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Music and Lyrics (2007)

Director: Marc Lawrence

Average user rating

2 reviews

Synopsis

A washed up ‘80s pop star has a shot at a comeback when young singer Cora Corman invites him to write for her.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Hugh Grant retreads familiar territory in this opposites-attract romantic comedy about a jaded old cynic in need of a touchy-feely girlfriend. Former ’80s pop star Alex Fletcher is trying to revive his career by writing a hit single, but he’s struggling with the lyrics: bring on Sophie (Drew Barrymore), the girl who waters his plants and might just revive his songs – and his love-life. There are troubling shades of ‘Be Cool’ in the music industry-obsessed plot, which spends far too long on the processes of composition, deal-making and recording (both leads sing for real, just bearably). But the banter between the pair is fitfully enjoyable, and Grant’s dark asides still amuse.
While Barrymore’s clumsy-kooky turn feels equally familiar, there are enough relatively subtle details in her performance to avoid complete stereotype. The characterisation is far from thorough, however, and the potentially funny supporting characters – Sophie’s sister, Alex’s agent – are neglected. Particularly wasteful is newcomer Haley Bennett’s humourless performance of faux-spiritual blonde pop diva Cora, a character potentially ripe for satire. A routine romcom.

Author: Anna Smith

Time Out London Issue 1903: February 7-13 2007

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User reviews of this film

John Cooper said...

Posted on Oct 12 2011 23:17 Not a great film but better than the Time Out review suggests. The film's most successful aspect is its
satiric assault on modern pop music with its emphasis on form and style. The rom-com style of the film
can't really pull this off, and in the end depends on
a sentimental denouement in the American style. Hugh
Grant and Drew Barrymore give strong performances,
and manage to carry the long sections on the nuts and bolts of lyric -writing, which , though interesting intellectually, slows down the plot development, and
unbalances what is essentially a film firmly planted
in rom-com territory. However . . the completed `song`
is effective, and more listenable than 90% of the music
that pervades the airwaves these days. The Time Out
reviewer is correct that more could have been done
to satirize the pretentiousness of pop diva, Cora.
Is Lady Gaga any good ..? I'm not sure . . .but
give me Lennon-McCartney any day.

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Rachel Xo. said...

Posted on Aug 02 2008 22:53 good actors, rubbish film!

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