50 First Dates Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A commitment-phobe marine biologist uses his charm to gaslight a woman with memory loss into falling in love with him every day, which is somehow considered romantic.

🍿 50 First Dates: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Henry and His Fear of Commitment

Henry Roth, a marine veterinarian living in Hawaii, enjoys a carefree life of short-term relationships with female tourists. He avoids commitment, fearing it will interfere with his dream of sailing to Alaska to study walruses. His life consists of looking after marine animals and casual encounters, until he meets Lucy.

Meeting Lucy and the Discovery of Her Condition

Henry meets Lucy Whitmore at a local café and is immediately captivated by her. They have a wonderful first meeting, and Henry looks forward to seeing her again. However, the next day, Lucy doesn’t remember him at all. He learns from the café owner that Lucy suffers from short-term memory loss due to a car accident a year prior, making her relive the same day, October 13th, over and over.

Henry’s Determination and Daily Romances

Despite Lucy’s condition, Henry is determined to win her over. He devises creative ways to meet her each day, facing the challenge of making her fall in love with him again and again. Lucy’s father and brother, initially wary, eventually support Henry as they see the positive impact he has on her life. This leads to a montage of creative and romantic ‘first dates’.

The Video Solution and Lucy’s Sacrifice

Henry creates a video explaining Lucy’s accident and their relationship, which she watches every morning to catch up. This helps Lucy navigate her days and maintain a connection with Henry. However, Lucy overhears Henry sacrificing his dream trip to Alaska to stay with her. Feeling guilty, she decides to erase Henry from her life, believing it’s the only way for him to pursue his dream.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry Roth (Adam Sandler): A commitment-phobic veterinarian who falls in love with a woman with short-term memory loss and dedicates himself to winning her over every day.
• Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore): A woman suffering from short-term memory loss, reliving the same day after a car accident.
• Ula (Rob Schneider): Henry’s close, marijuana-smoking Islander friend who offers comedic support and sometimes questionable advice.
• Doug Whitmore (Sean Astin): Lucy’s lisping, steroid-addicted brother who is very protective of her.
• Marlin Whitmore (Blake Clark): Lucy’s caring father who tries to protect her from the reality of her condition by recreating the same day.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Henry: “I love you, Lucy Whitmore. And from now until the end of time, that’s the only truth I’m ever gonna know.” – Henry declares his unwavering love for Lucy, acknowledging that it will be tested daily due to her memory loss.
• Lucy: “If you erase me, you get to go do everything that you want.” – Lucy, realizing the sacrifice Henry is making for her, suggests erasing her from his life so he can pursue his dreams.
• Henry: “Sorry I’m not better looking.” – Henry says this as a joke to Lucy when trying to win her over.
• Marlin: “She’s got a good life. She’s happy.” – Marlin explains why they try to protect Lucy from the truth of her condition.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $75,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $120,908,074
• Worldwide Gross: $198,520,934

💥 50 First Dates Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this movie in theaters and just being swept away by the romance, even with all the silly humor. Adam Sandler actually shows real vulnerability, and Drew Barrymore is just so endearing. The scenes where Henry tries to win Lucy over each day are hilarious, but the ending, where she wakes up on his boat, always gets me. It’s a total feel-good movie and one I can watch over and over.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s previous collaborations.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy romantic comedies with a unique and quirky premise.”
  • “Audiences looking for a feel-good movie with heartwarming moments.”
  • “People interested in stories about love and perseverance in the face of challenges.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor, including some sexual references and gross-out gags.”
  • “Mild language.”
  • “Brief scenes depicting animal cruelty (though not graphic).”
  • “Themes of memory loss and dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, which may be sensitive for some viewers.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore is undeniable, ’50 First Dates’ can’t overcome its uneven tone and reliance on crude humor to tell a heartwarming story.
• Rolling Stone: “Sandler dials down his usual manic energy and delivers a performance that is surprisingly tender, but the film relies too heavily on silly jokes, which ultimately undermines its emotional core. It is a rom-com that is okay, but not memorable.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Barrymore and Sandler recapture their ‘Wedding Singer’ spark, but the high-concept plot can’t sustain the runtime. This film gives the leads a premise to work off of but the story does not hold its weight with them.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore is what makes the movie so enjoyable.: Viewers often praise the film’s heartwarming story and the genuine connection between the two leads, making the film both funny and touching.

The film is a blend of romance, comedy, and a touch of drama that keeps you engaged.: Many people agree that the movie strikes a balance between humor and heart, dealing with a serious topic in a light-hearted way.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted romantic comedy with a unique premise and strong leads, though some find the humor juvenile.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During filming in Hawaii, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore would often spend their downtime together, solidifying their on-screen chemistry.”
• “The character of Alexa, Henry’s androgynous assistant, was originally written as a man, but the filmmakers decided to cast a woman to add a unique comedic element.”
• “The walrus, Jocko, in the movie was a real trained animal, but some of its actions were enhanced with CGI to create more comedic moments.”
• “While set in Hawaii, the filmmakers aimed to avoid stereotypical depictions, focusing instead on the natural beauty and local culture to provide an authentic backdrop to the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch 50 First Dates?

50 First Dates is available to stream on platforms such as Prime Video, and Apple TV. You can also rent or purchase the movie through these and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for television airings as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed 50 First Dates, you might like these similar films:

• Groundhog Day (1993): Features a character reliving the same day repeatedly, creating a unique situation for romance and self-discovery.
• The Notebook (2004): Explores themes of enduring love and memory loss, though in a more traditionally dramatic setting.
• While You Were Sleeping (1995): A romantic comedy built on mistaken identity and an unconventional premise.
• About Time (2013): Uses time travel to explore the importance of everyday moments and cherishing relationships.
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Delves into the complexities of love, loss, and memory manipulation in a surreal and poignant manner.

🛒 50 First Dates Related Products

• 50 First Dates [Blu-ray]: Own the movie in high-definition and relive the laughs and romance anytime.
• The Wedding Singer [Blu-ray]: The original collaboration with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore
• Adam Sandler Collection: A collection of Adam Sandler’s best comedies
• Drew Barrymore: Little Girl Lost: A novel describing Drew Barrymore’s early life.

🎧 Soundtrack

50 First Dates features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” – performed by The Beach Boys
• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” – performed by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
• “Hold Me Now” – performed by Wayne Wonder

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore Reboot 50 First Dates for 2020

Hey, did you know Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore reunited for a mini-reboot of 50 First Dates? It’s a fun and heartwarming watch, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the original movie.

50 First Dates did not age well

I recently rewatched 50 First Dates and was surprised by how differently I felt about it. This video does a great job of articulating some of the reasons why the movie might not be as beloved today as it was when it was first released.

✨ Rate