To those expecting to see Adam Sandler prance around like a drunken idiot in yet another movie: beware. Of course, there are plenty of vintage Sandler moments, but 50 First Dates is an unexpectedly touching show of the surprising maturation of Sandler's comedy.Sandler (Happy Gilmore) plays Henry Roth, a womanizing Hawaii native who is afraid of commitment. In comes the vivacious Drew Barrymore (Charlie's Angels), who plays Lucy Whitmore and makes Henry reconsider his policy of never dating an island girl. Henry, of course, is unaware that Lucy has no short-term memory, making a normal relationship virtually impossible.

Lucy's father (Blake Clarke, Mr. Deeds) and brother (Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings), foster an environment for her in which she re-lives the same day every day, thus preventing Lucy from realizing her neurological problems.

When Henry initially gets involved with Lucy, her family is skeptical of his intentions, but soon realize that he has her best interests at heart. Henry develops a plan to enable Lucy to have a normal relationship, and that is where the movie transforms from a comedic Sandler romp into a quasi-romance.

Director Peter Segal (Anger Management) was given a large task. He had to try to turn 50 First Dates into a genuine romantic comedy that a middle-aged couple wouldn't be embarrassed to walk into. In this respect, he succeeded, including only a few cringe-worthy scenes -though there is a scene involving copious amounts of walrus vomit.

Despite a most sincere attempt, Adam Sandler is still difficult to take seriously. With movies like Punch Drunk Love and even Anger Management, in which he was paired with the legendary Jack Nicholson, he is attempting an extreme Hollywood makeover. He is desperately vying for respectability, but it will be difficult to attain any more respect than he garners in this movie.

While no one would confuse him with Lawrence Olivier, his portrayal of the lovesick Henry Roth is admirable. Sandler actually manages to convey the maturation of Henry Roth, a person who manages bad situations with surprising grace and aplomb. His character is believable because even when he is at his most romantic, he still manages to slip in some obscenities that remind the audience that Sandler is indeed alive and well.

Drew Barrymore masterfully plays the part of Lucy Whitmore. Her energy is infectious, and her character's zeal for life is apparent in every one of her actions. It is hard not to smile while she is on camera, and she looks fantastic throughout. She steals the screen, and actually has the power to turn Adam Sandler into a romantic, much like she did in The Wedding Singer.

There seems to be genuine chemistry between the two protagonists; they appear to truly be in love. Segal uses the beautiful Hawaiian scenery to his advantage, cutting away to scenes of marine life or picturesque sunsets whenever he needs to bolster the romantic environment.

The supporting cast is what changes this movie from a mediocre, formulaic romantic comedy into a movie that also appeals to the typical Adam Sandler fan. The main vehicles for humor in this film come from unlikely sources. Rob Schneider (Hot Chick), whose career has been reduced mainly to bit roles in Sandler flicks, is hilarious in 50 First Dates. He is given the chance to be a real character in the movie and, shockingly, he delivers. Astin, as Barrymore's on-screen brother, is wonderful as an awkward aspiring body builder.

50 First Dates wins no points for originality, opting for a very prescribed love story rather than being bold and adventurous. The idea of memory loss was intriguing, yet was ultimately a new angle for a tired genre. However, the movie is characterized by an abiding sweetness and deep down is about love. Be it between father and daughter, brother and sister or two lovers, this movie was about the strength of love in all types of relationships.

This movie is a perfect compromise movie for couples that cannot agree on which movie to see. There is plenty of humor which will keep anyone who cannot handle the love story at ease during the overly drawn out romance scenes. 50 First Dates is not a great movie, but it is surprisingly touching and endearing. For vintage Sandler fans, be cautious that Henry Roth is no Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison, but 50 First Dates should leave you with a smile anyway.