Their Song

A romantic comedy – even the silliest of by-the-book romantic comedies – has to have a little melody to it, wouldn’t you agree?

Imagine my surprise, then, when I noticed, not too long into Music and Lyrics, that this Hugh Grant-Drew Barrymore vehicle lacked such an essential element – especially given the promising nature of its trailer.

The movie, which – awww – conveniently opened today, stars Grant as Alex Fletcher, a washed-up, yet utterly charismatic '80s pop star who has been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit at amusement parks, county fairs, and high school reunions.

He gets a chance at a comeback when pop’s reigning diva Cora Corman (who puts the Zen in overtly sensual) invites him to write and record a duet with her. The problem is Alex has not written a song in years – he has never written lyrics, for he is, you see, a music man – and he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days.

Enter Barrymore’s Sophie Fisher, Alex's beguilingly quirky plant lady, whose flair for words– she’s the lyrics! – strikes a chord with the struggling songwriter.

On the rebound from a bad relationship, Sophie is reluctant to collaborate with anyone, especially commitment-weary Alex, but as their chemistry heats up both at the piano and under it, Alex and Sophie will have to face their fears if they want to find the love and success they deserve.

Music and Lyrics should’ve been infinitely cuter, if not better; Marc (Two Weeks Notice) Lawrence wrote and directed it, so I know it should’ve at least been satisfying

It was not. The script, a blueprint for romance and comedy, stretched the gimmick of the plot from beginning to end, and the lingering direction made both stars appear amateurish in the genre, which I know they’re not. Then again, Grant and Barrymore sparkle – but not together – so that may have had something to with it, too. Thank goodness for effervescent scene-stealer Kristen Johnston as Barrymore’s sister, Rhonda.

I realize that I have to leave you with something cute to get you through the rest of today, so what do you think of this?

My Rating **

Photo: Warner Bros.