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Adam Sandler's latest romantic comedy, '50 First Dates', sees the comedian resorting to those tried and trusted techniques, from off-coloured jokes to caricatured supporting characters, that have brought him such popular appeal — and critical disdain — in the past.

This time round, Sandler is Henry, a marine biologist with ambitions as a sailor. It's completely irrelevant that he's about as believable as Denise Richards' nuclear physicist (Dr Christmas Jones) in that Bond movie 'The World is Not Enough'. Even harder to believe is that Sandler's character is something of a gigolo, breaking hearts wherever he goes, but unable to commit to any one woman.

Nevertheless, in typical rom-com fashion, he meets the sweet, innocent Lucy (Drew Barrymore) who makes him want to stop his womanising ways, settle down, and start acting (a little) more responsibly.

But when he meets her again the following day, she acts like he's a complete stranger. It turns out that Lucy suffers from short term memory loss, her new memories lasting no longer than a day and so.

Cue the movie's funniest sequence of events as the determined marine biologist tries to work his way into Lucy's daily routine — which is almost identical each day. He enlists the help of his dim-witted side-kick Ula (Rob Schneider) and various animals, and gradually learns more about her as he wins the support of her over-protective father and steroid-addled brother (Sean Astin).

Following Jack Nicholson's lead in Sandler's 'Anger Management', Astin throws away his credibility by overacting, lisping, and posing his way through a role that has about as much substance as a rice cake. Barrymore fairs much better and hardly seems to be acting, which might explain why her performance is a little inconsistent at times. But her inconsistency is no match for Sandler's. Once again he seems to be playing himself, but jumps wildly between his "sensitive modern man" and "adult child" personas. At least he doesn't hoard all the laughs — deferring most of the jokes to the seemingly shameless Schneider.

The result is an occasionally funny film that falls way short of the similar 'Groundhog Day'. It also fails to recapture the magic of 'The Wedding Singer', despite Barrymore's return. And those expecting a thoughtful insight into the socio-ethical implications of Lucy's condition will be disappointed. This is Sandler, not high art.

For more on the film, visit the official website: http://www.50firstdates.com/

What the international critics said:

"50 First Dates is more of a romantic comedy than an Adam Sandler comedy."
- James Berardinelli, REELVIEWS

"A terrible movie by all reasonable standards - yet it leaves a sweet taste."
- Jami Bernard, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

"The movie doesn't have the complexity and depth of Groundhog Day, but as entertainment it's ingratiating and lovable."
- Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

"Pushes all the right buttons and pushes them expertly."
- Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

"The stars have a goo-goo chemistry that's hard to resist."
- Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY