s Sandy Wexler , many agree he just isn’t quite the same.

image via VICE Sports

What I Liked

The Waterboy is stupid, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Straddling the line between stupid humor and annoyance is an incredibly tough feat to pull off. In fact, The Waterboy is most certainly very annoying to a lot of people. However, the difference between The Waterboy and other stupid films is that it has a fun concept in which it then lampoons on a consistent basis. Having the waterboy take the team to prominence is a fun switcheroo of typical sports movie cliches.

Lesser sports comedies like Rebound or the remake of Bad News Bears always look to add inticing, skilled players that look the part and fit into the band of misfits on the team. The fun part of The Waterboy is that it adds the dumbest character of them all to the formula and the team somehow improves. Although the film becomes more generic after this initial idea (more on that below), it’s a nice little quirk that allows Sandler to go bonkers.

image via Orlando Weekly

Sandler’s performance is where most viewers draw the line. You’ll either hate the film because of him or love it for the same reason. His awkward, grating Southern drawls are the source of a lot of dumb laughs if you’re in the right frame of mind. On the other hand, you might check out within the first five minutes if you can’t handle it. As for this critic, it works solidly for this absurd movie.

What I Liked…Continued

From its absurdity comes a ton of quotable moments. If you’re in college, you’d be hard-pressed to get through a month without someone channeling their inner Bobby Boucher. Although it doesn’t necessarily highlight the film as a piece of art, there’s something to be said about a film that creates some type of cultural significance after its release. It speaks to watching The Waterboy for its pure entertainment value.

Many of the film industry’s best critics have lambasted The Waterboy for its quality, including Roger Ebert back in the day . But, if you’re looking for even the slightest bit of meaning in this film, then you’re searching in the wrong place. There is nothing here for a classic cinephile.

Lighten up, it’s just stupid fun.

image via YTS

What I Didn’t Like

That being said, even from the most casual viewing perspective, there are some glaring issues with The Waterboy .

Like most sports movies, The Waterboy follows the most generic of storylines as we see an awful team slowly begin to improve with everything culminating in the big game against the main rival (and villain) of the movie. Sound familiar? That’s because just about every sports movie does it. After Rocky , rarely do we get a movie that doesn’t follow an underdog coming to prominence.

Sports movies are consistently at a disadvantage, mostly because the ending can only be one of two results: the team wins or loses. With these conclusions in mind, it forces the journey of the characters to be wholly rewarding in whatever tone the movie set out to accomplish. The Waterboy receives serious demerits for this reason. There are way too many dips in entertainment value to fully recommend this film to everyone.

The film tries to prop up Boucher’s character with relationship moments between his mother and possible girlfriend that detracts from the best parts of the film: the football games. Are there some occasional funny moments in these instances? Sure, but the film takes a serious dip in entertainment value when it occasionally tries to become serious in relationship drama that was never intriguing in the first place. You watch The Waterboy for a few reasons: wacky hi-jinks, football, and celebrity cameos. That’s it!

The Waterboy is really, really dumb. When combined with a generic plot, these points would normally kill a movie. However, this film is unbelievably silly which helps make up for a lot of issues. It gets a C+ .

If you haven’t seen this movie, I’d advise checking it out on Netflix as soon as possible. We don’t get too many screwball comedies that work anymore. The Waterboy is a nice reminder that Adam Sandler once cared about his films. I can’t for the life of me give it a great grade, but it’s certainly a guilty pleasure that is worth your time.

________________________________________

Thanks for reading! What are your thoughts on The Waterboy? Do you want a specific movie reviewed? Comment down below!

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to MovieBabble via email to stay up to date on the latest content.

And, as always, what movie topic should I discuss next? Whether it be old or new, the choice is up to you!

A current young professional in the Richmond, Virginia area, Nick founded MovieBabble in October of 2016 when he was a bored college student with nothing else to do. (And he kicks himself every day that his story isn't better.) Nick is also a member of the Online Film Critics Society, the Internet Film Critics Society and the Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Association. You can follow him on Twitter @nkush42

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I miss the Adam Sandler of the early 90s (was it 80s maybe?) where he made those stupid audio skits and whatnot. His films have never approached the level of creativity and humor of some of his better skits.

Very true! Maybe he should try to go a little dramatic, he’s been good in those types of roles in the past.

Listening to his The Goat now for nostalgia. Hilarious stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1NTjqaAKBo

Lol you got that right! That looney style doesn’t seem to fit with today’s audiences anymore. It’s a shame…

I loved Kathy Bates in this movie.

FOOSBALL? YOU PLAYIN THE FOOSBALL BOBBY???

Nothing wrong with a little silliness, now and again. Sometimes it’s just what’s needed! (I’ll take silly over pretentious any day of the week.)

You’re totally right! Something could be completely absurd and nonsensical but if you’re having fun then screw it! Lol

“Gatorade”

Water sucks, it really really sucks!

Great post! I also love Sandler when he’s “good stupid” (“Billy Madison,” “Happy Gilmore”), not just “stupid stupid” (the “Grown Ups” movies).

Completely with you there! I just wish he would find that creative touch again…

Me too! Remember when the Happy Madison banner was a sign of quality comedy? Sigh.

Sigh, indeed

Nice review. Even I agree that back in the ’90s, Adam Sandler was (at the very least) tolerable in his films and this is one that’s just not meant for hardcore film critics. Anyway, I’ve got a request for you. He’s celebrating his 30th Birthday this year, so how about you take a stab at all four RoboCop film, or at least the first one?

You got it! Those will be fun!

“Thank you for your cooperation”.

I find Adam Sandler movies, like you said, straddle that line between stupid and annoying. I had to watch this a few times before I really ‘got it’.

A lot of his films are pretty irredeemable but this one is good fun if you don’t take it so seriously!

I’m not fond of Adam Sandler but someone told me last year that I would enjoy it and your review has confirmed that so thank you!

Glad I could help!!

Hi Nick, I remember Waterboy as one of the few comedies I haven’t been able to see to the end. I first tried to see it on a bus in Mexico and ended up thinking about something else in the dark airconned bus.

Your posts tend to treat the glossy and very Hollywood, I think, and there’s a lot more to movies (not to offend you, just saying). Since you ask for suggestions, I have some.

Kristin Scott-Thomas, have a look at the movies she’s been in. Tell us what you think of Cate Blanchett . (You had a list of greatest female actors that I didn’t understand).

I don’t appreciate your critique since a lot of thought goes into them but I’ll look into your recommendation regarding KST.

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Buena Vista Pictures

Summary Just an oddball mama's boy from the back bayous of Louisiana, Bobby Boucher (Sandler) never wanted anything more than to quench the thirst of the dehydrated athletes who treat him like dirt! But when Coach Klein (Winkler) makes the call that allows Bobby to finally stand up for himself, it unleashes a torrent of bottled-up frustration .. ... Read More

Directed By : Frank Coraci

Written By : Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler

The Waterboy

Where to watch.

Adam Sandler

Bobby boucher.

Kathy Bates

Mama boucher.

Henry Winkler

Coach klein.

Fairuza Balk

Vicki vallencourt, red beaulieu.

Lawrence Gilliard Jr.

Derek wallace.

Blake Clark

Farmer fran.

Peter Dante

Gee grenouille.

Jonathan Loughran

Lyle robideaux, casey bugge.

Clint Howard

Allen Covert

Rob Schneider

Todd holland, greg meaney, robert kokol.

Frank Coraci

Jennifer Taylor

James bates jr., west mississippi lineman, drunk cheerleader, red's watergirl, critic reviews.

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The Untold Truth Of The Waterboy

Today, Adam Sandler is known as one of the biggest comedy movie actors of all time. Before climbing Hollywood's ladder to the A-list, Sandler was a cast member on television's most famous sketch comedy show, "Saturday Night Live." In the mid-1990s, Sandler started making a name for himself in movies , notably "Billy Madison" in 1995 and "Happy Gilmore" in 1996, which made healthy profits at the box office .

It was 1998's "The Waterboy" that finally launched Sandler's career into the stratosphere. Filled with many notable actors in the supporting cast, including Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler, and Fairuza Balk, "The Waterboy" told the story of Robert "Bobby" Boucher Jr., played by Sandler. Bobby is a well-meaning but slow-witted youth whose dreams of serving water, playing football, and finding romance are held back due to his love for his domineering mother (Bates).

"The Waterboy" became the first film in Sandler's career to make more than $100 million domestically. It turned the actor into a comedy superstar alongside the likes of Jim Carrey and Steve Martin . In the decades since its release, the movie has come to be regarded as a classic. The history behind the making of "The Waterboy" is a fascinating one. Let us take a look at some of the surprising events that led up to the creation of the beloved comedy.

It was inspired by an SNL sketch

Adam Sandler started his Hollywood career as a standup comic and sketch comedy artist. Many of the ideas that Sandler would use later in his movie career were inspired by his time working on "Saturday Night Live." The iconic sketch show was also responsible for the idea that eventually evolved into "The Waterboy."

On "SNL," Sandler made a name for himself singing parodies on his guitar and playing offbeat characters with interesting quirks. Like "Canteen Boy," an assistant scoutmaster who behaves in a childlike manner, pays great attention to detail, and is always seen wearing a water canteen around his neck. If that description sounds very similar to Bobby Boucher, it's no coincidence.

"You could compare [Bobby] to 'Canteen Boy,'" Sandler told CNN in an interview. "Whereas he does love water and they both get picked on a lot." While Canteen Boy inspired "The Waterboy," Bobby Boucher is a better-developed character whose most noticeable quality, Sandler said, is that "he is a genuine, good person." It was this goodness that made Bobby Boucher into something deeper than a character in a sketch, someone whose journey audiences would want to follow over the length of an entire film.

Everyone loves Bobby Boucher

Right from the start of his career in films, Adam Sandler made a name for himself playing emotionally stunted man-children with anger issues. The anger issues toned down a bit by the later stages of his career, but at the time of "The Waterboy," Sandler was still best known for playing guys who did not always behave in the nicest manner. This was a formula that "The Waterboy" inverted. Instead of having Sandler play an over-the-top zany character in a regular world, screenwriter Tim Herlihy told SB Nation that this movie changed things up by having Sandler's Bobby Boucher be the nice, relatively sane guy surrounded by whacky characters who accentuated how nice and well-meaning Bobby himself was.

Playing Bobby proved a nice change of pace for Sandler. When he was asked during an interview with The Harvard Crimson which of Sandler's characters he would want to be stuck on a marooned island with, the actor picked Bobby as his companion of choice (next to Billy Madison), adding that he would "let Bobby [rest] his head on [his] lap and sleep." Also, who better to help you survive on a desert island than a guy who has spent his life learning to collect and ration drinking water?

Kathy Bates tossed the script in the trash

One of the biggest surprises in "The Waterboy" when it first came out was seeing veteran dramatic actress Kathy Bates hamming it up to glory in the role of Bobby's domineering mother desperate to keep her son at her side forever by telling him everything outside their home was a sinful trap set by the devil.

No one thought Bates would ever want to do such an over-the-top role, not even the makers of "The Waterboy." And they were right. When Bates first got the script for the movie, she saw that it was about football. Having no interest in the sport and not having the faintest idea who the lead actor was, Bates threw the script in the trash. There, it was spotted by Bates' niece, who realized "The Waterboy" was an Adam Sandler movie.

"[My niece] pulled it out, and she said, 'Adam Sandler! You don't know the Hanukkah song [from 'SNL']?" Bates told Snoop Dogg in an interview . "[My niece told me] 'You have to do this movie!' And she was right. We had so much fun. Unbelievable." Thanks to that bit of prodding, Bates accepted the unusual role of Bobby's mom, Helen, which ended up becoming one of the best-remembered roles of the actress' illustrious career.

The film is related to Hubie Halloween

"The Waterboy" had Adam Sandler playing one of the most vulnerable characters of his entire career. Bobby Boucher was the town outcast who was bullied by everyone around him but maintained a dogged determination to be kind and helpful to others because of his strong love for his mother that extended to the rest of humanity. Echoes of these character traits can be found in Hubie Dubois, Sandler's hero from 2020's "Hubie Halloween." Much like Bobby, Hubie is his town's walking punchline, has an awkward way of talking, and cares far more for his neighbors than they do for him. These similarities were not a coincidence. In fact, Sandler told Yahoo Entertainment that Hubie's full name is a reference to Bobby Boucher since the two characters are so similar.

With "Hubie Halloween" chock-full of references to many of Sandler's past movies, the actor went a step further in the same interview and entertained that all his movies take place within a collective "Sandlerverse," which might one day lead to an epic crossover among the various characters Sandler has played over the years. So fingers crossed for the day we might get to see Hubie and Bobby save the day together.

The Phantom Menace helped The Waterboy

The biggest movie news around the time of the release of "The Waterboy" was that "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" was going to be released soon after. Fans were agog to see the next part in George Lucas' iconic sci-fi series. The original "Star Wars" trilogy had ended, and CGI had advanced far enough to expand the world of the franchise in a compelling manner. Thus "The Phantom Menace" was primed to generate a large amount of hype as the starting point for a new "Star Wars" trilogy. This actually ended up helping "The Waterboy."

According to a report by The New York Times from that era, the fact that "The Phantom Menace" trailer was attached to "The Waterboy" and a few other lesser-known movies meant that "Star Wars" fans would buy tickets for the smaller movies purely so they could watch the two-minute trailer at the start of the show and leave. This helped bump up the ticket sales for "The Waterboy" and gave it longer legs at the box office.

You can do it! was always going to be big

In many ways, "The Waterboy" laid the groundwork for the way Adam Sandler would make his movies for the rest of his career. A feel-good story, a likable lead, and a bunch of comedians who all happen to be close friends with Sandler in real life. One such comedian was Rob Schneider, who knew Sandler from their days on "SNL" together, Schneider said in an interview with Us Weekly .

One of the highlights of "The Waterboy" was Schneider's supporting role as the Townie, who delivers the famous line, "You can do it!" The line became an internet meme before internet memes were a thing. It became a running gag to have Schneider say the line in other Sandler movies, and Sandler returned the favor when he guest-starred in Schneider's movie "The Animal." The fact that the line would be such a hit was already known to Sandler before "The Waterboy" ever released.

"[Adam] called me two weeks before the movie came out," Schneider said. "[He said,] 'In two weeks, 'The Waterboy' is going to come out and you're not going to be able to go anywhere without hearing, 'You can do it!'"

Henry Winkler randomly landed his role

As perfect as Henry Winkler was in the role of the hapless Coach Klein in "The Waterboy," that bit of casting was highly unusual at the time. Back then, Winkler was still known as the epitome of cool. Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli from the classic TV show "Happy Days" was the last guy you could imagine playing Coach Klein.

After "Happy Days" ended, Winkler found himself cursed with the same problem of typecasting that applied to most actors known for a highly specific breakout television character. Despite being a character actor at heart, Winkler found few opportunities to showcase his range until "The Waterboy" came along.

While Adam Sandler was on "SNL," he sang "The Chanukah Song," which name-dropped Winkler. The actor called Sandler to thank him for the shout-out, and the two ended up becoming friends. That in turn led to Sandler casting Winkler as Coach Klein in a role that was the polar opposite of how the actor was perceived at the time. Thanks to the success of "The Waterboy," Winkler received a fresh boost to his career that allowed him to finally put "The Fonz" behind him and establish a new reputation as a character actor.

A very different original plot

What makes "The Waterboy" work for both football fans and non-football fans is that the movie is not really about the sport itself. Rather, "The Waterboy" is a heartfelt satire of small-town life where the pride of the residents becomes intricately linked with their home team and small-town folks dream of doing something bigger with their life.

While the character of Bobby Boucher was already decided upon as a continuation of Canteen Boy from "SNL," the backdrop for the character's story almost had a completely different New England setting. That was an idea that was explored early on by the film's writer, Tim Herlihy. "At one point, we talked about doing it in black and white and set in the '50s," Herlihy told SB Nation . He added that if they had pursued that idea, "It would've been a very different movie," while also admitting he did not know enough about the New England college football scene to make the premise work. In the end, the team behind "The Waterboy" decided to place the story in Louisiana after a Mardi Gras trip they took inspired them to make a satire of what audiences think people in the South sound and act like.

The giant-sized cameo

Before finding his calling as a linebacker, Bobby Boucher leads an incredibly repressed life. He finds a passive outlet for his aggression by avidly following professional wrestling. Bobby's favorite wrestler is a giant man called "Captain Insano," whom Bobby dreams of working for as a water boy.

Wrestling fans will notice that the role of Captain Insano is played by Paul Wight, better known in wrestling circles as "The Big Show." The 7-foot giant has long been a star in the world of professional wrestling and made several forays into movies. Despite his brief screen time, Captain Insano proved a big hit with audiences, so much so that Wight claims he has bought the rights to the character from the studio that owns "The Waterboy." The wrestler intends to bring the fictional wrestler into the real world as a fresh new in-ring persona for AEW (All Elite Wrestling). The biggest difference according to Wight will be that the new version of Insano will not be rocking his luxurious locks from the movie.

Ariana Grande once played Bobby Boucher

2020 was a tough year for everyone everywhere. The pandemic was raging, and all you could do was hunker down within your home and try to keep your mind off the bad stuff by rewatching old shows and movies. Many classics received a boost in popularity during that time period, including "The Waterboy," thanks to Ariana Grande.

The famous pop star took to social media to post a clip of herself embracing her inner Adam Sandler acting as Bobby Boucher in a scene from the movie. Grande went the extra mile by dressing up like Bobby and wearing appropriate makeup to present the appearance of a black eye. The role of Bobby's mom was played by Grande's own mother. Finally, the pop sensation's former castmate Elizabeth Gillies played Bobby's love interest, Vicki Vallencourt.

The clip rapidly went viral on various social media outlets. Grande's attention to detail while portraying Bobby's awkward mannerisms received particular praise. The trending clip caught Sandler's attention, and the actor gave his blessings to Grande's efforts by tweeting, "Bobby Boucher approves of this message."

The real Bobby Boucher?

Even though Bobby Boucher was based on a previous character, "Canteen Boy," playing the role of a star linebacker was a novel experience for Adam Sandler. The actor knew that he had to take care not just of his acting, but also the physical aspects of playing Bobby and looking like he actually belonged on the football field with other players. To that end, Sandler prepared for his role by watching real-life linebackers go about their work during football games. One player whom the actor paid special attention to was former All-Pro NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington. In fact, Arrington even goes so far as to declare himself the real-life Bobby Boucher who directly inspired Sandler's take on the iconic character. "A lot of people don't realize that I'm the 'Waterboy,'" Arrington told Fox Sports Radio .

"[Sandler is] a big Penn State fan," he continued, "and came to Penn State to watch the linebackers of 'Linebacker U,' and more specifically, LaVar Arrington." The former pro linebacker also pointed out that the "Number 9" shirt Bobby wears in the movie is Arrington's high school number and that Sandler's movements on the football field closely resemble Arrington's "reckless abandon" from his college playing days.

Henry Winkler still has part of his movie tattoo

At one point in "The Waterboy," Coach Klein arrives at Bobby's house to offer him a football scholarship for college. While Bobby is thrilled, his mother nixes the idea with great firmness. Cowed by his mother, Bobby regretfully says no to Klein. Before leaving, Klein reveals the "Roy Orbison" tattoo on his butt that he got without his mother's permission as a way to encourage Bobby to continue playing college football in secret.

The tattoo is one of the most unexpected moments in the movie, and you are never quite sure whether that was really Henry Winkler with the giant tattoo on his posterior or a body double. As it turns out, not only did Winkler get the tattoo for the movie, but he still has part of it on his body as a way to honor his character in "The Waterboy."

Winkler told WGN-TV (via Outsider) that he "had [the tattoo] removed by laser" before going on to reveal that he kept the "Roy Orbison's glasses" part of the tattoo. A strange but rather sweet way to commemorate the strange but sweet movie that turned Winkler's career around.

The film had a highly mixed reaction

Adam Sandler might just be one of the most controversial stars in the history of Hollywood. Not because of his personal life, but because of how deeply his movies appear to divide critics and general audiences. Influential reviewers frequently lambast Sandler's comedy movies as simplistic, formulaic, and cheap, but that doesn't stop audiences from turning out to see them in droves.

This deepening schism started appearing right from the time of "The Waterboy." The film became Sandler's first bonafide blockbuster, grossing more than $100 million at the international box office. The movie was also torn apart by critics . Sandler was nominated for the Golden Raspberry award for worst actor, but ironically he also won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor — Comedy for the same movie.

"It's never been my drive, and it's never been Sandler's drive [to please critics]," "The Waterboy" director Frank Coraci told SB Nation with regards to the movie's mixed reception. "We just really wanna make movies that we believe in, that are funny, that make you feel some good things and have a positive message and that are entertaining." Beyond critics reviews and box office numbers, the biggest testament to the success of "The Waterboy" in the long run is the fact that the movie is still so fondly remembered decades after its initial release.

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The Waterboy Reviews

This juvenile, unnecessary, and utterly pathetic madness can barely be considered a comedy; the jokes are so immature and flat that it more closely resembles a tragedy.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/10 | Sep 25, 2020

A witless and utterly predictable comic fantasy about a misfit turned hero.

Full Review | Jun 18, 2012

Really dumb, but many teens love it anyway.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Dec 29, 2010

An agreeable yet forgettable comedy...

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 10, 2010

There's an innocence to The Waterboy that makes the picture part slapstick and part fairy tale...The only problem with letting kids see this Adam Sandler movie? They might want to see another one. [Blu-ray]

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 12, 2009

A predictable, formulaic, dumb comedy that has about as much depth as Bobby . . . unless you think of it in Forrest Gump terms, and then it begins to get a little less offensive and a little funnier.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Jul 24, 2009

Though unabashedly goofy, this comedy also boasts some subtly ingenious moments of mirth.

Full Review | Oct 18, 2008

The formulaic mix of mirth and mayhem is aimed way down the MTV food chain...

Full Review | Jun 2, 2008

Perfectly watchable, undemanding fun, but you can't help thinking that a slightly darker tone would have gone a very long way.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 2, 2008

Hands up anyone who shelled-out cash at the cinema to see this pathetic sporting comedy...What were you thinking of?

Scrappy and funny and achieves its modest aim, which is to make us laugh like grade-schoolers. The doofus boy triumphs again.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Jul 23, 2007

The direction is as blunt and vacant as the plotting, the jokes are obvious and the performances (with a couple of exceptions) charmless.

Full Review | Jan 26, 2006

No stretching involved, but he delivers. It's a safe date film.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Dec 6, 2005

The film is amiably goofy.

Full Review | Jul 21, 2005

It's a piece of comic fluff that has lots of laughs and appeals to the kid in us all.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Apr 9, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Apr 2, 2005

The Waterboy is a disappointment, even by standards associated with Adam Sandler's work.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/10 | Feb 28, 2005

Adam Sandler movies are like kumquats -- you either like them or you don't.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Jan 29, 2005

God knows, it tries, but most of the jokes fall flat, and the movie never gets off the ground.

Full Review | Original Score: D | May 22, 2003

The Waterboy should have been sacked long before it reached the theater.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | May 20, 2003

THE WATERBOY

"not quite thirst quenching".

What You Need To Know:

(Ro, B, AB, LL, V, N, A) Romantic worldview of loser to hero with some moral elements of loving & accepting others & a stereotypical, non-flattering Christian character; 16 obscenities, 1 profanity & some mild sexual humor; mild football violence; one image of rear male nudity (non-sexual); and, alcohol use.

More Detail:

THE WATERBOY lists as the latest Adam Sandler vehicle in which he writes and stars, following BILLY MADESON and HAPPY GILMORE. Like other Sandler movies, it is silly, fun and very shallow.

Adam enters as Bobby Coucher, a 31-year-old momma’s boy whose sole ambition in life it seems is to be a waterboy. He has that characteristic Sandler look, extended jaw and large lower lip, playing the weird boy whom nobody likes. The football team that Bobby painstakingly serves makes fun of him. It is so much of a distraction that the coach fires him.

Bobby goes home to Momma, played humorously by Kathy Bates. Momma uses phrases like “it’s the devil” and “godless Jezebel,” seemingly indicating she is a stereotypical, dumb, southern Christian. Momma lost her husband and doesn’t want to lose her son and would prefer Bobby to stay home. Instead, he ventures out to the local college, Louisiana State, and applies to be the waterboy. The coach, played by the always-likeable Henry Winkler, seems distracted by past defeats and agrees. Bobby explodes at someone and tackles him, giving Coach Klein the idea that Bobby might be a talented running back.

Even though the team makes fun of him, Bobby puts on a uniform, and a star is born. The problem is, when Momma serves Coach Klein and Bobby fried rattlesnake for dinner, Momma won’t allow Bobby to play no “foosball.” So, Bobby has to play behind her back. The team, “The Muddogs” have been on a long losing streak, which Bobby helps them break through his newfound tackling skills.

THE WATERBOY is a light, fun movie in which good triumphs in the end, and everyone learns and grows. It is typical Sandler fare, however, which is silly to the point of sometimes absurdity, but audiences who have enjoyed him in the past will like this movie. WATERBOY is a light, breezy, entertaining movie severely marred by a bigoted stereotyping of Christians and a fair amount of obscenities (most of which are the “A” word).

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

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The Waterboy Review

06 Nov 1998

The Waterboy

How you feel about The WaterBoy is going to depend largely on your opinion of Adam Sandler. Indeed, those whose experience of the man begins and ends with the crowd-pleasing commerciality of The Wedding Singer may well be a little perturbed by his latest, as it marks a return to the brand of acquired taste Sandler humour which delights and annoys in equal measures (but has nonetheless catapulted him into the $20 million-a-picture brigade). Folks familiar with the likes of Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison will know exactly what to expect.

Sandler (talking in a voice that makes him sound like a deranged cousin of Donald Duck) is Bobby Boucher, a mollycoddled, virginal 31-year-old whose experience of life outside of his remote Louisiana bayou home has been restricted by his overbearing mom (Bates). His only escape is his long time job dispensing "fine quality H20" to a local football team, something he prides himself on despite being constantly tormented by both coach and players. When he is fired, he takes up the same job at a collegiate team on a major losing streak.

There, his previously untapped tackling skills (which involve mowing down players four times his size) are discovered by Coach Klein (Winkler) and he is promoted to the squad. And he might just enjoy all the attention - particularly from jailbird Vicki Vallencourt (Balk) - provided his mum doesn't find out he's actually playing.

The WaterBoy netted over $160 million in the US, and it's hard to fathom whether it's the appeal of Sandler (who still displays a certain degree of charm despite the irritating vocal tics), the appeal of American football, or the current cinematic fascination with dumb comedy. For its almost total absence of anything resembling a substantial plot, The WaterBoy performs generously in all the above departments, and coughs up far more decent jokes than you'd expect, by far the best involving another team's attempt to field a rival WaterBoy. And at just 90 minutes long, it doesn't run long enough to outstay its welcome.

It's a slight film, though, and despite Bates' frantically OTT mugging and Winkler's thoroughly likeable turn, the promisingly edgy comedy of the first act soon gives way to reams of pop video choreographed football footage, and a final reel which falls total victim to pat-happy Hollywood conformity. All of which makes for perfectly watchable, undemanding fun, but you can't help thinking that a slightly darker tone would have gone a very long way.

Nickthemoviecritic.com

movie reviews, cinema, films, video games, anime, blog, movies, review, film review,

Flashback Review: The Waterboy

During his tenure on “SNL,” Adam Sandler (one of my favorite actors growing up) created a character named, “Canteen Boy.” A boy scout who has an unconformable moment with a scoutmaster played by Alec Baldwin. The sketch gained controversy for its depiction pedophilia. Afterwards, A VHS tape labeled, “The Best of Adam Sandler” adds a disclaimer that Canteen Boy is a grown man. Anyway, after leaving SNL becoming a household name in carrying movies like “Billy Madison,” “Happy Gilmore” & “The Wedding Singer.” Canteen Boy inspired Adam to create a similar character. One in particular is one of Adam’s best works, “The Waterboy.”

Released in 1998, (same year The Thin Red Line came out) The Waterboy received negative reviews from critics including Roger Ebert who hated it. Despite bad reactions, movie goers liked it and made enough money at the box office. Adam’s most recent movie, “Murder Mystery 2” is streaming on Netflix. Mr. Sandler just got the “Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.” His upcoming movies are “Spaceman,” “Leo,” “The Out-Laws” & “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.” Before his aforementioned projects come out sometime in 2023 or a later year, I wanna share my thoughts on The Waterboy.

It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. Some of us already seen most of Adam Sandler’s movies countless times.

Winner & Loser Aspects

Winner: Adam Sandler did a funny as heck job for his performance as the titular character. He also co-wrote the script with his business partner, Tim Herlihy.

Other Cast Members such as Henry Winkler, Fairuza Balk, Kathy Bates & Jerry Reed all did a decent job for their respective performances.

Adam’s pals, Peter Dante & Jonathan Loughran appear as players for the Mud Dogs.

Clint Howard appears as a hillbilly alongside Adam’s friend, Allen Covert.

Cinematography didn’t undergo any technical issues.

Bobby’s chemistry with Coach Klein, his mom and love interest, Vicki move the story forward.

Character Development involving Bobby. As the movie progresses, he learns to stand up for himself against bullies who tormented him since he was a kid.

Humor has some legit funny moments. My favorite joke is the Gatorade gag with Bobby pretending a few linebackers are Klein claiming water sucks and Gatorade is better. Thus, a meme is born. Another meme born is Rob Schneider shouting, “You can do it!” Don’t forget Klein’s tattoo of Roy Orbison on his butt.

Bobby was born in 1966. Same year Adam was born.

A “Morph Effect” shows Bobby visualizing the attack holds up. He pretends a quarterback or linebacker is a bully.

Bobby calls a college professor Colonel Sanders. Adam later used a similar joke in “The Longest Yard.” Don’t forget this bit. “Mama’s wrong again.”

When Bobby’s mom pretends she’s in a coma, Bobby says, “What have I done?” One of my favorite movie cliches that never gets old.

One character shouts, “My Leg!” One year before “SpongeBob SquarePants” aired.

During the final game, Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” plays in the background. Twenty Years prior to “Ready Player One.”

Loser: Product Placement (Pee Pee for short) featuring brands such as McDonalds, Gatorade, Aidias & Coca-Cola. I’ll let this con slide, because I couldn’t find any other brand to shove down my throat.

The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!

From my point of view, The Waterboy is one of Adam Sandler’s best movies. It still holds up. If you wanna introduce your kids to this movie, it’s a must watch.

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Published by nickthemoviecritic

Hi eveyone I'm Nick, and I am a huge movie fan. I thought I would start this blog to give true and accurate reviews of movies. Most sites can sometimes misleads several movies as good or bad, but I am an ordinary person who just loves movies and tells it like I see it. I hope you enjoy my reviews and you can even comment on my reviews. You can also check out my instagram account and some of the crazy things I do in my spare time (when I'm not watching movies)! Follow me on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook! View all posts by nickthemoviecritic

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The Waterboy

By Peter Travers

Peter Travers

Have you noticed that you take less heat these days for saying you like Adam Sandler? The Wedding Singer , in which the former SNL comic teamed romantically with Drew Barrymore, was a crossover hit earlier this year. Even those who dis Sandler as a jerk kind of warmed to it. The rest of us, hooked on the jerk joys of Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore , spark more when Sandler tries less to win a wider audience and simply, crassly, rudely runs amok.

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Which brings us to The Waterboy , a Sandler vehicle that offers dumb fun without apology. Sandler plays Bobby Boucher, an unschooled, unscrewed Louisiana mama’s boy who ladles out “quality H2O” to a college football team that kicks his ass and spits in his cooler. When Coach Klein (a very welcome Henry Winkler) discovers that a demon pops out in sweet Bobby any time some fool insults his mama (Oscar winner Kathy Bates is a hoot), the Waterboy becomes the team’s star tackler and a target for de-virginizing by Vicki Vallencourt, played with droll, red-lipped sluttiness by Fairuza Balk.

Sandler and his college buds – director Frank Coraci, co-writer Tim Herlihy, co-producer Jack Giarraputo – may have been to the well once too often with the story of an endearing, maternally obsessed simpleton who finds success and sex through anger. But Sandler makes the laughs go down easy, even if The Waterboy isn’t exactly quality H2O.

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The Waterboy review

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Adam Sandler is, like certain vegetables and sexual practices, an acquired taste. However, if proof were needed that America has most definitely clutched this winsome clown to her capacious bosom, then The Waterboy is it. A slight sports comedy that could easily have headed straight for the bottom video shelf instead made straight for the top of the theatrical pile, where it raked in $150 million. That's one-five-zero million.

So where did it all go right? Well, for starters, Sandler and long-time conspirator Herlihy have been here before: this is the team that brought you The Wedding Singer and Happy Gilmore, no less. Not that Bobby is a sharp, street kid like Happy, but the writers who appreciated what comedy violence could bring to the genteel world of golf are well equipped to give American football plenty of slap and loads of stick.

Bobby's hidden talent for havoc is The Waterboy's trump card; quite simply, each time he puts in a thumping tackle (accompanied by stomach-churning sound effects) is a moment of pure comedy gold. And just when the story is flagging... BOOM! There goes another one.

As far as plot goes, director Coraci may have a lot of fun with the Louisiana setting (The Waterboy's slender charm would not have survived a transfer to California) but no amount of backwoods jokes can disguise that we've been here plenty of times before. Indeed, the ending is so predictable that any bookie worth his salt would immediately know the fix he was in. (How many sequels to The Mighty Ducks do we really need?) Despite such old pros as Kathy Bates and Henry Winkler hamming it up in support, and Fairuza Balk effortlessly engaging as the vampish Veronica, none of them see enough of the ball to make any real impact.

Which inevitably brings us back round to Sandler. Sadly, our Ad seems unwilling to go what Burt Reynolds once called "the longest yard". He may invest Bobby with an annoying accent (think Cajun Rain Man) but strangely Sandler seems anxious to make Boucher more likable that laughable. It's a fair bet that an actor like Jim Carrey would have pushed Bobby to the extreme: real humiliation in the quest for laughs. And the irony is, whenever The Waterboy is silly it's pretty darn lovable, but as soon as it tries to be lovable it ends up looking... well, silly.

But then Bobby - ouch! - goes and breaks some more bones and - blam! - you find yourself laughing so hard that - booyah! - you figure you might just watch this one joke forever.

The Waterboy could've been a riot if Jim Carrey was on the ball, or the Farrelly brothers were calling the plays. As it is, Sandler's charm offensive, matched with a bruising defence, has just enough mayhem to keep you cheering for the home team.

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.

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33 facts about the movie the waterboy.

Written by Kaile Dunford

Modified & Updated: 05 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

The Waterboy is a hilarious sports comedy film that was released in 1998. Directed by Frank Coraci and written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, the movie tells the story of Bobby Boucher, a socially awkward waterboy for a college football team who discovers his incredible talent for tackling. Starring Adam Sandler as the lovable and dim-witted Bobby, The Waterboy is packed with memorable moments, quotable lines, and a heartwarming underdog story. This cult classic has won the hearts of audiences around the world with its mix of slapstick humor and heartwarming themes. In this article, we will dive deep into the world of The Waterboy and explore 33 fascinating facts about the film that every fan should know.

Key Takeaways:

“The Waterboy” is a hilarious underdog story with iconic catchphrases, showcasing Adam Sandler’s comedic talent and the importance of teamwork in football and life.
The movie captures 90s nostalgia with its quirky characters, memorable quotes, and absurd football moments, leaving a lasting impact on pop culture and sports culture.

Adam Sandler’s iconic portrayal

Adam Sandler plays the lead role in “The Waterboy,” showcasing his comedic talents and delivering a memorable character.

The underdog story

“The Waterboy” follows the story of Bobby Boucher, a socially awkward water boy turned football player who defies the odds and becomes a champion.

Box office success

The movie was a commercial success, grossing over $185 million worldwide, making it one of Sandler’s most successful films.

Filming locations

The film was shot in various locations, including Florida, Louisiana, and several college campuses.

Nostalgic 90s vibes

“The Waterboy” captures the essence of the 90s with its fashion, music, and humor, making it a beloved film amongst fans.

Kathy Bates as Mama Boucher

Kathy Bates delivers a standout performance as Mama Boucher, Bobby’s overprotective and feisty mother.

Ridiculous football moments

The movie features hilarious and over-the-top football scenes that add to its comedy and entertainment value.

Cameo appearances

Look out for some familiar faces in the film, as “The Waterboy” includes cameo appearances by well-known celebrities.

The soundtrack

The movie’s soundtrack features an energetic mix of 90s hits and catchy tunes that perfectly complement the film’s light-hearted tone.

Critic reviews

“The Waterboy” received mixed reviews from critics, but its undeniable popularity with audiences solidified its place as a cult classic.

Cultural references

The movie includes references to pop culture icons and events from the 90s, adding to its nostalgic appeal.

Bobby Boucher’s iconic water jug

Bobby Boucher’s iconic water jug becomes a symbol of his dedication and determination throughout the film.

Notable quotes

The movie is filled with memorable quotes that have become catchphrases for fans, such as “You can do it!” and “H2O is the way to go!”

Classic Sandler humor

“The Waterboy” showcases Adam Sandler’s signature comedic style, combining physical comedy, witty one-liners, and absurd situations.

The importance of teamwork

The film promotes the value of teamwork and how it can lead to success both on and off the field.

Real-life football references

“The Waterboy” incorporates elements from real-life football, capturing the spirit and excitement of the sport.

Bobby Boucher’s transformation

Bobby Boucher undergoes a significant transformation throughout the movie, evolving from a shy and insecure water boy to a confident athlete.

The love story

The movie also features a heartwarming love story between Bobby Boucher and his romantic interest, Vicki Vallencourt.

The impact of Mama Boucher

Mama Boucher’s influence on Bobby’s life and career journey is a central theme in the film, highlighting the importance of familial support.

Bizarre training methods

The film showcases Bobby’s unconventional training methods, including tackling tackling dummies and visualizing his opponents as faceless demons.

The Waterboy’s memorable catchphrases

“The Waterboy” introduced various catchphrases that quickly became iconic, demonstrating the film’s lasting impact on pop culture.

Social commentary on stereotypes

The movie touches upon themes of prejudice and stereotypes, challenging societal norms through its characters and narrative.

Bobby Boucher’s loyal friends

Bobby forms lasting friendships with his teammates, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and camaraderie.

The comedic ensemble cast

In addition to Adam Sandler and Kathy Bates, “The Waterboy” features a talented ensemble cast, including Henry Winkler and Fairuza Balk.

Reaction to the movie

“The Waterboy” gained a polarized reaction from audiences, with some praising its humor while others found it too silly.

Bobby Boucher’s signature tackle

Bobby’s powerful and animated tackles became one of the most memorable aspects of the movie.

Sports movie inspiration

“The Waterboy” draws inspiration from classic sports movies, infusing it with Sandler’s unique brand of humor.

Fanbase and cult following

Over the years, “The Waterboy” has gathered a dedicated fanbase, with fans continuing to quote lines and reference scenes from the film.

Sandler’s immense popularity

The movie further cemented Adam Sandler’s status as a comedic powerhouse in the 90s and early 2000s.

Unexpected twists and turns

“The Waterboy” surprises viewers with unexpected plot twists and humorous moments, keeping the audience engaged throughout.

The Waterboy’s impact on sports culture

The film’s light-hearted portrayal of football and its characters influenced popular culture’s perception of the sport.

Bobby’s memorable relationships

Bobby forms unique bonds with various characters in the film, including Coach Klein and his college professor, providing moments of emotional depth.

Enduring legacy

“The Waterboy” remains a beloved comedy that continues to entertain audiences today, showcasing Sandler’s comedic genius and preserving its place in film history.

The Waterboy is a hilarious and heartwarming movie that has captivated audiences since its release. With its unforgettable characters, memorable quotes, and a perfect blend of comedy and sports, it continues to be a fan favorite. Whether you’re a die-hard Adam Sandler fan or simply in the mood for a feel-good movie, The Waterboy is a must-watch. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to laugh, cheer, and maybe shed a tear or two.

Q: Who directed the movie The Waterboy?

A: The movie was directed by Frank Coraci .

Q: When was The Waterboy released?

A: The movie was released on November 6, 1998.

Q: Who plays the lead role in The Waterboy?

A: The lead role of Bobby Boucher is played by Adam Sandler.

Q: Where was The Waterboy filmed?

A: The movie was primarily filmed in Central Florida, including locations such as Orlando and St. Cloud.

Q: Is The Waterboy based on a true story?

A: No, The Waterboy is a fictional sports comedy.

Q: Are there any memorable quotes from The Waterboy?

A: Yes, there are many memorable quotes from the movie, including “You can do it!”, “Water sucks, it really, really sucks!”, and “Foosball is the devil!”

Q: Is The Waterboy suitable for all ages?

A: The movie is rated PG-13 due to some mild language and comedic violence. Parental discretion is advised for younger viewers.

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Movie Review

Plot Summary

Film review.

The language is unnecessary with 1 "f" word used by a hick who screams for Boucher's girlfriend to kill someone who is threatening Boucher. There are many uses of the "a" word, and characters are constantly making fun of Bobby.

The sexual innuendo is mild but it exists. A couple references are made to homo & bisexuality. None which really come out and support it, but it's used in a comedic style. Themes can be questioned throughout the film. Bobby's mother is hinted at being a crazy Christian calling everything "the devil," while Bobby's girlfriend, Vicki, is an criminal & astrologer, who comes across as being a sort of "hero" for Bobby. Again, this may be a theme you'll have to interpret for yourself.

Overall, the movie is pretty good, however, due to the sexual innuendo and it's overall stupidity despite it's times of being hilarious, I'm forced to only grant this film somewhere around 2 and a half stars.

Parental Guide: Content Summary

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Anya Forger, a pink-haired child, about to eat a delicious meal. She looks incredibly jazzed.

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Spy x Family Code: White fails the mission by serving every fan

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I love when Spy x Family veers into slice-of-life drama. I like seeing super duper capable spy Loid Forger and lethal assassin Yor navigate mundane activities like cooking dinner or planning date nights. I’m giddy when telepathic Anya uses her powers in a dodgeball match. I’m sure there are fans that prefer the more action-heavy, spy-thriller episodes, but I like when studios Wit and Cloverworks keep it chill. With 20 episodes a season, the anime has the space to deftly balance these two tones.

Spy x Family Code: White tries to dance that dance without the same rhythm. The new movie clocks in at almost two hours, but no matter what type of Spy x Family fan you are, only one half of it will be a delight and the other will be a slog.

[ Ed. note: This review contains some spoilers for Spy x Family ]

Anya, a small pink-haired girl, runs through a village market

In Spy x Family Code: White , the Forger family goes on vacation to an idyllic mountain village. There is a big ulterior motive for this: Anya’s newest class assignment involves cooking a dessert, and if she bakes the best dessert, she’ll get a coveted Stella, the school’s premier academic prize. And since she needs as many Stellas as possible to secure a spot at an elite party, where her family can meet the prime minister, Loid decides the best strategy is to research the headmaster’s favorite dessert hands-on.

At the same time, the future of Operation Strix is up in the air. Loid really wants Anya to win this contest so that he can have leverage to stay on the assignment. Oh, and, thanks to a misunderstanding, Yor thinks Loid might be cheating on their (fake) marriage.

Directed by Spy x Family episode director Takashi Katagiri, the first half of the movie involves a lot of lighthearted shenanigans, with some spy stuff sprinkled in. It’s my ideal ratio. Loid, Yor, Anya, and precognitive family dog Bond traverse across this mountain village, which looks like something out of a Hallmark movie, looking for ingredients so that the chef at the restaurant can make the dessert. This, of course, also involves Loid using his spy-trained marksmanship to beat a carnival game so he can snag an elusive bottle of orange liqueur and Yor accidentally kicking Loid out of a ferris wheel car with her super strong assassin legs when he tries to kiss her.

And while the shenanigans are happening, there are also some nice threads about family and spending time with one another. Loid wants to handle everything by himself, but Yor insists that they need to do things together as a family, because that’s what will be important in the end. Anya’s worried about Operation Strix falling apart and possibly losing her family because of it.

Yor Forger, a dark-haired woman, about to fight

But there are hints of a larger plotline, involving the military of Ostania and some crucial piece of intel that could ignite a war. At first it’s woven into the background, but it ramps up suddenly toward the back half of the movie, and the tone shifts into heavier action and thriller mode.

Yes, there are still a bunch of funny gags (including a prolonged joke about Anya trying to hold her poop in, which is far funnier than it sounds on paper), but there’s also a lot of kicking and explosions and a whole lot of complicated made-up political issues (which in true Anime OVA fashion are resolved neatly so they won’t really affect the next season). I’m sure this is exciting for a certain type of Spy x Family fan, but I spent the second half of the movie daydreaming about what the plot could’ve been if the Forgers spent the next half hour trying to make the overly complicated dessert instead. I know there are people out there who would want the dessert plotline sped up.

As a TV show, Spy x Family expertly handles these tone changes. Having 20-plus episode seasons means a nice balance of both the sillier and the more serious episodes — and because the episodes clock in at half an hour, it never feels like too much focus on one thing. But as a movie, Spy Family Code: White can’t strike that balance. Each half of the movie represents a different aspect of Spy x Family ’s appeal , and each half is quite good for what it’s supposed to be. They just don’t gel together at feature length. When the tone shifts, it locks in and doesn’t really have as much give as the show. Still, no matter what type of Spy x Family fan you are, you’ll enjoy at least half of the movie.

Spy Family Code: White is out in theaters today.

Kaiju No. 8 goes from zero-to-100 with a great first episode cliffhanger

Yuri on ice movie canceled after 7 years in production, my favorite anime: yaeji’s journey from nurse angel ririka sos to nichijou, loading comments....

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The water man, common sense media reviewers.

Touching family drama explores love, friendship, and loss.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Promotes honesty, courage, compassion, teamwork. I

Gunner is a kind, devoted son and talented artist.

The film follows a Black family, but the community

A mother looks very sick, shuts the door so her so

Occasional language includes "crap," "damn," "hell

Prescription drugs: Gunner finds his mother's pres

Positive Messages

Promotes honesty, courage, compassion, teamwork. Importance of strong parent-child relationships is stressed, as is the need for a trusted friend or adult to whom a child can turn to admit they need help.

Positive Role Models

Gunner is a kind, devoted son and talented artist. He wants to do everything he can to save his mother. Mary is loving and protective of Gunner. Amos realizes he needs to change how he interacts with his son. Jo shoplifts and gets away with it, but Gunner later confronts her and says "stealing is wrong." She realizes she needs to be more honest and does so through her friendship with Gunner.

Diverse Representations

The film follows a Black family, but the community they live in and supporting characters are White. Main character Gunner is a boy, but Jo and Mary have positive key roles. Jo has a large, visible neck scar that she's self-conscious about, but no one else treats it negatively. Mary has leukemia and is seen fighting illness for most of the story. Her cancer is largely a plot point that serves Gunner and Amos' father-son relationship, but she has traits outside her disability, such as humor, maternalism, and spirituality.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

A mother looks very sick, shuts the door so her son won't see her getting ill. A girl throws a boy on the ground, holds his hands down. In the tale of the Water Man (which is animated), a man is anguished that his wife drowned. A quick view of his mom's thin, naked upper back and bald head disturbs Gunner so much that he cries. A bunch of bugs falls on Gunner and Jo; they run to get away from them. Gunner nearly falls into rapid water. When the Water Man finally appears, he's creepy looking.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Occasional language includes "crap," "damn," "hell," "B.S.," "gross," "liar," and one race-based comment when a White father says his daughter "wouldn't have a friend like that" in a way that suggests she wouldn't have a Black friend.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Prescription drugs: Gunner finds his mother's prescription morphine.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Water Man , actor David Oyelowo 's directorial debut, is about Gunner Boone ( This Is Us 's Lonnie Chavis), a boy who tries to track down a local folk legend in order to save his sick mother ( Rosario Dawson ). This family drama is tween-friendly overall but does contain a few disturbing moments of brief peril, occasional language ("damn," "B.S.," "crap"), and discussions of cancer, death, and child abuse. Scary scenes include a creepy-looking folk legend, a moment when a boy looks like he's going to fall into rapids, an instance when a girl pushes a boy down on the ground, and a brief encounter with bugs that kids have to run away from in a hurry. Amid the serious themes are messages about honesty, courage, compassion, and teamwork, as well as the importance of strong parent-child relationships. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

Parents say (6)
Kids say (4)

Based on 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE WATER MAN follows young Gunner Boone ( Lonnie Chavis ), who's moved to a small logging town in Oregon with his mother, Mary ( Rosario Dawson ), and father, Amos ( David Oyelowo ), who recently returned from being stationed in Japan. Mary is quite sick with cancer but has kept the full truth of her diagnosis from Gunner, who spends most of his time reading and drawing a graphic novel about a ghost detective. After Gunner discovers that his mom has leukemia, he's desperate to find a way to help her beat the odds. When he hears a neighborhood girl named Jo ( Amiah Miller ) say that she's seen "the Water Man," Gunner's curiosity leads him to research the legend and talk about it with a local funeral director ( Alfred Molina ), who explains that the story is about a miner who found a special rock that brought him back to life after a flash flood killed him and his wife. He supposedly still haunts the area looking for his dead wife to resuscitate. Gunner offers Jo money if she's willing to escort him to where she last spotted the Water Man, hoping to find him and convince him to help Mary.

Is It Any Good?

Oyelowo's directorial debut is a short and sweet family drama/adventure. Lots of family films focus on silly, easy laughs, but this one is like a thoughtful middle grade novel come to life. It's reminiscent of book adaptations like Bridge to Terabithia , where there's a little bit of magical realism, a stellar cast -- including thoughtful child actors -- and a whole lot of heart. Chavis, who's so good as the younger Randall on This Is Us , delivers a standout performance as the earnest, talented Gunner. Dawson is well cast as Mary, who's trying to shield Gunner from the ugly truths of her cancer. Maria Bello pops up as the town sheriff Amos enlists once Gunner runs away with Jo, but she's somewhat underserved in the role.

Oyelowo's faith is evident in the movie's themes, particularly in two touching scenes: one where Gunner and his mom discuss what happens when you die, and another in which the family prays a prayer of thanks together. But the movie's themes are universal, promoting the bond between parents and kids, honesty between friends, and facing your fears with grace and courage. The soundtrack is effective, featuring Miller singing the haunting "The Water Man Rhyme" in a pivotal scene and Jessica Oyelowo (David's wife) singing "My Son" and "What Love Does." Oyelowo shows promise as a director; here's hoping he can do it again, continuing to focus (as he's reportedly said) on the positive representation of Black and Brown families in film.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about The Water Man' s messages about loss and family. Why do you think many movies have been made about dying mothers?

Do you consider the movie violent ? Scary ? What parts upset you, and why?

What is the Water Man trying to teach Gunner? What does Gunner learn from his journey trying to find the Water Man?

How does the movie promote courage , compassion , and teamwork ? Why are those important character strengths ?

Movie Details

In theaters : May 7, 2021
On DVD or streaming : May 25, 2021
Cast : David Oyelowo , Rosario Dawson , Lonnie Chavis
Director : David Oyelowo
Inclusion Information : Black directors, Black actors, Female actors, Indigenous actors, Latino actors
Studio : RLJ Entertainment
Genre : Family and Kids
Topics : Adventures , Friendship
Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
Run time : 91 minutes
MPAA rating : PG
MPAA explanation : thematic content, scary images, peril and some language
Award : Common Sense Selection
Last updated : November 22, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

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'Spy x Family: Code White' Review: The Beloved Anime Gets a Fun Movie

Anya, Twilight, and the Thorn Princess make their big screen debut!

The Big Picture

Spy x Family: Code White is a standalone adventure suitable for new viewers, efficiently recapping the series' plot.
The film balances all main characters effectively, with Anya being the driving force and Yor's role serving as comic relief.
Code White offers great action sequences and animation but lacks new perspectives, making it more like an extended filler episode.

Of all the things that make Spy x Family so unique, the main element is that we instantly fell in love with the Forgers. Whether we’re following Twilight’s daring adventures, Yor’s intense battles, or Anya getting into hilarious situations, there’s never a dull moment for our favorite fake family. Spy x Family: Code White marks the series' first time on the big screen , and while it’s not without its faults, the film stays true to what makes Spy x Family such an exceptional anime.

Spy x Family Code: White

Spy x Family: Code White sees Anya and her parents go on a family road trip as they try to finish a school project . This reasonably simple premise allows the film to focus on the Forgers without diving deep into a massive villain plot or introducing a ton of exposition and unnecessary world-building. Instead, the film sticks to the basics, which is all it ever really needed to do.

'Spy x Family: Code White' is the Franchise at Its Best

Spy x Family: Code White is a standalone adventure that anyone can watch without seeing the anime’s previous two seasons. The film encourages new viewers to jump right in as it does a fantastic job efficiently recapping the show’s plot. When we meet the family in Code White , it’s very much a day in the life of the Forgers, making it easy for all viewers to get into.

The film is essentially a nostalgic journey through Spy x Family ’s greatest hits, as we see almost every major character appear, and the film doesn’t cover any themes not seen in the series. However, it’s still an entertaining watch. The film’s main storyline focuses on Anya accidentally getting mixed up in a villain plot while the Forgers are out on a family trip. Coinciding with Twilight also having to stop said villains, Yor gets suspicious of Loid’s behavior and suspects infidelity. These familiar themes, executed with precision, are what make the film stand out and evoke a sense of connection for returning fans.

One of the major struggles of Spy x Family has always been balancing the screen time between the three main characters. In Season 1, Yor was rarely the main focus, while in Season 2, Twilight’s role was significantly reduced. Code White does the incredible feat of keeping every character relevant to the plot and leaning into their strengths. Anya, like always, is the driving force of the film. She’s the only one consistently aware of what’s happening at all times, which always puts her at the center of events. Anya brings that sense of joy and childlike wonder as she gets into trouble. At the same time, Yor’s role in the film is much more subtle. She’s often used as comic relief, but her fears are real; losing this family can leave her with nothing, and we see that she legitimately cares for Anya and Loid. The threat of this family falling apart is again not entirely new to the series. Still, the execution is good enough to make it feel earned, especially when Twilight’s directives change throughout the film.

'Spy x Family: Code White' Might Not Be Best For Returning Fans

Unfortunately, Code White 's strengths are also a double-edged sword . The film, while entertaining, adds little for those familiar with the series. With little bearing on Operation S.T.R.I.X. , this entire mission can be viewed as an extended filler episode. We know Twilight and Yor stay together and that Anya’s safety is not in danger, which undercuts much of the dramatic tension the film hopes to create. With no real sense of urgency, Spy x Family: Code White feels like it can drag on a bit, especially in the second act. It also doesn't help that the film's main antagonist, Snidel, was not that interesting. He's a serviceable foil for Twilight and Anya, but he serves no purpose outside of being a bad guy who needs to be punched.

The film does have great action sequences , and the animation is some of the best we’ve seen in the franchise. The 1960s aesthetic aids the classic spy feel, making the art stand out. Twilight is in his James Bond bag as the spy antics are amped to a level we haven’t seen since Season 1, while Yor specifically has a highlight moment during her third-act battle with a new villain. Anya and Bond do their usual slapstick moments that are still cute but might overstay their welcome just a bit too long.

The film needed to take bigger swings to have a lasting impact. It keeps the status quo of the anime and doesn’t do anything to give a new perspective or spin on these characters. While the status quo is still the series that has become a cultural phenomenon, we can only look at Code White and wonder just how great it could’ve been if it had attempted something new.

Spy x Family: Code White is a fun adventure with the Forger family . However, it offers very little for those looking for a more character-driven story or even a threatening new antagonist to Twilight. Instead, they keep things consistent with the show so it's an easy entry for new viewers. If you’ve enjoyed the series up to this point, you’d have fun with the film. Just know that it’s not mandatory viewing. That said, a day in the life of the Forgers is still an outstanding time.

Spy x Family: Code White is a fun journey with the familiar characters of the series though doesn't add much of anything new.

The film stays true to what made the anime series so great.
All of the characters get the attention they deserve, ensuring the movie remains balanced.
The animation is some of the best we've seen from the series, with great action sequences providing plenty of highlights.
While consistent, there is still something lacking from the movie as it doesn't take that extra leap into something new.

Spy x Family: Code White is now in theaters in the U.S. in the original Japanese subtitles and English Dub. Click below for showtimes near you.

Get Tickets

Clara Bow's family thinks the silent-film star would have loved Taylor Swift's song about her

Taylor Swift's new studio album, "The Tortured Poets Department," has been released.
The last track on the standard edition of the album is named "Clara Bow" after the silent film star.
The actor's great-granddaughters spoke exclusively to BI about hearing the song for the first time.

"You look like Clara Bow in this light" is how Taylor Swift begins the closing track of the standard edition of her latest album, " The Tortured Poets Department ," which was released on Friday.

The song, itself titled " Clara Bow ," is an intimate, guitar-led number that sees Swift recalling conversations with suited-up music executives who compare her to trailblazing, somewhat similar-looking women who came before her.

First, there's Bow herself, the 1920s movie star who broke the Hollywood mold with her unrivaled confidence and candor both on and off screen. This is followed in the second verse by "You look like Stevie Nicks in '75" (the Fleetwood Mac frontwoman has coincidentally written a poem for Swift in the liner notes of physical copies of the album).

It's not hard to see why Swift has been told she looks like either Bow or Nicks; at different points across her three-decade-spanning career, Swift has borne physical resemblances to each of them (think: her unruly curly hair and arched screen-siren eyebrows in her "Fearless" days, and her "Red"-era bangs and boho-inspired fashion choices).

But beyond what she's been told by others, by naming the song "Clara Bow," Swift appears to be signaling an affinity with the original "It" girl whose career reached its apex almost a century ago.

That's certainly how Bow's family — who are more than delighted that the world's biggest pop star has decided to name a track after their late ancestor — has interpreted the song.

"Clara Bow was someone who was unapologetically herself and I think Taylor can say the same of herself," Brittany Grace Bell, one of Bow's great-granddaughters, told Business Insider. "In the song, she sings, 'In a town of fakes, you're the real thing,' and I think she's referring to both herself and Clara. They're not afraid to be themselves and rise above the noise."

Bell's cousin and another one of Bow's great-granddaughters, Nicole Sisneros, who also spoke to BI, said she "felt chills" hearing the song for the first time this week.

"It is hauntingly beautiful the way Taylor uses her songwriting ability and her artistry to draw parallels between Clara's life and her own. It's a really beautiful testament to both of their legacies," she added.

While Sisneros said that both she and Bell, who are the granddaughters of Bow's son Rex Bell Jr., "fell in love with the song" as soon as they heard it, they were apprehensive given that Bow's legacy often gets reduced to its most "salacious" elements.

Speak No Evil

A family invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, goes from a dream vacation to a psychological nightmare. A family invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, goes from a dream vacation to a psychological nightmare. A family invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, goes from a dream vacation to a psychological nightmare.