The Wedding Singer's Creative Force: Adam Sandler's Writing Genius

Adam Sandler did not write the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, which he also starred in. The film was written by Tim Herlihy, who was inspired by a suggestion from Sandler for a comedy about a wedding singer who gets left at the altar. The film was directed by Frank Coraci and also starred Drew Barrymore and Christine Taylor.

Adam Sandler's role in the film

Adam Sandler's role in "The Wedding Singer" is that of Robbie Hart, a wedding singer in Ridgefield, New Jersey, in 1985. Robbie is engaged to Linda, who is ambitious for him to become a rock star, but on their wedding day, she leaves him at the altar, causing him to sink into depression. He meets and befriends Julia Sullivan, a waitress at the reception hall where he works, and promises to sing at her wedding. Julia is engaged to Glenn Gulia, a businessman and bond investor, but she is dismayed to learn that he cheats on her frequently and plans to continue after they are married.

As Robbie and Julia's friendship blossoms, they develop deeper feelings for each other, but both are confused by these emotions. Robbie unsuccessfully pursues a job at a bank to impress Julia, but she is angry with him for his materialism. Heartbroken, Robbie gets drunk and encounters Glenn at his bachelor party, where a fight breaks out. The next day, Robbie rejects Linda's attempt at reconciliation and kicks her out, realising how shallow she is compared to Julia.

At his neighbour Rosie's 50th wedding anniversary party, Robbie realises he wants to grow old with Julia and decides to pursue her. With the help of Billy Idol and the flight crew on Julia's flight to Las Vegas, Robbie serenades her with a song he wrote called "Grow Old With You." Robbie and Julia admit their love for each other and get married, with a band performing at their wedding.

"The Wedding Singer" marked a shift in Adam Sandler's career, showcasing his ability to handle more dramatic material while maintaining his lighthearted and fun style. The film is considered one of his best comedies and is notable for its wholesome chemistry between Sandler and Drew Barrymore, who plays Julia.

Tim Herlihy wrote the film

Herlihy's writing process for The Wedding Singer is quite interesting. The idea for the film was initially pitched by Adam Sandler, who wanted to create a comedy about a wedding singer left at the altar. Herlihy took inspiration from the radio show "Lost in the '80s" to set the film in that decade. This setting would influence the fashion, music, and overall aesthetic of the film. Herlihy also recognised the importance of having a strong female perspective in the film, which had been lacking in Sandler's previous projects. As a result, Herlihy emphasised the role of Barrymore's character and ensured that her scenes were well-balanced and integral to the story.

The Wedding Singer also benefited from the collaboration between Herlihy and Sandler. The two had worked together on previous projects, and their chemistry contributed to the success of the film. The script underwent several rewrites, with Judd Apatow and Sandler himself also contributing to the writing process. This collaborative effort resulted in a script that was both funny and charming, receiving generally positive reviews from critics.

Herlihy's writing also extended to the songs featured in the film. He co-wrote the songs "Somebody Kill Me" and "Grow Old With You" with Sandler, which were performed by Sandler in the film. These songs added to the romantic and comedic tone of the film, further enhancing the audience's engagement with the story.

The Wedding Singer was a commercial success, grossing $123 million worldwide. It is often ranked as one of Sandler's best comedies and has left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. Herlihy's writing played a crucial role in the film's success, showcasing his ability to create engaging stories and memorable characters.

The film's plot

Julia asks Robbie to sing at her wedding, and the two become friends. Robbie learns from Glenn that he cheats on Julia frequently and intends to continue after they are married. As Robbie and Julia spend more time together, they develop feelings for each other. However, Robbie is heartbroken when he sees Julia in her wedding dress, practising saying his name in the mirror, mistaking her affection for Glenn. He gets drunk and ends up in a fight with Glenn, before returning home to find Linda, who wants to reconcile. The next day, Julia arrives at Robbie's house, only to be met by Linda, who reintroduces herself as his fiancée. Julia, upset, decides to marry Glenn as soon as possible, and they plan to go to Las Vegas.

Robbie, realising his true feelings for Julia, decides to pursue her. He learns that she is going to Las Vegas and gets a first-class ticket to the same destination. With the help of fellow passenger Billy Idol, Robbie sings a song he has written for Julia, "Grow Old With You", over the plane's loudspeaker. Robbie and Julia finally admit their love for each other and share a kiss. The film ends with their wedding, where a band performs at the celebration.

The film's cast

The Wedding Singer stars Adam Sandler as Robbie Hart, a wedding singer and aspiring rock star. Drew Barrymore plays Julia Sullivan, a waitress and the love interest of Robbie. Christine Taylor plays Holly Sullivan, Julia's cousin. Allen Covert plays Sammy, Robbie's best friend. Angela Featherstone plays Linda, Robbie's ex-fiancée. Matthew Glave plays Glenn Gulia, Julia's fiancé.

The film also features several notable appearances, including Alexis Arquette as George Stitzer, a keyboardist and singer in Robbie's band; Frank Sivero as Andy, Robbie's brother-in-law; Christina Pickles as Angie Sullivan, Julia's mother; and Ellen Albertini Dow as Rosie, Robbie's neighbour.

Other appearances include Jodi Thelen as Kate, Robbie's sister; Patrick McTavish as Tyler, Robbie's nephew; Gemini Barnett as Petey, Robbie's other nephew; Teddy Castellucci, Randy Razz, and John Vana as the remaining members of Robbie's band; and Billy Idol as himself.

The film also includes appearances from Kevin Nealon as Mr. Simms, Marnie Schneider as Joyce, a flight attendant; Carmen Filpi as the Old Man in the Bar; Robert Smigel as Andre; Todd Hurst as the Drunk Teenager; and Peter Dante as David's friend.

The film's soundtrack

The Wedding Singer features two soundtrack albums, both released in 1998. The first album, "The Wedding Singer", features the original versions of the songs performed by the actors in the film, with the exception of "Rapper's Delight", which is a medley of the original recording and Ellen Dow's rendition. The second album, "The Wedding Singer Volume 2", includes songs that appeared in the movie but were not included in the first soundtrack.

The track listing for the first album is as follows:

• "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Presidents of the United States of America
• "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Culture Club
• "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police
• "How Soon Is Now?" by The Smiths
• "Love My Way" by The Psychedelic Furs
• "Hold Me Now" by Thompson Twins
• "Everyday I Write the Book" by Elvis Costello
• "White Wedding" by Billy Idol
• "China Girl" by David Bowie
• "Blue Monday" by New Order
• "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth
• "Have You Written Anything Lately?"
• "Somebody Kill Me" by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, performed by Adam Sandler
• "Rapper's Delight" (medley) by Sugarhill Gang and Ellen Dow

The track listing for the second album is:

• "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo
• "It's All I Can Do" by The Cars
• "True" by Spandau Ballet
• "Space Age Love Song" by A Flock of Seagulls
• "Private Idaho" by The B-52's
• "Money (That's What I Want)" by Flying Lizards
• "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive
• "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode
• "Love Stinks" by The J. Geils Band
• "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates
• "Holiday" by Madonna
• "Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, performed by Adam Sandler

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