"That's a nice-a donut."
Monday, June 06, 2005
50 First Dates
50 First Dates is a fairly enjoyable, though rather forgettable film in the Adam Sandler library. Sandler stars as Henry, a man living the high life as a young bachelor living in Hawaii. One day he hits it off with Lucy (Drew Barrymore) at a restaurant. He is smitten with her and returns to see her the next day. Unfortunately there is a problem of sorts... she was in an accident a year before and has no ability to create new memories ever since then. To keep her from being shell-shocked, Lucy's father and brother (a 'roid-addled Sean Astin) do things to make her think that every single day is the same day. Henry really likes Lucy though, so every day he plays the game all over again of being friendly, flirting, and trying to win her over. The relationship isn't going anywhere, so Henry must eventually make a choice about whether it is worth pursuing.
I much prefer Sandler when he is more contained and shows more self-restraint in films like this and The Wedding Singer. His love-it or hate-it, out-of-control, attention deficit disorder shtick in comedies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and The Waterboy is most definitely not my taste. In 50 First Dates he does virtually none of his trademark bits (that is saved for Rob Schneider, who is alternately funny and annoying as the mentally deficient best friend, and another character with amnesia who is quite funny with a running gag) and plays it straight as a more down-to-earth man just looking to win over the girl he fell for. Instead of trying to create laughs himself, he is effective at being the likeable protagonist and guiding us along so that we still know when to laugh. I was reminded somewhat of classic Steve Martin in films such as Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
With a story like this, the film is sure to have some plot holes (and it does) if you stop for a moment to think about it. While the ruse of making Lucy think that every day is the same day is somewhat funny and perhaps important to later development of the story, it brings with it a lot of questions. For instance, at one point her brother is shown putting a few drops back into a shampoo bottle for the next day. But what about so many other things in the world that you would think that she would eventually notice like her hair growing, and grass outside growing, or news and current events. Also, the fact that Henry works as a zoologist (or marine biologist or whatever he is) at an outdoor aquarium is seemingly used solely for laughs and is not very believable. The walrus makes a great supporting character, and a penguin is also effective. Other than that, I'm not sure that he even goes to work most days.
Still, 50 First Dates is supposed to be a simple movie and it is best if you don't think too much about it. Sandler and Barrymore - who also worked together for The Wedding Singer - make a good pairing. Personally, I would prefer it if Sandler only makes movies with her. Or at a minimum, shies away from the more childish scripts that he tends to go for. This is a solid film, with some good laughs, and certainly worth spending 90 minutes or so with.
The Verdict: B-.
Michael Bentley 9:00 AM
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