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Hitch
February 19 , 2005 by Movie Reviewers
Hitch (2005)
Rated: PG-13 for language and some strong sexual references.
Runtime: 115 mins.
Director: Andy Tennant
Writer: Kevin Bisch
Cast: Will Smith; Eva Mendes; Kevin James; Amber Valetta
Tagline: the cure for the common man
Genre: Comedy
Memorable Quote: "Now on the one hand it is very difficult for a man to even speak to someone who looks like you, but on the other hand...should that be your problem? "
Writer Kevin Bisch and director Andy Tenant have devised the perfect role for Smith's charming wit and distinctive talents. He's Alex Hitchens, the "date doctor" or the guy you call when you need help getting noticed by the girl of your dreams. Although he doesn't promise to find you love, he will guarantee to provide you with the "opportunity" to make contact. What you do with it from there is up to your own jiggy little self because his services are only good for the first three dates or the first kiss, whichever comes first.
His latest client is Albert Brenneman (Kevin James) a stocky, balding junior accountant with the social graces of Barney Fife and the hots for one of his firm's richest clients, Allegra Cole (Amber Valetta) whose ex-husband Hitch proclaims, "owned Sweden, or something." Some of the film's funniest moments come as Hitch prepares Albert for his first "encounter".
It's easy to sympathize with Albert because we've all been in his shoes to some degree or another. And let's face it, dating is one of the world's most awkward social intricacies. James' physical humor and clumsiness is often reminiscent of Chris Farley or John Belushi. The chemistry displayed by Smith and James is priceless, especially during one hilarious scene in which Hitch tries to teach Albert how to dance without biting his lower lip.
Of course Hitch turns Albert into a lean, mean smooth-talking machine who so impresses Allegra that the pair begin dating, much to the chagrin of the leering supermarket-tabloid press.
The twist of irony is that while he dishes out manly-man advice to his paying schleps, Hitch's own love life is a total wreck. He tries his patented moves on Sara (Eva Mendes), a tabloid gossip columnist with a mile-high wall of cynicism. Of course Sara eventually softens to Hitch's advances and the two hit it off, but not before a rather rocky beginning. Mendes is stunningly beautiful and not to mention "bootylicious." Her steely façade, constructed from years of dating experience, makes her just that much more attractively unattainable. We root for Hitch to "tear down that wall."
All in all, Hitch is a fun if not formulaic romantic comedy that counteracts its paint-by-numbers plot with its unique blend of charm, physical humor, and human emotion. Although it telegraphs its blows, it's fun nonetheless to watch one of the smoothest operators since Mickey Rourke's John in 9 1⁄2 Weeks ply his craft. Told from the man's perspective, it has a touch of savoir-faire distinction and sophistication that puts it a level or two above most romantic comedies.
