“Music and Lyrics” (Warner Brothers)
Hugh, Not Drew, Is the Draw
Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore star in the new romantic comedy “Music and Lyrics.” It is a sweet little film that has some good comedic moments thanks to Grant and a listenable soundtrack thanks to the song techniques of the eighties. With a more compatible leading lady the movie could have been much, much more fun.
Grant plays Alex Fletcher, one half of “Pop,” a popular vocal group of the eighties. “Pop” popped when the other member decided he wanted to try it as a solo. Fletcher has struggled for years to pay the bills by doing songs from his old act. Now he has a chance to sing a song with new rock sensation Cora Corman (Hayley Bennett) She likes the sound of “Pop” and wants Fletcher to write a song for her new album. If it meets her taste she will perform it with him on her concert tour.
Fletcher’s problem is he writes music not lyrics. He thinks his problem is solved when a girl who shows up to water his plants mutters some lyrics under her breath while he is playing his tune. The girl, who is named Sophie Fisher (Barrymore), does not want to be a lyricist. Luckily for Alex, Sophie’s sister (Kristen Johnston) is a huge “Pop” fan. She browbeats Sophie into agreeing to give lyric writing a try.
The movie is totally about the relationship between Alex and Sophie and that is the problem. They just don’t click. There are no sparks, and no passion. It is not clear what is missing exactly, but believe me it is missing.
Without a good partner for the romance Grant can do nothing but exude charm and wit – alone! And he does. Alex sings, dances, charms and monopolizes the screen. He has to work doubly hard to make up for Barrymore’s lack of presence but somehow he pulls it off. Whatever success the movie has must be laid at Grant’s dancing feet.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
Johnston and Brad Garrett are the supporting actors of the film, and they are gigantic. Garrett towers over Grant and Johnston makes Barrymore look like a dwarf. It really is funny how these two people stand out based solely on their height.
As a romantic comedy the movie is passable, but it shoulda, coulda, woulda been more except for Barrymore. She has charmed me in other movies but in this one she checked her charm at the door.
I scored “Music and Lyrics” an offbeat 5 out of 10.
