Going Overboard

Directed by Valerie Breiman

R

1989 1h 37mComedy

1.811%2.3

Schecky Moskowitz, a deservedly-struggling young comedian, lands a menial job on the cruise ship that's holding the Miss Universe pageant. The Big Man On Deck for this voyage is Dickie Diamond, the ship's comedian and all-around ladies' man. As an assorted array of thugs, Panamanian mercenaries, and terrorists try to storm the ship, Schecky hopes for one big chance to prove himself and enter the exciting world of cruise-ship comedy.

Cast of Going Overboard

Adam SandlerSchecky Moskowitz
Scott LaRoseDickie Diamond
Tom HodgesBob / Schecky's Mother
Lisa CollinsEllen
Adam RifkinCroaker / Miss Spain / Co-Producer / Other
Peter BergMort Ginsberg
Billy ZaneKing Neptune
Burt YoungGeneral Noriega
Valerie BreimanBambi / Director / Writer
Ricky Paull GoldinTerrorist Without Shirt
Warren SelkoTerrorist with Mustache
Billy Bob ThorntonDave
Allen CovertBartender
Steven BrillPriest
Joe GiebReferee
Laura MrazMiss Kansas / Liz
Elizabeth PrimmMiss Louisiana / Bunny Miller
Stacey Marie PalmerMiss Jamaica / Chickie
Lisa C. VendettiMiss Israel / Bluebell
Catherine SatterwhiteMiss Arkansas / Pammy
See all

Going Overboard Ratings & Reviews

Manuel FrangisMarch 17, 2025
I just watched Going Overboard, and I would give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. This was my first Adam Sandler movie, and even though it is far from his best, it was still a fun watch. It is a weird, low budget comedy that does not take itself seriously at all, and that is part of what makes it entertaining. You can tell it was made on a small budget, but that somehow adds to its charm. Sandler plays a wannabe comedian working on a cruise ship, and the whole movie feels like a mix of random jokes, over the top moments, and ridiculous characters. It is definitely rough around the edges, but you can see glimpses of the comedic style that would later make Sandler famous. His performance is full of energy, and even though the script is all over the place, he still makes it work in a goofy way. Some scenes feel improvised, which makes them even funnier. The humor is very hit or miss. Some jokes land, others fall flat, and a few are just completely bizarre. The movie does not have much of a plot, and it sometimes feels like a bunch of skits stitched together. But if you go in expecting something ridiculous and unpolished, there is some fun to be had. The cast is surprisingly stacked with a few familiar faces, and even when the jokes do not hit, the movie still keeps moving at a decent pace. The production quality is what you would expect from a low budget film. The cinematography is basic, and there are moments where the editing feels choppy. The audio quality is inconsistent in some scenes, and there are times when the dialogue does not quite match the movement of the characters' mouths. It is clear that this was an early attempt at filmmaking, but that roughness adds to the experience in a strange way. One of the most interesting things about Going Overboard is seeing how different it is from the Adam Sandler movies that would come later. The comedy here is a little more experimental, with random cutaways and fourth wall breaking moments that feel like they were thrown in just to see what would happen. Some of these moments work, while others just feel awkward, but they help give the movie a unique feel. The supporting cast adds to the fun. Even though the characters are over the top and cartoonish, they help keep things interesting. There are a few scenes where the side characters steal the show, adding their own strange and unpredictable humor to the mix. It is clear that everyone involved was just having fun with it, which makes it more enjoyable to watch. The pacing is uneven, with some scenes dragging while others feel rushed. There are moments where it feels like the movie is just throwing jokes at the screen to see what sticks, and while that can be entertaining, it also makes the film feel a little disjointed. Still, it never feels boring, and there is always something happening, even if it does not always make sense. This is not a must watch movie, but as a first Adam Sandler film, it is an interesting experience. It is a weird, silly comedy that is worth checking out if you are curious about his earliest work. If nothing else, it is fun to see where Sandler started and how far he has come since then. Overall, Going Overboard is not a great movie, but it is an entertaining one. It is a strange and unpolished comedy that embraces its weirdness, making it an amusing watch for those who appreciate low budget, experimental humor. It is not for everyone, but if you go in with the right expectations, there is some fun to be had. I had a good time with it, and even though it is not a movie I would rush to rewatch, it was definitely worth checking out.

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Going Overboard Trivia

Going Overboard was released on October 27, 1989.

Going Overboard was directed by Valerie Breiman.

Going Overboard has a runtime of 1 hr 37 min.

Going Overboard was produced by Randolf Turrow.

The key characters in Going Overboard are Schecky Moskowitz (Adam Sandler), Dickie Diamond (Scott LaRose), Bob / Schecky's Mother (Tom Hodges).

Going Overboard is rated R.

Going Overboard is a Comedy film.

Going Overboard has an audience rating of 1.1 out of 10.

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