Movie Reviews
There is a scene in “Hitch” where Alex Hitchens (Will Smith) approaches a girl to ask her out. He notices her feisty attitude and prepares his dialogue – hopefully stylish enough to woo her. When her refusals don’t motivate a quick retreat from Alex, she admits that his approach, while cunning, was charming, funny, and refreshingly original. I have a feeling that’s what writer Kevin Bisch wanted the critics to say the exact same thing about the movie.
While it isn’t “refreshingly original”, I have to admit that this is both funny and charming. The performances are surprisingly good, and the actors have a good time saying their lines. That’s probably because the writing is unusually strong for a comedy. I enjoyed the dialogue thoroughly.
This is the story of Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, or the date doctor as the men like to call him. He is a “consultant” for desperate men who want a relationship but are too afraid to start one. Hitch is the guy they call for help. He knows women very well and uses that knowledge to set up situations that make the man in question look good in front of the woman in question.
Hitch meets Albert (Kevin James) and finds out that he wants to hook up with Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta), a more than well-known rich girl from New York who gets financial consultation from Albert’s company. Hitch makes the magic happen. Meanwhile, Hitch has become better-acquainted with Sara (Eva Mendes) and they are beginning a healthy relationship. But things get all screwed up when Sara finds out about this “date doctor” urban myth is actually her boyfriend.
The charm comes from the chemistry between Will Smith and Eva Mendes, and Kevin James and Amber Valletta. It all seems very natural, their conversations their situations. And what the trailer made out to look like another slapstick romance turned out to be well, pretty darn good.
James and Smith work very well together (a surprise), and they create a real comedic style that doesn’t looked faked or forced. It’s enjoyable, if not rather unnecessary, that Hitch often talks right into the camera during the film. Enjoyable because it’s unexpected, unnecessary because Hitch is actually part of the movie and the plot, not an outside deity. Small flaws like this don’t come near to ruining it though. ***