Hitch

Hitch

2005

Comedy (Romantic)

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 118 minutes

Starring: Will Smith, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Eva Mendes

Directed By: Andy Tennant

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Outline

A consultant known as the date doctor is helping men around the city land the women of their dreams.

Review

Romantic comedies are what most males dread to hear when having to watch a movie with their significant others. Names like Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, and Katherine Heigl make most men cringe in terror. Don’t fret my friends Will Smith is helping you out in more ways than one. Not only does he fight off alien invaders from taking over the planet he is now making a genre tolerable for you alpha males out there. Hitch is the story of a guy who plays the date doctor. Hitch is a consultant who makes ordinary guys more appealing to their true loves. Hitch takes on his hardest case in Albert Brennaman an overweight tax accountant in love with the supermodel Allegra Cole. While juggling that he must also deal with his own budding relationship with a gossip columnist Sarah.

The film does things the right way. It gives you a quick introduction to Hitch working his relationship magic. He helps the average Joe go out and land his one and only. You get to see all the techniques he uses to win women over. From there it quickly translates to Hitch helping Albert land the ultimate woman. It also focuses on Hitch trying to woo his own special lady to less than stellar results. The movie works on both fronts. Hitch is a master with what each individual lady wants. In this knowledge he teaches Albert how to be a ladies’ man. Getting to see a fat man dance to hip hop, getting his back waxed, learning how to kiss properly will generate a generous amount of laughs. On the flip side seeing Hitch trying to work his own magic is also funny. This confident and suave guy can't get anything right in courting his love interest Sarah. Everything that could go wrong does and when things like his shirt gets ripped off in a taxi car door you can’t help but laugh.

Hitch played by Will Smith is the right call on so many levels. He is perfect as the date doctor as he has the look and chemistry to nail this role. He is complimented perfectly by Albert Brennaman played by Kevin James. Brennaman is this sweet but ultimately lost cause when it comes to the ladies. He bumbles his way through encounters and needs Hitch to steer him in the right direction. Smith and James are made for each other on screen. Their give and take rapport makes this movie. There is something so right in their performances that even when things are not funny they are still fun to watch.

Super model Allegra Cole played by Amber Valletta and gossip columnist Sarah played by Eva Mendes work great opposite the gentlemen. Allegra is polar opposite in looks and stature to Albert but their relationship is still believable and fun. Sarah is a strong willed woman and her and Hitch fence with quick wit and interesting dialogue. All in all Will Smith may be the funniest in this movie but you will not care who is on screen and that is a good thing.

The film is such a simple premise and yet it works. You want Hitch to be with his love interest. You want Albert to be with his love interest. You will just have a good time watching two different but equally funny budding romances. As the film makes its way to the classic romantic comedy ending it does so to a pretty upbeat soundtrack that compliments the film very well. All in all, this entire movie will win you over with its non aggressive humor and likeable characters. It does so without being entirely sappy making this a great movie night choice for a guy looking to compromise. It is just a good time.

Director Andy Tennant takes a very funny Kevin Bisch script and just owns it. Tennant is no stranger to romantic comedies (Fools Rush In, Fool’s Gold, Sweet Home Alabama) so it was not a surprise he did a good job with this. What is a surprise is how appealing this film will be to both sexes and that is a rare thing. His pacing is perfect and while the story heads to a predictable end it no doubt takes a funny and interesting path to get there. The casting was solid and the jokes come at frequent intervals making this film work.

I recommend this film for everyone who needs a light watch and a fun story.

T Factor + If you like Kevin James as an actor this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor – If you like your humor vulgar and crass this could score lower on the rating scale.

If you liked this film reel recommendations: Love Actually, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.