“Music and Lyrics”
"Music & Lyrics" Directed by: Marc Lawrence. Starring: Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett, Haley Bennett.
"Music & Lyrics" is exactly what it presents itself as in its trailer, and that's not a bad thing. Funny moments throughout, some decent and goofy music, and a cute love story- the components of any good romantic comedy- are all present within this film.
Hugh Grant stars as music has-been Alex Fletcher, a member of a group that was big in the 1980’s. Lately he's been making a living singing his old hits to forty-something’s in the amusement park circuit. Needless to say he's desperate for a comeback. His big chance comes in the form of a Britney Spears-type singer who's looking to collaborate on a new song. Alex has a week to write and compose a song to audition for Cora (Haley Bennett), music’s latest it-girl.
Drew Barrymore is Sophie Fisher a former writer who shows up at Alex's apartment one day to water his plants. She overhears some of Alex's lyrics and volunteers her own lines. He's impressed. He immediately fires his lyricist and asks for her help. She’s hesitant at first to get involved, but he eventually wears her down.
Musically they’re opposites. Alex is all about the rhythm and beat, and all that matters to Sophie is what's being said. As a former writer, she tries to educate him on the importance of using the right words, and creating a type of poetry with each song. He's so focused on being successful and creating the perfect song, he's forgotten to care about what the song is communicating to the world. Metaphorically, he's the music and she's the lyrics, and this film is all about them “making beautiful music together”.
"Music and Lyrics" doesn't blaze new horizons and it won't blow your mind, but it's a fun film that accomplishes the basics- it entertains- and there's a lot to be said for that.
Story: B
Acting: B+
Visuals: B
Originality: B
Enjoyability: B+
Overall: B
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