“Hitch” (Columbia Pictures)
Will Smith is known as the “king” of action movies, but he can now also be called the “king” of romantic comedies. His new film “Hitch” cements that position and makes him the man to go to for warm, romantic and comedic stories. He rules this world with his role as a matchmaker with a heart of gold who helps everyone else with their romantic problems but can’t cure his own. .
Alex Hitchens aka Hitch (Smith) spends his time and makes his living helping poor shmucks who love from afar. Such a man is Albert Brennaman (Kevin James). He worships the beautiful, and rich, Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta) but doesn’t have a clue how to woo and win her. Enter Hitch who is the man with the plan.
In his own life Hitch meets the cool and elusive Sara Melas (Eva Mendes). She is a gossip columnist who has taken herself out of the dating game. She has seen, heard, and turned down every offer and proposition. But then she meets Hitch and finds herself considering playing the game of love one more time.
Smith and Mendes have chemistry to spare. They are so warm and witty with each other that the audience is cheering them on from the start. He brings out the best in her and she brings out the best in him. It is a perfect pairing for the screen.
As far Kevin James, well he is better than he has ever been. His TV series “The King of Queens” has given us a clue as to how talented he is, but this movie makes him a full-blown movie star. If Smith and Mendes were not so talented in their own right, he would have blown them off the screen. But they are wise enough and talented enough to let him do his thing and each performance complements the other. Still if anyone steals the movie it is James.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
“Hitch” is one of those movies that leave you smiling as you exit the theater. It is the best film of the year so far and should cement Smith’s leading man status. “Hitch” is so charismatic and so entertaining that like “Jerry Maguire,” he has us from hello.
I scored “Hitch” a united 8 out of 10.
