A Catchy Tune
by Flick Chick Vique
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Music and Lyrics gets 3 Red Vines for the comedy not the romance |
Wham! As 80’s pop bands go they were as hot as you get. But can you name the band members? No-not George Michael- the other guys. Probably not. So, what happens to pop stars when their ‘pop’ turns to fizzle? That’s Alex’ (Hugh Grants) dilemma in the romantic comedy Music and Lyrics.
The pop has-been gets a chance to break his current string of gigs playing high school reunions, malls, and family amusement parks, when the reigning queen of cool gives him a chance to pen a new pop hit for her. Problem is, Alex is a songwriter, not a lyricist. Fate intervenes when Sophie (Drew Barrymore) subs for his regular plant caregiver. While watering, her mindless singing shows she has a way with words. Eventually, Alex convinces Sophie to be his writing partner.
The movie has many cute moments and an interesting story. But as fresh as the plot is, the story often seems contrived. Some scenes were just too corny to swallow. I think Director/Writer Mar Lawrence (Miss Congeniality, 2 Weeks Notice) would have been better served to have a co-writer than to do it all himself.
There’s no question that Music and Lyrics’ main strength lies in the charisma of its leading man and lady. If you like Hugh and Drew, you will like this movie. But I confess I liked them more as writing partners than I did a romantic couple. It’s not just the age difference, their chemistry just seemed better as friends than lovers.
You know it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Hugh Grant in a movie and I’m here to tell you that he ‘works’ every scene he’s in! His boyish good looks are a bit on the weathered side but he’s still cute as can be and oozes charm! When he performs his old hits to his now menopausal yet still screaming fans, he’s an absolute riot! And what a treat to hear him play the piano and sing! In an interview he said he took lessons, so I’m assuming that what we see and hear is really him. Drew sings, too and it sure sounds like her voice. They sound very pleasant together.
Newcomer Haley Bennett does an admirable job as the flaky pop diva, Cora. Keep an eye out for this up and comer! Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), looking extra fit, does his usual good job as Alex’s manager. And Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock from the Sun) is very funny as Sophie’s star struck big sister.
One of the things I really liked about this movie was the music. Parody or not, it was good! You’ll find yourself singing these little ditties long after you’ve left the theatre. The movie opens and closes with a totally 80’s style music video of Grant’s band’s big hit, “Pop Goes My Heart”. It is beautifully done and captures the era perfectly! When the video reappears at the close it is done ‘pop-up’ style with trivia about all movie’s characters. Really quite ingenious and very entertaining. All in all, it is a fun movie worth the price of a bargain matinee. But at $9.50, you could be a little disappointed.
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