50 First Dates
3/4
Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Blake Clark, Amy Hill, Sean Astin
Rated PG-13 for Crude Sexual Humor and Drug References
Romantic comedies are fairly common. Good romantic comedies are rare. The most frequent problems are that chemistry is pushed aside in favor of box office appeal and the romance is hampered by plot complications. "50 First Dates" works because the leads have chemistry (their first romantic comedy, "The Wedding Singer," was a box office smash) and because the script by George Wing allows the humor to germinate from the plot, rather than forcing it in there. And it doesn't sacrifice scenes where the leads connect for lame jokes.
Henry Roth (Sandler) is a womanizing vet in Hawaii. He specializes in wooing women on vacation then kindly dumping them when they ask for his phone number before they leave. This way, he gets to bed lots of beautiful women without any complications. That all changes one day when he meets Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore) at the Hukilau cafe. She's pretty, lively, and he's totally into her in a way that he's never felt before. After spending a long breakfast together, they agree to meet there the next day. Henry is pumped, but when he shows up, Lucy has no idea who he is. It turns out that Lucy suffers from amnesia, and lives the same day over and over again. But Henry is undeterred, and is willing to do whatever it takes to win her heart.
The key to this movie is tone. Using mental illness in a humorous context could push a lot of buttons, but as directed by Peter Segal (who directed one of my favorite movies, "Tommy Boy"), the film is lighter than air and treats the characters and their foibles with warm affection. It's a welcome diversion for Sandler, who was mainly known for his crass comedy.
Sandler and Barrymore have wonderful chemistry, and their characters are lovable. Henry Roth is a likable guy who can't get a break, while Lucy is made of pure sunshine. Their vulnerabilities make them irresistibly endearing. Able support is provided by Rob Schneider as Henry's pothead friend Ula. I have yet to understand why there's so much hate for Schneider; he's a pretty funny guy. Blake Clark is good as Lucy's dad, and Sean Astin is hilarious as her juiced-up brother.
Peter Segal knows how to make an audience laugh while touching their heart. He proved that with "Tommy Boy" and he proves it again here. Some of the sequences, especially those with Jacko the walrus, are very funny. But the romance is what really makes this movie special. From the moment they appear on screen together, we want Henry and Lucy to end up together. And that is the bottom line for any romantic comedy.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Blake Clark, Amy Hill, Sean Astin
Rated PG-13 for Crude Sexual Humor and Drug References
Romantic comedies are fairly common. Good romantic comedies are rare. The most frequent problems are that chemistry is pushed aside in favor of box office appeal and the romance is hampered by plot complications. "50 First Dates" works because the leads have chemistry (their first romantic comedy, "The Wedding Singer," was a box office smash) and because the script by George Wing allows the humor to germinate from the plot, rather than forcing it in there. And it doesn't sacrifice scenes where the leads connect for lame jokes.
Henry Roth (Sandler) is a womanizing vet in Hawaii. He specializes in wooing women on vacation then kindly dumping them when they ask for his phone number before they leave. This way, he gets to bed lots of beautiful women without any complications. That all changes one day when he meets Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore) at the Hukilau cafe. She's pretty, lively, and he's totally into her in a way that he's never felt before. After spending a long breakfast together, they agree to meet there the next day. Henry is pumped, but when he shows up, Lucy has no idea who he is. It turns out that Lucy suffers from amnesia, and lives the same day over and over again. But Henry is undeterred, and is willing to do whatever it takes to win her heart.
The key to this movie is tone. Using mental illness in a humorous context could push a lot of buttons, but as directed by Peter Segal (who directed one of my favorite movies, "Tommy Boy"), the film is lighter than air and treats the characters and their foibles with warm affection. It's a welcome diversion for Sandler, who was mainly known for his crass comedy.
Sandler and Barrymore have wonderful chemistry, and their characters are lovable. Henry Roth is a likable guy who can't get a break, while Lucy is made of pure sunshine. Their vulnerabilities make them irresistibly endearing. Able support is provided by Rob Schneider as Henry's pothead friend Ula. I have yet to understand why there's so much hate for Schneider; he's a pretty funny guy. Blake Clark is good as Lucy's dad, and Sean Astin is hilarious as her juiced-up brother.
Peter Segal knows how to make an audience laugh while touching their heart. He proved that with "Tommy Boy" and he proves it again here. Some of the sequences, especially those with Jacko the walrus, are very funny. But the romance is what really makes this movie special. From the moment they appear on screen together, we want Henry and Lucy to end up together. And that is the bottom line for any romantic comedy.
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