Genre: Romance, Comedy, Love, Deception, Doctor
Tagline: Imagine having to win over the girl of your dreams... every friggin' day.
Plot: Scatological and sentimental, satirical and sincere, 50 FIRST DATES pairs Adam Sandler with Drew Barrymore in this romantic comedy about the power of love and short-term memory loss in Hawaii. Henry Roth (Sandler), the local marina veterinarian, only dates tourists because he's afraid of commitment--that is, until he meets Lucy (Barrymore). Unfortunately, Lucy lost her short-term memory months ago in a car accident, and for her, each day is October the 13th. She follows the same routine every day--breakfast at the same restaurant, pineapple-picking with her dad, and eventually bed time, where sleep wipes away her short-term memory. Henry, however, refuses to be forgotten, and as his puppy love matures, he embarks on a quest to restore her memory, or at least be a part of her everyday routine. But vying for Lucy's attention isn't always easy. Sandler explores various neophytic approaches before making a video for Lucy to watch every morning, reminding her of who she is and what she's doing. The film includes a trademark Sandler ballad as Henry serenades Lucy with his ukulele and a series of familiar salacious puns. Rob Schneider plays Henry's best friend, a goofy native stoner whose physical hijinks earn numerous laughs, and a cameo by Dan Akroyd as Lucy's doctor rounds out the
More Plot Descriptions
 |
Related Movies:
|
 |
Behind the Scenes:
Read more about the production
| |
 Discussion forum for this movie
|
| |
 The Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore comedy "50 First Dates" is the latest in a recent spate of films ("Memento," "Finding Nemo") dealing with the concept of short-term memory loss--the new amnesia, it seems. But while this reteaming of the stars of the 1998 hit "The Wedding Singer" finds some creative new uses for the now-familiar device, the film's heavily Sandlerized, goofball humor is mostly... well, forgettable.  -- (Boxoffice Magazine)
The movie doesn't have the complexity and depth of "Groundhog Day" (which I recently saw described as "the most spiritual film of our time"), but as entertainment it's ingratiating and lovable. And it suggests that Sandler, whose movies are so often based on hostility, has another speed, another tone, that plays very nicely.  -- (Chicago Sun-Times)
The movie's pacing is lax and stringy at times, you can see some of the jokes coming at you from a mile away, and in certain scenes the music (consisting largely of tropical-style covers of '80s music, an obvious subliminal cue designed to foster fond memories of "The Wedding Singer") feels clumsily slapped on instead of smoothly integrated.-- (Salon)
Although there are moments that will tickle the bellies of longtime Sandler fans (one of which involves gallons of walrus vomit dripping from an individual of indeterminate sex), 50 First Dates is sweet enough to capture the attention, and perhaps affection, of those who would not ordinarily see a movie headlined by this particular star. The fact is, 50 First Dates is more of a romantic comedy than an Adam Sandler comedy. -- (ReelViews)
"50 First Dates" is a comedy for people who have always suspected that there's a hilarious movie to be made about people suffering from serious brain damage... Mostly unfunny and always misguided...  -- (L.A. Daily News)
At the end of the day, there must be something comforting about going to a Sandler film. You know that it's not going to be great, but you know that there's a chance it'll be short and other people will see it, so you'll have something to talk about at work on Monday. 4/10-- (CHUD.com)
A good-natured comic romp built on a questionable romantic premise.--Sheri Linden (Hollywod Reporter)
Even though it's populated with juvenile antics, 50 First Dates is still a great date movie, allowing the magnetic combo of Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler to once again turn on their particular comedic magic. --Kit Bowen (Hollywood.com)
"The Wedding Singer" meets "Groundhog Day"? Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore shine in this sweet, flirty comedy about a man who falls for a woman with short-term memory loss.--Stephanie Zacharek (Salon)
This is a romantic comedy, but it usually doesn't feel like one. C--Craig Younkin (Lee's Movie Info)
...a romantic comedy first and foremost, and it works like the well oiled wheel it’s supposed to be. For those who lost some faith in Sandler last year, this is the film that will restore it. A---Brian Orndorf (FilmJerk.com)
50 First Dates is notable in that it combines the off-the-wall humor of films like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison with surprisingly dramatic moments. Even more surprising, it works; the characters eventually become altogether appealing, making the more sentimental moments genuinely touching. --David Nusair (Reel Film Reviews)
A handful of spunk dribbling off the tip of my blistered pinkie; I think…I think I’m going to be sick… --B. Alan Orange (MovieWeb)
|
| Directed by |
Peter Segal
Anger Management, The Longest Yard, Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult |
|
| Cast |
Adam Sandler
Anger Management, The Wedding Singer, Punch-Drunk Love |
 | |
 | |
 | Sean Astin
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King |
 | Dan Aykroyd
Pearl Harbor, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Ghost Busters |
 | Allen Covert
Anger Management, The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy |
 | Lusia Strus
Stir of Echoes, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous | |
[more] |
|
It's ironic that Sandler's production company is called Happy Madison Productions, after his first two movies Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. It's ironic because, lately, he's been nothing like those two charaters. Sometimes, it's a good thing. But other times, I just wish we had the funny Sandler back, and not the corny Sandler.  --Brian Gallagher (MovieWeb)
“50 First Dates” is not in the same ballpark as Punch-Drunk Love, bright and colorful Hawaii locations or not, but it’s a nice little romantic comedy nonetheless. --Kevin N. Laforest (Montreal Film Journal)
This is Groundhog Day without the laughs, a lame comedy with all the romantic heat of an ice floe. 59/100--Brian Webster (Apollo Guide)
Remember the comedy "Groundhog Day," in which Bill Murray is forced to relive the same day time and time again? Well, "50 First Dates" has the exact same premise with one big difference: It's not funny.--Paul Clinton (CNN Showbiz)
It's implausible, obviously, but this is entertainment not education and the spark between the stars and a surprisingly thoughtful screenplay ensures that, despite the odd gross-out misstep, this is a sweet, warm and funny romantic comedy. --Nev Pierce (BBC Films)
Essentially Groundhog Day and Memento with the cast of The Wedding Singer, this is a sweet-natured romcom with some good gags and a lovely performance by Drew Barrymore. --Matthew Turner (ViewLondon)
As usual, the coming attractions trailer for "50 First Dates" gives away all the funny stuff, but what the trailer doesn't show is how genuinely delightful this movie really is.--Jeffrey M. Anderson (San Francisco Examiner)
|
|
Movie Database
In Theaters
