Music and Lyrics is an extremely cute little romantic comedy. It combines the fun elements of cheesy pop music and Hugh Grant (who could be considered cheesy by those without a heart). Also, for the record, that Drew Barrymore seems to have a bright future in Tinseltown (why the hell is it still called that? Is it always Christmas there?).
The thing that really makes Music and Lyrics great is the authenticity of the music. I have no idea who did all the songs (because I don’t research such things) but they are spot on. From the 80’s tunes which make you happily embarrassed to the current pop diva fare which is only about one millimeter away from accurate this is a great soundtrack. Within that one millimeter there is bountiful comedy to be had too. The prominent song in the trailer, “Pop Goes My Heart” will become a sardonic radio hit if I have anything to say about it. Of course I generally don’t, sorry.
The plot! I always forget that part because I never want to reveal too much. I even, as a general practice, avoid trailers for that very reason. Anyway, the story is Hugh Grant as an aging 80’s star (think Wham or New Kids on the Block minus ten years) who is in desperate need of a hit. Enter Drew Barrymore as a potential lyricist and you’ve got your set-up. The scriptwriters take it from there and although the results aren’t particularly innovative they are fun and heartwarming. Oddly if you have a cold heart it can’t really be warmed so I guess I don’t know what that adjective really means. At least I didn’t say inspiring though.
What’s weak here? Well, the aforementioned overall inevitability of the whole situation. Hugh Grant is also very close to being too old for the perky and sprightly looking Drew Barrymore. These aren’t jarring problems though and they’ll be overlooked by a generally forgiving romantic comedy audience. They are the reason this doesn’t get the A but for those of you who don’t see 100 films a year they should feel like a fly on the windshield, barely noticeable.
Another really strong element of Music and Lyrics is Haley Bennett as pop sensation Cora Corman. Haley seems to be a musician by trade (I did research that at least) and her portrayal of a Shakira/Britney/Aguilera blend is big fun. She’s into Zen meditation and prone to making strange pronouncements of the sort that clueless pop icons make all the time. I really hope she becomes a big success in whatever she decides to pursue, be it music or acting, because she dominates this movie.
This is a date night must. I don’t know if you could get away seeing this as a single guy, but I personally laughed quite a bit and this is a film that deserves an audience. In a sea of bad comedy we’ve got to stick together on movies that try something a little different. As the humor in this doesn’t bludgeon you over the head and take you back to boil you alive (ahem, Norbit) you should fork over the $8 to $10 dollars.
