Music & Lyrics
Warner Home Video
by Kam Williams

But at the peak of their success, the quintet went their separate ways and Alex’s career fell apart to the point where he was languishing on the fringes of show business.

Then, just when Alex had resigned himself to life in relative obscurity, a shot at a comeback arrives when Cora (Haley Bennett), the hot, new singing sensation, wants to record a duet with him for her next single. The catch is that the young diva also expects him to write the song.

Alex accepts the challenge, without letting on that he hasn’t composed a tune in years. And because he has never written lyrics, he finds himself looking for a partner to collaborate with. As fate would have it, Sophie (Drew Barrymore), his substitute plant waterer just happens to have an uncanny knack for rhyming almost anything. And judging by the way that Alex and Sophie’s eyes lock when they first meet, it’s a little obvious that they’re fated to fall in love.

This transparent premise provides the fulcrum for Music and Lyrics, a charming romantic romp which happens to be the funniest film of the year so far, its obviousness notwithstanding. The casting of Hugh Grant opposite Drew Barrymore was a stroke of genius both in terms of chemistry and comedy.

For his trademark self-deprecating vulnerability serves as the perfect foil for her scatterbrained zaniness, and their witty repartee is reminiscent of the best of the badinage between Hepburn and Tracy.

Between the pithy dialogue and the retro humor which comes at the expense of big hair bands, be prepared to laugh throughout the duration of this delightful date flick.

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated PG-13 for sex content.

Running time: 104 minutes

Studio: Warner Home Video

DVD Extras: Additional scenes, gag reel, a music video, and a featurette.
verall, this is a fairly standard concert for Marvin - making ends meet with an American rhythm section fleshed out with local horn players and singers while he was in exile in Ostende , Belgium . He emphasizes `70s hits here from "Got to Give it Up," "I Want You" and "Let's Get it On" to the searing "Inner City Blues." However, this DVD is worth QUADRUPlE its retail price for one all-too-brief oasis smack in the middle. Marvin slows things down to sing a medley of songs dedicated to the memory of his most fabled singing partner Tammi Terrell