Hitch
3/4
Starring: Will Smith, Kevin James, Eva Mendes, Amber Valetta
Rated PG-13 for Language and Some Strong Sexual References
If there was any role that was tailor made for megastar Will Smith, it's the role of Alex "Hitch" Hitchens, the "Date Doctor." Smith has an enormous amount of charisma and likability, which is what it takes to bring this character to life. Kevin James, Eva Mendes and Amber Valetta round out the main cast, but this is all Will.
Hitch, as he is called, is a guy who can get any man to win over the girl of his dreams. He knows all the mistakes that guys make when confronted by a beautiful woman, and by pointing them out and helping them avoid them, he can make the biggest geek look like the biggest stud. His latest client, a pudgy junior tax accountant named Albert Brenneman (James) who is in love with the world's biggest socialite, Allegra Cole (Valetta). Although Hitch is up to the challenge, his own romantic life is a disaster. He can't follow his own rules when it comes to pursuing a gossip columnist, Sara Melas (Mendes), who is chasing down the :Date Doctor" myth (and Allegra Cole, of course).
There are three couplings in the movie: Hitch and Albert, Albert and Allegra and Hitch and Sara. All of them get their due and are enjoyable to watch, but there's a problem: it makes the running time nearly two hours. A romantic comedy needs only 90 minutes to tell its story. If they tightened up the script, it would have been a lot better.
At least the characters are appealing. No one in Hollywood is more likable (or bankable) than Will Smith. With his easy going charm and comic aptitude, Smith defines the term "movie star." Although his dramatic range is limited, this is the kind of role in which he is most at home. In fact, this is one of his best performances, if not the best. He's funny, smart and endearing. He also has great comic chemistry with Kevin James, who hit it big with this movie after being on the long-running sitcom "The King of Queens." Smith and James make a great odd couple. Model-actress Amber Valetta is positively luminous as the socialite that Albert falls for. She's not a bitch who becomes "won over" by Albert. She's a nice lady who wants love just like everyone else. She and James also have great chemistry. Eva Mendes is also good as Sara, the feisty and cynical gossip columnist. She and Smith don't generate as much heat as the other couplings, but we do have an investment in their relationship.
Director Andy Tennant has made a career out of romances/romantic comedies. His body of work doesn't have any megahits other than this one (2010's much hated "The Bounty Hunter" was still marketed as being from "the director of "Hitch"). Tennant does good work; he just needs a better editor.
The length is really the only fault with this movie. The romances are cute, the comedy is at times very funny and the performances are strong across the board. Is it still worth your time even though it is way too long? I think so.
Starring: Will Smith, Kevin James, Eva Mendes, Amber Valetta
Rated PG-13 for Language and Some Strong Sexual References
If there was any role that was tailor made for megastar Will Smith, it's the role of Alex "Hitch" Hitchens, the "Date Doctor." Smith has an enormous amount of charisma and likability, which is what it takes to bring this character to life. Kevin James, Eva Mendes and Amber Valetta round out the main cast, but this is all Will.
Hitch, as he is called, is a guy who can get any man to win over the girl of his dreams. He knows all the mistakes that guys make when confronted by a beautiful woman, and by pointing them out and helping them avoid them, he can make the biggest geek look like the biggest stud. His latest client, a pudgy junior tax accountant named Albert Brenneman (James) who is in love with the world's biggest socialite, Allegra Cole (Valetta). Although Hitch is up to the challenge, his own romantic life is a disaster. He can't follow his own rules when it comes to pursuing a gossip columnist, Sara Melas (Mendes), who is chasing down the :Date Doctor" myth (and Allegra Cole, of course).
There are three couplings in the movie: Hitch and Albert, Albert and Allegra and Hitch and Sara. All of them get their due and are enjoyable to watch, but there's a problem: it makes the running time nearly two hours. A romantic comedy needs only 90 minutes to tell its story. If they tightened up the script, it would have been a lot better.
At least the characters are appealing. No one in Hollywood is more likable (or bankable) than Will Smith. With his easy going charm and comic aptitude, Smith defines the term "movie star." Although his dramatic range is limited, this is the kind of role in which he is most at home. In fact, this is one of his best performances, if not the best. He's funny, smart and endearing. He also has great comic chemistry with Kevin James, who hit it big with this movie after being on the long-running sitcom "The King of Queens." Smith and James make a great odd couple. Model-actress Amber Valetta is positively luminous as the socialite that Albert falls for. She's not a bitch who becomes "won over" by Albert. She's a nice lady who wants love just like everyone else. She and James also have great chemistry. Eva Mendes is also good as Sara, the feisty and cynical gossip columnist. She and Smith don't generate as much heat as the other couplings, but we do have an investment in their relationship.
Director Andy Tennant has made a career out of romances/romantic comedies. His body of work doesn't have any megahits other than this one (2010's much hated "The Bounty Hunter" was still marketed as being from "the director of "Hitch"). Tennant does good work; he just needs a better editor.
The length is really the only fault with this movie. The romances are cute, the comedy is at times very funny and the performances are strong across the board. Is it still worth your time even though it is way too long? I think so.
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