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Music and Lyrics
Directed by: Marc Lawrence
Starring: Hugh Grant
Genre:
Romance/Comedy
Run Time: 96
min.
Release Date:
February 2007
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Although terribly
predictable and not just a bit trite, MUSIC AND LYRICS is saved
from depravity by some good acting by lead actors Hugh Grant and Drew
Barrymore, and by the excellent usage of dialogue and music videos from
bygone days.
Falling well into the category of romantic comedies, Music and Lyrics
starts out with a bang by showing Grant in tight leather pants with the
heavy 80s hairdo during an MTV-style music video with his old band
“Pop!” Although not the lead singer for the group, Alex Fletcher (Grant)
is second-in-command during the band’s heyday. But like many
rock-n-rollers, their group disbands and the first-in-command launches
out on his own, leaving Fletcher as a has-been.
Jump ahead a few decades and we find Fletcher grasping at anything he
can to keep his name in any sort of musical light. Suddenly an offer
comes his way via his failing manager Chris (Brad Garrett, EVERYBODY
LOVES RAYMOND TV series). He must compose one song for a superstar
named Cora (Haley Bennett). She’s “bigger than Brittany” Fletcher is
told and she needs a song with some umpf! to wrap-up her latest album. A
lyricist is quickly dispatched to Fletcher’s apartment but they
immediately clash. As they try to agree on the lyrics and the music, a
young and somewhat neurotic house plant caretaker begins humming the
song and coming up with her own lyrics. Fletcher catches her words and
incorporates them. And thus Sophie (Drew Barrymore, CHARLIE’S ANGELS)
becomes his new lyricist.
Grant really steals the show here, his line delivery flawless and his
portrayal of an aging rocker pulled off exceptionally well (when he
nearly dislocates a hip on stage, it’s laugh-out-loud funny). Nothing
can be taken away from Barrymore, however. She plays fine beside Grant
but just isn’t up to his level. But this is probably the best role many
viewers have ever seen her in. She’s not throwing punches or
high-kicking some bad guy in the face. She’s a character here and not
simply a vehicle for action.
The supporting cast also pulls this common storyline up a notch. The
previously mentioned Brad Garrett is terrifically funny as Hugh Grant’s
manager, and so is Kirsten Johnson (THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN TV series)
as Barrymore’s older sister and someone who was obsessed with Grant’s
old “Pop!” band. Newcomer Haley Bennett plays the airheaded pop star to
a tee, rightfully making you cringe every time she opens her mouth (“We
need to go to the roof. That’s upstairs”) or puts on some sleazy piece
of clothing.
Keep your expectations on an even keel, though. The ending is straight
out of Hollywood’s happy ending catalogue but the dialogue will keep you
engaged enough for an enjoyable ride.
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Image from Music and
Lyrics
DVD cost: $20.29
Purchase:
Barnes and Noble
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
During the premiere in
Amsterdam, a woman pretended to interview Hugh Grant but ended up
handcuffing herself to him, and walking the red carpet with him.
Movie Quote: "A
melody is like sex. But then, as you get to know the person, that's the
lyrics."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Music and Lyrics
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