Unreliable and unmotivated 32-year-old bachelor Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) lives in New York City and declines to take on adult responsibility. Although he has a law degree, he refuses to take the bar exam and works one day a week as a tollbooth attendant. His girlfriend, Vanessa (Kristy Swanson), threatens to break up with him unless he changes his life. His roommate, Kevin Gerrity (Jon Stewart), proposes to his podiatrist girlfriend Corinne Maloney (Leslie Mann) before he leaves for China for his law firm, and she accepts. Sonny constantly teases Corinne, especially about her former occupation at Hooters.

The next day, Sonny wakes up to find five-year-old Julian McGrath (Cole Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse) abandoned at their apartment. A written explanation says that Julian's mother now refuses to care for Julian and that Kevin is his biological father. Sonny assures Kevin that he will look after Julian until Kevin returns from China. In order to win Vanessa back, Sonny introduces her to Julian. However, he learns that she is now dating Sid (Geoffrey Horne), a much older man who seems more mature and career-oriented and has a "5-year plan."

Posing as Kevin, Sonny takes Julian to his social worker Arthur Brooks …show more content…
Julian also testifies, providing relevant information regarding his heritage. As a final straw, Sonny calls himself to the stand and asks his Florida lawyer father Lenny (Joseph Bologna), who is present, to question him. Despite Lenny's gruff assertion that Sonny is not father material, Sonny convinces Lenny that he will attempt his best at being a father. Moved by Sonny's sincerity, Lenny vouches for him. Nonetheless, the unconvinced judge orders Sonny's arrest. However, Kevin confesses to being Julian's biological father and insists they drop the charges. Sonny remains friends with Julian and hands him off to Kevin, watching them start to