Spring is here. St. Valentine’s day is knocking on the door. So while 2007 has some good movies in the offing, perhaps "Music & Lyrics" is a warm and lovely way to start the show. Infact there never could’ve been an aptly named and well timed movie this valentine’s season. Amid the gore. horror and seriousness of some other good flicks, this is a light hearted one.
Meet the adorable Alex Fletcher(Grant). A throwback pop star from the 80s who’s no longer in demand. Fletcher somewhat manages to earn his loaf doing the odd show here and there for the older crowd. It is survival by the thread and the artist in him yearns for more acclaim. He gets his much awaited breakthrough when reigning music queen Cora Corman(Bennet) ropes him in to write and record a duet with her. Soon an ecstatic Alex recalls he might be good with music, but as a lyricist he’s a deadbeat and hasn’t written a song in years. Now he has a deadline to meet!
Weighed down by this hit or miss opportunity of a lifetime, Fletcher gets help from unexpected quarters: His pretty florist Sophie(Drew) has a knack for words and gladly agrees to do her part for whom she believes to be a talented but unsung hero. And you realize why they say “Behind every successful man is a woman.” Magnificent!
Romance and realization blooms between the twosome as he teaches her how to sing and she weaves the magic of words for him. So hello to warm love as Fletcher instructs a crooning Sophie—“Oh please try a bit louder. It’s intended for humans after all!” But time is short and there are promises to be fulfilled. Fletcher has seen the bottom of the life pile and understandably wants to climb out fast. Sophie, having broken up with her fiancé is still going through a lot of emotional turmoil as she gets more and more involved with her new man.
This movie may not be in the same league of “Four weddings”, “Love actually” or a “Notting Hill” but it’s no lesser either. A witty, humorous, well scripted, beautiful plot and agreeable character portrayal are some of the many assets observed in this delightful movie. Even better, it never moves focus away from “realism”.
Fabulous performance again from Grant. He’s such a talented and natural actor that you never realize he’s acting! Yes they don’t come any better than him. Though Barrymore does her part and ensures the onscreen chemistry is perfect between the pair, she still is a below average actor. I’m sure someone else should have played Sophie—someone who does justice to Hugh Grant! Yet, I’m not complaining.
Great warm funny romantic movie & enjoyable to the core. That, if you don’t have a cannonball where your heart should be:)