Caddyshack II

Caddyshack II 1988

Directed by

Allan Arkush

Allan Arkush

Test your knowledge of Caddyshack II with our quiz!

Plot Summary


As the dynamic daughter of self-made real estate developer Jack Hartounian, who boasts both Armenian and Jewish roots, Kate finds herself adeptly maneuvering through the intricate layers of social standing. With aspirations to enhance her position, she unexpectedly bonds with the pretentious Miffy Young, a snobbish WASP who nudges both Jack and Kate to apply to the exclusive country club Bushwood—where, much to their surprise, the mischievous gopher from their prior escapades continues to stir trouble.

Nevertheless, the elite members of Bushwood are far from impressed by Jack’s offbeat methods in real estate development. Despite his affluence, he is regarded as an interloper due to his working-class background and his insistence on rejecting their entrenched old-money ideals. The sole individual who appreciates Jack’s character is wealthy widow Elizabeth Pearce, who perceives the depth beyond appearances. In stark contrast, Bushwood’s president, Chandler Young, deems the Hartounians to be “not Bushwood material,” essentially denying their enrollment.

As tensions mount, Jack finds himself at odds with the club’s haughty officials, including Cynthia Young and her son Todd, who attempts to manipulate Jack’s attorney, Peter Blunt, to their advantage, but to no avail. This breakdown in negotiations compels Jack to resort to extreme measures, leading to a bold auction of several club members—among them Chandler, Cynthia, Mr. Jamison, the Pierponts, and their so-called “secret slaves,” tasking them with labor on his construction site.

The rift between Jack and Kate widens as she forms a friendship with Harry, a caddy at Bushwood. Jack’s outrageous behavior only intensifies Kate’s sense of alienation. Following the club’s snub and the shutdown of his construction site by the freshly minted Historical Preservation Society, Jack reaches out to his friend Ty Webb, a wealthy individual and majority stakeholder at Bushwood.

With Ty’s backing, Jack seizes control of the club, rebranding it as Jackie’s Wacky Golf, a garish theme park that horrifies Chandler Young and the rest of the members. In retaliation, they enlist the services of Captain Tom Everett, a merciless mercenary, to eliminate Jack. As Kate becomes increasingly disenchanted with her father’s antics, she moves in with Miffy, signaling a significant shift in their lives.

The situation escalates when Chandler Young and Todd launch a series of legal maneuvers to financially ruin Jack, forcing him to concede both his construction project and the country club. Seeking an alternative, Ty proposes a high-stakes golf match between Jack and Chandler Young: should Jack lose, he must relinquish Bushwood and the housing project; conversely, if he triumphs, he keeps both. Unbeknownst to Jack, Chandler has cunningly arranged for Everett to eliminate him, but the plan goes hilariously awry when Everett accidentally targets Chandler’s prized Rolls-Royce instead.

As the decisive day approaches, Ty enlists Harry to serve as Jack’s steadfast caddy, prepping him adequately for the pivotal game. Meanwhile, Everett’s assassination plot is thwarted once again by the troublesome gopher, who proves to be increasingly irritating throughout the events. Although Jack initially struggles, he manages to level the playing field before facing an uphill challenge—the daunting task of making a 50-foot putt. Chandler is presented with a chance to equalize with an easy two-foot putt.

Throughout this layered saga, Everett’s bungled assassination attempt dramatically escalates when he accidentally injures himself in the rear with a poisoned dart. Amid fading patience for her father’s ceaseless blunders, Kate ultimately stands by Jack, setting aside her concerns about their family reputation. The gopher, ever the scene-stealer, cleverly swaps an explosive golf ball for Chandler’s, a move that irreversibly alters the outcome.

As Jack sinks what appeared to be an impossibly challenging putt, sealing his victory, both the Young family and their adversaries are left in utter disbelief. In the aftermath, Ty comes to the aid of Everett, who requires assistance extracting a poisoned dart—a minor consolation after the chaos that unraveled. In another corner, Peter mocks the misfortunes of Chandler, while Miffy confronts her mother over potential marriage plans with Chandler Young; Todd is overcome with fatigue, and Jack musters the courage to invite Elizabeth out on a date, which she graciously accepts. Amid the ensuing celebration, the gopher makes yet another appearance, this time with an unexpected affection for a poodle.

Timeline


Introduction of Kate and Jack

The story begins by introducing Kate, the dynamic daughter of the self-made real estate developer Jack Hartounian. Jack's rich background, intertwined with Armenian and Jewish roots, sets the stage for their ambitious aspirations in social standing.

Kate Meets Miffy

Kate unexpectedly forms a bond with Miffy Young, a pretentious WASP, who suggests that both Kate and Jack apply to the exclusive Bushwood country club. This relationship is pivotal as it opens up new social dynamics and challenges for the Hartounians.

Bushwood Country Club

Jack's Rejection at Bushwood

Upon their application to Bushwood, Jack confronts opposition from the elite club members due to his unconventional real estate methods and working-class background. The club's president, Chandler Young, openly dismisses them as 'not Bushwood material,' highlighting the social divide.

Bushwood Country Club

The Bond with Elizabeth Pearce

Amidst the rejection from the club, Jack finds an unexpected ally in Elizabeth Pearce, a wealthy widow who sees beyond superficial appearances. Her appreciation for Jack's character provides him with a much-needed sense of validation.

Conflict with Club Officials

Jack's unconventional behavior stirs conflict with the club's officials, including Cynthia Young and her son Todd. Their manipulations fail, leading Jack to react with increasing boldness, which further escalates tensions.

Bushwood Country Club

The Auction of Club Members

In a surprising twist, Jack decides to auction off several club members while assigning them labor roles on his construction site. This audacious move not only showcases his desperation but also serves as a humorous retaliation against the snobbery at Bushwood.

Kate Forms a New Relationship

As tension between Jack and Kate grows due to his bizarre actions, Kate finds comfort in her friendship with Harry, a caddy at Bushwood. This marks a significant shift in her life, pushing her further away from her father.

Bushwood Country Club

Jack's Bold Rebranding

With the encouragement of Ty Webb, Jack takes control of Bushwood, rebranding it as 'Jackie's Wacky Golf,' turning the prestigious club into a garish theme park. This drastic change horrifies the existing members, especially Chandler Young.

Bushwood Country Club

The Assassination Plot

Facing backlash from the club members, Chandler Young hires Captain Tom Everett to eliminate Jack. As chaos unfolds, the plot takes a comedic turn when Everett mistakenly targets Chandler's prized Rolls-Royce.

Preparation for the High-Stakes Match

As tensions rise, Ty recruits Harry to caddy for Jack in a high-stakes golf match against Chandler. The stakes are high; if Jack loses, he must give up both Bushwood and his construction project.

The Gopher's Interference

During the pivotal match, the mischievous gopher reappears to create chaos, much to everyone’s annoyance. This interference unexpectedly aids Jack, adding an element of humor to the already tense situation.

Bushwood Country Club

Jack's Remarkable Victory

Despite overwhelming odds and previous struggles, Jack miraculously sinks a challenging putt to secure his victory. This surprising triumph leaves the members of Bushwood in disbelief and changes the dynamics completely.

Bushwood Country Club

The Aftermath of the Match

Following the match, chaos continues as Ty helps Everett remove a poisoned dart from his rear, which resulted from his own bungled attempt on Jack’s life. The absurdity of the situation further emphasizes the comedic tone of the film.

Jack's Date with Elizabeth

As the dust settles, Jack gathers the courage to invite Elizabeth Pearce on a date, an invitation she graciously accepts. This moment signifies a new chapter for Jack amid the comedic chaos that unfolded.

The Gopher's Final Appearance

In the closing moments of the story, the ever-troublesome gopher makes one last appearance, humorously developing an unexpected affection for a nearby poodle. This lighthearted conclusion ties together the zany elements of the story.

Characters


Kate Hartounian

Kate is the ambitious daughter of Jack Hartounian, adept at navigating the complexities of social hierarchies. Throughout the film, she struggles with her father's disregard for social norms and the effects of his actions on their reputation. As she forms connections and distances herself from Jack, her character evolves, reflecting the tension between family loyalty and personal aspirations.

👩‍👧 Daughter 🎓 Ambitious 💔 Disillusioned

Jack Hartounian

Jack is a self-made real estate developer whose unconventional methods challenge the elite norms of Bushwood. Regarded as an outsider, he embodies the struggle between affluence and social status. His relentless pursuit of acceptance and outrageous actions reflect a comedic yet poignant exploration of identity and class within a conservative backdrop.

🏗️ Builder 🤪 Outlandish 💰 Wealthy

Miffy Young

As a snobbish WASP, Miffy represents the entrenched elitism of Bushwood. She initially befriends Kate, adding complexity to their interactions as she influences her perspective on their social ambitions. Miffy's character embodies both the allure and the absurdities of high society, often adding tension through her pretentiousness.

👠 Snobbish 🤝 Influencer 🎭 Pretentious

Chandler Young

Chandler serves as an antagonist, representing the old-money values that exclude Jack and Kate from Bushwood. His disdain for Jack's working-class background and efforts to sabotage him showcase the elitist mindset that permeates the club. Chandler's character drives much of the conflict and highlights the theme of class struggle.

😏 Elitist 🏌️ Rival 💼 Manipulative

Setting


Time period

The movie does not specify a particular time period but captures a modern setting characterized by social elitism and comedic conflicts. The interactions and events reflect contemporary challenges of class distinction, particularly in social contexts like country clubs.

Location

Bushwood Country Club

Bushwood Country Club is an upscale golf club serving as the primary setting for the film. Known for its elite membership and strict traditional values, it becomes a battleground for class struggles and social aspirations. The country club represents both the allure of high society and the societal barriers that come with it.

🏌️ Golf Course 🏰 Country Club

Themes


🏆

Class Struggle

Caddyshack II explores the theme of class conflict through Jack Hartounian's attempts to fit into high society. His working-class background clashes with the elite values of Bushwood members, testing societal boundaries. The film humorously portrays the absurdities of social standing and the lengths individuals will go to achieve acceptance.

🤝

Family Dynamics

The father-daughter relationship between Jack and Kate is central to the narrative. While they navigate the pressures of social acceptance, their bond is tested by Jack's reckless actions. Ultimately, Kate learns to reconcile her concerns about their reputation with familial loyalty, illustrating the complexities of family ties amidst societal expectations.

🎉

Humor in Chaos

Humor weaves through the film's chaotic narrative, with outlandish situations generated by misunderstandings and mistaken identities. This comedic approach enhances the absurdity of elite society and serves as a vehicle for character development. The gopher's antics add a playful touch, breaking tension with lighthearted moments.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.