Hugh Grant stars as Alex Fletcher, a member of the popular 80s band Pop!. While his band mate has gone off to have a successful solo career, Alex is invited to participate in the reality boxing show, "Battle of the 80s Has-Beens."
As Alex struggles to book performances at amusement parks and high school reunions, his manager, played by Brad Garrett, finds him a job as the writer for teen pop sensation Cora Corman's new single.
With only a few days to compose a hit song, Alex turns to Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), who waters his plants. After hearing her spontaneously come up with a few lyrics during one of his brainstorming sessions, he convinces her to help him complete the song.
Although "Music and Lyrics" is in many ways a typical romantic comedy, the script is mildly witty and amusing. Written and directed by Marc Lawrence, who also wrote "Miss Congeniality" and "Two Weeks Notice," "Music and Lyrics" has a lot more depth than the trailers depict. The film has a subtler humor than most romantic comedies and feels less forced. Surprisingly, the main characters are also fairly complex, which makes them more believable and helps draw sympathy from the audience.
"Music and Lyrics" also features satisfying performances by Grant and Barrymore. Ever since I found out about Grant's little misdemeanor with prostitute Divine Brown in 1995, I haven't been able to see him in the same way. But Grant convincingly plays a likeable, washed-up pop star, redeeming himself (partially) in my eyes.
When Alex performs in front of a small crowd of middle-aged women at an amusement park, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him; however, this may be because Grant's pathetic mug shot is forever ingrained in my head. Still, Grant's natural delivery of clever remarks and one-liners is one of the best parts of the film.
Barrymore plays the role she plays best-the quirky, absent-minded love interest. Even though we have seen this character many times before, it doesn't mean that she does it badly. Audiences have come to expect this type of character from Barrymore, and she delivers.The chemistry between Grant and Barrymore is acceptable, but their banter borders on sickeningly cute. Both actors are charming and charismatic, and they are delightful onscreen together.
Despite strong lead performances, it is the supporting cast that stands out. Kristen Johnston, who was always enjoyable on "3rd Rock from the Sun," is hilarious as Sophie's Pop!-obsessed sister. Johnston's energy and Garrett's familiar deadpan delivery both add to the film's comic relief.
"Music and Lyrics" also pokes fun at the music industry through its Britney/Christina character, Cora Corman. Newcomer Haley Bennett plays the teen starlet whose hits include "Entering Bootytown" and "Buddha's Delight." We are introduced to Cora through her Rolling Stone cover, which features a Zen-inspired quotation that states, "I don't think anymore … I just exist." Lawrence cleverly satirizes pop princesses through the ditzy, scantily clad character whose devotion to Buddhism isn't hampered by the fact that she thinks that the Dalai Lama is an actual llama.
Of course, you can't have a film about the music industry without a good soundtrack. "Music and Lyrics" successfully captures the pop style in each of its songs, which makes sense given that Adam Schlesinger, bassist for Fountains of Wayne and Ivy and also writer of the title track of the 1996 film "That Thing You Do!," composed many of the tracks.
"Pop! Goes My Heart," Pop!'s hit single, is complete with a music video that is reminiscent of those of Wham!. And even with lyrics such as "So shake that booty now/'Cause your booty is the way into his heart," Cora's upbeat songs are catchy and memorable. Embarrassingly enough, these absurd songs were stuck in my head even after the film, which is essentially one of the points that the movie makes about the music industry and its consumers.
Although "Music and Lyrics" is predictable, strong performances and a clever script save this film from becoming just another one of those clichéd romantic comedies. You get what you expect, and maybe a little bit more from this amusing and satisfying film.