WHEN A relationship goes bad, it's tempting to want to erase all memory of your former lover and the time you spent together.

Anything to ease the pain.

But imagine spending the most wonderful day of you life, with the man or woman of your dreams, then waking the next morning with no recollection of them.

Wouldn't the agony of not remembering those 24 hours of bliss be just as bad as the memories of a failed romance, if not worse?

Bed-hopping marine biologist Henry Roth meets Lucy in a Hawaiian diner and the couple spend a magical day together.

The following morning, when Henry runs into Lucy again, hoping to fan the flames of their ardour, she completely ignores him as if they have never met before.

At first, Henry thinks that Lucy is pulling his leg, as part of a practical joke to make sure he doesn't think she'll be just another notch on his bedpost.

However, Henry soon learns from Lucy's father Marlin and her body-building brother Doug that she is afflicted with short-term memory loss, brought on by a terrible car accident.

She wakes every morning, destined to relive the same day again and again for the rest of her life, unaware that the world and the people are changing around her.

Determined to win her heart forever, Henry spends each and every day making Lucy fall in love with him until she can finally remember his name.

50 First Dates is a sweet and hugely likeable rom-com that reunites Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, who were so adorable together in The Wedding Singer.

That same screen chemistry is apparent here too; her natural effervescence and bubbliness somehow tempering his natural urge to play the fool.

A vomiting walrus is screenwriter George Wing's sole concession to gross-out humour but he also loads the supporting players with a butch lesbian marine assistant and a pothead best pal to play for easy laughs.

The plot, like Lucy's memory, is hazy at times and the sinister undertones of Marlin's and Doug's behaviour are hastily ignored.

However, 50 First Dates makes us care about the two central characters and to wish them a happy ever after.

Even is Lucy won't recall it in the morning.

I give it: 7/10