The same night I screened “Music and Lyrics,” I came down with a disgusting case of stomach flu. Coincidence? I wonder.
OK, it might be a stretch to say that this strategically timed romantic comedy literally induces an inability to control one’s gag and bowel reflexes. I can only report the facts in my case, which are that Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore’s Valentine’s Day gift to me was far from, uh, romantic.
Rather, the adjectives I’d use for this love story between a washed-up ’80s pop star and plant caretaker-turned-amateur-lyricist might include schmaltzy and derivative. But because of the unique charms of the two stars — who both specialize in this genre and often manage to bluff their way through routine material like this — their fans likely will find the experience harmless enough.
As directed and penned by Marc Lawrence, who wrote such other passable if unimposing comedies as “Miss Congeniality” and “Two Weeks Notice,” this one contrives together its soon-to-be-lovers when a young, hot Britney/Christina/Shakira-like sensation (played with fitting vapidity by Haley Bennett) recruits has-been Alex Fletcher (Grant) out of his theme-park-performing hell to write her a new song. By sheer chance, because that’s how things always happen in manufactured schemes like this, Alex’s cute philodendron water girl Sophie Fisher (Barrymore) is also a masterful wordsmith.
Together, they collaborate to create the fickle blonde chart-topper a hit. In the process, as Alex rediscovers his former ambition and Sophie recovers from the betrayal of a callous former lover (Campbell Scott), love and career prospects may or may not bloom when their artistic integrity is tested.
Grant and Barrymore repeat their romantic-comedy archetypes here. But the inherent likeability of a lead cast isn’t enough to carry a movie. Unfortunately, in the final analysis, “Music and Lyrics” doesn’t sing.
‘Music and Lyrics’
Starring: Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett
Rated PG-13 for some sexual content
