A date movie that's lots of fun

Rating: 8/10 (12 May 2007)

Will Smith is "Hitch," a love doctor of sorts who counsels men on how to get the woman of their dreams. He's very successful but stays out of relationships himself. Then he meets the beautiful Sara (Eva Mendes), a gossip columnist, and starts to fall in love himself.
This is a very well done movie. Smith is utterly charming and likable as a sincere man who creates opportunities for men who otherwise might not meet anyone, let alone a dream girl. One such man is Albert, madly in love with a Paris Hilton type, Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta), who has all of her investments at the accounting firm where he works. After a lot of coaching from Hitch, Albert gets his chance with Allegra. One of the funniest scenes in the film is Hitch showing Albert how to dance - except Albert seems himself as an expert. Another great scene is Hitch teaching Albert the ins and outs of the kiss at the door.
Not only did I think Hitch had some great advice, I think it is a fine film with some very good performances, particularly by Smith and a toned-down Kevin James. They are very well directed here. Eva Mendes does a terrific job as a reporter who becomes Hitch's love interest, who herself is trying to track down this love doctor after what she perceives as wrong advice hurt her good friend. A very funny script. Highly recommended.