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"Oscars? No!
- Emmys? No!
- Golden Globes?
Yep!" |
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Written and Directed by
Marc Lawrence
Cast Hugh Grant, Drew
Barrymore, Brad Garrett,
Kristen Johnston, Haley
Bennett
Distributed by Warner
Bros -
2007 - 98m - Rated PG13 |
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Hugh Grant films. Love them? Hate them? Indifferent? |
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How you feel about
Hugh Grant is likely to determine your appreciation for "Music and
Lyrics," a gentle romantic comedy starring Grant as Alex Fletcher, a
washed-up singer from an 80's boy band (along the lines of Wham!),
who gets a second chance when his manager (Brad Garrett) asks him to
come up with a song he can sing as a duet with the up-and-coming
Cora (Haley Bennett).
The problem, of course, is that Fletcher's not written a new tune in
years and he can't pull in a lyricist quickly enough to pull it off
UNTIL Sophie (Drew Barrymore), the woman who waters his plants,
walks in with her undiscovered gift of coming up with rhymes.
While the journey through "Music and Lyrics" is rather formulaic,
Grant's return to playing a self-deprecating, charming guy is a
breath of fresh air and his natural, funny chemistry with Barrymore
turns "Music and Lyrics" into a delightful, funny and sweet film
reminiscent of Grant's turns with Julia Roberts.
Garrett is marvelous in a supporting role and Bennett sparkles as a
young, almost eerily Britney-like singer. Campbell Scott also shows
up as a two-faced author, and while the music itself isn't
particularly memorable (For that matter, how much Wham! do you
really remember anyway?), it's ultimately the chemistry that matters
and both Grant and Barrymore do a nice job of elevating "Music and
Lyrics" above the sea of mediocrity that we often call romantic
comedy.
As written and directed by Marc Lawrence (writer/producer of the
"Miss Congeniality" films), "Music and Lyrics" is a simple and
easygoing feel good film with enough heart to overcome its flat
moments and enough chemistry between Grant and Barrymore to overcome
its contrivances.
Sometimes, going to a movie is about nothing more than being
entertained and leaving the theatre in a good mood. "Music and
Lyrics" is the perfect film for such an occasion...far from
brilliant, "Music and Lyrics" nonetheless puts a song in your heart
and makes you want to sit there wrapped tightly around someone you
love (be careful with this feeling if you've actually gone to the
theatre alone!). |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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