Big Daddy

| 1999

Directed by: Dennis Dugan

Main Plot

"Big Daddy," directed by Dennis Dugan, follows the story of Sonny Koufax, a 32-year-old law school graduate who has avoided adult responsibilities. His life takes an unexpected turn when a five-year-old boy named Julian is left at his doorstep, mistakenly believed to be the son of Sonny's roommate. Initially seeing the situation as a way to impress his girlfriend, Sonny decides to take care of Julian temporarily. Despite his lack of parenting skills, Sonny forms a bond with Julian, learning about responsibility and love along the way. As he navigates the challenges of fatherhood, Sonny's unconventional methods lead to humorous and heartfelt moments. The film explores themes of maturity, family, and personal growth, ultimately showing how an unexpected relationship can transform one's life.

Characters

  • Sonny Koufax, a law school graduate, adopts a young boy to impress his girlfriend but ends up learning about responsibility and fatherhood.
  • Joey Lauren Adams plays Layla Maloney, a lawyer and Sonny's love interest, who helps him navigate the legal challenges of adopting Julian.
  • Jon Stewart plays Kevin Gerrity, Sonny's best friend and the biological father of Julian. His character's role is pivotal in resolving the custody situation.

Ending Explained

In the movie "Big Daddy," directed by Dennis Dugan, the ending sees Sonny Koufax (played by Adam Sandler) facing a custody battle for Julian, a young boy he had been caring for. Initially, Sonny had pretended to be Julian's biological father to prevent the child from being placed in foster care. However, during the court proceedings, it is revealed that Sonny is not Julian's biological father, and the boy's real father, Kevin Gerrity (played by Jon Stewart), steps forward. Kevin, who is Sonny's best friend, decides to take responsibility for Julian. The court rules against Sonny, but the judge acknowledges his genuine care and affection for Julian. In the final scenes, a year later, Sonny has matured and turned his life around. He has passed the bar exam and is now a successful lawyer. He is also in a stable relationship with Layla Maloney (played by Joey Lauren Adams). The movie concludes with a heartwarming scene where Sonny, Layla, and their friends celebrate Julian's birthday, indicating that Sonny remains an important part of Julian's life, even though he is not his legal guardian.

Dennis Dugan Comedy Drama Adam Sandler Joey Lauren Adams Jon Stewart