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50 First Dates
Movie

50 First Dates

2004 • Unknown

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

Henry is a player skilled at seducing women. But when this veterinarian meets Lucy, a girl with a quirky problem when it comes to total recall, he realizes it's possible to fall in love all over again…and again, and again. That's because the delightful Lucy has no short-term memory, so Henry must woo her day after day until he finally sweeps her off her feet.

Overall Series Review

The movie follows Henry Roth, a playboy veterinarian, who falls in love with Lucy Whitmore, an artist with severe short-term memory loss. Henry's arc focuses on his transformation from a man who fears commitment to one who demonstrates sacrificial, unconditional love by re-winning his wife's heart daily. The setting in Hawaii features a diverse supporting cast, though some characters are presented as broad comic stereotypes. The central conflict is purely personal and romantic, revolving around overcoming a disability to form a permanent, devoted family. The ending explicitly celebrates marriage, motherhood, and the nuclear family unit. The film contains crude humor and casual attitudes toward premarital sex, but its overarching theme is a defense of lifelong commitment and the institution of family.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The main plot does not rely on race or immutable characteristics for conflict, focusing instead on character transformation and merit (Henry's dedication). The primary cast is white, and the setting in Hawaii includes supporting characters of various ethnicities. One supporting character, a native Hawaiian, is presented as a broad, somewhat stereotypical comic relief figure, but the narrative does not engage in a vilification of 'whiteness' or lecture on systemic oppression.

Oikophobia1/10

There is no evidence of civilizational self-hatred. The setting of Hawaii is depicted as a beautiful, celebrated location. The family unit (Lucy’s father and brother) is portrayed as a strong, protective institution whose members selflessly care for a loved one. The movie champions the institution of family and commitment, which functions as a shield against chaos.

Feminism1/10

The female lead is a sweet, artistic character, not a 'Girl Boss' who rejects traditional roles. The narrative's goal is to see the male lead transition from a selfish bachelor to an 'earnest caregiver' who embraces commitment and domestic responsibility. The ending celebrates marriage and motherhood by showing the couple with their daughter, which is the direct opposite of anti-natalism. The masculinity displayed by Henry's final form is protective and vital.

LGBTQ+3/10

The core of the movie focuses on a traditional male-female relationship and the formation of a nuclear family. A minor, non-plot-essential character is an 'ambiguously gendered' assistant who is used for comedic effect, which is not an endorsement of 'queer theory' but is a product of early 2000s humor. One review suggests the film has an 'endorsement of homosexual lifestyles,' but this is vague and minor compared to the main, normative structure.

Anti-Theism3/10

The movie does not overtly attack religion, but it promotes a form of moral relativism typical of 2000s romantic comedies, with crude humor, drug references, and a casual attitude toward premarital sex. One review notes a worldview that values 'feelings above truth.' However, the overarching theme of transformative, unselfish love and commitment to family acts as an acknowledgment of a higher moral law, balancing against a high score.