No need for a spoiler warning - you know what you're gonna get

Rating: 6/10 (9 April 2005)

Hitch Dir: Andy Tennant Cast: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta
It is hard to know what to say when reviewing a Will Smith film, especially as many people will have already made up their minds what they think of the film before they have seen it. When it comes to Smith, most people fall into one of two camps; either they enjoy his wisecracking Fresh Prince routine, which he utilises in virtually all of his films, or they find it grating and cannot watch him.
Hitch is just such a 'Fresh Prince' role, complete with the usual quips and wisecracks. However, as Will Smith vehicles go, this is one of his weaker efforts. The story is split evenly between his own love life and that of his latest client's (James). But while Smith is his usual likable self (if you like that role of course) the sequences with his client Albert are frequently uncomfortably cringe-worthy viewing. Although James tries his best, he is rarely convincing in the role of the beautiful Valletta's love interest. Never mind date doctor, Smith must be a date wizard to get her to fall for him that quickly.
Mendes is equally unconvincing as Smith's love interest, and she fails to draw sympathy from the audience to the extent that you don't want the guy to get the girl. However, as with all romantic comedies, you know exactly what will happen, but even allowing for this it all feels rather contrived and corny. With vehicles such as this, it's no wonder Smith is struggling to be taken seriously as an actor. Enjoyable though his persona can be, the joke is starting to wear thin.