HITCH, 2005
Movie Review

"Hitch" starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes, and Kevin James is a romantic comedy about a "Date Doctor" who helps good guys get dates with the girls of their dreams.

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REVIEW:

From the very beginning of this well-written, well acted film, the viewer realizes quickly they are in for a real treat. Set in New York City, Alex "Hitch" Hitchins (Will Smith) plays a smooth, but thoughtful and very annonymous, "Date Dr." who helps genuinely good guys get dates with the girls of their dreams. In the opening scenes, you learn how Hitch helps these guys, through a brilliant voice over from Will Smith, as he shows his clients how to listen to their date, how to say the right things at exactly the right time, and ultimately how to be as smooth as he is, or at least as smooth as he thinks he is. You also learn right away, Hitch is only willing to work with good guys with good intentions and refuses to work with scum.

Shortly into the movie, you are introduced to Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta), a very rich, powerful, sophisticated blonde with a heart of gold. She has recently been dumped by her latest boyfriend, and Albert Brennaman (Kevin James) sees an opportunity to pursue Allegra, the girl of his dreams. Albert works for the financial firm Allegra uses to manage her finances, and he is in love with her. Played wonderfully by Kevin James, Albert seeks the advice of Hitch to land Allegra Cole in his arms. Hitch's initial reaction is he thinks Albert is crazy, but he quickly realizes Albert is a great guy and is serious. Therefore, he agrees to work with him, and the movie takes off from there.

Sara Melas (Eva Mendes) is a gossip columnist for "The Standard" and is always trying to get the latest story. Two of her subjects she is pursuing, is the supposed "Date Doctor", whose identity is unbeknown to anyone besides Hitch's clients, and Allegra Cole, who maybe the most powerful woman in New York City. Early in the movie she meets Hitch in a bar, when he uses a smooth line to get her out of an uncomfortable situation. She is quickly taken by Hitch, and agrees on a date, without having a clue about him being the Date Dr. she is dying to get a story on.

As the movie progresses, the story gets more and more complicated and funny as Sara digs deeper into her gossip columns, and these four people's (Hitch, Albert, Allegra, and Sara) lives get more and more intertwined. The writing is very clever the way the story unfolds, and the comedy is subtle, yet wonderful. For example, the scene where the camera reveals a larger than life statue of a bronze bull is shown, and they cut to Sara chasing down a source, Vance Munson, about the Date Dr. who has hurt her friend. She gets the information she wants, and kicks Vance in a bad spot. As the camera pans out, the angle reveals Vance leaned over in the backside of the bull. It is one of the many great scenes. In addition to the writing, the acting is superb, the dialogue is clever, the voice overs, cut aways, and timing sequences are brilliant. The cast is stellar with an array of stars, including Will Smith, Kevin James, and Eva Mendes. It is a heartwarming story, with many unique twists and turns, and leaves the viewer feeling satisfied and full of hope. In my opinion, it is one of Will Smith's best roles, and a must see for everyone. This film won Best Director and Best Cinematography, and was nominated for five other categories. The screenwriter was nominated, and rightly so. Taken from a short story that first appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1933 by Maurice Walsh, Green Rushes, Frank Nugent was able to weave a story rich in subtext and conflict.

The collector’s edition of the DVD includes an interview with Maureen O’Hara where she reminisces about filming The Quiet Man, and is well worth watching.

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