Summary
Drew Barrymore reveals that50 First Datesoriginally had a very different ending. While it was not a critical hit, the 2004 romantic comedy film is fondly remembered for its heart, humor, original premise, and strong chemistry between Barrymore and Adam Sandler.50 First Datesremains one ofSandler’s best movies, with its unconventional love story between Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore) and Henry Roth (Sandler) and the happy ending being among its many strengths.
OnThe Drew Barrymore Show(viaVariety),Barrymore discussed how50 First Datesinitially had a dramatically different ending. She described how the film, which was originally called50 First Kisses, had another setting entirely and was more dramatic than comedic, all of which led to a different conclusion for Lucy and Henry. This ended their story in a tonally different manner than in the final version of the film. Check out Barrymore’s comments below:
Something that always sticks in my mind is the original ending of “50 First Kisses,” as it was called at the time. Yeah, it was a drama set in Seattle. The original ending was her saying, “You should go and live your life, because this is no life here.” And he goes away, as he does, and he comes back and he walks into the restaurant and he just sits down and says, “Hi, I’m Henry.” And the film ends.
50 First Dates' Original Ending Wouldn’t Have Worked
It Would Have Changed The Story For The Worse
While the ending was not the only thing different about this earlier version of50 First Dates, it definitely would not have fit with the final version of the film. Even though there is plenty of Sandler’s trademark crude humor,50 First Datesis ultimately a hopeful story about the power of romance and human connection. The ending is genuinely happy and rewarding when it is revealed that despite her anterograde amnesia, Henry never gave up on her, and they found a way to make their dreams come true and build a family of their own.
The original ending would have done a disservice to the relationship and individual arcs of both Lucy and Henry and concluded on a far less satisfying note.
Instead of being uplifting, the original ending leaves Lucy and Henry trappedin their old cycles, and would have concluded on an ambiguous note of what happens to them next. Ambiguous endings can work well in many stories, but not in50 First Datesor otherSandler-led comedies. This ending may have worked with50 First Kissesinitially being a drama, which sounds like an almost entirely different story in terms of genre, tone, and characterization.
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From Sandler’s critically acclaimed performance inUncut Gemsand Barrymore helping the dramaticDonnie Darkobecome a beloved cult classic, both actors have proven themselves capable in other genres. Nevertheless,50 First Datesworked best as a romantic comedyand would have been fundamentally different as a romantic drama. The original ending would have done a disservice to the relationship and individual arcs of both Lucy and Henry and concluded on a far less satisfying note.
50 First Dates
Cast
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star in the 2004 romantic comedy 50 First Dates, which revolves around a womanizer’s attempts at winning over an amnesiac woman’s heart over and over, every day of her life. Frequent Adam Sandler collaborators Rob Schneider and Kevin James are part of the cast alongside Sean Astin, Dan Aykroyd, and Maya Rudolph.
