50 First dates is a feel-good film. It falls into the RomCom genre but this shouldn't put any guys off watching this.
Anyone whose seen The Wedding Singer will already know that the on screen comedy timing/chemistry between lead characters Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler is a must see and it's repeated in this film!
What's it about ***************** This Peter Segal directed film opens with a montage of suntanned women (and a man) recounting their holiday romances in Hawaii (where the film is set). The recall how they "went cliff diving", "snorkling", "danced in the rain" and many other exciting things they did with their holiday romances. The odd thing is that despite being super-romantic - the relationships ended with excuses like the "guy didn't own a phone", "ran away" or was "gay," leaving them confused. So who were these amazing holiday romance guys…. one guy, Henry Roth (Sandler), that's who?
Henry's life is a series one night stands with tourists. He tells his latest conquest he's a spy and that's why he can't stay in touch with her. When he gets the girl's name wrong (the ultimate insult) he quickly wriggles out of the situation by saying "I know…I changed it for your protection. Everything about this guy should make me want to hate him, a lethario who plays on female tourists….but strangely I immediately warmed to the character
as you almost root for him to get away with it!
Henry it seems, actually has a nicer side. A vet in a local oceanarium, his best friends includes a cute penguin and a walrus (both of whom perform tricks).
He dreams of sailing away to research walrus populations (each to their own I suppose!) The problem is he has a rust bucket boat which refuses to let him do this.
After the boat loses it's mast, he comes across a small diner on one side of the island and there spots Lucy (Barrymore). They build a waffle house with her food and have a great time together and arrange to meet the next day.
Each seems completely loved up. Problem is, the next time she sees him she thinks he's a weirdo stranger….and here's the twist….Lucy was involved in a car accident which means she has no short term memory. From the date of her accident she forgets anything new that happens during the day when she goes to sleep.
Lucy's family try to protect her in a novel way (I won't say how) and to Henry, she should be the perfect one night stand…a girl who won't remember him the next day. Unfortunately things aren't that simple and a genuinely nice story unfolds.
Who else is in it? ******************* Rob Schneider .... Ula Sean Astin .... Doug Whitmore Lusia Strus .... Alexa Dan Aykroyd .... Dr. Keats Amy Hill .... Sue Allen Covert .... Ten Second Tom Blake Clark .... Marlin Whitmore Maya Rudolph .... Stacy Pomaika'i Brown .... Nick (as Nephi Pomaikai Brown) Joe Nakashima .... Old Hawaiian Man Peter Dante .... Security Guard Dom Magwili .... Security Guard Jonathan Loughran .... Jennifer (the transsexual on the beach)
Rob Schneider's performance steals the show as Henry's best mate Ula (I almost didn't recognise him). Ula is a mad shark loving, sexually frustrated local with a gaggle of kids.
A classic Ula quote is when he tells Henry he lives vicariously through his one night stands. When he asks whether Henry "hooked up with that nympho from Ohio?" his kids overhear…and say, "daddy what's a nympho?" Entirely deadpan the reply is "The nympho is the state bird of Ohio" to which the kids give a resounding "oooooh!"
Also, when playing golf, Ula's stitches open up and the caddy tells him not to go surfing with a nasty bleeding wound as it may attract sharks. Ula tells him not to worry as "sharks are naturally peaceful" the caddy asks him how he got the cut and again….with a straight face Ula says "a shark bit me."
Ula is also making a documentary on sharks entitled "Sharks…they only bite when you touch their private parts" and that sets the tone of his humour for the film!
Dan Ackroyd makes a cameo as Lucy's brain surgeon (but is not as funny and I'd hoped). The funniest part is when he introduces 10 second Tom at the brain institute.
Sean Austin who plays Doug has an annoying lisp which is over the top, but is still very funny nonetheless as a steroid using, gym obsessed fisherman.
The film follows Henry's quest to end up with Lucy and there's a nice twist at the end.
Generally this is a great film for a Sunday afternoon, when you're feeling down or just want to veg out.
This film is Certificate 12 - so anyone younger should not really view this. Although some older kids may find it funny…parents may not like the sexual references made (and may also end up explaining what a nympho is to their kids as a result)!
Soundtrack ************* If the Hawaii setting of this film doesn't make you want to reach for the Malibu and say "yeah man" the soundtrack will. Chilled is an understatement. Most songs are cover versions with a new twist.
Wayne Wonder's Hold Me Now is great. Gwen Stefanie will make you chill out with Slave to Love but the killer track is Ziggy Marley's version of Drive (tissue at the ready) which will make you weep.
Any extras *************
Nothing special:
Commentary from Drew Barrymore and Director Peter Segal Blooper Reel (very short) Five Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary (nothing earth shattering) Two Featurettes\Filmographies\The Making Of The Dating Scene Three Music Videos Teaser for Adam Sandlers Upcoming Comedy Album (shameless promotion) Theatrical Trailer (if you've seen the film already….why?)
Price ******* As this film was released in 2004 the price has come down. I picked it up in Sainsbury's for £5.99 but have seen elsewhere cheaper in a sale (how annoying??!) It's available from all music/video retail outlets, HMV, Virgin etc and from most supermarkets and Blockbuster stores. Rental prices have also gone down (averaging £2.99 for 7 nights depending on where you hire from)
Conclusion ********** Fine weekend fun….crack open the popcorn and relax!
Pictures of 50 First Dates (DVD)
Lucy
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
50 First Datesis a sweet-natured vehicle for sweet-natured stars Adam Sandler and Drew ... more
Barrymore, and their track record withThe Wedding Singerno doubt factors in its lowbrow appeal. But while the well-matched lovebirds wrestle with a gimmicky plot (sh...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star together for the first time since The Wedding Singer ... more
in the funniest romantic comedy of the year.Henry Roth (Sandler) lives an enviable life in a Hawaiian paradise, enjoying the company of countless beautiful women ...
50 First Datesis a sweet-natured vehicle for sweet-natured stars Adam Sandler and Drew ... more
Barrymore, and their track record withThe Wedding Singerno doubt factors in its lowbrow appeal. But while the well-matched lovebirds wrestle with a gimmicky plot (sh...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Henry Roth (Sandler) the local marina veterinarian only dates tourists because he's ... more
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...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: A tale of romance with two likeable character, cute penguin and beautiful locations. Disadvantages: Walrus vomit which seems to go on and on.
bubbletown 21.04.2004 (21.04.2004)
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Review of 50 First Dates (DVD)
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Aug 10th, 2005
(Aug 11th, 2005)
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