Music and Lyrics Review

Rating: Null/10 (2 April 2007)

I'll be the first to admit popular culture from the 1980's never sat right with me. To be honest, it scares me a little. You can imagine my dismay then at the cheesy 80's music video which opened "Music and Lyrics." It had all the tell-tale signs of a bad 1980's video. There were the synthesized sounds, the bubbly lyrics, and hairstyles that probably took longer to sculpt and mold then the 96 minutes this movie lasted. I had wondered what I had gotten myself into. Luckily, as it turned out, I had ended up taking in an enjoyable movie (after the music video had ended, of course).
Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) has grown to accept his role as a has-been in the music industry. A member of the group "PoP!" during the 1980's, Fletcher currently finds himself booking gigs at state fairs and high school reunions, instead of the sold out arenas and stadiums of years past. With the help of his agent Chris Riley (Brad Garrett), however, Fletcher finds himself an opportunity to get back into the limelight through the latest young vixen in music, Cora Corman (Haley Bennett). All he has to do is write an amazing song by the end of the week. Unfortunately for Alex, he's never been too keen with lyrics.
Fletcher ends up finding help, but from the person he least expected. Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) is filling in as Fletcher's plant caretaker. Fisher is someone who seems to try to fit into the background, despite the fact that she talks way too much. However, among all this talking, she exhibits an ability to put words together effortlessly. Alex takes notice, and after some convincing, gets Sophie on board to help him write the song.
Sophie's past includes being the subject of a best selling novel written by her ex-professor and love interest, Sloan Cates (Campbell Scott). She has a hard time escaping the personal shame brought on by the book. Fletcher encourages her, saying the best way to bounce back would be to write a hit song. Their collaboration not only pleases Cora, but ignites a new flame between Alex and Sophie. Cora's vision for the song, however, just may bring out the worst in both characters. Whether or not they can find that spark again lies in Alex's hands, and words.
Written and directed by Marc Lawrence, whose previous works include "Miss Congeniality" and "Two Weeks Notice", "Music and Lyrics" certainly fits the bill of a romantic comedy. The movie is funny and heartwarming, but also predictable. Two completely different characters find love, almost lose it, only to regain it with even more emotion in the end. As a viewer, you can almost guess what is going to take place in the next scene. Lawrence also seems to add more then he needed to the story. I couldn't get past the fact that Sophie Fisher just happened to be the inspiration of a best selling novel. It seemed to be forced into the plot, as an unnecessary side story. The actual plot of the movie would not be affected in one way or another if this side story was taken out.
Original music for "Music and Lyrics" was put together by Adam Schlesinger, who was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for best original song in "That Thing You Do." The main song of the movie, which is written by Schlesinger, is Alex and Sophie's collaboration "Way Back Into Love." With lyrics such as "All I want to do is find a way back into love / I can't make it through without a way back into love / And if I open my heart again / I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end," one can certainly expect Alex and Sophie to feel the same emotions.
Despite some predictable writing, both Grant and Barrymore make their characters work. Grant, who learned to sing, dance, and play piano for "Music and Lyrics", creates an extremely likable character with more then enough charm and wit. Barrymore is able to bring out the small details in Sophie Fisher's character that make her unique. She can turn a character who isn't supposed to stick out into an intriguing individual you can't wait to learn more about.
All and all, "Music and Lyrics" is an enjoyable movie experience. The rating for "Music and Lyrics" is PG-13 for sexual content (it is very mild, however). So go ahead and take the kids if you want, or enjoy with a significant other. Just be sure to leave the acid-washed jeans and Duran Duran haircuts at home.