Will Smith's chick-flick debut is box office hit
Will Smith returns to the big screen in 2005 with "Hitch,” his first romantic comedy, alongside comedian Kevin James and rising starlet Eva Mendes. Though "Hitch” does not step outside the proverbial chick-flick box, its characters and conflicts give an old tune new flair and prevent any sort of jaded vibe.
Smith plays a suave romance coach whose latest project, the bumbling, love-struck accountant Albert Brennaman (James), fumbles his way into the heart of celebrity Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta) and onto the front page of gossip columnist Sara Melas' (Mendes) tabloid newspaper. Incidentally, the closed-hearted Alex "Hitch” Hitchens (Smith) falls in love with Sara Melas, and chaos--as well as an obligatory serving of corniness--ensues.Will Smith delivers a tempered performance as Alex Hitchens, whose first heartbreak over his college love predictably shut his heart down and caused him to cling desperately to swinging bachelordom. Kevin James plays the perfect incurable geek, armed with his inhaler, heinous dance moves, white socks with black shoes and Hitch's badly needed advice. Eva Mendes makes her nondescript role sparkle with her own independent vivacity and beauty.
If the moral of the story--that you should let yourself fall in love instead of trying to protect your fragile heart--is a bit overused, writer Kevin Bisch's script and Andy Tennant's direction lent it a surprisingly high level of originality. Hitch spends his first night with Sara on her couch tripping on Benadryl after his face balloons up as a result of a food allergy, and the film's major confrontation scene takes place in a Manhattan speed-dating session.
"Hitch” is a feel-good film that caters equally to both sexes because of the balanced plot and eye-candy quotients. Though the movie's moral is reinforced abruptly and seriously towards the very end of the film, "Hitch” is a cutesy romantic comedy at heart; you can't help but enjoy it in its awkward and adorable splendor.
”Hitch” (115 minutes) is rated PG-13 for language and some strong sexual references. It is now playing everywhere.
Joanna Pinto-Coelho. Things you should know about Joanna: 1) She likes to eat bagel lox, her grandma's carrot cake, her mommy's chocolate chip cookies and filet mignon (medium rare). 2) She is half-Brazilian. 3) She is a gainfully employed member of the American workforce. 4) She will … More »
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