History Film / BigDaddy

* PeripheryHatedom: In-universe example: Sonny absolutely ''loathes'' a giant singing kangaroo on a children's video watched by Julian ("I can't take this shit."). The kangaroo is obviously supposed to be a CaptainErsatz for [[Series/BarneyAndFriends Barney the Dinosaur]], but oddly enough [[ExpyCoexistence Barney, too, exists in the movie's universe]].

'''Kevin:''' Yeah Sonny, I am.\\

'''Corrine:''' God Sonny, shut up!

* IWillShowYouX: Sonny calls his dad for help because he's stuck with Julian, because his mother passed away but doesn't want him to be put in a "group home"[[note]]another word for "orphanage"[[/note]]; in addition Julian's becoming bothersome, and the only reason he adopted him was to fix his relationship with Vanessa who just broke up with him. His dad just tells him to return Julian to child service before he "ruin both [their] lives". Tired his dad's constant criticism, Sonny decides to keep Julian to prove that he can be a good father to Julian better than Sonny's dad was to him.

'''Sonny:''' Yeah? Well I care about you [[ItMakesSenseInContext saving money on this phone call]]! ''(slams the receiver on the booth)''

* FromTheMouthsOfBabes: According to Julian (okay, Sonny), music critics are "cynical a**holes." (Also see the BrickJoke and {{Cloudcuckoolander}} entries on this page for more of Julian's, uh, "witticisms.")

* RealityEnsues: Zigzagged. [[spoiler: Sonny calls himself to the witness stand at the trial and has his father cross-examine him in the hope that he can win the court over with an emotional appeal. Miraculously, he persuades Lenny that he has learned his lesson and is now prepared to be a responsible adult. Lenny vouches for his son and everyone in the courtroom applauds -- but the judge will not let herself forget that Sonny broke the law and, no matter how contrite he may be now, still deserves to go to jail. Then Kevin Gerrity, as Julian's biological father, refuses to press charges against his roommate, so Sonny walks out of court a free man. However, since he has proven himself to be erratic and untrustworthy, Sonny is refused custody of Julian, who is instead reunited with Kevin. In the end Sonny does get a consolation prize in form of being appointed a mentor and HonoraryUncle to Julian, and he and Layla have had a baby of their own by the time the epilogue rolls around.]]

* NeverLiveItDown: Invoked in-universe; no one let Corinne forget that she was a Hooters waitress. Sonny gleefully brings up that Corinne used to work at Hooters whenever he's around her, much to her chagrin. One of their friends makes her admit in court, during testimony, that she used to work there while she was attending medical school.
---> '''Corrine''': ''[under her breath]'' Asshole...

* PeripheryHatedom: In-universe example: Sonny absolutely ''loathes'' a giant singing kangaroo on a children's video watched by Julian ("I can't take this shit."). The kangaroo is obviously supposed to be a CaptainErsatz for [[Series/BarneyAndFriends Barney the Dinosaur]], but oddly enough [[CelebrityParadox Barney, too, exists in the movie's universe]].

* RealityEnsues: Zigzagged. [[spoiler: Sonny calls himself to the witness stand at the trial and has his father cross-examine him in the hope that he can win the court over with an emotional appeal. Miraculously, he persuades Lenny that he has learned his lesson and is now prepared to be a responsible adult. Lenny vouches for his son and everyone in the courtroom applauds -- but the judge will not let herself forget that Sonny broke the law and, no matter how contrite he may be now, still deserves to go to jail. Then Kevin Gerrity, as Julian's biological father, refuses to press charges against his roommate, so Sonny walks out of court a free man. However, since he has proven himself to be erratic and untrustworthy, Sonny is refused custody of Julian, who is instead reunited with Kevin. In the end Sonny does get a consolation prize in form of being appointed a mentor and HonorayUncle to Julian, and he and Layla have had a baby of their own by the time the epilogue rolls around.]]

* IWillShowYouX: Sonny calls his dad for help because he's stuck with Julian, because his mother passed away but doesn't want him to be put in a "group home"[[note]]another word for "orphanage"[[/note]]; in addition Julian's becoming bothersome, and the only reason he adopted him was to fix his relationship with Vanessa who just broke up with him. His dad just tells him to return Julian to child service before he "ruin both [their] lives". Angered by his dad's usual criticism, Sonny decides to keep Julian to prove that he can be a good father to Julian better than Sonny's dad was to him.

** Kevin Gerrity is conspicuously missing for most of the film (being on a business trip in China). He didn't even make it into the trailer. Yet the whole plot hinges on Sonny impersonating Kevin, and he's the one who [[spoiler:saves Sonny from jail time at the climax]].

* {{Bowdlerized}}: The trailer (and TV version) of the [=McDonald's=] scene has Sonny letting out a BigNo instead of "Aw, horseshit!" after being told that [=McDonald's=] stopper serving breakfast after 10:30.

* AmbiguouslyJewish: The Koufaxes' ethnicity is never revealed, but in one scene Sonny puts on [[AlterKocker a subtle Yiddish accent while impersonating his grandmother]]. Sonny also shares his name with Jewish baseball player Sandy Koufax.

* AmbiguouslyJewish: The Koufaxes' ethnicity is never revealed, but in one scene Sonny puts on [[AlterKocker a subtle Yiddish accent while impersonating his grandmother]]. (''Sandy'' Koufax is the greatest Jewish baseball player ever which places him high in the running for greatest Jewish athlete, period.)

His life changes forever one day when a young orphan named Julian (Cole and Dylan Sprouse) is literally left at his door. Sonny at first wants nothing to do with the kid, but then realizes that he just might be able to use him to impress his cantankerous father, Lenny - not to mention win back the affection of his disillusioned girlfriend, Vanessa.

[[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] that character in ''Theatre/CatOnAHotTinRoof''. Or the comedy band who does contemporary songs in the style of the '50s. Or with rapper ''Big Daddy Kane''. Or with [[Wrestling/{{WWE}} World Wrestling Entertainment's]] Big Daddy V - or, for that matter, with their [[Wrestling/KevinNash "Big Daddy Cool."]] Or with those tough drill-arm enemies from ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}''. Or with that huge, 1,000-calorie burger offered by Southern California restaurant chain Cronies. Or the ''ComicBook/{{Chick Tract|s}}'' on evolution. Or with Hit Girl's father in ''ComicBook/KickAss''.

** Vanessa. From the moment you hear her shrill, whiny voice, you know she's going to be nothing but trouble - and you're right.

* ComedicSociopathy: Among other escapades, Sonny takes Julian to the park and teaches him to throw sticks in front of in-line skaters to make them trip - all for his own sick amusement.

** Kevin's fiancee (and later wife) Corinne also has a foil - Vanessa, Sonny's would-be wife. Corinne eventually quits her job as a Hooter's waitress and becomes a doctor, while Vanessa goes in reverse. Corinne also has [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold a loving personality beneath her mean exterior]], while Vanessa tries to [[BitchInSheepsClothing hide her icy heart beneath a (somewhat) pleasant exterior]].

** In something of an ActorAllusion to his role in ''Film/HappyGilmore'' (also directed by Dennis Dugan), Sonny plays golf on the putting green on the roof of Kevin's apartment and tries to conjure up good luck for himself by telling Kevin that if he sinks his shot, he and Vanessa will get back together. He does make the shot - but [[AnimalMotifs a huge rat]] immediately crawls out of the hole, and Kevin remarks, "That can't be good." Turns out, Sonny's belief ''did'' turn out to be true FromACertainPointOfView: he and Vanessa ''did'' get back together (as in, met each other briefly in Vanessa's new place)...but then a loathsome creature - Sid - came between them.

* [[GilliganCut Gilligan Fade]]: Sonny's father makes him promise not to spend the money from his court settlement on "worthless crap." Sonny agrees - and then, the camera briefly fades out and then fades back in to show Sonny buying a surfboard.

** When the homeless guy (who, being played by Steve Buscemi, is presumably Italian-American) thinks that the national dish of Nazo's homeland is not truly American - but that spaghetti and meatballs are ''perfectly'' American!

* KnightOfCerebus: Arthur Brooks. Not really a villain, but the closest thing this movie has to a full-blown antagonist - and [[MoodWhiplash things go from slice-of-life comedy to tense drama]] ''[[MoodWhiplash really]]'' [[MoodWhiplash quick]] when he makes his second appearance in the film.

* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Okay, so he's not exactly a villain but the homeless guy mentions O. J. Simpson "getting away with murder" when he's called to the witness stand at Sonny's trial - and then looks over at a black juror with a condescending, YouKnowWhatTheySayAboutX attitude.

* RealityEnsues: Zigzagged. [[spoiler: Sonny calls himself to the witness stand at the trial and has his father cross-examine him in the hope that he can win the court over with an emotional appeal. Miraculously, he persuades Lenny that he has learned his lesson and is now prepared to be a responsible adult. Lenny vouches for his son and everyone in the courtroom applauds - but the judge will not let herself forget that Sonny broke the law and, no matter how contrite he may be now, still deserves to go to jail. Then Kevin Gerrity, as Julian's biological father, refuses to press charges against his roommate, so Sonny walks out of court a free man. However, since he has proven himself to be erratic and untrustworthy, Sonny is refused custody of Julian, who is instead reunited with Kevin. In the end Sonny does get a consolation prize in form of being appointed a mentor and HonorayUncle to Julian, and he and Layla have had a baby of their own by the time the epilogue rolls around.]]

** Kevin, after he realizes that he's just confessed in front of the entire courtroom (including Corinne) that [[spoiler:he is [[LukeIAmYourFather Julian's biological father]] (and Corinne is not the mother)]]. Corinne forgives Kevin, because [[HeroicSacrifice he confessed to save Sonny from jail]], and also because it happened before they had even met.

* TheManIsStickingItToTheMan: Deliberately invoked in the movie. Once one sees past the emotional aspect of the movie, it's easy to understand what the movie is really trying to portray Sonny Koufax as and that some changes in his life were necessary; as when he gained Julian he started being responsible with him (teaching him to bathe, and helping with schoolwork). Then, when he lost him, he started to re-read law books and reacted like any father would after losing his child.

** After Julian revealed that he was born in Toronto, you can see Kevin in deep thought.

* {{Bowdlerized}}: The trailer (and TV version) of the McDonald's scene has Sonny letting out a BigNo instead of "Aw, horseshit!" after being told that McDonald's stopper serving breakfast after 10:30.

* MotiveDecay: Sonny decides to adopt Julian to fix his relationship with Vanessa, plus Kevin was doubtful that Julian is even his son. However, Vanessa left him with another man. After an argument with his dad, Sonny decides to raise Julian to prove to everyone he'll be a great dad. Also, not wanting Julian to be put in an orphanage, Sonny tells child service he'll look after him until they find him a proper home, but soon decided to keep him and ignore their calls which soon gets him in real trouble when they learn his real name.

* MotiveDecay: Sonny decides to adopt Julian to fix his relationship with Vanessa, plus Kevin was doubtful that Julian is even his son. However, Vanessa left him with another man. After an argument with his dad, Sonny decides to raise Julian to prove to everyone he'll be a great dad.

This 1999 box-office smash starred Creator/AdamSandler, Creator/JonStewart, and twin child actors [[Series/TheSuiteLifeofZackAndCody Cole and Dylan Sprouse]].

** Sonny had Julian pee on the side of the restaurant when a waiter wouldn't let him use the restroom likely because of customers only. But mostly because the waiter said it ain't his problem when Sonny tells him he's "just a kid".

* IWillShowYouX: Sonny calls his dad for help because he's stuck with Julian, because his mother passed away but doesn't want him to be put in a "group home"[[note]]another word for "orphanage"[[/note]]; in addition Julian's becoming bothersome, and Vanessa broke up with Sonny. His dad just tells him to return Julian to child service before he "ruin both [their] lives". Angered by his dad's usual criticism, Sonny decides to keep Julian to prove that he can be a good father to Julian better than Sonny's dad was to him.

** Corrine got one back when she walked on Sonny and her sister Layla kissing and repulsed by it.

** One of Sonny's friends is disgusted by Tommy and Phil kissing each other.

* FauxAffablyEvil: Sid. The homeless man, too, to some extent, although he's [[HarmlessVillain more pathetic than evil]].

** Vanessa does it ''twice in a row'' at the beginning of the movie (when she realizes she's late for an appointment, no thanks to Sonny):

* PunchClockVillain: Arthur Brooks is one in the context of Sonny's life. He's trying to separate Sonny from Julian but only because it's his job and Sonny technically kidnapped the kid. He gets some PetTheDog moments along the way (such as saying that there is "no greater high" for him then when the original parent accepts custody of the child), as well as in the climactic courtroom scene.
* RealityEnsues: Zigzagged. [[spoiler: Sonny calls himself to the witness stand at the trial and has his father cross-examine him in the hope that he can win the court over with an emotional appeal. Miraculously, he persuades Lenny that he has learned his lesson and is now prepared to be a responsible adult. Lenny vouches for his son and everyone in the courtroom applauds - but the judge will not let herself forget that Sonny broke the law and, no matter how contrite he may be now, still deserves to go to jail. Then Kevin Gerrity, as Julian's biological father, refuses to press charges against his roommate, so Sonny walks out of court a free man. However, since he has proven himself to be erratic and untrustworthy, Sonny is refused custody of Julian, who is instead reunited with Kevin. In the end Sonny does get a consolation prize in form of being appointed a mentor and uncle to Julian, and he and Layla have had a baby of their own by the time the epilogue rolls around.]]

* [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful Screw the Rules, I'm Cute!]]: Julian gets to win every card game he plays because he's a kid and he's cute. His favorite "game," in fact, is called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "I Win"]].

[[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] that character in ''Theatre/CatOnAHotTinRoof''. Or the comedy band who does contemporary songs in the style of the '50s. Or with rapper ''Big Daddy Kane''. Or with [[Wrestling/{{WWE}} World Wrestling Entertainment's]] Big Daddy V - or, for that matter, with their [[Wrestling/KevinNash "Big Daddy Cool."]] Or with those tough drill-arm enemies from ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}''. Or with that huge, 1,000-calorie burger offered by Southern California restaurant chain Cronies. Or the ''ComicBook/{{Chick Tract|s}}'' on evolution. Or with Hit Girl's father in KickAss

* ChekhovsGun: Early on, Sonny gives Julian a pair of sunglasses and tells him that he will be invisible when he wears them. [[spoilers: These come in handy when Julian is asked to testify at Sonny's trial and is too nervous to speak in front of all the strangers.]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: To Charlie Chaplin's 1921 silent classic ''Film/TheKid'', which is also about a derelict adopting a boy after his mother abandons him and then battling social services when they try to take the child from him.

[[IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] that character in ''Theatre/CatOnAHotTinRoof''. Or the comedy band who does contemporary songs in the style of the '50s. Or with rapper ''Big Daddy Kane''. Or with [[Wrestling/{{WWE}} World Wrestling Entertainment's]] Big Daddy V - or, for that matter, with their [[Wrestling/KevinNash "Big Daddy Cool."]] Or with those tough drill-arm enemies from ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}''. Or with that huge, 1,000-calorie burger offered by Southern California restaurant chain Cronies. Or the ''ComicBook/{{Chick Tract|s}}'' on evolution. Or with Hit Girl's father in KickAss

* IWillShowYouX: Sonny calls his dad for help because he's stuck with Julian, because his mother passed away but doesn't want him to be put in a "group home"[[note]]another word for "orphanage"[[/note]]; in addition Julian's becoming bothersome, and Vanessa broke up with Sonny. His dad just tells him to return Julian to child service before he "ruin both [their] lives". Angered by his dad's usual criticism, Sonny decides to keep Julain to prove that he can be a good father to Julian better than Sonny's dad was to him.

* NonSpecificallyForeign: Just where ''is'' Nazo from, anyway? Look for the country that eats lamp with tuna fish.

[[IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] that character in ''Theatre/CatOnAHotTinRoof''. Or the comedy band who does contemporary songs in the style of the '50s. Or with rapper ''Big Daddy Kane''. Or with [[Wrestling/{{WWE}} World Wrestling Entertainment's]] Big Daddy V - or, for that matter, with their [[Wrestling/KevinNash "Big Daddy Cool."]] Or with those tough drill-arm enemies from ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}''. Or with that huge, 1,000-calorie burger offered by Southern California restaurant chain Cronies. Or the ''ComicBook/{{Chick Tract|s}}'' on evolution.