Published: February 19, 2007 09:39 am      

Barrymore, Grant make music together

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore take their experience with romantic comedies to collaborate in the film "Music and Lyrics," a cutesy flick just in time for Valentine's Day.

As with most romantic comedies, the plot of "Music and Lyrics" follows the same formula: boy meets girl, boy offers up witty remarks to impress girl, boy somehow drives girl away and boy eventually pulls off some pseudo-cheesy performance to win girl back.

In this instance, the audience is introduced to washed up 1980s pop singer, Alex Fletcher (Grant), a witty, aging man who has "lived his best years and has nothing else to offer."

In an attempt to revive his stagnant career, Alex is teamed up by his bumbling manager Chris (Brad Garrett) with newest teen pop sensation Cora (Haley Bennett), a mixture of late 1990s Britney and modern day Shakira, to pen a chart topping song.

As Alex hits a creative block with his current lyricist, in walks a slighty neurotic Sophie (Barrymore), an odd job type of girl who serves as Alex's current plant waterer (Yeah, I didn't think it was an actual job, either).

While Alex and the angst-ridden lyricist argue over lyrical content, Sophie picks up the tune and begins singing to herself, which captures the attention of Alex. Eventually he ditches his initial lyricist and teams up with Sophie, who is naturally unsure of her talents.

The duo spend day and night making music together in an attempt to get a hit song delivered to Cora; however, when she receives the finished product, she overhauls it and makes major changes, which Sophie doesn't agree with. A minor argument ensues between Alex and Sophie, driving her away. That is, of course, until all is sorted out in a happy, predictable ending.

A predictable ending isn't a bad thing, however, especially in this type of film. The first scene of "Music and Lyrics" alone lets you know what you're in for for the next 96 minutes, with Grant and a set of four men dancing and shaking about to a new wave beat delivered fresh from the past.

Despite having a paper thin plot, the acting carried the movie along well, never delving into anything more than the usual fluff offered up in the genre. Barrymore has perfected the sweet girl image, which severely contradicts the bad girl game she was playing early on in her life, while Grant gives the same dry wit that he's famous for in all of his movies. Another honorable mention should go to Kirsten Johnston, who plays Sophie's 1980s obsessed sister, Rhonda.

"Music and Lyrics" will easily win over those who are in the mood for a light hearted movie. If not the acting, perhaps the simple, yet catchy tunes will entertain for an hour and a half.

"Music and Lyrics" is rated PG-13 for some sexual content. Runtime is 96 minutes.