Music and Lyrics (2007)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Marc Lawrence

Writer (WGA):

Marc Lawrence (written by)

Release Date:

14 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Romance

Tagline:

Share the music with someone you love.

Plot:

A washed up singer is given a couple days to compose a chart-topping hit for an aspiring teen sensation. Though he's never written a decent lyric in his life, he sparks with an offbeat younger woman with a flair for words.

Plot Keywords:

Singer | Lyricist | Concert | Band | Restaurant

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Hugh Grant	...	Alex Fletcher
Scott Porter	...	Colin Thompson
Nick Bacon	...	Pop Bass Player
Andrew W. Blakemore	...	Pop Guitar Player (as Andrew Wyatt Blakemore)
Dan McMillan	...	Pop Drummer
Tom Foligno	...	Has-Beens Promo Announcer (voice)
Zak Orth	...	David Newbert - TV Executive #1
Brooke Tansley	...	Janice Stern - TV Executive #2
Daniel Stewart Sherman	...	Willy
Brad Garrett	...	Chris Riley
Aasif Mandvi	...	Khan
Drew Barrymore	...	Sophie Fisher
Haley Bennett	...	Cora Corman
Matthew Morrison	...	Ray
Jason Antoon	...	Greg Antonsky

Also Known As:

Music and Lyrics by... (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content.

Runtime:

USA:96 min | Philippines:105 min | Hong Kong:104 min | Argentina:106 min | Croatia:95 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Ireland:PG | Malaysia:U | Hong Kong:IIA | Australia:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:PG (edited version) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | UK:PG | Argentina:Atp | Netherlands:AL | Finland:S | Denmark:A | New Zealand:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

201 West 72nd Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

Hugh Grant had to be convinced to sing himself and initially wanted nothing to do with his singing parts. After practicing and performing in the studio, he then felt so comfortable with it and announced he would perform the big concert scene live. When it was played back he was highly amused and humbled by how terrible it sounded and was then happy to use the pre-recorded sound.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The video for Pop Goes My Heart is given a year of 1984, but the top keyboard being played was the Roland D-50, which did not come out until 1987.

Quotes:

Alex Fletcher: I've a strange situation here.
Chris Riley: Oh, you've got a strange situation? I'm at Beth's soccer game with my ex-wife who's here with my with my ex-gardener. They came on a riding mower.

Movie Connections:

References Gandhi (1982)

Soundtrack:

Radiation Vibe

Grant and Barrymore

I'm a fan of Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Their personalities alone are enough to carry a movie. And such is definitely the case with Music and Lyrics. Hugh Grant's self-deprecating, dry sense of humor charms. And Drew Barrymore's slightly daffy girl-next-door shtick lights up the screen. These two could read me an economics book and I'd be entertained.

Music and Lyrics has its moments (campy '80s videos, shots at reality shows and pop divas), but overall, the story isn't as good as its stars. And while I love Grant and Barrymore separately, I'm not sure I love them together. Each of their personalities seems somewhat compromised in Music and Lyrics -- as if Grant's sarcasm and Barrymore's sweetness are both toned down. They meet somewhere in the middle, and it's very pleasant...but it's not as good as it could have been. Music and Lyrics is very much along the lines of Two Weeks Notice (both are written and directed by Marc Lawrence).

Bottom line: it's light fluff with some engaging stars, fun pop culture mockery and a song that will stick with you (like it or not!)