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February 2007

MUSIC AND LYRICS

By Nicole Schmuelian

MUSIC AND LYRICS


Distributer: Warner Brothers
Director: Marc Lawrence
Screenwriter: Marc Lawrence
Cinematographer: Xavier Pérez Grobet
Composer: Adam Schlesinger
Cast: Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett, Kristen Johnston, Campbell Scott, Haley Bennett 
Rated: PG-13


 

   

 

Music and Lyrics is a romantic comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant, ostensibly the duo seem to favor this genre but need to pursue more risk taking roles.  Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant), a has-been 80’s musician from the once popular band known as Pop, is eager to step back into the limelight, tired of playing gigs at local amusement parks and state fairs.  It’s humorous to imagine Hugh Grant as an eighties singer but it is even more humorous to see him sing, dance, and play the piano.  Alex is given another shot at fame when Cora Corman, the current pop idle, asks him to write the lyrics to a song on her new album.  If he succeeds, Alex will be given the chance to perform with her at Madison Square Garden. Alex, incapable of writing his own lyrics, coincidentally happens to find out that his plant lady, Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), is a writer with the gift of musical rhythm.  After hearing her sing a few tunes, Alex decides to partner up with Drew Barrymore on a journey to create the catchiest pop song ever.

The typical romantic comedy pair, Hugh and Drew encapsulate their usual chick flick roles, to perform another light-hearted film gracing audiences with their music abilities. Grant admits to hating and loving the dancing and singing aspect of it, but without it, the film would have lost its flare.  Drew Barrymore is always loveable and has a unique presence in the film that exemplifies why audiences are drawn to her so much.  Both Hugh and Drew are charismatic and possess a certain quality that is very engaging to the audience, but the plot nonetheless falls short, as it is too predictable.  While there is an undeniable chemistry between the two actors, the script follows the same formulaic quality that most romantic comedies today endure: no surprises and little bite.