The music video which opens (and closes) Music and Lyrics is an inspired send up of 80s kitsch, pop music, and early MTV videos. The instantly addictive single "Pop Goes My Heart" is sure to lodge its way into your head and play there continuously for days. This is not surprising as its composer Adam Schlesinger has an uncanny knack for pumping out would-be hit songs from any era. He also penned the faux 1960s surprise-hit song, "That Thing You Do," for Tom Hanks' 1996 film of the same name.
It is also not surprising that the song is the best part of the film. In fact in downright appropriate considering this is a story of Alex, an 80s pop star has-been (Hugh Grant) from a band called (what else) PoP writing a pop song for a contemporary pop-tart Cora (think Britney meets Shakira). The very premise insists that the best is behind the aging rocker.
Alex, 20 years past his prime, is now reduced to performing his old oeuvre at theme parks, high school reunions, and the like. Grant is on familiar ground here: his character in About a Boy (2002) also lived off the glory of an old one-hit — but still hitting — wonder and last year's American Dreamz allowed him a crack at bubblegum music. This time around, Grant's musician mumbles flippant, dry-witted one-liners to his new writing partner, the interminably perky accidental lyricist played by Drew Barrymore.
The film's heart plays out early on as they write the song for Cora, collaborating for the first time. This sequence allows the pair to trudge through the creative process, bantering about music, life, and of course, themselves as the two romantic comedy vets attempt to charm each other and the audience.
The trouble comes they complete the song fairly early on in the movie. This leaves the final hour stuffed with arguments about artistic compromise and integrity, which serve to ground their fledgling relationship. But these scenes seem mostly designed to stall for time, allowing the film to stretch beyond 90 minutes before the big finale when Cora finally performs their song. The music is catchy. The actors are likeable. It's all pleasant enough to watch but ultimately it's about as substantial as a pop song. Though it's unlikely to stay with you quite so long.
—Scott Warren
Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in Music and Lyrics.
Copyright © 2008 Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.