The film follows Sonny Koufax (played by Adam Sandler), a lazy and irresponsible slacker who lives in New York City. Sonny’s life takes an unexpected turn when his girlfriend, Vanessa (played by Kristy Swanson), breaks up with him, leaving him feeling lost and aimless.
Sonny’s life becomes even more complicated when a young boy named Julian (played by Cole Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse) shows up on his doorstep. Julian is the son of Sonny’s roommate, Kevin Gerrity (played by Jon Stewart), who has left him in Sonny’s care while he goes on a business trip to China.
At first, Sonny has no idea how to take care of Julian and is reluctant to accept responsibility for him. However, as time passes, Sonny forms a bond with Julian and begins to enjoy spending time with him. He decides to use the opportunity to impress his ex-girlfriend Vanessa by pretending to be Julian’s father.
Sonny and Julian embark on a series of misadventures together, including teaching Julian how to urinate outside and getting into trouble with the law. Along the way, Sonny learns valuable lessons about responsibility, maturity, and the importance of family.
However, their happiness is short-lived when social services discover that Sonny is not Julian’s real father and threaten to take him away. In a desperate attempt to keep Julian in his life, Sonny decides to fight for custody of him in court.
During the court proceedings, Sonny delivers a heartfelt speech about his love for Julian and his commitment to being the father figure that Julian needs. Moved by Sonny’s sincerity and dedication, the judge grants him custody of Julian, allowing them to remain together as a family.
In the end, Sonny and Julian celebrate their victory and look forward to their future together as father and son. Sonny also reconciles with Vanessa, realizing that he is ready to embrace adulthood and take on the responsibilities of being a parent.
“Big Daddy” is a heartwarming comedy that explores themes of love, family, and personal growth. It received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, grossing over $230 million worldwide. Adam Sandler’s performance was praised for its comedic timing and emotional depth, and the film remains a beloved classic among fans of his work.