Music & Lyrics

By: Lovey

Director: Marc Lawrence
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Hugh Grant, Kristen Johnston, Brad Garrett
Rating: 3 out of 5

Does anyone think there’ll come a time when we’re sick of the 80’s? Over listening to music like Duran Duran, Wham! Cyndi Lauper or Madonna (pre-Guy and pre-overdosing on pilates)? Reminiscing about trends like the bubble skirt, the solo glove and the Sony Walkman? Watching 80’s themed movies like The Wedding Singer, Charlie’s Angels or Music & Lyrics?

Hell, no! The 80’s were the glory days, when girls just wanted to have fun, there were boys of summer everywhere and we were all livin’ on a prayer.

Which is why we all love movies like Music & Lyrics. Sure it’s not going to win any Oscars, and no, it didn’t break box-office records, but in terms of a great Friday night, curling-up-on-the-couch-with-the-boyfriend-and-a-pizza DVD, you can’t go wrong.

Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is a cynical former 1980’s idol from the boy-band POP! who is now relegated to school reunion and theme park appearances. Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) is a gifted writer with deep inferiority issues who's been hired to water Fletcher's plants, and ends up becoming his emergency fill-in lyricist for a song he needs to deliver to teen queen singer Cora (Haley Bennett) in four days.

Despite a few rom-com clichés, Music & Lyrics is a sweet, character-driven movie with loads of laugh-out-loud situations. Hugh and Drew (how cute, their names even rhyme!) are perfectly cast in the lead roles, and Brad Garrett (Everyone Loves Raymond) and Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock from the Sun) are brilliant in supporting roles.

Add to this a toe tapping, 80’s themed soundtrack and you’ve got yourself a light-hearted, fun night in!

Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel, Note for Note: The Making of Music & Lyrics, Music Video: Pop Goes My Heart. Not a bad set of additions actually.

Verbatim:
Alex Fletcher: The best time I've had in the last fifteen years was sitting at that piano with you.
Sophie Fisher: That's wonderfully sensitive... especially from a man who wears such tight pants.
Alex Fletcher: It forces all the blood to my heart

In a word: Sweet