Music and Lyrics (DVD, 2007, Widescreen)

In a nutshell, if you like light-hearted romantic comedies, 80's music and are a Drew Barrymore fan you will probably really like this movie- as long as you don't take it too seriously... read on...

Hugh Grant plays a washed out member of an 80's band who is given the opportunity to write a song for Cora, a current rock star. The problem is that while he can compose the music for the new song, he can't seem to write the lyrics. He meets Sophie, played by Barrymore, who has been hired to water his plants and discovers that she writes poetry. Together they team up to write the song for Cora and of course, they fall in love along the way. The character of Sophie reflects Barrymore's typical style of acting- she is unsure of herself, quirky and very likeable (if not a bit corny). This makes the movie enjoyable.

There are, however, a few things I did not like about this film. For one, Barrymore and Grant just didn't have chemistry together on the screen. I found it difficult to believe that they were ACTUALLY in love with each other. It just didn't seem to work... Also, the movie contains A LOT of music/singing from Grant, Barrymore and the Cora character. Much of it sounds very 80's. Although I am a big fan of 80's music, it got OLD REALLY FAST. I found myself just wishing that they'd just stop the singing and move on w/ the story. I also found it especially bothersome that while it appeared Barrymore and Grant actually sang SOME of the songs in the film it was VERY OBVIOUS that they were lipsyncing (SP?)others- including the song they wrote together. This was disappointing. The voice that sang Grant's part in the song they wrote together was VERY OBVIOUSLY NOT HIS VOICE. For me, these things - especially the lipsyncing- really overshadowed the enjoyable parts of the movie. If you can manage not to get hung up on these things, however, you'll probably have fun...

**ALSO be sure to watch the 80's pop up video that runs during the ending credits-it's hilarious and provides nice clousre to the end of the storyline.**

Music and Lyrics is ranks among the elite of romantic comedy films. Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore have just the right chemistry to make this movie what it is, near perfect. Grant plays down and out musician Alex Fletcher who had a huge hit in the 80's with his band POP! but has experienced a downturn of luck since. Barrymore plays Sophie Fisher. Sophie is a quirky replacement to Alex's usual plant lady, but she quickly becomes roped into a role as a lyricist to help Alex write a new hit song. The two have totally conflicting personalities and the sparks start to fly. From beginning to end this movie is laugh your heart out funny and plenty romantic. The music is extremely entertaining and the actors are totally charming. There is so little not to like about Music and Lyrics that it's an absolute must-watch/must-own for just about anybody. Don't miss this one!

I liked several things about this movie. It's wholesome and entertaining. Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore both did excellent. Hugh's british accent and quips added to the enjoyment. I don't know if the british accent is natural or done for this movie.

I particularly like how this movie brought out one of the truisms about artists, in this case song writers. Those who do it just for the money rarely succeed, and never see the money. Those who do it for the love of the art do succeed, and the money follows.

Drew's character is a washed-up 80's pop singer trying to survive 20 years after that fad died. He hasn't had a hit song since his pop singing heyday, and now survives on cheesy gigs at high school reunions, amusement parks, etc.

Fortune finally smiles on him one day when a present-day pop star seeks him out because his group's music helped her get through her parent's divorce when she was 7 years old. Now she wants him to write a song that captures her feelings about her recent breakup with a boyfriend.

Having been a soul-less in-it-only-for-the-money performer, he totally lacks the feeling and passion to write such a song.

Enter Drew's character substituting for a friend as a plant waterer stopping by his apartment to water the plants. While Drew's character is working at the piano trying in vain to write the requested song, she causally comes up with a line or two that hit the mark and capture his attention.

He quickly concludes she is a born lyricist, and prevails upon her to work with him on the song. Over the course of it she impresses upon him the need to rise above his in-it-only-for-the-money attitude, and pursue the passion of the art.

The ending is nice, so I won't give it away.

This DVD will get viewed several more times down the road.

Unfortunately, there are few recent movies that I really enjoy. The last comedy I liked was "Groundhog Day", so it's very pleasing to find a movie that I wanted to own.
I was surprised to like a film with Hugh Grant because I hadn't cared too much for his previous performances but he is excellent in this. He delivers endless hilarious lines so well and is very appealing in spite of portraying a character who is self-centered and egotistical.
Drew Barrymore is very charming and there is definite chemistry.
I love the music.
The casting is perfect.
The story is well-crafted and the character development is interesting.
You may not expect to like it but I recommend that you watch it. It's a real treat!

I just about died laughing during this movie. It starts with a ridiculous 80s music video complete with bad hair, big egos, terribly stupid (but damn it, still catchy) lyrics... the works. From then on it just gets better. Hugh Grant goes from self-deprecating to practically sacrificial with this role as he plays for meager crowds at amusement parks, clad in tight pants and bejeweled jackets, and peers out from his hilarious solo album cover looking all serious and contemplative. Drew Barrymore is a bit wounded and quirky but also wonderfully human, wavering between moments of insecurity and strength.
The evolution of the music the two write together adds an interesting element to the film and keeps the viewer involved. The chemistry is actually quite remarkable: There is something very humble, natural, and strangely touching about a number of their exchanges. It's obvious that even with the baggage they bring to their relationship, they are very much in love, and to see them get their happy ending will leave you feeling good yourself. This movie is an unexpected gem; don't miss it!