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Hugh Grant has pretty much defined the romantic comedy over the last dozen years. Handsome, suave and utterly unassuming, he charmed his way through a series of averageto-excellent romantic comedies. His breakout role as the love-lost Charles in “Four Weddings and a Funeral” put him on America’s map in 1994. He’s remained one of filmdom’s most relaxed (to the point of occasionally selfeffacing) leading men ever since.

In “Music and Lyrics,” one has the impression that Hugh Grant pretty much plays himself, and, for many of us, that’s all right. He seems like one of those guys you could bump into, chat with comfortably and like immediately, someone endearing to both men and women- the British equivalent of, say, Tom Hanks or Will Smith.

 

 


Drew Barrymore’s grown from cute kid to troubled teen (a persona translated on screen in such films as “Poison Ivy” and “Mad Love”). But she’s also matured into a likable girl-next-door type- a little flighty, a little flaky but with a good heart. I’ve admired her work in “Never Been Kissed” and “Fever Pitch.” She even made Adam Sandler tolerable in “The Wedding Singer” and “50 First Dates.”

So it was probably only a matter of time before somebody put these two very agreeable people together. “Music and Lyrics” isn’t one of either star’s best efforts, but, like Grant and Barrymore, it’s both sweet and unassuming. In an age of angstinfused romantic comedy, this one displays a little more relaxed, classic Hollywood charm, albeit with a high degree of traditional lovestory implausibility factor.

Grant plays washed-up rock star Alex Fletcher, one half of an ’80s bubblegum pop band resigned to playing state fairs and 20th class reunions. But Alex is pragmatic: He lives comfortably and enjoys the lingering recognition. Unexpectedly, he gets a second shot at fame when the reigning teenage pop diva, Cora Corman (Haley Bennett) asks him to write a song for her newest CD. Seems that Cora’s something of a retro freak, but she’s on a tight schedule and needs the song right away.

The trouble is that Alex can compose music, but he’s terrible at writing lyrics. He and his expartner haven’t spoken in decades, and the local hack his manager hires isn’t working out. Alex is growing desperate.

Coincidentally, Alex’s plant caregiver drops by while Alex and his lyricist are bickering. (Yes, it’s true; in metropolitan areas, moderately wealthy people do employ people to water their plants.) Sophie (Drew Barrymore) absently rhymes a few words while she putters around with her watering can. Alex is amazed and throws her a few more incomplete lines. Sophie finds the right words, and Alex wonders if she’s a natural-born lyricist.

Granted, the setup rings a little hollow. Then again, I can almost imagine a vintage Carole Lombard waltzing in on a beleaguered concert pianist- say, Clark Gable- and pulling the same stunt. And getting away with it.

So, arguably, it works- and thus begins the strange relationship of slightly uptight Alex and somewhat ditzy Sophie. They fret and toil throughout the night and well into the next day and somehow manage to come up with enough lowlevel conflict to keep the relationship edgy and, indeed, moderately funny. They even sing together and, oddly enough, that works too.

The trouble begins when diva Cora likes their effort but demands changes. Newbie Sophie is appalled to realize that Cora intends to take their lovely little love song and turn it into trite pop trash. (Good thing Sophie’s not a screenwriter.) Alex fears that Sophie’s going to blow the deal and his potential comeback and- well, can’t you just cut the tension with a knife?

Not exactly. Because “Music and Lyrics” remains refreshingly lightweight. It’s a bubblegum pop song sort of movie, glossy and stylized, and, now and then, there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes a romantic comedy can be just a romantic comedy without verging on overblown melodrama, without striving to be more. The film doesn’t attempt to wring angst from out of nowhere, to torment these two with presumptuous plot twists or unfathomable obstacles. If Gable and Lombard could pull it off, so can Grant and Barrymore.

What’s also nice about “Music and Lyrics” is that often (not always, but often) the dialogue is quite witty and clever. While the chemistry between 30something Sophie and 40something Alex isn’t sizzling- maybe lukewarm at best- they’re still cute and unassuming enough to keep your attention. And keeping your attention is what a romantic comedy is all about.