Intelligent, Fun, and Continuing a great year for films

Rating: Null/10 (7 March 2005)

I have said in several reviews that the last several months worth of film have been the best I have seen in such a long time and I am anticipating much more. We've had the absolute best of artistic, funny, romantic, and academy worthy films I have seen. Now is the time to watch a good flick. Hitch will not gain any academy awards but people love it and it is such a great romantic comedy. First off you've got Will Smith who is a box office draw and just one of the greatest movie stars of this century. Everything he does is great, whether action or comedy. Kevin James of television fame, who I fully expected to play the same role we see on TV every week surprised me in a big way by playing a heartfelt, anxious, self conscious quiet character who the audience can love.
Hitch is the story of a man who has had his heartbroken and eventually turned his life into helping other lovable "losers" get the women of their dreams. Alex Hitchens is a date doctor. He believes he has the ingredients to winning women over and to set up love so it blossoms. However, he himself guards himself from ever falling in love again. His successful, hidden business has helped men everywhere obtain women otherwise out of their league. Albert Brennaman is a nice guy who is overlooked by the high profile woman of his dreams Allegra Cole, whom he works for. Albert hires Alex and they begin the process of winning her over. Meanwhile Alex begins to fall for a gossip columnist who is searching for a story on the date doctor, not realizing the guy she is falling for is none other than him.
Probably the best part of this romantic comedy is in the intelligence. It has a great story, and a very nice message for both men and women. It's not only about stereotypical hot leading man, falling for hot leading lady but rather Joe Average and their pursuit of love and that being yourself can be a good thing and there isn't a specific recipe of love. I'm just not sure that they really focus on that message the whole time because Hitchen's recipe for love DOES work and he does help Albert get noticed even if being himself does work in the end. Nonetheless the film is a nice, intelligent comedy. Smith and James are hilarious together although I don't think director Andy Tennant used Smith and James character enough together and he didn't establish their friendship as much as he could have but they have some great scenes together including Smith watching him dance...HILARIOUS...and their kissing scene among others. The leading ladies did a great job too and the two couples had great on screen chemistry. If you're looking for a funny comedy, or just a nice easy film this is definitely one to check out. It's just great!!! 8.5/10