In 50 First Dates, Henry sets his heart on romancing Lucy. The problem? She has short-term memory loss and can’t ever remember anything that happened the day before. Every morning, Henry has to woo her again.
As this pattern is established, this scene shows Henry and Lucy kissing at the end of many different days, only to be followed by Lucy saying (every time), “Nothing beats a first kiss.” Henry, of course, knows that this is not the first kiss anymore. In terms of diminishing marginal utility, the first kiss (at least to Lucy) provides the highest level of marginal utility. Each kiss after that may provide positive marginal utility, but it won’t be as high as the first one.
Sadly, Henry is aware that this is not his first kiss with Lucy, and so he will experience diminishing marginal returns for each additional kiss that he receives.
Thanks to Amanda Mandzik for the clip suggestion and summary!
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