Saved From Depravity By The Dialogue

Rating: 7/10 (17 May 2007)

Although terribly predictable and not just a bit trite, MUSIC AND LYRICS is saved from depravity by some good acting by lead actors Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, and by the excellent usage of dialogue and music videos from bygone days.
Falling well into the category of romantic comedies, Music and Lyrics starts out with a bang by showing Grant in tight leather pants with the heavy 80s hairdo during an MTV-style music video with his old band "Pop!"Although not the lead singer for the group, Alex Fletcher (Grant) is second-in-command during the band's heyday. But like many rock-n-rollers, their group disbands and the first-in-command launches out on his own, leaving Fletcher as a has-been.
Jump ahead a few decades and we find Fletcher grasping at anything he can to keep his name in any sort of musical light. Suddenly an offer comes his way via his failing manager Chris (Brad Garrett, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND TV series). He must compose one song for a superstar named Cora (Haley Bennett). She's "bigger than Brittany" Fletcher is told and she needs a song with some umpf! to wrap-up her latest album. A lyricist is quickly dispatched to Fletcher's apartment but they immediately clash. As they try to agree on the lyrics and the music, a young and somewhat neurotic house plant caretaker begins humming the song and coming up with her own lyrics. Fletcher catches her words and incorporates them. And thus Sophie (Drew Barrymore, CHARLIE'S ANGELS) becomes his new lyricist.
Grant really steals the show here, his line delivery flawless and his portrayal of an aging rocker pulled off exceptionally well (when he nearly dislocates a hip on stage, it's laugh-out-loud funny). Nothing can be taken away from Barrymore, however. She plays fine beside Grant but just isn't up to his level. But this is probably the best role many viewers have ever seen her in. She's not throwing punches or high-kicking some bad guy in the face. She's a character here and not simply a vehicle for action.
The supporting cast also pulls this common storyline up a notch. The previously mentioned Brad Garrett is terrifically funny as Hugh Grant's manager, and so is Kirsten Johnson (THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN TV series) as Barrymore's older sister and someone who was obsessed with Grant's old "Pop!" band. Newcomer Haley Bennett plays the airheaded pop star to a tee, rightfully making you cringe every time she opens her mouth ("We need to go to the roof. That's upstairs") or puts on some sleazy piece of clothing.
Keep your expectations on an even keel, though. The ending is straight out of Hollywood's happy ending catalogue but the dialogue will keep you engaged enough for an enjoyable ride.