Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1791 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-06-04
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 104 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Music & Lyrics is frothy and sweet, like the top of a perfect cappuccino shared a deux. Hugh Grant is a self-professed "happy has-been," playing his befuddled, adorable persona more spot-on than he has since Four Weddings and a Funeral. As Alex, former member of an '80s pop band who years later is playing at water parks and high school reunions, he's settled into a life of lesser expectations. Drew Barrymore, quietly radiant, is Sophie, the underachieving girl Friday who arrives to water--make that overwater--Alex's plants--and to explode him out of that comfy rut. If the plot's a bit farfetched, it matters not, since the two lead characters are so likable--and make such beautiful music together. Big bonus: the supportive role of Kristen Johnston as Rhonda, Sophie's older sis (and longtime Alex fan) whose hilarious performance threatens to steal the show whenever she's onscreen. (The owner of a chain of successful weight-loss centers, Rhonda tries to comfort a rattled Sophie: "Want to do some stress eating?") The film also marks the remarkable debut of Haley Bennett, who plays a pop star of Britney/Cristina proportions with deadpan sincerity radiating through her skimpy outfits and mega-extensions. As Alex and Sophie work on crafting musical magic, something else is taking hold. It's music to the ears of anyone needing a sweet romantic comedy that hits all the right notes. --A.T. Hurley

Synopsis
Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is a cynical and self-deprecating former '80s pop idol who turns down an offer to appear on a reality TV show for has-beens. Instead, he chooses to play the far more dignified nostalgia circuit, and hires the lovely but deeply insecure Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) to water his plants while he’s away. When Alex is tasked with writing a song for pop starlet Cora (Haley Bennett) in just four days, Sophie reveals herself to be a gifted songwriter and they end up making beautiful music together. Despite this contrived set-up, the film, to its credit, deftly avoids many possible rom-com clichés in favour of organic, character-driven conflicts and comedic situations. As Alex and Sophie fall in love, their relationship begins to mirror the song writing process; they grapple with their creative differences and emotional hang-ups, all the while dealing with the pressures of the music industry. The two leads (aided by great supporting turns from Brad Garrett and Kristen Johnston) manage to pull all this off with a lightness of touch that makes the characters' vulnerability appealing rather than pathetic.

Customer Reviews

Subtle
To really appreciate this film some background knowledge/appreciation of the music of the 80's is a must. Without said knowledge RELAX, tagged at the end of Frankie goes to Hollywood, would be meaningless. The obvious reference to WHAM is very clever. I did not have to Google to unearth the 'other bloke'(Andrew Ridgeley)- I tend to remember music trivia. I laughed when I saw this at the cinema and the humour still had me laughing when I watched on DVD. The hip gyrations were first seen as performed by the PM in Love Actually!

Sill, fun, catchy!
This movie was one of the funniest romantic comedies I have watched in a long time.
The movie starts off with the ridiculous music video of PoP! Goes My Heart. Don't give up on it here if you think it's stupid - carry on watching. You will be surprised at how good the movie actually is.

Hugh Grant acts as Alex an 80's "Has-Been" from the band PoP! Cora, a huge teen popstar, wants Alex to write a song for her. The problem is Alex is rubbish at lyrics, that's when he meets Sophie (Drew Barrimore)and together they start on the song . . .

This movie is great fun and will leave you in stiches.

[And just letting you in on a secret, I loved PoP! so much that I went back and watched the music video on You Tube. It's so funny!]

Romance and Laughter Fit Together in Like Music and Lyrics
Back in the 80's, Pop was a popular music group. Then they broke up, and former member Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) has struggled ever sense. In fact, his most exciting career opportunity is a potential appearance on "Battle of the 80's Has Beens."

Alex's manager Chris (Brad Garrett) usually only comes up with nostalgia gigs at fairs, amusement parks, and reunions, and even those are drying up. But then Chris comes up with the potential comeback vehicle. Pop sensation Cora Corman (Haley Bennet) is looking for a new song. Unfortunately, it has to be done in only a few days, and Alex can't write lyrics.

Sophia (Drew Barrymore) has recently started watering Alex's plants, and her mutterings while he's working on the song show she has a wonderful way with lyrics. He immediately enlists her to write the lyrics for the songs. While she resists at first, she eventually gives in and the two begin to work on the perfect love song. And sparks begin to fly between them. Will this turn into something more?

This is a charming, witty romantic comedy. It combines funny situations with witty dialogue. It even mocks 80's music (especially in the hilarious Pop music video that opens the film) and today's pop divas.

Yet it has heart. The plot is predictable, but the characters are great and easy to root for. I even found myself chocking up a time or two.

And the acting is spot on. Hugh Grant is a great singer as well. Drew Barrymore isn't as strong at singing, but she really only has to sing in one song. Brad Garrett plays more of a straight man then I expected. Haley Bennet is hilarious as the current pop sensation and easily stole every scene she was in.

Obviously, music plays a major part in the movie. They've got everything from 80's pop cheese to a modern duet. None of the songs are annoying, however. In fact, the music is so fun I'm quite tempted to go out and get the soundtrack.

The movie's PG-13 rating comes mainly from the sexually suggestive dance moves done by the singers. This isn't anything you haven't seen on MTV, but the movie still would have been better off without it.

I laughed the entire way through this fun film. It really is heart warming and entertaining.