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(About Our Ads) "MUSIC & LYRICS" (2007) (Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Moderate None Moderate None *None Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate None None Moderate Minor Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Minor Minor Moderate Minor QUICK TAKE: Romantic Comedy: Faced with a sudden deadline to write a hit song for a big star, a former and now cynical singer enlists a reluctant and amateur lyricist to try to jumpstart his long dormant career. PLOT: Back in the 1980s, Alex Fletcher (HUGH GRANT) was a member of PoP, a hugely successful pop group. But when the band's other singer left with their latest songs, PoP disbanded. Now, and despite the efforts of his manager, Chris Riley (BRAD GARRETT), the best Alex can do is perform at high school reunions and amusement parks when not receiving offers to appear on a reality TV program featuring other '80s has-beens battling for the right to sing again in front of a national audience. His best shot at resurrecting his career, however, comes from the unlikely source of sultry pop star Cora Corman (HALEY BENNETT) who's a big fan of his. She wants a new love song for her latest album, but has extended that offer to others as well. With only a few days to deliver, Alex is in a quandary since he's never been that good at writing lyrics. His good luck continues, though, when he discovers that the young woman sent to tend to his plants, Sophie Fisher (DREW BARRYMORE), has a natural knack for coming up with catchy song phrases. Unlike her married sister Rhonda (KRISTEN JOHNSTON), Sophie isn't star-struck by Alex, and she initially declines his request for help. And that's because her confidence has been shot ever since her former professor-turned-lover, Sloan Cates (CAMPBELL SCOTT), used her and their affair as the basis for a successful, if barely fictitious novel. With a movie adaptation now in the works, Sophie doesn't think she's up for the job. From that point on, and as an attraction develops between the two, Alex tries to convince her that co-writing a song for Cora is the best thing she could ask for, all as he realizes this might be his last shot to return to the big time. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're looking for a date movie, or are fans of Grant, Barrymore, anyone else in the cast, or romantic comedies, they just might. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For some sexual content. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: HUGH GRANT plays a former member of a popular '80s era band who can now barely get any sort of performing gigs. When Cora offers him the chance to write a song, he tries to convince Sophie to be his lyricist. He ends up sleeping with her and then breaking her heart before winning her back. He's world-weary and cynical, but charming. DREW BARRYMORE plays the woman hired to care for his plants who ends up charming him and proving she has an innate gift for writing lyrics. She ends up sleeping with him, but is still hung up on Sloan, a man who only reinforces her neuroses. BRAD GARRETT plays Alex's manager who's always hustling to get him work, no matter where, for whom, or how small. HALEY BENNETT plays a sultry pop singer who offers Alex the chance to write a song for her. She mixes Eastern symbolism and sexuality in her act. KRISTEN JOHNSTON plays Sophie's married sister, a mom who's a big fan of Alex and enjoys spending time with him. CAMPBELL SCOTT plays a snobby professor turned author who took his affair with Sophie and then barely fictionalized it. He has drinks with friends and doesn't care that she thinks he ruined her life. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this romantic comedy that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of just a number of religious phrases, while colorful phrases are also uttered. Various instances of sexually related dialogue and song lyrics are present, off-screen sex is suggested and nudity is implied, a female performer acts in a sensual/sexual manner in her videos and performances, while other scantly clad women are also seen. Some bad attitudes are present, some behavior may be enticing for some kids to imitate, and there's brief contact (played for comedy) between several characters. Various characters drink, there's brief drug-related dialogue, and a miscellaneous character smokes. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE People appear to have drinks at a high school reunion. Sophie asks Alex how he dealt with his former band-mate stealing their work, with Alex replying drugs and alcohol. Alex later makes another drug-related comment. Alex, Sophie, Chris and his date have wine with dinner where miscellaneous people drink (we then see Sloan and others drinking at the bar). Sophie asks Alex if he'd like some ice for his eye. He replies only if it's attached to some whiskey (but he doesn't have any). Sophie has a glass of wine in front of her with dinner. People have drinks at a reception. Alex has a beer. BLOOD/GORE None. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Referring to Sophie's innate songwriting abilities, Alex jokingly tells her, "You're Cole Porter in panties" (some may view that as a bad attitude). Sophie says that Sloan used her as the subject in his book (only changing the name) and that they had a thing, but he was engaged at the time to another woman. Sloan has a condescending attitude toward Alex about Sophie and the way he previously treated her. That results in a brief shoving match between the men, with Sloan getting the upper hand and bending Alex's arm behind his back. To keep Sophie from telling Cora how she feels about the singer's changes to their song, Alex stuffs some food into her mouth as she begins to speak (played for comedy). Tired of how Sophie acts, Alex says that Sloane was right in describing her in his work (fully aware that saying so will upset Sophie). Some viewers might not like Cora's sexualized use of Buddhism and other Eastern philosophies in her songs and concerts. FRIGHTENING SCENES None. GUNS/WEAPONS None, but hearing Alex and Sophie's lyrics, an uppity lyricist makes the gun shot to the head gesture with his hand. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "That orgasm set to the Gandhi soundtrack," "I'm a happy has-beener," "They cried like little girls," "Dude," "She's kinda hot," "I'm a bad, hot witch. I'm a nasty bitch" (a spoken song lyric), "You people disgust me," "You're Cole Porter in panties," "(He's a) Jerk," "Morons," "Yes, you're a little mangy" and "Screw everything up." Cora wears revealing clothing in various scenes, while also acting in a sexual/sensual manner. Alex does some clothed, pelvic thrusting for adoring, middle-aged fans at a high school reunion. He then shakes his butt in their direction, asking if his pants are too tight, prompting some fans to reach out for his rear. To keep Sophie from telling Cora how she feels about the singer's changes to their song, Alex stuffs some food into her mouth as she begins to speak. We see a miscellaneous bare midriff. Hearing Alex and Sophie's lyrics, an uppity lyricist makes the gun shot to the head gesture with his hand. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) A song has sexually related lyrics, including about "Booty Town." A repeated spoken lyric from a song is "I'm a bad hot witch." A song has the lyrics, "Each time you put your lips to mine, it's like a taste of Buddha's delight. I see the gates of paradise, you're a taste of Buddha's delight. Tell me all your fantasies tonight, and I'll make them happen. Cuz I'm not satisfied if I don't get my Buddha's delight." PROFANITY At least 4 uses each of "My God" and "Oh my God," 3 of "Oh God" and 2 uses of "God." SEX/NUDITY A woman dressed as a buxom nurse in a music video shows a lot of cleavage (seen at the beginning and end of the film). We see Alex and other members of his '80s band shaking their clothed butts in a music video (the camera focuses on those parts). When a comment is made about plants, women liking them, and Chris being divorced, Alex sarcastically says that it was the lack of plants and not the wife's affair and raging nymphomania that led to the divorce. Cora does some sexy dancing in a skimpy and revealing outfit while making a music video (she shakes her butt and otherwise moves about sensuously to the sexually related lyrics). Backup dancers are dressed similarly. A hired lyricist spots Sophie in Alex's place and comments, "She's kinda hot." A repeated spoken lyric from a song is "I'm a bad hot witch." Alex does some clothed, pelvic thrusting for adoring, middle-aged fans at a high school reunion. He then shakes his butt in their direction, asking if his pants are too tight, prompting some fans to reach out for his rear. Rhonda shows some cleavage. Referring to Sophie's innate songwriting abilities, Alex jokingly tells her, "You're Cole Porter in panties." Commenting on the difference between melody and lyrics, Sophie says the former is like sex, prompting Alex to say, "I so get that." The title of a band (seen written in a record store) is "Flying lesbians." It's suggested Sophie had a sexual fling with Sloan in the past. Alex sings a lyric that Sophie has written: "I've been sleeping with a clown above my bed." He then says clown isn't right, and then wonders about the word. She says it's "cloud" and wonders why he'd have a clown in his bed, prompting him to reply, "It would not be the first time." There's a mention of Cora's song, "Welcome to Booty Town." Chris's date wears a low-cut top that shows cleavage. Later, upon Alex's insistence, she trades clothes with Sophie (so the latter can impress Sloan) and we then see Sophie in that dress, sporting cleavage. Alex and Sophie end up passionately kissing and then drop down out of the camera shot. The next morning, we see them asleep under the piano (she has a blanket over her chest, he's shirtless). The phone rings and he gets up, grabs his jeans, and is then see standing in them, shirtless. He then tells Chris on the phone that he slept with her, prompting Chris to yell out, "You slept with Sophie?" not realizing everyone around him would hear that. Rhonda shows some cleavage. Sophie tells Rhonda that the one time she slept with Alex "It was totally professional." During another performance, Cora wears a revealing outfit, does some belly dancing type moves, and shakes and then slaps her own clothed butt. She then writhes about on the floor, including mock running her hands over her body. About that and said later to Alex, Sophie asks him, "You didn't actually like that orgasm set to the Gandhi soundtrack." A song has the lyrics, "Each time you put your lips to mine, it's like a taste of Buddha's delight. I see the gates of paradise, you're a taste of Buddha's delight. Tell me all your fantasies tonight, and I'll make them happen. Cuz I'm not satisfied if I don't get my Buddha's delight." Cora shows cleavage. Sophie comments to Cora about the latter's confident sexual display. Cora and her backup dancers perform in skimpy outfits (including her doing some sexy dancing with a guy, prompting Rhonda to cover her young daughter's eyes). During this, the camera focuses on Cora's pelvic region in such attire, and then of her butt as she shakes it (a tiny bit of her lower bare butt cheeks is seen). Sophie and Alex passionately kiss backstage, with her then having her legs wrapped around his waist as they stand (both are clothed). We see Sophie and Alex's bare legs sticking out from beneath his piano (an overhead shot, suggesting previous sex or fooling around). SMOKING A miscellaneous man is briefly seen smoking a cigar. TENSE FAMILY SCENES When a comment is made about plants, women liking them, and Chris being divorced, Alex sarcastically says that it was the lack of plants and not the wife's affair and raging nymphomania that led to the divorce. We hear that Cora's parents divorced when she was seven. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Writing and composing songs. The music industry and what happens to singers and groups when their popularity wanes. Hypochondriacs. Sophie asks Alex how he dealt with his former band-mate stealing their work, with Alex replying drugs and alcohol. Alex wanting to sell out and accept Cora's changes to his and Sophie's song (so that he can have the work), whereas Sophie can't do that. Alex saying that in the end, it's all just business (referring to music). VIOLENCE All of the following is played for comedy. To get a better view of Alex performing, Rhonda pushes her way through a small crowd of fans, resulting in a brief bit of shoving between her and another woman. Sloan has a condescending attitude toward Alex about Sophie and the way he previously treated her. That results in a brief shoving match between the men, with Sloan getting the upper hand and bending Alex's arm behind his back. Alex bumps his head on the bottom of a piano under which he was sleeping. We later hear Sophie do the same. Reviewed February 5, 2007 / Posted February 14, 2007