I've been away for ages but I'm back with avengence!
I've been away for ages but I'm back with avengence!
Member since:30.11.2005
Reviews:220
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As a mother, it is rare that I have a chance or the inclination to sit down to watch an entire film. As a result I am several years behind as far as new releases go - Until two years ago I was the only person alive not to have seen Titanic.
Last Sunday however, I had done the ironing, done the dinner dishes, bathed Kyle and myself, and had taken over the sofa with my cats Cleo and Slick at an entirely suitable hour. Channel Five was showing 50 first dates - a perfect easy Sunday film that wouldn't make me think too hard. I wasn't expecting much although I remembered the Wedding Singer and the fantastic chemistry between Sandler and Drew so assumed at worst it would make me smile slightly.
Release Date: April 2004 Director: Peter Segal Genre: Romantic Comedy Run Time: 99 minutes Certification: 12A Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore
¬¬¬Plot summary¬¬¬ Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) is your typical young playboy with no intention of committing to anything or anyone until one day he meets the woman of his dreams, Lucy. Everything seems too good to be true as the pair instantly hit it off, until Henry discovers, the woman he is meant to spend the rest of his life with suffers short-term memory loss following an accident,, meaning everyday she awakes with no recollection of the previous day. This dilemma leaves Henry with
a challenge. Each day Henry has to come up with new ways of making the woman of his dreams fall in love with him. But how long can someone carry on the charade and sacrifice his own dreams in the process?
¬¬¬Acting¬¬¬ As I mentioned before, the chemistry between Sandler and Drew is just about perfect. It is clear they bounce off each other well and the mutual respect is evident when they are on screen together. I would even say that when they were not appearing together, both of their performances lessened slightly. The light-hearted and genuine fondness the relationship oozes is fundamentally what makes this film o enjoyable.
There were some surprising supporting actors in this including the legendary Dan Aykroyd as Lucy's Doctor, Dr Keats and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) as Lucy's iron pumping, steroid popping brother. I felt let down by both characters and felt the script didn't give them the opportunity to develop. Astin played quite a moronic and slap-stick character that I personally found quite tedious and unnecessary. Aykroyd didn't get to shine like he should in any film he is a part of and his role in the film fell fairly flat. If you are going to use a comedic force like Aykroyd, you cannot stifle him otherwise you are as well not bothering.
Friends from Sandler's days on Saturday Night Live also made minor appearances as usual with Rob Schneider playing Lucy's friend who has a particularly important part to play in their relationship toward the end.
¬¬¬Script¬¬¬ This is a sweet, tender film and the script has been written to reflect this. Although the obvious comfort Sandler and Drew feel is a factor in building a chemistry and creating a natural flow for the movie, the script is also vital. Great care has been taken to create a dialogue which is engaging, touching and funny while making the characters appear more vulnerable and easier for the viewer to relate to in the process.
¬¬¬Cinematography¬¬¬ This is your standard Rom/Com so you don't expect anything too much as far as cinematography goes. Although makers of this film have not gone to great lengths to create something different as far as cinematography goes, they have set the film in one of the most naturally beautiful places, Hawaii with the blue skies, crystal clear waters and stunning shorelines. Not much more is needed really...
¬¬¬Soundtrack¬¬¬ The soundtrack was quite unmemorable really, but sometimes this is a positive thing. The music should never detract from the film - only compliment it
¬¬¬Conclusion¬¬¬ I am not overly interested in your run of the mill Romantic Comedies. As a rule I find them predictable and dull but I have to admit I could watch this one again and again. For the last half hour of the film, I watched through a veil of streaming tears. (I do cry a lot really) I was quite literally blubbering to the point that my 3 year old son got tissue, wiped my tears, stroked my face and told me "You're alright mummy - I love you" before he tried to turn off the TV that was so obviously upsetting his mummy.
Every woman (and most men I secretly suspect) wants someone to go the extra mile for her; to make an effort that is above and beyond what can be reasonably expected. Henry goes that extra mile every day and by the end of the film, everyone has fallen for him not just Lucy.
This won't win academy awards or be discussed in media and film classes at universities world-wide, nor will it shape the minds of the future. But if you are looking for a gentle, funny, warm and hopeful film to pass a couple hours off on a Sunday, you couldn't do much better. - Keep an eye out for my review of The Wedding Singer!
¬¬¬Trivia¬¬¬ The original script for the film was set in Seattle
The neurological condition that Lucy suffers from, Goldfield Syndrome is entirely fictional.
Originally the film was entitled "50 First Kisses".
In an early scene we see a dentist and a woman in the dentist's chair. The woman playing the dentist is Jackie, Adam Sandler's wife. The woman in the chair is played by Linda Segal, director Peter Segal's wife, who actually is a dentist in real life
¬¬¬Quotes¬¬¬ Ula: Sharks are like dogs, they only bite if you touch their private parts
Henry: Happy birthday, sir. What are you, like, 200 today?
Henry to Jocko: Remember to use a condom, or in your case, a Hefty bag.
Lucy: Can I have one last first kiss?
Ula's Kid: Daddy, what's a nympho? Ula: Uh, nympho is the state bird of Ohio. Henry: You're the state idiot of Hawaii.
Ula: Aquariums make me super horny!
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I haven't seen this one either but I'm a fan of Sandler too so will get round to it eventually x
arnoldhenryrufus 10.03.2007 14:25
We like Sandlers movies will look out for this - lyn x
christianfilmcritic 10.03.2007 10:15
Although I liked this, I much preferred their pairing in The Wedding Singer, probably because Sandler was fresh and funny back then, where as now he is predictable and a bit annoying.
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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