50 First Dates is one of the most charming romantic comedies of the 2000s, blending humor, heartache, and a surprisingly emotional story about memory, devotion, and the daily rediscovery of love. Below is a detailed, SEO-friendly, fully spoiler-filled guide.
Detailed Summary
Henry Roth: The Player Who Didn’t Expect a Plot Twist
Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) is a carefree marine veterinarian in Hawaii who prefers short-term flings with tourists. His whole life strategy revolves around avoiding commitment. Everything changes when he meets Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore) at a local café.
Despite his usual tactics, Henry finds himself genuinely smitten.
The Big Reveal: Lucy’s Memory Condition
The next day, Henry returns to see Lucy—only for her to have no idea who he is. He soon learns from her father Marlin (Blake Clark) and her brother Doug (Sean Astin) that Lucy suffers from anterograde amnesia due to a car accident. She forgets everything that happened after the accident each time she sleeps.
To avoid causing her pain, her family makes sure every day feels like the day before the accident.
Henry, determined and newly lovestruck, refuses to give up.
Henry’s Daily Chase
Henry tries dozens of creative ways to meet Lucy every morning—singing, acting, hijinks that would probably get a normal person arrested. Some attempts fail hilariously; others endear Lucy to him all over again.
His persistence becomes the emotional core of the film: learning to love someone who forgets you every day.
Breaking the Illusion
Once Lucy discovers the truth (thanks to Henry’s accidental interference), she struggles with anger, sadness, and confusion. Yet her connection with Henry grows deeper each day.
Henry creates a videotape that explains her condition, letting her catch up every morning. This becomes a turning point and symbol of trust between them.
Movie Ending
The final act reveals the emotional weight of Henry’s devotion. Lucy chooses to break up with him because she believes she’s holding him back. Heartbroken, Henry prepares for a marine research expedition in Alaska. But just before leaving, he discovers that Lucy is painting dozens of pictures of him—even though she can’t remember him. This detail is one of the film’s most touching reveals: somewhere deep in her subconscious, she never forgets Henry.
Henry rushes back to her institute, plays music they shared, and Lucy instinctively feels connected to him. They decide to face the unknown future together.
In the final scene, Henry wakes up on a research vessel in the Arctic. He watches Lucy’s updated videotape explaining her life, their marriage, and that she may not remember him when she awakens. She meets him on deck, surprised but smiling, and we see their daughter, whom Lucy is meeting (in memory terms) for the first time each day.
It’s a warm yet bittersweet ending about choosing love despite uncertainty.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, 50 First Dates does not include any post-credits or mid-credits scenes.
Type of Movie
50 First Dates is a romantic comedy with heartfelt dramatic elements, offering both classic Adam Sandler humor and unexpectedly emotional storytelling without drifting into heavy drama.
Cast
- Adam Sandler – Henry Roth
- Drew Barrymore – Lucy Whitmore
- Rob Schneider – Ula
- Sean Astin – Doug Whitmore
- Blake Clark – Marlin Whitmore
- Dan Aykroyd – Dr. Keats
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Teddy Castellucci, while much of the soundtrack features Hawaiian-style covers of 1980s hits, adding to the sunny island atmosphere. Notable tracks include reinterpretations of “Every Breath You Take,” “Drive,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
Filming Locations
Primarily filmed in Hawaii, especially on Oahu.
Important locations include:
- Kualoa Ranch – used for Lucy’s home and surrounding areas
- Waimanalo – the Hukilau Café scenes
- Sea Life Park Hawaii – Henry’s workplace
These locations were chosen to emphasize the film’s themes of peace, routine, and a paradise frozen in time—mirroring Lucy’s daily reset.
Awards and Nominations
While the movie wasn’t a heavy awards contender, it received:
- Teen Choice Award nominations
- World Stunt Awards nomination for comedic performance stunts
- Received positive recognition in pop culture for its portrayal of memory disorders
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Drew Barrymore helped reshape scenes to make Lucy’s condition more respectful and emotionally grounded.
- The chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore led them to work together again in later films.
- The script was originally set in Seattle, but Sandler suggested Hawaii to add warmth and visual appeal.
- Many of the animal scenes were unscripted, relying on improvisation.
- Sean Astin wore actual strongman gear for Doug’s fitness-obsessed personality.
Inspirations and References
- Loosely inspired by real cases of anterograde amnesia, though the film uses a fictionalized version.
- Some narrative beats echo classic romantic comedies, especially stories of unusual barriers to love.
- The idea of a memory-reset romance is emotionally similar to themes found in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (released the same year).
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no widely released alternate endings, but known deleted scenes include:
- Extended comedy bits with Rob Schneider’s character
- Longer versions of Henry’s attempts to meet Lucy each morning
- A slightly more comedic version of the ending that was ultimately scrapped for emotional impact
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is not based on a book, though its central concept resembles medical literature cases on memory disorders and fictional works dealing with memory loss.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Henry and Lucy’s first breakfast together at the café.
- Henry showing Lucy the videotape for the first time.
- Lucy discovering her condition by seeing a replaced newspaper.
- Lucy’s art studio reveal, where dozens of Henry portraits appear.
- The Arctic final scene with the updated tape.
Iconic Quotes
- “I love you very much, probably more than anybody could love another person.”
- “You’re the girl of my dreams… and apparently, I’m the man of yours.”
- Ula: “I think she’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. Why is she looking at me?”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Many of Henry’s dates at the start reference real Hawaiian cultural quirks.
- Lucy’s paintings subtly evolve as the film progresses, reflecting subconscious memory traces.
- The number 23 appears multiple times—a small inside joke referencing Sandler’s birthday month.
Trivia
- The film is loosely inspired by a real medical case known informally as “the woman who wakes up every day thinking it’s the same date.”
- Drew Barrymore said this was one of her favorite collaborations of her career.
- The car accident scene was shot last because Barrymore found it emotionally heavy.
- The penguin scenes were among the most difficult to coordinate.
Why Watch?
Because it’s funny, surprising, heartfelt, and balances humor with surprisingly deep emotional stakes. It’s a romantic comedy that reminds viewers that love is a choice we make every day—sometimes literally.
Director’s Other Movies
- Anger Management (2003)
- Get Smart (2008)
- Tommy Boy (1995)
- The Longest Yard (2005)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Wedding Singer (1998)
- Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- Just Go With It (2011)
- Groundhog Day (1993)
