50 First Dates (2004)
- The incredible score for 50 First Dates was composed in just a few weeks after the original composer dropped out.
- Peter Segal originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
- Before Adam Sandler was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
50 First Dates is a 2004 American romantic comedy directed by Peter Segal. Adam Sandler stars as Henry Roth, a marine veterinarian in Hawaii who falls for Lucy Whitmore, played by Drew Barrymore, a woman suffering from anterograde amnesia following a car accident that erases her short-term memory every night. Each morning, Lucy wakes up believing it is the day before the accident, and Henry must find new ways to make her fall in love with him every single day.
The premise elevated 50 First Dates above typical Adam Sandler comedies by providing a genuinely romantic emotional core β Henry's willingness to court Lucy anew each day, knowing she won't remember him tomorrow, was a surprisingly moving demonstration of devotion. Drew Barrymore and Sandler's third collaboration demonstrated their reliable chemistry. Rob Schneider and Sean Astin provided comedic support.
The Hawaiian setting gave the film a lush, tropical visual appeal. The film earned $196 million worldwide on a $75 million budget.
