Smith without a gun - 'bout time!

Rating: 6/10 (20 February 2005)

I can't tell you how refreshed I felt when I first saw the ad for the new comedy, Hitch. I have long ranted until blue in the face that I was sick of seeing Will Smith with a gun. I, Robot, Bad Boys (I and II), Wild Wild West, Men in Black and Independence Day all were highly successful films (West notwithstanding) that tried to take Smith's charisma and couple it with a holster.
But, Will Smith has always been better than most of his filmography would suggest and you don't have to look much further than his Academy Award nominated turn in Ali or his overlooked breakout performance in Six Degrees of Separation to bear witness to the awesome potential of this leading man.
So maybe sick of never going more than two scenes without shooting an alien or a drug smuggler or maybe just looking to reintroduce us to the boy that brought the Fresh Prince of Bel Air to our small screens on a weekly basis back in the early 1990's, Smith has elected to star in his first lead comedy of what is still a young career.
The result is Hitch, a movie that doesn't strive to be anything better than the ridiculous elements of its premise, but does a good job in delivering the expected goods.
Smith plays title character Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens who is a date doctor for the bumbling idiots like myself who need that bit of encouragement, advice or idea to help woo the women of our dreams. Hitch brings to the table what seems to be a wealth of knowledge about the opposite sex and he is all to happy (for a price) to assist in areas of communication, socializing and romancing of the opposite sex.
Albert (Kevin James) is one of his prized clients. A large set man that works at a financial firm, Albert was the guy we picked on in dodgeball back in Grade 5. He wears a suit with white socks, he can't seem to eat without spilling sauce on himself and he is love with a rich client that ranks about a nine on the hottie meter. A call to the date doctor was exactly his necessary prescription. In no time, Albert has stood up to his bosses and made an impression with the quasi-celebrity Allegra Cole that was the apple in his eye.
But as Albert is basking in the success of his tutelage, Hitch is having difficulty in his personal attempts to impress gossip columnist Sara (Eva Mendes). Their first three dates resulted in the revelation of Sara's murdering great grandfather, an allergic reaction to food that causes Hitch's face to swell and a dinner that ends up in a food fight. An auspicious start to a relationship if there ever was one.
So in the confines of the 2-hour running time, Hitch will continue to aide and assist fellow gents in their pursuit of love without revealing his successful revenue generating profession to Sara. And in a conclusion that is just a level above a Three's Company episode, Hitch will become exposed as New York's great relationship sawbones and have to learn a new bag of tricks in an effort to gain the respect and admiration of his new love interest.
It will come to no surprise that Hitch is predictable. But the charm is that director, Andy Tennant never tries to raise this film above the obvious. Possibly taking a page from Mel Gibson's What Women Want, the movie plays out like a better than average sitcom with an ending that although seen from a mile away, is enjoyable in its journey.
All kudos have to go to the two leads of Smith and James for keeping us interested in a film of characters that must have spent their whole lives bumping into walls only to discover themselves in their middle age. Where Smith is completely believable in his expelling of philosophy and knowledge, James steals the scenes where they are together by introducing us to a vulnerable everyday man who gets a shot at the big time.
Hitch is a date movie about dating that will without doubt be another feather in the cap for Mr. July (Smith was branded this title thanks to his 4th of July blockbusters). Coming off of the Oscar nominated Shark Tale, Smith has uncocked his magnum and hopefully put it in the nightstand for at least a few films.
And for that, I am thankful.