Big Daddy (1999)
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A slacker's life is turned upside down when he is forced to care for a young boy left on his doorstep.
The story
In New York City, Sonny Koufax is a 32-year-old slacker who lives a life of leisure after a legal settlement. His lifestyle is challenged when his girlfriend, Vanessa, threatens to leave him unless he changes his ways. The situation becomes complicated when a five-year-old boy named Julian is left at his apartment with a note claiming his mother can no longer care for him. Despite having no experience as a parent, Sonny promises to look after the boy while his friend, who is the boy's biological father, is away on a work assignment. Sonny must navigate the difficulties of childcare while trying to navigate his personal life.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Sonny Koufax, a 32-year-old slacker in New York City, lives off a legal settlement and lacks ambition. When his girlfriend Vanessa leaves him for a more 'responsible' man, Sonny finds himself caring for Julian, a five-year-old boy left on his doorstep by his dying mother. Julian's biological father, Kevin, is away in China. Initially, Sonny tries to give the boy up, but after learning the boy's mother has died, he decides to raise him. The two form a deep bond, and Julian even helps Sonny start a relationship with Layla. However, after a legal misunderstanding involving a social worker, Sonny is forced to give Julian up. He eventually fights for Julian in court, where he shows his growth and sincerity. Although the court initially denies him custody, Kevin eventually steps in to claim Julian as his own. One year later, Sonny has transformed into a successful lawyer and a father himself, while his former girlfriend's new life has fallen apart.
- First release year
- 1999
- Runtime (minutes)
- 93
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Dennis Dugan
- Writers
- Steve Franks · screenplay; Tim Herlihy · screenplay; Adam Sandler · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Adam Sandler · Sonny Koufax; Joey Lauren Adams · Layla; Jon Stewart; Rob Schneider; Dylan Sprouse; Cole Sprouse; Leslie Mann
- Genres
- comedy-drama
- Themes
- parenting; responsibility; personal growth
- Tone and mood
- comedy; sentimental
- Setting
- New York City
- Premise and plot tags
- father-son relationship; adoption; buddy comedy
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a success at the box office.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 39% · scale: percentage · review count: 92; Metacritic · score: 41 · scale: 100 · review count: 26
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Actor · won
- Production trivia
- The script was originally titled Guy Gets Kid.; The script was considered for Chris Farley.; Director Paul Thomas Anderson is a noted fan of the film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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