50 First Dates (VHS, 2004)

Is there any way I could just forget this movie?

I'm a fan of Adam Sandler. Am I a huge fan? No. But I do like his humor and I've been a fan of most of his movies. Mostly, I just like it when he flies off the handle and screams. It's funny to me in a very baseless, kindergarten way. But at least I like it.

Drew Barrymore on the other hand...well, I haven't liked her in a movie since the last one she did with Sandler. Which might be why they decided to team up again.

Sandler (I forget his name in the movie) is a guy that likes to love `em and leave `em. He meets the tourists, bangs them, gives them some hokey lie about who he is - and he's on to the next one. And this seems to be working for him. He's got some weird friends and an odd job as a marine mammal veterinarian (is there such a thing?) - but he seems happy. Hey, he's living in Hawaii. Who wouldn't be happy?

But all of that seems to change, strangely, when he meets Drew Barrymore in a coffee shop and endearingly helps her make a waffle hut. They hit it off - sparks fly - and our boy is changed forever. Or so he thinks.

When he goes back to the coffee shop the next day to continue where they left off - she doesn't remember him and blows him off. Why? Well, Drew has some sort of mental "condition" where she's lost all short term memory and lives the same day over and over again (Bill Murray would be proud). Sandler, vexed by this woman he is falling for, decides to do his best to get her to notice him all over again and again and again.

While the premise has a bit of promise, the comedy is sorely lacking. There are but a few jokes in the whole thing. Sandler and Barrymore's romance is very cookie cutter for a somewhat original premise. And the worst thing is that Sandler's character learns his "womanizing lesson" about a third of the way through the film - which isn't really a good idea - since every movie is a journey of discovery for it's main characters. Once the journey ends - the movie usually does too. But not here. It just keeps going and going. And while you may have hope that Barrymore's clueless character might learn something - she never does.

The real stinker here is the ending that is so inexplicable, I nearly laughed out loud - but not in a good way.

There are a few bright spots in the movie, however. Rob Schneider is very funny as the perverted, clueless, henpecked surfer with too many kids. Sean Astin also has a nice turn as the roided up idiot brother of Barrymore. Actually, it's just good to see him no longer a fat hobbit. I was starting to ask, "Who ate the kid from The Goonies?" The scenery is beautiful and the soundtrack is nifty, with modern artists covering 80's hits.

The DVD boasts commentary from Barrymore and the director, some trailers, deleted scenes with optional commentary, a "making of", some music videos from the soundtrack, a gag reel, a Talkin' Pidgin featurette, and the Comedy Central special. Not bad. Buy it if you just love Sandler or Barrymore. Rent it if your just interested.