The Waterboy
The Waterboy

The Waterboy

1998Movie90 minEnglish

Bobby Boucher is a water boy for a struggling college football team. The coach discovers Boucher's hidden rage makes him a tackling machine whose bone-crushing power might vault his team into the playoffs.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes30%
Metacritic34/100
Google Users74%
Director: Frank CoraciGenres: Comedy, Sport

Plot Summary

Bobby Boucher, a sheltered and simple-minded waterboy for a college football team, lives with his domineering mother in the Louisiana bayou. When he's fired and hired by a rival team, his hidden talent for tackling is discovered, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and gridiron glory.

Critical Reception

The Waterboy was a significant commercial success, performing very well at the box office. Critically, however, it received mixed to negative reviews, with many critics citing its predictable humor and Sandler's often over-the-top performance as drawbacks, though some acknowledged its appeal to a younger audience and fans of Sandler's comedy.

What Reviewers Say

  • Relies heavily on Adam Sandler's trademark slapstick and comedic persona.
  • A predictable, if occasionally amusing, sports comedy formula.
  • Despite a weak script, the performances, particularly from Kathy Bates, offer some redeeming qualities.

Google audience: Audiences generally found 'The Waterboy' to be a funny and entertaining comedy, particularly enjoying Adam Sandler's performance and the outlandish characters. While some noted its silliness and predictable plot, most appreciated its lighthearted humor and feel-good sports narrative.

Fun Fact

Adam Sandler has stated that the character of Bobby Boucher was inspired by his own experiences as a waterboy in his youth.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review