Movies
50 First Dates
High-concept romantic comedy about a love-'em-and-leave-'em ladykiller, a marine-park veterinarian in Hawaii, who tumbles for a brain-damaged blonde who can retain no short-term memories since her year-ago car accident and who is doomed every day to relive the day of the accident with no knowledge of intervening days: a scoop of Groundhog Day, a dash of Memento. It showcases the unique comic gifts of Adam Sandler, namely the ability to be funny only when attempting to be tender, touching, heart-tugging, etc. (With that in view, don't leave your seat, if you insist on taking one in the first place, until the long-winded "dedication" to his late father in the closing credits.) He gets little help from Drew Barrymore's self-infantilization, Rob Schneider's two-toned eyes, Sean Astin's lisp, or running gags to do with walrus genitals and the androgyny of a braided German fräulein. Blake Clark, as the heroine's guilt-ridden father, doesn't even try to be funny and comes off, by comparison, looking like John Wayne. Directed by Peter Segal. 2004.
Reader Rating:
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Length: 1 hour, 39 minutes
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