BACK COVER SYNOPSIS: First you're hot, then you're not... and then you're Alex Fletcher. So when the sizzlingest tween queen on the charts ask the has-been 80's pop sensation to write her a song, he grabs for another chance at stardom. Problem: Alex can say it with music, but he sure can't say it with words. Enter Sophie Fisher, his beguiling if quirky plant lady, who has an unexpected green thumb for lyrics. Together, they go after songwriting success - and discover that if you want to write the perfect love song, it helps to fall in love. With Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore at the keyboard and Marc Lawrence (Two Weeks Notice) directing, "Music and Lyrics" is a witty, wacky romantic comedy that faces the music... and laughs!

FILM REVIEW: "Music and Lyrics" really does try to set itself up as something different to the normal romantic comedy. The idea of a romance blossoming under an intense creative partnership is a fresh take for a mainstream romantic comedy, which makes it unfortunate that the film never really delivers on its fresh premise. The film doesn't really have any energy to it, and although the leads are charismatic on their own, together, Hugh and Drew just don't have any chemistry (despite what you hear in the promo featurette in the extras package); that's kind of crucial for a romantic comedy. So ultimately, you end up with a rather dull film. Dubbing it as a romantic comedy is actually almost wrong considering the "chemistry" doesn't really kick in until the last few minutes of the film. The bulk of the film is spent watching Hugh and Drew write a song. Fun in some parts, but not translated in to anything interesting on screen.

It does have some good parts to it. Drew gives a rather excellent definition of both music (that's like seeing someone for the first time, the physical attraction) and lyrics (that's when you get to know someone on the inside and see their story underneath). There's a fantastic send-up to 80's pop videos that opens the film, and Hugh's dancing and singing is fun. And anything with Cora Corman (the teen pop idol in the film) is very funny.

Hugh Grant is quite reasonable as the washed up 80's pop star Alex Fletcher. He doesn't really go for anything special comedy-wise but he does manage to carry the film. Drew Barrymore is cute as the love interest Sophie, but her flaky character can be annoying to watch at times. Brad Garrett (from Everybody Loves Raymond) seems oddly miscast here. He towers over everyone and it's a bit odd seeing him play the straight guy to Hugh. Kristen Johnson (formerly of 3rd Rock From the Sun) does her job quite well as Drew's sister who is a big fan of Hugh's. The only acting highlight comes from newcomer Haley Bennett who plays the hilarious Cora Corman who satirises the teen pop girls of our generation. Watching her throw a hissy-fit about wanting to dance better than Shakira while also dancing half naked in front of a Buddhist statue (her religion) is nothing short of hilarious. She shows just how insane they can be!

Overall, it can pass a few hours but ultimately you're not missing anything if you don't see this film.

TECHNICAL REVIEW: The picture has been trasnferred very well with a very crisp, sharp and clear picture. The sound is quite decent as well, and the various musical numbers in the film are delivered well through the soundtrack. A decently produced DVD technically.

EXTRAS REVIEW: I can't say I was all that interested in learning anything about the film, but it does have a short promotional featurette which basically does little more than tell you what the film is about... in case you couldn't get that by watching the film. There's some deleted scenes, a gag reel, and the hilarious cheesy 80's pop video shot for Hugh Grant's character. Nothing special here really.

BOTTOM LINE: Only rent it, and only if you have to.