Fast, enjoyable comedy that will leave you feeling happy!

Rating: 9/10 (2 June 2005)

We've seen this plot before many times, but seldom this creatively. The dialog in this film is well above average, as are the set-ups for the "geeks" that Hitch (Smith) consuls with meeting the girls of their dreams. How come no women in the film seem need his services? Maybe because they're all fashion models? This film would have been just another "chick flick" if not for the wonderful physical comedy of Kevin James as Albert Brenneman, a smart but gawky lawyer who is smitten with an Uma Thurman look alike. If they ever do a feature film about Abbott & Costello, Kevin James really should be cast as Lou Costello.
The major attraction of this film is the chemistry between Smith and James, not Smith and Mendes. That interaction is pretty ho-hum and almost incidental to the story. One of the most memorable scenes is the initial meeting between Hitch and Brenneman, when Hitch is "observing" him eating lunch. Very funny. Fortunately, the director must have realized this, so there are numerous others.
I laughed frequently during this light hearted romantic comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously. Lots of story flaws and some sloppy character development of course, but I left the theater feeling good. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen very often.
If you would like to watch another movie that will leave you feeling good about life, try to find a copy of the movie "DAVE" at you local video rental store.