leave your street cred at the door and enjoy

Rating: 7/10 (22 July 2007)

This movie is only really worth six out of 10 but I'm giving it seven to make up for pre- judging it! I mean, what's not to pre-judge? Hugh Grant. Drew Barrymore. Dopey rom-com. Happy ending. But I guess it ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it (the mantra on which Grant seems to have built his entire career). However, just as in Miss Congeniality, Marc Lawrence manages to take high-concept crap and turn it into a good night out at the movies. Hugh and Drew bounce off each other, with greater honours going to Hugh Grant for his total lack of ego in even considering a role where he's made to look so hilariously stupid. The plot is not important (which is lucky cos it's fluffy rubbish), but the leads - ably supported by Brad Garrett, Kristen Johnston and Hayley Bennett - just careen about having a great time with some very funny lines and scenes. The movie even manages to make a point by popping (no pun intended) the bubble of pretension that means some people look down on the creators of three-minute singles. Sure, you wouldn't want to be photographed coming out of this movie, but at least if you do it will probably be with a silly grin on your face.