Also, he has this scientifically improbable chemical aura that, through some weird physical reaction, bonds to anything with a XX chromosome set. Has he ever not been loved by the closest female star? I do not believe so.

    As far as rom-coms go, you can do worse than 'Music & Lyrics', which is that rare film that seems to come out of nowhere (I had no idea it was being made) and touch you with a bit of emotional elegance. Yes, it does follow the rom-com formula to a tee: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back in the end, but, like many of the formula pictures so far this year, brightens up the cookie cutter proceedings with engaging and very believable and relatable characters, while also turning a joke or two.

    Back in the 80s, Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) was part of the mega group sensation Pop! and he helped co-author nearly a half a dozen Top 40 singles. But, as the industry turns, the 80s ended and Pop! went its separate ways. Now, Alex plays carnivals, cruises and even high school reunions, where his moves still ignite the fire in any woman around. Along with his one true friend and manager, Chris (Brad Garrett), Alex soldiers on completely content to live in the past.

    Fortune smiles upon Alex when it turns out that Cora (Haley Bennett), the biggest teen pop sensation in the world, adores Pop! and, in particular, Alex. She asks him to write a new hit single for her. The only catch being that it has to be finished by the end of the week. Panic sets in, but, in true rom-com fashion, fate intervenes and delivers Sophie Fisher, the girl who takes care of Alex's plants. As it turns out, she is a very cunning linguist (sorry, just had to use that at least once in my life).

    Thank you Fate, for you do so much to throw lovers into the mix. What makes Alex and Sophie's relationship work, beyond the charisma of both performers, is that it is handled in such a seamless and real way. There is no across a crowded room moment, nor does she appear out of nowhere to save him. She's simply in the room at the time and mindlessly rhymes along to the words. They're flawed characters, she can't get past her own insecurities and he can't seem to get out of the past. Obviously, they help each other out, but it is such a gradual building of the relationship that neither of them realize they're in it until it's too late.

    There's no need to say anything more about Hugh Grant. He nails Alex perfectly with just the right amount of self-deprecation and worldliness. As it happens, the man can sing, too!

    When pitted against Grant, Barrymore is outclassed, but she brings her every-American-girl charm and smile and breathes life into what could have been just another girl for Hugh Grant to charm. Sophie is by no means a perfect girl, she's real and honest, even if she can't tell the truth to herself. She holds herself back because she doesn't want to leave her comfort zone, she dreams, but never dares. That's something I think a lot of people can relate to.

    Writer/director Marc Lawrence, who previously worked with Grant on 'Two Weeks Notice' knows the actor's strengths and weaknesses nearly pitch perfect. He knows he has a script that won't wow anyone with it's depth, but will certainly charm and entertain. He knows it, the actors know it and they run with it and accomplish something worthwhile. At the very least, it'll make a good date movie.

    This being a movie about music (and subsequently lyrics, and there is a delightful conversation about the differences of both), there is a hefty helping of songs to serve us the audience. They are largely very emotionally charged, but not in the whiny emo bullshit way a la Don't Judge Me Julia. These are pop songs, made for ingestion by a large segment of the population. 'That Thing You Do' comes to mind, being

    'Music & Lyrics' succeeds on charm and chemistry, two things every romantic-comedy hinges upon. Be warned, this is more romance than comedy, and what comedic moments do arrive are all subdued. Call it a slice of life piece about two people who stumble across each other and find in one another a chance at salvation.

    Hell, in that case, why not just call it life itself? In a year where little has made you swoon and sing triumphantly, 'Music & Lyrics' is the perfect pop song of a movie: uplifting, romantic, sweet and ultimately, worth a listen.

another movie where the story hinges on a song. And if you don't have a good song, you do not have anything. I would not be shocked if I heard 'Way Back to Love', Alex & Sophie's song, on the radio some day, as it is a beautiful, if otherwise forgettable and typical, pop ballad.