Genres

Visitors Review

George Cook 2012-05-17 19:22:26

Utterly Terrible

You know in a Hugh grant movie in the first 30 seconds whether hebelieves in the script or is just going through the motions to makemoney. In this film he is clearly doing the latter.Not only is the premise lame (don't we think that an 80's pop star is alittle unlikely to be Oxford Educated, eloquent, witty, well read,bright and if he was....that his only career after music wouldbe....oh, singing his old songs at an amusement park ?), but the scriptand acting are dreadful.The editing is also a joke. In 2 separate scenes the microphone wasclearly visible in the top of the frame. People in the cinema werelaughing because as Drew and Hugh walk down a Manhattan street there isa grey fluffy microphone between them pointing at whoever was speaking.I think the editor realizing this was a bust gave up and could not bebothered to edit out the errors......what a pity that Hugh Grant didn'ttake a similar path and avoid this miserable excuse for a movie.

Roger Moore 2012-05-17 12:03:12

If Music and Lyrics were a song, you'd have to say it doesn't have a good beat, though it is easy to dance to.

Christopher Tookey 2012-05-15 14:43:41

This is a highly entertaining little comedy that soars far above the usual level of chick-flick.

John O'Neill 2012-05-15 05:34:05

Harmless

Just finished watching this on TV an the first word that springs tomind is harmless. It's not normally the sort of thing I would watch butmy wife wanted to see it so I thought I'd watch too.The two leads play the roles they tend to play most often, with Grantbeing the English posh bloke who stutters a lot, and Barrymore theklutzy innocent. Extremely lightweight, the film avoids crossing theline from whimsical to pointless by having a number of very funnyscenes, mostly involving Alex's early career.The parallels between the fictional characters and their real lifecounterparts could not be clearer, short of stating that Cora isBritney Spears and Alex and Colin are Wham.Not for everyone, and very light, it's entertaining enough if you likethat sort of thing.

2012-05-08 23:29:02

I love Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore...

...but apparently two rights can make a wrong. Whowouldathunk?This movie is uber cheesy and I just don't think Barrymore and Grant have chemistry. I love how Hugh Grant plays the same daft but lovable fool with floppy hair and a lazy grin in *every* movie, I do. I LOVE Hugh Grant. Really. But I just felt totally humiliated for him in this. It just didn't do it for me. Halfway through I just got angry and wanted him to learn a new trick. We get it, Hugh. You're cute and non-threatening and charming and sweet and a bit clueless but essentially sincere. Can we please have a new character? Please?And Drew was cute as always.But honestly cute isn't cutting it anymore. Cute. Is. Boring.The only highlights were Kristen Johnston delivering much needed but very sparse comic relief and Haley Bennett as a sexed-up Britney/Christina/Shakira like pop star (mostly Haley was interesting to watch in a car-wreck sort of way)--but even they weren't enough to save this bit of regurgitated drivel.Totally. Dull.Also, I'm not even convinced I liked the song that much...In fact, I very well may hate the song.

Eugene Novikov 2012-05-08 19:59:19

A lively, funny paean to pop culture, a romantic comedy in which the romance takes a back seat to the film's sneaky insights into the timeless appeal of popular music.

2012-05-08 11:39:44

A Pleasant Change

I entitled this review 'A Pleasant Change' because, for once, there was no foul language. It is a typical boy meets girl scenario with an excellent soundtrack and is pure escapism which the whole family can enjoy. Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore, supported by an excellent cast, play the characters to perfection and it is they who make the film most enjoyable. At last I can recommend a film to my friends without having to warn them about the seemingly obligatory 'F' word in every other sentence. Let's hope other producers take note!

James Sanford 2012-05-07 21:21:27

never fully lives up to the promise of its first three minutes. What might have been a smart takeoff on contemporary trends instead settles for predictable jokes...

Commoner 2012-05-05 10:42:30

Great Music

I enjoyed this movie very much. It was a nice little thing thatrequired no thinking. I thought Hugh Grant was super. As always hischaracter's wit and humor made me smile and laugh. But the biggestsurprise (for me) was how much I enjoyed his singing. I liked the moviemostly for the music. The plot was cute, amusing, not complicated. Themusic, and the singing by Grant made the movie for me.As always, Drew Barrymore added a nice touch. She worked well withGrant. A good combination. Just being herself, that is, her movie self,added a nice romantic softness to the story.I liked the way the sex scenes were handled. There was no phonyacrobatic lovemaking. No titillating glimpses of private feminineparts. And only one (though brief) passionate, wide open-mouthed kiss.I hate those scenes one sees in some movies; close-ups of wide openmouth, tongue lashing kisses along with clothed sex acts.

snodragon 2012-05-04 23:24:05

Pop culture cheese + catchy tunes

Okay, so this is not high-brow art-house cinema. It's stars Hugh Grantas an aging '80s pop star from the cheesy and over-the-top band, POP!.Drew Barrymore stars as his substitute plant lady turned lyricist.If you can get past the cheesy hilarity, there are a few humorouscritiques of modern pop culture: the obsession with "B" stars, the"spirituality" of pop singer Cora (who references Britney andChristina) is particularly biting.The main bit of the movie is the muddled, innocent art of goodsongwriting. There's sweet, but overdone bits about being yourself andfinding your true calling and all that jazz.Grant shines as an aging pop star in tight pants. His signatureself-effacing humor plays large here, but as always it's endearing.Barrymore doesn't seem to put her whole heart into the character, whoseodd foibles (like her germaphobia and the fact that she cares for otherpeople's plants on a temporary basis) are never fully explained.Overall, "Music & Lyrics" is entirely predictable, but a fun and funnyromantic comedy that's worth a rent.

Tamsin 2012-05-01 21:09:42

best film I've seen in years great for all ages and good music

This is a really good film. Its about Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) aretired pop star out of a really popular band of the 80s called pop.Hes trying to make a comeback and Cora a budding pop star of thecurrent time, wants him to write a song for her in a week. He hastrouble as he isn't very good at lyrics and he hasn't written a song in10 years. Hes in his apartment when his plant lady turns up a differentone from normal covering for her friend while shes on holiday. Shestarts making words for the song as they (Alex and his agent) only gota s far as the 1st line. She says she doesn't want to but comes to Alexconcert later with her sister who's mad on him. From then on she writesthe lyrics for his song and hes fall in love with Sophie (plant girl).However she isn't very happy when she finds out the moves Coras done tothere song as they are not the effect she wanted. She tries to tell herand Alex and her have a argument and they fall out big time. Sophiethen goes to his concert with Cora and watches miserably as he comes onshe gets up to leave. But Alex isn't singing the song she expected andits one about what a mistake he made......

2012-05-01 08:19:05

Simply Fun

I watch a lot of movies. I admit that I am a total sucker for sappy romances like French Kiss, When Harry Met Sally, etc. It's been a long time since I've seen a romantic comedy that made me (and my husband!) laugh out loud, sit through without a break, and even shed a little tear at the happy conclusion (what's wrong with a happy ending, anyway? With the world in such a mess, a happy ending is a lovely escape). This movie is a going to be a classic chick flick romance that even the guys will like. Drew Barrymore is wonderful, Hugh Grant is funny, his deprecating humor perfectly timed, and is surprisingly quite musically talented, and the supporting cast is excellent. I always watch with an eye for editing - too much and the movie is choppy. Too little and you take breaks. Music and Lyrics is perfect in all aspects. Comic timing, acting, directing, editing with a story that will leave you feeling good about the world. It's been a long time since there has been such a perfect, sort of old-fashioned, escape movie. And it's about time.

Brett Chatz 2012-05-01 13:50:25

The script is witty; the acting is superb and the music is soulful.

Film Review: Music and Lyrics Cast: Drew Barrymore and Hugh GrantRomantic comedy strictly for the ladies The 1980s were fantastic forpop sensation Hugh Grant. His claim to fame was his long hair; tightjeans and soppy lyrics. However his time in the limelight has longsince faded. His only claim to fame now is a handful of crooningmiddle-aged woman.Enter present day New York City. A super-hot rising starlet named Corais seeking a song for a gala evening. Grant and his withered lyricalabilities are contracted to compose her dream song - in only threedays. It's a tall order and he is all out of ideas.Enter Drew Barrymore – his plant care giver - a refreshing breeze ofinspiration into his mundane life. Together they learn to laugh alltogether, compose together and see life through the eyes of two peoplemadly in love.Music and Lyrics is truly a chick-flick in every sense of the word.There are no effects here, other than effective acting.

gatorsrock1 2012-05-01 04:33:11

Question

Hey people! I just have a quick question for you! Unfortunately I haveto fill up 10 lines for just one question. So here goes......... I wasjust wondering who is the guy that is in the movie, the doctor? at thevery beginning of the movie in the "Pop Goes My Heart" video, he's thedoctor taking the vitals while Hugh Grant is unconscious. It only showshim briefly so I guess that is why they did not credit him? He has thefeathered grayish white hair and is tanned ... Does anyone know thedoctors name? Any information at all will be appreciated! I thankanyone who would know! It;s not too big of a deal, I just want to know!Oh, and for all you who haven't seen it yet! GO buy it now because itis def. a keeper!

2012-04-30 06:15:05

Exceeded my expectations; "Pop Goes My Heart" video is a spot-on spoof

Anyone shying away from 'Music and Lyrics' because, like me, they're leery of getting roped into a Drew Barrymore film is in for a pleasant surprise. The uncomfortable Barrymore/Grant romantic pairing aside (their 14+ year age gap feels more like 22 or so), this film is an excellent look at the creative process by writer/director Marc Lawrence, best known for creating the underrated Miss Congeniality (Deluxe Edition) franchise for Sandra Bullock (he also penned & directed the Bullock/Grant film Two Weeks Notice (Widescreen Edition)). 'Music and Lyrics' reminds me a bit of Hustle & Flow (Widescreen Edition) - both take a detailed, inside look inside the song creation process.The special treat here is Grant's character's backstory as the Andrew Ridgeley-type lesser light in a Wham!-like duo. There's a megahit song as part of that backstory - "Pop Goes My Heart" - which is very, very catchy and infectious...every bit as good as anything Wham! ever put out. I found myself singing it for days.Most delightfully, there's an accompanying 80s MTV-like video of "Pop Goes My Heart," portions of which start the movie. The whole thing is available as an extra on the DVD. Plus, there's wonderful 'making of' stuff. Grant says there that to prep they watched a lot of Duran Duran videos saying they were trying to nail the essence of those loopy things, where a song would be lip-synched and play-acted in the goofiest, kitschiest types of settings, ergo, the operating room setting of their spot-on spoof. Great stuff all around by the "Music and Lyrics" creative team to pull that off. That thing alone is worth the price of viewing.

2012-04-29 12:23:14

Charming but predictable

This movie is charming if utterly predictable. Hugh Grant was perfectly cast as an aging 80s pop star. And the opening credit will have you rolling in the aisles if you grew up in the 80's like I did.

Kam Williams 2012-04-26 07:38:31

The casting of Hugh Grant opposite Drew Barrymore was a stroke of genius both in terms of chemistry and comedy, as his self-deprecating vulnerability serves as the perfect foil for her zaniness, and their repartee is reminiscent of Hepburn and Tracy.

Richard Roeper 2012-04-25 16:16:52

It's more fun than a Spandau Ballet/Tears for Fears concert circa 1985, and I mean that in a good way.

Terry Lawson 2012-04-24 14:12:33

Music and Lyrics is also given buoyancy by the pitch-perfect songs composed by Adam Schlesinger, the talented pop ironist of the band Fountains of Wayne.

Transitional_Reactivity 2012-04-24 05:09:11

Music & Lyrics- By "Charlie"

This movie had two great actors and was heading in the right directionfor a great movie, but what happened. This could have been a bit moreromantic and Sophie (Drew Barrymore), why was she so... annoying? Itmade the movie some how meaningless. There was supposed to be a loveconnection between Drew and Hugh and they brought it out from the bestof their abilities but there was something missing. Watching Drew inthis role was really good, to see her do something different and It wasa movie that displayed her interest in music and arts. Her professionas a water plant person really showed and the transition from timidwater planter to out there inspired lyricist is amazing, Drew shouldreally be applauded for that. I love Drew!!! I would consider watchingand with it's great songs 'Pop goes my heart' and 'Back into Love' itmakes the movie so much enjoyable to watch. Charlie.