Music and Lyrics (2007)

Director:

Marc Lawrence

Writer (WGA):

Marc Lawrence (written by)

Release Date:

14 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Romance

Tagline:

Share the music with someone you love.

Plot:

A washed up singer is given a couple days to compose a chart-topping hit for an aspiring teen sensation. Though he's never written a decent lyric in his life, he sparks with an offbeat younger woman with a flair for words.

Plot Keywords:

Apartment | New York City | Band | Singer | Opposites Attract

Awards:

5 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. July 29

3:15 PM

MAX

Cast

Hugh Grant	...	Alex Fletcher
Scott Porter	...	Colin Thompson
Nick Bacon	...	Pop Bass Player
Andrew W. Blakemore	...	Pop Guitar Player (as Andrew Wyatt Blakemore)
Dan McMillan	...	Pop Drummer
Tom Foligno	...	Has-Beens Promo Announcer (voice)
Zak Orth	...	David Newbert - TV Executive #1
Brooke Tansley	...	Janice Stern - TV Executive #2
Daniel Stewart Sherman	...	Willy
Brad Garrett	...	Chris Riley
Aasif Mandvi	...	Khan
Drew Barrymore	...	Sophie Fisher
Haley Bennett	...	Cora Corman
Matthew Morrison	...	Ray
Jason Antoon	...	Greg Antonsky

Also Known As:

Music and Lyrics by... (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content.

Runtime:

Hong Kong:104 min | Argentina:106 min | Croatia:95 min (DVD) | Philippines:105 min | USA:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | UK:PG | Denmark:A | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG (edited version) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Germany:o.Al. | USA:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Argentina:Atp | Finland:S | Ireland:PG | South Korea:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Malaysia:U

Filming Locations:

201 West 72nd Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

During the premiere in Amsterdam, a woman pretended to interview Hugh Grant but ended up handcuffing herself to him, and walking the red carpet with him.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the coffee house scene where Sophie tells Alex about the book, her hands change positions between shots, from both hands on the table, to her lap and back, depending on whether the shot is facing Sophie or Alex.

Quotes:

Alex Fletcher: The few syllables you got out were absolutely devastating.

Movie Connections:

References Words and Music (1948)

Soundtrack:

My Girl

Cheesy and proud of it

Let's face it, often we go to the cinema for a bit of inconsequential fun. In case you were in any doubt, Music and Lyrics kicks off with an 80s-style Wham-like video of a band called as 'PoP'. Firmly tongue in retro-chic, Hugh Grant is Alex Fletcher, the washed-up has-been now playing the nostalgia circuit for middle-aged housewives. He meets bubbly Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) who waters the plants in his apartment but has a knack for writing lyrics. This saves his day when current pop-diva princess Cora asks him to write and record a duet with her.

Chances are you are now reaching for the vomit bag or saying that maybe sounds like quite a giggle. If you can stomach the idea of Hugh Grant singing his own songs and staging a come back then rest assured, this is a very polished and unsubstantial rom-com. He and Drew Barrymore propel the movie with energy, wit and a warm, lovable enthusiasm. While perhaps doing little more than playing new aspects of themselves, it is a delightful performance, and one backed up with catchy songs, a fabulous debut by Haley Bennett (Cora) and a heartfelt, realistic script.

Cora is a sort of teenage megastar, somewhere between Shakira, Britney Spears and a youthful Madonna. Her elaborate stage-shows have a 'Buddhism & thong'(mysticism and sex) philosophy. Here, as with Alex and Sophie, the echelons of the music world seem realistically portrayed. While the matches seem unbelievable at first, by the end of the film we want Hugh and Drew to continue their romance offstage, just as with classic romance films of the 30s, so by any mainstream yardstick, Music and Lyrics is a success. The film is as unpretentious as its two lead actors, makes no great claims, and satisfies Valentine's Day release requirements with a sincerity that takes it a notch above the average cheese. Casting is spot-on, even down to Sophie's older (and much larger) sister, who has similar characteristics and mannerisms. It's easy viewing, and even contains nothing unsuitable for older children. If you want more sophisticated and substantial fare, you probably don't need film reviews to find your way to the nearest art-house cinema or Oscar blockbuster. But for straight enjoyment, Music and Lyrics slides down like a very reasonable glass of rich chardonnay. Silly, formulaic, but rather well done.