Directed by Marc Lawrence
Written by Marc Lawrence
Starring Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett, Campbell Scott, Haley Bennett, Matthew Morrison
Release Date February 14th, 2007
Published February 14th, 2007
The biggest stars of the romantic comedy genre at this moment are Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Grant has starred in some of the highest grossing romantic comedies of all time and some of the most critically acclaimed including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones' Diary. Drew Barrymore is a master of crowd pleasing romance from films like The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates and Fever Pitch.
Bringing them together in Music and Lyrics, director Marc Lawrence never had a moment's worry about chemistry or comedy. His true achievement was not simply falling back on his lovable stars, putting them together in a smart, funny send up of the music industry and pop culture.
Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) has been. With his band 'POP' he became a huge star in the 1980's. However, when his co-lead singer left and became a huge solo star, Alex was left to live off his past glory. Now making a living off state fair tours, high school reunions and a standing gig at Knott's Berry Farm, Alex gets one last chance at the big time.
A pop star named Cora Corman (Haley Bennett), bigger than Britney and Christina combined, according to Alex's manager Chris (Brad Garrett), was a huge fan of Alex's band and wanted him to write a duet for them to sing together. Unfortunately, Alex hasn't written a song since his disastrous solo record years earlier. Lucky for him, his plant girl Sophie (Drew Barrymore) just happens to be pretty good with words.
Overhearing Alex working on the song, Sophie begins to offer a few words and after some prodding from Alex she becomes his lyricist. Together they write the song but when the pop star offers her thoughts will Alex compromise their hard work for the sake of his fame?
Director Marc Lawrence, the creator of TV's Family Ties, brings a solid professionalism to the crafting of Music and Lyrics. The story unfolds with little fat on the edges and a clear eyed purpose in the storytelling. Of course, Lawrence's most important contribution is helping to cast Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, a can't miss romantic comedy duo.
The film is very smart about music and the industry of cool surrounding it. Young Haley Bennett skirts the edge of parody with her Cora Corman character. The character could easily tip over the edge into caricature, but Bennett gives the character a little more heart than what is on the page. Great laughs are mined from the Cora character without turning into a mean spirited attack on the Britney's and Christina's of the pop world.
Music and Lyrics are too sweet and light-hearted for that kind of hard satire. The light jabs at Cora and the excesses of pop stardom are pitched to the films overall genial nature.
With his can't miss charm and deprecating wit, Hugh Grant shows once again why he is the pre-eminent male star in this genre. As Alex Fletcher Grant delivers the film's biggest laughs; zinging one liners that provide comment on the scene in front of him and biting self analysis of his highly aware character. The real surprise in Grant's performance is that he is a more than credible pop singer. Yes, Grant did all of his own singing and hip gyrating dancing in the picture and he is quite impressive.
Drew Barrymore is her usual impishly cute self. Her lovability factor continues to be off the chart. Sophie is a scattered, slightly ditzy girl with a heart of gold. As written the shy, sweet character is likable but in the person of Ms. Barrymore the lovability is through the roof. Barrymore however, does not merely trade on her cuteness, she is a terrific comedian and the perfect off kilter foil for Grant.
The music of Music and Lyrics really sell the story. Director Marc Lawrence is careful to make sure the music is authentic to the time period and the film opens with a spot on spoof of classic 80's music. The video for "Pop Goes My Heart" captures perfectly the goofiness of videos of the time from bands like Soft Cell, Flock Of Seagulls and A-Ha. In fact "Pop Goes My Heart" is really as catchy and spirited as anything those real 80's bands ever made.
The biggest stars of the romantic comedy genre at this moment are Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Grant has starred in some of the highest grossing romantic comedies of all time and some of the most critically acclaimed including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones' Diary. Drew Barrymore is a master of crowd pleasing romance from films like The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates and Fever Pitch.
Bringing them together in Music and Lyrics, director Marc Lawrence never had a moment's worry about chemistry or comedy. His true achievement was not simply falling back on his lovable stars, putting them together in a smart, funny send up of the music industry and pop culture.
Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) has been. With his band 'POP' he became a huge star in the 1980's. However, when his co-lead singer left and became a huge solo star, Alex was left to live off his past glory. Now making a living off state fair tours, high school reunions and a standing gig at Knott's Berry Farm, Alex gets one last chance at the big time.
A pop star named Cora Corman (Haley Bennett), bigger than Britney and Christina combined, according to Alex's manager Chris (Brad Garrett), was a huge fan of Alex's band and wanted him to write a duet for them to sing together. Unfortunately, Alex hasn't written a song since his disastrous solo record years earlier. Lucky for him, his plant girl Sophie (Drew Barrymore) just happens to be pretty good with words.
Overhearing Alex working on the song, Sophie begins to offer a few words and after some prodding from Alex she becomes his lyricist. Together they write the song but when the pop star offers her thoughts will Alex compromise their hard work for the sake of his fame?
Director Marc Lawrence, the creator of TV's Family Ties, brings a solid professionalism to the crafting of Music and Lyrics. The story unfolds with little fat on the edges and a clear eyed purpose in the storytelling. Of course, Lawrence's most important contribution is helping to cast Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, a can't miss romantic comedy duo.
The film is very smart about music and the industry of cool surrounding it. Young Haley Bennett skirts the edge of parody with her Cora Corman character. The character could easily tip over the edge into caricature, but Bennett gives the character a little more heart than what is on the page. Great laughs are mined from the Cora character without turning into a mean spirited attack on the Britney's and Christina's of the pop world.
Music and Lyrics are too sweet and light-hearted for that kind of hard satire. The light jabs at Cora and the excesses of pop stardom are pitched to the films overall genial nature.
With his can't miss charm and deprecating wit, Hugh Grant shows once again why he is the pre-eminent male star in this genre. As Alex Fletcher Grant delivers the film's biggest laughs; zinging one liners that provide comment on the scene in front of him and biting self analysis of his highly aware character. The real surprise in Grant's performance is that he is a more than credible pop singer. Yes, Grant did all of his own singing and hip gyrating dancing in the picture and he is quite impressive.
Drew Barrymore is her usual impishly cute self. Her lovability factor continues to be off the chart. Sophie is a scattered, slightly ditzy girl with a heart of gold. As written the shy, sweet character is likable but in the person of Ms. Barrymore the lovability is through the roof. Barrymore however, does not merely trade on her cuteness, she is a terrific comedian and the perfect off kilter foil for Grant.
The music of Music and Lyrics really sell the story. Director Marc Lawrence is careful to make sure the music is authentic to the time period and the film opens with a spot on spoof of classic 80's music. The video for "Pop Goes My Heart" captures perfectly the goofiness of videos of the time from bands like Soft Cell, Flock Of Seagulls and A-Ha. In fact "Pop Goes My Heart" is really as catchy and spirited as anything those real 80's bands ever made.
Not quite as strong but equally authentic is the song that Grant and Barrymore's character's craft for the pop star. The song called "Way Back Into Love" is not a great song but it is the kind of song that might click well with a pop audience. It's easygoing and unexceptional and entirely disposable, which is basically all modern pop music has become.
That the song means something to Grant and Barrymore's characters but isn't very good, doesn't necessarily hurt the characters, it just means their musical radar is a little different than mine.
Big laughs and big love, Music and Lyrics takes great advantage of the comic and romantic talents of its two wonderful stars to craft the rare romantic comedy that delivers on the promise of a good trailer. Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant are truly the stars of this genre. She with her unending cuteness and comic timing and he with his deprecating wit and charm are a can't miss duo.
That the song means something to Grant and Barrymore's characters but isn't very good, doesn't necessarily hurt the characters, it just means their musical radar is a little different than mine.
Big laughs and big love, Music and Lyrics takes great advantage of the comic and romantic talents of its two wonderful stars to craft the rare romantic comedy that delivers on the promise of a good trailer. Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant are truly the stars of this genre. She with her unending cuteness and comic timing and he with his deprecating wit and charm are a can't miss duo.
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