Every love story has challenges to overcome.
Directed by Brent Hodge, the new docuseries 50,000 First Dates: A True Story follows Nesh Pillay, a young mother who falls in love with quirky engineer Johannes ‘J.J.’ Jakope. As their romance blooms, wedding bells are on the horizon. However, their world is quickly upended when Nesh suffers a devastating brain injury that causes her to lose her memory. Suddenly, she believes that she’s only 17 and even confuses the love of her life with an Uber driver. As their story goes viral, Nesh and J.J. find themselves under the additional pressure of online viewers who don’t believe her story. As their wedding approaches, their relationship is tested as Nesh tries to put her life back together before their happily ever after.
In 50,000 First Dates, Hodge has helped champion one of the rarest of genres: the romcom documentary. While this style is not entirely new, the romcom doc is scarce in the cinematic wild. And that works in Hodge’s favour. This limited series is an absolute joy from start to finish. Following Nesh’s journey towards recovery, 50,000 has a surprising amount of bounce to it. Even in its most difficult moments, the series keeps its sense of humour and heart.
Nesh and J.J. are normal people in abnormal circumstances. And we genuinely want them to work things out.
Shown with tenderness and care, Nesh and J.J. are allowed to charm us with their story but also show us their scars. Both J.J. and Nesh are human. These moments have taken a toll on them emotionally and, as such, there are times when we see them wrestle with their feelings, for each other and within themselves.
Interestingly though, Hodge highlights his love of romcoms as a storytelling device. Of course, the comparisons to Adam Sandler’s 50 First Dates are obvious. But there are teases to other classics of the genre that aren’t as easily noticed. (Hear Hodge talk about that with us here.) In this way, 50,000 becomes a celebration of the stories that remind us of the power of love.
Even so, at the same time, Hodge also knows that life isn’t a romcom. Because it’s a documentary, 50,000 tells the story as it is. After all, this isn’t just a movie. It’s real life. We’re dealing with a couple who are genuinely struggling to hold things together. Without her memories, their relationship feels almost like it never existed. As Nesh fights with her memories, the series leaves them with real questions about their compatibility—or even if they like each other.
Arguably though, 50,000’s most powerful conversation comes when it talks about the relationship that influencers have on social media. As a young woman telling her story online, she opens herself up to her followers by offering a record of her experiences. This isn’t irregular, especially in a world of social connections. But, in doing so, she also leaves the door open for online judgment.
Hodge’s doc chronicles the shocking (and, frankly, horrid) cyber trash-talking that Nesh and J.J. are inundated with by those who simply do not believe her journey. Accused of ‘faking’ her story, Nesh finds herself in the crosshairs of people from outside her own circle who feel it their right to judge another person. To some of her followers, Nesh is a commodity instead of a woman in need of compassion. But, even in the midst of this, Nesh’s resiliency shines through.
She knows what’s true, even if others seem to believe otherwise.
Prime’s decision to air 50,000 First Dates: A True Story is simply great scheduling. This is the sort of delightfully charming love story that works well for Valentine’s Day week. But Hodge ensures that his series is more than simply a heartwarming tale. Leaning into the challenges of modern romance in an online world, 50,000 First Dates is also a reminder of the damages that can be done when we lose our empathy for one another.
This is a love story, after all.
50,000 First Dates: A Love Story is available on Prime Video on February 11th, 2025.
