Music and Lyrics (2007)

O An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / May 8, 2007

“Music and Lyrics” has potential, but Drew Barrymore assassinates it with her portrayal of a ditzy, innocent, little girl persona that’s prevalent in her latest roles.

Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) was a pop icon during the ‘80s. His group, Pop!, had a hit song called “Pop Goes My Heart.” We get to see the music video. It’s scarily accurate in every way and quite funny. In present day, however, Fletcher is a has-been who struggles to even get gigs at state fairs and amusement parks.

Luckily, the current pop diva, Cora Corman, commissions Fletcher to write a duet for them to sing at an upcoming concert. And, she offers to include it on her new album. The problem is, Fletcher is a composer, not a lyricist. But when he meets Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), he learns that she has a gift for writing.

The movie has funny parts, but 98 percent of them are thanks to Hugh Grant’s keen delivery. The love story between the collaborators is more annoying than cute. And the pop diva (who’s obviously based on Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera) wears costumes and performs dance moves that easily keep this edited version’s rating at PG-13.

Directed by Marc Lawrence
Hugh Grant / Drew Barrymore / Brad Garrett
96 min. Comedy / Romance
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 17 and up

DVD release date: May 8, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0107 : 199