Music and Lyrics - Film Review

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One of the most beloved romantic comedies featuring Drew Barrymore is the 2007 romantic comedy Music and Lyrics, directed by Marc Lawrence. The film tells the story of Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant), a washed-up '80s pop star who is given a second chance at success when he is asked to write a song for Cora Corman (Haley Bennett), a popular young pop star. Alex teams up with Sophie Fisher (Barrymore), a quirky and talented writer, to compose the perfect hit song for Cora. Along the way, Alex and Sophie fall in love and learn to overcome their fears and insecurities.

The movie centres around a washed-up '80s pop star named Alex Fletcher (Grant), who is struggling to make a comeback. One day, he is approached by a young pop star named Cora Corman (Bennett) to write a song for her new album. Alex sees this as an opportunity to revive his career, but he only has a few days to come up with a hit song.

Enter Sophie Fisher (Barrymore), a quirky and charming woman who waters Alex's plants and happens to have a knack for writing lyrics. Alex hires Sophie to help him write the song, and the two begin to work together. At first, they have trouble getting along, with Sophie criticising Alex's music and Alex brushing off Sophie's ideas. But as they spend more time together, they begin to develop a connection and a creative spark.

As Alex and Sophie work on the song, they also navigate their personal lives. Sophie is recovering from a recent breakup and struggling to find her place in the world, while Alex is dealing with the pressures of fame and the regrets of his past mistakes. The two begin to fall for each other, but their budding romance is complicated by the fact that Alex is still hung up on his ex-girlfriend and Sophie is hesitant to get involved with someone in the spotlight.

As the deadline for the song approaches, Alex and Sophie work through their personal issues and finally come up with a hit song. They perform it at a concert, where Cora is impressed and offers Alex a chance to go on tour with her. But Alex ultimately decides to stay in New York and pursue a relationship with Sophie, showing that sometimes the most important things in life are not career success, but personal connections and happiness.

One of the key elements that make Music and Lyrics such a successful movie is its use of original songs. The film features several catchy and memorable songs that were written specifically for the movie by Adam Schlesinger, a talented musician and songwriter who tragically passed away in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19. Schlesinger's music adds a layer of authenticity to the film's portrayal of the music industry and gives the characters a believable and relatable voice.

The film's opening sequence, which features Alex performing his hit song "Pop! Goes My Heart" at a retro '80s-themed concert, sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The song, which was written by Schlesinger and performed by Grant, perfectly captures the upbeat and cheesy vibe of '80s pop music, while also poking fun at its excesses and over-the-top production values. The scene is a perfect example of how music can be used in a movie to establish a character and a mood, and it sets the stage for the rest of the film's music and lyrics.

One of the standout musical moments in Music and Lyrics is the scene where Alex and Sophie collaborate on a song called "Way Back Into Love." The song, which was also written by Schlesinger, is a beautiful and heartfelt ballad that perfectly captures the romantic tension between the two characters. The scene is shot in a single take, with the camera moving back and forth between Alex and Sophie as they sing and play the piano together. The scene is a perfect example of how music can be used in a movie to create intimacy and emotional depth between characters.

Another key element that makes Music and Lyrics such a successful movie is its use of humour. The film is filled with witty one-liners and clever jokes that poke fun at the music industry and the characters' own personal struggles. For example, there is a running gag throughout the movie where Alex constantly tries to come up with a rhyme for the word "orange," which is famously difficult to rhyme with. The joke is silly and light-hearted, but it also adds a layer of humour and charm to the film.

The film's cast, including Drew Barrymore, also helps to make it a successful movie. Barrymore's performance as Sophie is charming and endearing, and she brings a unique energy and quirkiness to the character. Her chemistry with Grant is also a highlight of the film, and their scenes together are filled with humour and heart.

One of the themes that Music and Lyrics explores is the idea of second chances. Both Alex and Sophie are struggling with their own personal and professional setbacks when they meet, and the film shows how they are able to overcome these obstacles and find success and happiness. The film's message of perseverance and resilience is inspiring and uplifting, and it resonates with audiences of all ages.

Overall, Music and Lyrics is a delightful and entertaining movie that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. Its original songs, witty humour, and heartfelt performances make it a standout example of the genre, and it remains a beloved movie for romantic comedy fans. The movie has also inspired a musical adaptation, which premiered in 2020 in the United Kingdom and features a score by Adam Schlesinger and a book by Sophia Coppola.

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