Music and Lyrics isn't adapted from a novel, but it is about the creative process. And it's a delightful romantic comedy that will brighten up your Friday evening.
Alex Fletcher is a likeable, self-deprecating former pop star who ekes out a living on the eighties nostalgia circuit. He hires Sophie Fisher to water his plants while he's away.
Then Alex gets an exciting opportunity: Cora, a successful pop starlet wants him to write her a new song. The catch? He's only got four days to do it in...
Luckily, Alex discovers that Sophie has a flair for writing lyrics and he convinces her to help him. Okay, that sounds pretty contrived, but the film quickly focuses on the interplay between the characters and does so very well.
The leads (Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore) are an absolute delight to watch and the characters well-developed. The supporting characters and actors are fantastic, too, rounding out the film nicely. Haley Bennet plays the Shakira-like starlet in a hilarious dead-pan manner, while Kristen Johnston is Sophie's wise-cracking big sister.
Also, this may be the most likeable role I have ever seen Hugh Grant in. There is nothing quite so endearing as a man who is willing to laugh at himself.
In fact, the hilarious video of Alex Fletcher's eighties pop hit - 'Pop Goes My Heart' - is worth the price of the DVD alone...
