Music And Lyrics Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Cheery Alex Fletcher lives comfortably in Manhattan off the residuals from his 80's pop success and reprising his hits at school reunions, theme parks, and state fairs. But those gigs are declining, so he jumps at the chance to write a song and record it with reigning teen idol Cora Corman. Trouble is, he's good at melodies but needs a lyricist and has less than a week to finish. Enter Sophie Fisher, subbing for a friend who waters Alex's plants; she's a pretty good poet, quick witted, and could do it, if she'd agree. But there's some sort of shadow over her head that Alex may not be able to charm his way past. And what if they do get a song written, what then?
| Hugh Grant | Alex Fletcher |
| Drew Barrymore | Sophie Fisher |
| Brad Garrett | Chris Riley |
| Kristen Johnston | Rhonda Fisher |
| Campbell Scott | Sloan Cates |
| Scott Porter | Colin Thompson |
| Nick Bacon | Pop Bass Player |
| Andrew Wyatt | Pop Guitar Player |
| Dan McMillan | Pop Drummer |
| Tom Foligno | Has-Beens Promo Announcer |
| Zak Orth | David Newbert - TV Executive #1 |
| Brooke Tansley | Janice Stern - TV Executive #2 |
| Daniel Stewart Sherman | Willy |
| Aasif Mandvi | Khan |
| Haley Bennett | Cora Corman |
| Marc Lawrence |
6.50 out of 10 (7965 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Surprsingly good movie.
posted on 14 Aug 2009From time to time a movie will surprise me and this is one of those movies. I expected another Hollywood flop - insipid, poorly acted, and utterly forgettable. Instead, to my great surprise, this movie was well-acted, had a good story with attractive upbeat characters and was entertaining. In addition, this movie is proof that Hugh Grant is a really wonderful actor. Not only does he have a flare for comedy, he can sing even though he's not known be a singer. And Drew Barrymore gives a wonderful performance as a lyricist. This movie may not win any awards or accolades and probably will soon disappear from the movie theaters, but if that happens that will be too bad because this movie deserves positive recognition.
disappointing!
posted on 12 Aug 2009when i went o see the movie..i was expecting a nice romantic comedy ..because of the cast being composed of..my favorite actors.... but it was complete torture the whole length of the movie... actors are actors..singing is simply not their best asset.. and the story is simply unappealing.the plot is boring and there is simply no definite storylinei hope to see a good romantic soon because this one just didn't impress. Hugh grant is usually better with his movies and after such a long time..i was so excited to see drew on screen but it was definitely bad choice.
Much Better Than I Thought =D
posted on 12 Aug 2009When first seeing the TV spots for Music and Lyrics, I cringed at the chosen dialogue to display; everything just seemed to fall flat on its face, leaving the audience wondering where the joke was. I then saw the trailer one day when at the movies, which made it look a little better. In more context, the jokes were actually somewhat humorous and the love story we all knew was coming seemed to have potential. The cast of Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant, however, acted as my main convincer, and as I walked into the theater for my 8:00 showing, I was still uncertain what I was getting into. Boy, was I wrong. Music and Lyrics, while certainly not award-winning, succeeds in charming audiences with its lighthearted humor. Yes, it's a typical romantic comedy, with certain twists and turns as predictable as clockwork. It was the same old boy meets girl, interaction, feelings develop, dramatics occur, etc., etc. However, fans of the genre walk into the theater expecting this and knowing that it takes more than format to make a movie successful. Music and Lyrics contains that more. The jokes are clever and funny, the acting is touching, the music is catchy (as it's been in my head for days) the plot still even manages to pull viewers into the story. Yes, the movie isn't perfect, with a few corny lines and a few undeveloped plot points. Yet even so, I left the theater humming the tunes and grinning from ear to ear. "Praise indeed." =D
Very funny
posted on 10 Aug 2009I saw Music and Lyrics today because it was recommended to me. I am a big Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore fan, so I'm sure this review will be very biased. I wasn't sure about Hugh Grant as a washed up rock star, but he pulled it off with typical Hugh Grant panache. Drew Barrymore was Drew Barrymore; cute, ditsy as well as warm and down to earth. The supporting cast was perfect including Brad Garrett as Hugh's manager and Haley Bennett as Cora, the Brittany and Christina clone, was just perfect. This is a very funny movie! From beginning to end I was laughing, as was the whole audience. Though there were more women than men in the audience, I think this will appeal to both sexes. It isn't just a chick flick. It's the kind of movie I know I will buy as soon as it's out on DVD.
Melodious Romantic Comedy
posted on 10 Aug 2009'Music and Lyrics' is a feel-good film. It has a decent amount of music, and romance, with a touch of comedy. The movie begins with a recital of a 80's band named "POP!", and the opening credits show their journey, and subsequent break up. Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is the composer of that band, and life takes a drastic turn after the band members part ways. Alex is still living on his past success, but unable to come up with newer songs due to his abysmal skills in writing lyrics. Enter Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), a plant lady turned writer, who teams up with Alex to come up with a new song for a hot teenage sensation's (Cora's) new album. The character of Cora really makes you realize how superficial the music industry of today is! The rest of the movie is typical; boy meets girl, they fall in love, then comes some drama, and finally a happy ending. However, there is something about this movie that makes you fall in love with it.Hugh Grant looks as cute as ever, and has some really good one-liners. He is very convincing as the washed out icon of the 80's…and it is hilarious to see him shaking his hips, imitating the pop stars of those days! Drew Barrymore is as natural as it could get. Among the other actors, I thought Kristen Johnston, who played Rhonda (Sophie's sister) was really good, and so was Haley Bennett as Cora. The songs that stood out include "Pop! Goes My Heart", "Way Back Into Love" and "Don't Write Me Off".All in all a very enjoyable movie, and I definitely don't regret buying the DVD!
takes me back a bit to "Wedding Singer".
posted on 08 Aug 2009SPOILERS:I enjoyed Music and Lyrics which was a surprise because it looked absolutely awful in the previews. But I found it much better then average. This is a movie that actually wound up being better.. far better..then it looked which is a surprise because it is usually the other way around.Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant have a great deal of chemistry and make their budding relationship feel realistic and sweet. Their one major love scene is pretty short and not at all graphic but manages to be more sizzling then a lot of love scenes that do have the other above mentioned elements.Drew Barrymore seems to star in a lot of movies that recall the 80's and that is just fine with me since that was a time period loved. There are several aspects of this movie that remind me of "The Wedding Singer" which is one of my all time favorite romantic comedies so that definitely works in this movie's favor. It also gives a look into the music business and I found a lot of this movie surprisingly poignant.Basically this is a movie I was sure I would hate that I found to kind of adore. It is sweet, flows very well and feels natural, and has an enormous amount of depth and a surprising amount of humor(there are many things played for laughs that are indeed actually funny). In addition the music featured is great, very 80's and it's a lot of fun to see Hugh Grant seeing. The music is very reminiscent of "ABC", "Wham" and many other bands from that time period and the relationship between Grant and Barrymore's characters is one that the audience gets invested in. The supporting cast is excellent as well.I would give this an 8.5 out of 10. I wish the previews had been a little stronger. I'd have probably seen it in the theaters. This is definitely a must see for romantic comedy lovers and fans of the eighties.
Music and Lyrics filled with lots of laughter!
posted on 02 Aug 2009I got to see a sneak preview of Music and Lyrics on Thursday night! It is so funny! The entire theater was filled and I don't ever remember anyone enjoying a movie this much before. Lately it seems like I'm the only one laughing and enjoying myself during a movie. But in Music and Lyrics I had lots of accompanying laughs! I suggest you see this. It is perfect for your valentine's date...which is conveniently the date of it's arrival in theaters near you! It had us laughing from the very opening scene. And let me tell you Hugh Grant does some amazing dance moves! ;-D I can not wait to go buy the Music and Lyrics soundtrack! I was humming songs from it the rest of the night!
Positive surprise!
posted on 29 Jul 2009I like positive surprises! More than the shallow romantic movie I expected, but sufficiently original, lively and funny. Good entertainment for me for me from first to last minute. Lightened up my spirits on a lonely Friday night, was no doubt worth the money. I sympathized with the characters for their slightly freaky way, and liked that the movie - at least at most times :-) - did not cross the line to soppiness but always stayed funny and a little ironic, and also the way some inconvenient truths were outspoken between the characters which is always a healthy preventive to soppiness. I appreciated a lot the musical&show performances the actors delivered. I think that anyone who has ever been on a stage themselves will truly have to give them some credit for their accomplishments in entertainment, especially newly-cast Haley Bennett. On-the-spot entertainment for me, which will say something for someone like me who neither has a liking for the 80's nor for the usual git Hugh Grant. No, I liked both Grant and Drew Barrymore a lot in this one as well as the music. Light entertainment is an art in itself, and was accomplished pretty much to my satisfaction. Strongly support the tagline of another user's comment "Surprisingly good fun - better than you'd think". OK perfectly happy as I was, why did I not give it a ten? The female realist inside myself was annoyed that they never talked about the money Drew Barrymore (aka Sophie Fisher) would receive for the lyrics she drew.
Grant and Barrymore - an unlikely combination that works!
posted on 29 Jul 2009Who'd have thought that Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore could pull off something like this? Grant does his standard "I'm a complete airhead, but I'm terribly lovable" role, with his usual skill. Drew Barrymore has also made a career out of portraying airheads - bimbos who are a few french-fries short of a happy meal. At first blush, you'd expect a pair of ditzes like these to turn in a Lucy & Desi style slapstick shtick, but surprisingly, the combination works. The humor is generally understated, and Grant's funny lines spin forth with the impeccable sense of timing and delivery that he always brings to his work, while Barrymore does a very creditable job at holding up her end of the farce.Of course, the plot is pedestrian, hackneyed and unoriginal, hence the down-grading from 10 stars to only 8. Boy meets girl; one of them doesn't like the other much, and anyway they're mis-matched; along the way a relationship develops, breaks, gets mended, breaks again. No surprises here. But the underlying thesis of an autumn-spring romance, while it, too, is far from original, does give both stars a chance to show what they are made of. The awkwardness of the situation, the slow dawning attraction, the petty generational conflicts are portrayed with a sensitivity that we would expect more from a serious drama than a fluffy feel-good comedy like this.Top marks to the special effects crew for the retro video of the band "Pop!". The age regression techniques are utterly believable, such that it's hard to credit that they didn't actually dig out some awful archive footage of Hughie from some forgotten vault.As a recommendation, I can't do better than report my wife' s reaction. She is a person who NEVER wants to re-watch a movie she's already seen. If she is watching a film on TV and begins to recognize it as something she's seen before, she immediately turns it off. So I was stunned, at the end of this film, to hear her suggest that we stay put in the theatre and watch the next showing as well. Is it worth paying good money to view on the big screen? Probably not, unless you're a die-hard Hugh Grant fan who wants to see him, larger than life, swivel his hips like Colin Firth in "What a Girl wants," or you're a latent pedophile who wants to ogle at giant, nearly naked Haley Bennet faking an orgasm on stage. Otherwise, just wait for the video.
Leaving the Past and Finding Success and Love
posted on 29 Jul 2009In New York, the washed-up singer Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) has a decadent career singing his old hits in amusement parks, school reunions or dinner parties to survive. In the 80's, he was a successful singer of the band POP with Collin Thompson, but when his partner split, his solo-career was a complete failure. His manager and friend Chris Riley (Brad Garrett) schedules a meeting with the successful teen singer Cora Corman (Haley Bennett) and Alex has a chance to be promoted in a show if he delivers a new song for Cora's concert in the end of the week. Alex has difficulties to put lyrics in his melody, but he accidentally discovers Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), who is temporarily watering his plants and proves to be a sensitive poet and efficient lyricist. Their song is approved by Cora, but they disagree about her interpretation, while they fall in love for each other.I agree that "Music and Lyrics" is predictable and even a little corny (but I loved the romantic end). However, it is also a delightful romantic comedy, with wonderful chemistry between the sweet Drew Barrymore and the charming Hugh Grant, and has an adorable and enlightened character performed by the gorgeous Haley Bennett , who makes a magnificent debut on the screen, and lovely songs. This feel-good cute movie is like a contemporary fairytale supported by music, lyrics and love, and I really liked it. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Letra e Música" ("Lyric and Music")
Too fun to condemn
posted on 27 Jul 2009What if a comically washed-up 80's pop star and an aimless, flaky 30-something hooked up and tried to make something of the rest of their lives? I know, I had my doubts, too.Somehow 'Music and Lyrics,' is just engaging enough a chick-flick to keep you conscious assuming you've brought a date.In fairness, a couple scenes are downright inspired -- particularly the opening in which we see a supposedly younger Hugh Grant bopping around an oversaturated 80's-style music video with fellow "musicians" in a fictional 1980's hair-band which seems a cross between 'Wham!' and 'Duran Duran.'Dang amusing. Especially for those of us who were teen-aged fans of similar silliness way back when.Hugh Grant as Alex Fletcher again plays himself as the boyish big-shot Brit with silver tongue, impeccable manner, but appallingly nihilist behavior. Women are never more pleased to be screwed over entirely than when it's Grant turning the screw.Drew Barrymore's our 30-something aimless girl, Sophie Fisher, who appears out of nowhere shortly into the film to water Fletcher's plants. Fletcher's got a shot at avoiding further humiliation by writing a hit song for a Brittney-Spears-like pop star, but he's having trouble writing the lyrics -- he's a melody man. Fisher's got a small talent for rhyming phrases, so of course Fletcher hires her on the spot.In a series of scenes veering from the contrived to the almost- amusing, they learn about each other's sordid past, make love, write sophomoric lyrics, sing unmemorable melodies and end up selling their tune to the Spears-like pop-queen who proceeds to ruin it with heavy bass and writhing dance numbers.In one plot turn that constituted this film's one shot for substantive character interplay, we learn Fisher was the inspiration for a fictional character her college professor wrote about in his best-selling novel and it's not a flattering portrayal. She promises Fletcher the story's unfair and that the professor was a lecherous cretin who used her and demolished her sense of self worth.Of course within 48 hours they all happen to be dining at the same restaurant and Fletcher encourages her to confront him and reclaim her dignity. Campbell Scott plays the professor-turned-author. Scott's contribution to David Mamet's 'The Spanish Prisoner' is near legendary in sophistication and understatement so he is perfectly cast. In the face of Scott's imposing gravitas, Barrymore's Fisher is utterly helpless and we learn later the professor's characterization of Fisher's flaws may not have been entirely off-base.But is this explored? Of course not! We've got way too much chick-flick tear-jerking to do! That whole plot-line is dropped and what a disappointment. No just-desserts for the professor. No unveiling of a darker side to Fisher. Just prat-falls and dippy dialogue.Naturally, Fisher wants Fletcher to stand up to the pop-queen for ruining their tune and Fletcher wants to cash out and sides with the professor by way of forcing the issue. The rest is the standard chorus-line of absurdly unlikely happenstance and motivations that only occur in the movies. They dance us inevitably toward the standard predictable ending.So why was I smiling at the end? Grants' laser-sharp one-liners and the few scenes that worked.Plus my date was happy and I was happy she was happy.I guess chick-flicks are good for something.This review by Erik Gloor
Very enjoyable
posted on 27 Jul 2009Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are the "Music and Lyrics" in this 2007 film, also starring Brad Garrett, Kirsten Johnson, and Haley Bennett. Hugh Grant plays Alex Fletcher, a former teen idol who was part of a group called Pop in the '80s. His partner went off on his own and became a big star, but Alex is stuck doing concerts at Great Adventure and Knox Berry Farm. When he gets the chance to write a song for a hot property, a Britney type named Cora, his agent (Garrett) frantically sends him a lyricist, who doesn't work out. But Sophie Fisher (Barrymore) who is replacing his plant waterer, turns out to be a natural lyricist. He finally convinces her to work with him, though it isn't easy.There's no real substance to this movie, nor was any substance intended. It's a light, fun, highly entertaining movie with charming stars. The flashbacks to the Pop music videos and Grant doing his famous "Pop" move are great. Grant has a great turn with a line, and Barrymore is very sweet.A good time. Don't look for War and Peace, and you'll enjoy it.
Love it!
posted on 23 Jul 2009So, finally got to see Music and Lyrics. It was WONDERFUL! A perfect date movie for all ages of couples. It was sweet, but realistic. Hugh and Drew played a man and woman coming together awkward and clumsy. They think things about one another, but learn more as the movie moves along. Speaking of moves, who knew Hugh Grant had them, along with a good, no scratch that..a great singing voice. Drew can sing as well, so who knows maybe maybe they will each will put out a c.d. I can't wait till it comes out on DVD, so I can watch it over and over. Also, Drew and Hugh are so cute as a couple and since they are both single, I would love to see them pull a Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck and get together for real, get married and have a cute baby. Yea, I know, it's just a movie, but who knows. Maybe love will find a way into their hearts for one another. ;D
Sinfully boring
posted on 19 Jul 2009Just as the title claims, this movie wanted to focus on love that rises from the combination of music and lyrics. Unfortunately, I think the producers slipped in the script reading sessions of the film, and left out the film completely. A great blooper reel to say the least. The actors looked like a gun had been placed close to their brains, and they were forced to deliver cheese-filled lines and sing one very annoying song. It's ironic how the last two hours of the most romantic day of the year is filled with hate. A sinfully boring recreation of Jerry Maguire, where even the title did no justice to the plot. In one word: painful.
Are these pants a bit too tight?
posted on 17 Jul 2009The basic formula for a Hugh Grant romantic movie never changes. Finds girl, loses girl, and rejoins girl to live happily ever after. That is why I love watching his movies. They are predictable and he is predictable and funny.He seems to match with some of the best women in the business. Julia Roberts in Notting Hill, Andie MacDowell in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sandra Bullock in Two Weeks Notice, and now Drew Barrymore.Barrymore and Grant are perfect together. She has that infectious smile that makes her irresistible. They both have those charmingly quirky looks, and they just seem to fit well.It all makes for one of the best films he has done and one that I will watch over and over.
Wowie! Hilarious feel-good-movie
posted on 13 Jul 2009Okay, total Hugh Grant movie, but one of his better ones. It's not all about the romance, but mostly about the music. It's hilarious, Grant is unbelievably funny and he (as Drew) has a perfect timing. The numerous funny lines keep you laughing throughout the movie. The music is cool, totally believable and I was surprised to hear those songs and actually love them all. *soo buying the soundtrack* Hugh's voice is a bit high in some songs, but especially when he sings in a lower voice, it's a pleasure to listen to him. His playing-the-piano-scenes are great. Okay, I'll admit it: I love Hugh Grant in this movie. Hilarious, believable and cute. Drew Barrymore was really good as well, I hadn't seen much of her, but she's cool. Funny, weird character and very lovable. She has good chemistry with Hugh. Newcomer Halley Bennett had some really funny lines, especially in the beginning which make you see the superficiality of the music industry today. The movie makes fun of it and still portrays it in a way that makes everybody recognise it and therefore believe it. Halley is doing a great job and I can see how she'd be a superstar (even though her character's weird. But all stars are weird these days, so that's just fine). Last remarkable actor was Sophie's older sister. Her first entrance made me love her immediately. The character is a bit stereotypical (:-S), but funny. Drew's storyline with her as with her children is nice to see.This movie is worth your money, mainly because of the actors. The story is okay, not really outstanding or whatever, but good. The actors and the music make this movie great and make you leave with a happy feeling and some new songs in your head.
Leave your kids at the theatre; don't stay with them to watch this!
posted on 09 Jul 2009Geesh, Hugh Grant is hitting all time lows here. This is just boring Hollywood predictable script stuff. Pathetic. I just went because my 10 year old wanted to.Found the cheapening of Buddhism sad. As usual, everything is for sale in the USA.... Hugh just doesn't seem to get away from these rolls of a dithering something or the other. He's pretty one dimensional. This is just boring Hollywood, 3rd rate writers rehashing a bit of Love Actually and Notting Hill. There WERE some clever lines but not enough to waste 5 quid on. I don't know why Hugh Grant lets these roles go on. He was looking a bit worn in the film also (nice to know he hasn't gone the botox route!). Can a choreographer work with him please (he does have a nice bum)???? ;-0 :-)
An unexpected pleasure
posted on 07 Jul 2009It seems odd for me to give such a high rating for romantic comedy as I always find them frothy and lightweight. Yet I found this wonderfully pleasurable. Hugh grant may have been in his usual role of self depreciating charming English Gent who is living on his past pop star glory but the dialogue and one liners gave his role substance. He more than gave justice to them by his superb timing. Drew Barrimore also fell into the part as a woman who comes to feed the plants and ends up feeding ideas to him for a song in which he cant complete. The acting was spot on, the one liners witty but I think it was the music added joy to the film. As he said in the film don't quote me on this but something like " there is nothing like a good song for lifting your spirits in a second." I left this film feeling happy not only for the characters but in myself.!
a musical disguised as a romantic comedy
posted on 01 Jul 2009Music and Lyrics is a musical disguised as a romantic comedy. That's right; Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore have given us a musical.Not a big musical, crowded with production numbers (though there are a couple of those, come to think of it) but a sweet, quiet, almost old-fashioned musical. It takes place mostly in one room with two people at a piano, trying to write a great new song in two days.It follows standard musical formula of "Boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy sings a song and gets girl back." Basically, MGM would have quite happily produced Music and Lyrics 65 years ago...For more of my review http://www.helium.com/items/1433416-music-and-lyrics-review
Insipid, not inspired
posted on 24 Aug 2009This is the most boring movie of the decade. I saw it free and that was more than it is worth. There are no interesting characters and the plot is weak. The main characters allegedly fall in love yet they have no chemistry. It is listed as a comedy yet there were no funny lines nor funny scenes. The presence of Kristen Johnston and Brad Garrett could not save this. Even they had no funny moments, which makes one wonder if the screenwriters went out of their way to make this boring. The screenwriters seemed to be in a competition with the songwriters for the worst writing. Both lacked any originality, both had nothing to grab you. All the actors seemed to be sleepwalking through the film. It felt like they believed their names were enough to carry the movie so they didn't bother to put any effort into it.