Lightweight fun

Rating: 8/10 (11 February 2007)

Hugh Grant plays Hugh Grant: perhaps a better Hugh Grant, no great personality flaws this time around, he may be a has been, but as he explains, he is a happy has-been. Drew Barrimore is the usual Drew too, slightly wacky, an unsuspected genius, in true Hollywood style.
The plot is utterly, utterly, utterly predictable, boy meets girl, loses girl etc., but so what? What makes this work is the machine gun rate of one liners. Probably a film that works best with those who lived and loved the '80s music scene, as some of the fun is the attention to detail. The songs work well, the pastiche opening blend of Ahah!, Duran Duran, Wham! Spandau Ballet videos sets the whole thing up. The whole thing reeks of cheddar, but it is so knowing that this can be forgiven: it was such a pleasure to be in a cinema full of laughing people, a genuine feel good movie.
The supporting cast works well, the gorgeous Halley Bennett plays a spaced out pop star, Kristen Johnston (Third Rock from the Sun) the sassy sister with a crush on Hugh - and her own personal supply of put downs being the most notable.
So, go with low expectations, a relaxed attitude and you will be hard put not to enjoy it. It is not Oscar material, but it is a genuine good fun film right down to the end credits.