Rated PG-13 for language and some strong sexual references.
118 Minutes

Directed By: Andy Tennant
Written By: Kevin Bisch
Staring: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Julie Ann Emery, and Adam Arkin

Basic Principles – no woman wakes up saying “God, I hope I don’t get swept off my feet today!” Now, she might say “This is a really bad time for me,” or something like “I just need some space,” or my personal favorite “I’m really into my career right now.” You believe that? Neither does she. You know why? ‘Cause she’s lying to you, that’s why. You understand me? Lying! It’s not a bad time for her. She doesn’t need any space. And she may be into her career, but what she’s really saying is “Uh, get away from me now,” or possibly “Try harder, stupid,” but which one is it? 60% of all human communication is nonverbal, body language; 30% is your tone, so that means 90% of what you’re saying ain’t coming out of your mouth. Of course she’s going to lie to you! She’s a nice person! She doesn’t want to hurt your feelings! What else she going to say? She doesn’t even know you… yet. Luckily, the fact is that just like the rest of us, even a beautiful woman doesn’t know what she wants until she sees it, and that’s where I come in. My job is to open her eyes. Basic Principles – no matter what, no matter when, no matter who… any man has a chance to sweep any woman off her feet; he just needs the right broom. -Hitch

Review

Director Andy Tennant continues to prove that there is actually room for a more contemporary romantic comedy.  Sure he’s hit a few bumps around the way with Sweet Home Alabama and It Takes Two (though financially lucrative were pieces of crap), but has been successful with films entertaining and evolving with substance like Ever After and Anna And The King.  Hitch is another example of his insight into both the male and female psyche of the sexes, integrating honest perspectives from both sides, making a romance that a couple can actually enjoy together.

This is a film that takes a twist on the modern day woman searching for man stereotype, and makes a film about men who are looking for love in a world of jaded women.  With a back round of people in general being cautious about the dating game love seems an almost impossible achievement.  “Hitch” played by Smith is a guy who’s been at the opposite end of the “Love Guru” and learned over the years basically “What Women Want” and created a business as a consultant helping men meet the woman of their dreams and falling in love.  Mushy gushy yes, but EvaMendes and her interpretation of a woman in power of her career and love life balances it out with an ever eager and smooth Smith who finds himself at odds being awkward and very unlike his normal suave persona.

Hitch does hit a lot of the typical romance film bumps, but it does so in a way that isn’t on a superficial level.  It unravels itself naturally and is constantly charming. Tennant knows how to structure his films around the talents of his lead actors, and letting Will Smith, Kevin James, and Eva Mendes really come into their own.  Allowing them this freedom he fully utilized each of them by displaying what each of them do best.  Kevin James never got too over the top, but maintained his sweetness. Mendes was sultry, smart, and funny, but also a character women could relate to.  Smith was what Smith usually does best; a handsome smooth talking scene stealing star.  Even when he’s in the wrong movies or wrong roles he’s so incredibly talented his character’s are stillirresistible , and Hitch was no exception.  It almost seemed the role was orchestrated with the idea of Will Smith playing it.  Without him the film would have lost half it’s style and interest, but that’s usually the way of it with his overwhelming charm.

What I enjoyed most about Hitch was that it explored how the actual idea of romance has been crushed and destroyed in modern society.  Even though men and women both deep down enjoy the idea of romance and relationships, the world has been desensitized to the idea of realistic romance.  There are still romantic comedies being made, and people still flock to see them,  yet the dating game has become even more complicated and difficult for the last few generations.  This movie explores that in the light hearted way that romantic comedies were meant to.  Some of the obvious answers are there, and the ending is predictable, but the ride through that predictability makes it only moderately annoying.

I really enjoyed this movie and even with Will Smith on the billing was not something that I anticipated.  It’s one of those movies that plays over and over again on TNT and I think just about anybody male, female, old, or young would find some guilty pleasures in.  Hitch is Will Smith at his best and overall it’s just a simple story built to make you laugh and smile.  In that it succeeds.  A great date movie for everyone.

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