McCarthy on "Music and Lyrics"

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In his handling of Music and Lyrics, director- writer Marc Lawrence "makes everything about three times more obvious than it needs to be," says Variety critic Todd McCarthy. And yet "there's energy" in this Hugh Grant-Drew Barrymore romance that Warner Bros. will open on 2.14, "and the actors feed on it.

"Grant carries the day as the fortysomething lad still living off his youth and just about getting away with it; from his first moment onscreen, he persuades you he's the only possible actor for this tailor-made role. No matter Grant's effervescence, newcomer Haley Bennett nearly steals every scene she's in as the Britney/Christina/Madonna figure. Very cute and a hot little dancer, the singer-thesp presents an implacable figure of absolute privilege and authority while sneakily sending up the whole celebrity package in a wonderfully sly turn.

"Which leaves Barrymore something of the odd woman out. Granted her Sophie starts out just wanting to blend into the wallpaper, but the star still comes off as rather more drab than necessary, or at least seems so in light of the charisma popping from the pores of those around her. Surrounded by an ex-star, a diva, a brilliant former boyfriend and a livin'-large sister, it's hard for a normal neurotic to get a word in edgewise."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 10, 2007 at 8:19 AM

comment #1

Breedlove says ...

i can't think of an actor who has aged more gracefully than hugh grant has in the past ten years...a very sly, charming, funny actor who elevates any movie he's in. this film looks forgettable but i'm almost tempted because i know he'll make me laugh out loud several times.

Posted by Breedlove at February 10, 2007 9:19 AM

comment #2

Doug says ...

Great trailer for this film.
Why aren't the studios giving us more romantic comedies? Last year we had "Failure to Launch," "The Break-up" and "The Holiday," along with "Something New," "Imagine Me & You" and, at a stretch, "My Super Ex-Girlfriend." What is that, about 6% of all releases?
Please, sir, can I have some more?

Posted by Doug at February 10, 2007 9:42 AM

comment #3

Josh Massey says ...

Breedlove: I'm with you.

You want to know how much I love Hugh Grant? I saw Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

I mean, if that's not love...

Posted by Josh Massey at February 10, 2007 9:58 AM

comment #4

D.Z. says ...

Studios aren't doing romantic comedies, because the only time films featuring women with low self-esteem succeed is when horse-face Roberts is in them.

Posted by D.Z. at February 10, 2007 10:47 AM

comment #5

D.Z. says ...

Fortunately, "Music and Lyrics" seems to be about a woman who isn't a bimbo in a corporate office.

Posted by D.Z. at February 10, 2007 10:48 AM

comment #6

nola says ...

Also studio execs would rather do male driven rom. comedies. The thought is, guys won't go to see a Bridget jones type flick with their girlfriends but a woman would go see Wedding Crashers with their boyfriends. sigh.

When Rom coms are done right I love them. I agree we need more of them.

Posted by nola at February 10, 2007 11:16 AM

comment #7