I was never quite sure what to expect from the romantic comedy 50 First Dates. I've always despised Adam Sandler's (Little Nicky) goofy persona, but at the same time I have always been in love with Drew Barrymore's (Charlie's Angels) cute as a button looks. Then I realized that there was actually one Sandler film I liked, The Wedding Singer, which succeeded largely on the chemistry he shared with Barrymore. I figured that since my rentals are free anyway it couldn't hurt to check out their latest project.

With 50 First Dates writer George Wing has taken the concept from such films as Clean Slate and moved it completely into the genre of the romantic comedy. It stars Sandler as Henry Roth, a vet living in Hawaii who likes to make up exciting stories about his life for the vacationing women whom he will never have to commit to. One day over breakfast though he meets a young girl named Lucy (Barrymore) whom he finds himself drawn to. Sadly on their next meeting Lucy acts as if she's never seen him in her life, which is when Henry discovers the unfortunate truth that a year ago Lucy was in a car accident and can no longer create new memories. Her family are trying to protect her from discovering the truth and so try and stop Henry from seeing her. An act that forces him to manufacture meetings so that he can win back her heart every day.

It's a great concept to be sure but the great thing is that the film actually lives up to it's potential by aiming for the gut and scoring with a series of belly laughs. There are a few points of not so funny crudity (Usually involving Rob Schneider) but most of the films humor works well. You have the scenes where Lucy's family are trying to make every day her birthday; including the frequent first viewing of The Sixth Sense and its shock ending. Scenes involving his annoying co worker and all of his animal friends. Best of all though are the scenes where he's trying to woo her, sometimes winning her heart and other times getting her to beat his brother with a baseball bat. Some of the belly laughs were just hysterical.

Thankfully the young couple at the center of the story manage to make this film work better than the writing alone could ever manage. Sandler proves that when he's not playing his usual character he can give a sensitive but funny performance with some terrific comic timing, and yes he still shares a lot of chemistry with Barrymore. However you could really have replaced him with his pet Walrus and it wouldn't have made a difference since this is Barrymore's film. Her screen presence is such that she can make you laugh and cry with just a look. She makes sure that in any scenes where she discovers the truth her puppy dog eyes and scrunched up face will melt even the coldest of hearts, but at the same time when she's being wooed her cute smile and sweet laugh will make your heart skip a beat.

The pair received strong support from the likes of a buffed up Sean Astin as Lucy's over protective brother. Some brilliant dead pan from Dan Aykroyd as her doctor, and the films most expressive performance from a Walrus appearing as itself. They were all strong, but again are really forgettable compared to Barrymore.

My only real problem with the film came down to Rob Schneider as Harry's brother Ula. I've never liked him much anyway, but here he's really nothing but the source of the 90% of the films crudity. Nothing too bad, just nothing clever, and as always he simply has that face that makes you want to slap him.

Other than him though 50 First Dates is a sweet, funny, well acted little film that stars Drew Barrymore. Definitely a recommendation.




This has been another entry into Tom's Lean-N-Mean III Writeoff.

Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older