Hitch Review
by Bob Bloom (bob AT bloomink DOT com)February 14th, 2005
HITCH (2005) 3 stars out of 4. Starring Will Smith, Kevin James, Eva Mendes, Amber Valletta, Michael Rapaport, Adam Arkin and Julie Ann Emery. Written by Kevin Bisch.
Directed by Andy Tennant. Rated PG-13. Running time: Approx. 120 mins.
Too timid to ask that gorgeous co-worker out to dinner?
Do you trip over your tongue and stammer whenever you try to talk to that beautiful new neighbor?
If so, Alex Hitchens can help you. His motto, "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."
And Hitchens supplies that broom.
That is the basic premise of Hitch, an enchanting new romantic comedy starring Will Smith as Alex Hitchens, a k a, the "Date Doctor."
Hitch runs a discreet business, and is almost like an urban myth — people have heard whispers about him, but no one knows if he really exists.
The movie takes the audience down two paths. The first, and funniest, deals with Hitch’s efforts to coach Albert (Kevin James), a meek accountant, as he pursues the woman of his dreams, glamorous celebrity Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta).
The second story follows the budding romance between Hitch and razor sharp gossip columnist Sara Melas (Eva Mendes) who, as things usually work in movies, is tracking Allegra and trying to dig up information about Albert and the so-called "date doctor."
Hitch is a film propelled by the charisma of its actors, especially Smith and James.
Smith is so comfortable, so effortless in front of the camera that he immediately establishes a rapport with the viewer.
James, the star of the CBS sitcom, The King of Queens, nearly steals the movie with his very physical performance as the awkward, overweight and dance-challenged Albert.
Mendes starts out as the typical driven, hard-nosed career woman who puts her job ahead of her personal life. She does soften a bit — not too much, though — as her relationship with Hitch blossoms.
Valletta exudes an air of vulnerability as the beautiful heiress swept off her feet by the sincerity of Albert.
The movie is a crowd-pleaser, filled with some sharp exchanges between Hitch and Sara; some broad comedy, courtesy of Albert; and a fairy-tale, Shakespearean-style ending that should please everyone.
The film, written by Kevin Bisch and directed by Andy Tennant, who helmed the wonderfully underrated Ever After, is — at nearly two hours — about 15-20 minutes too long. Some scenes could have been trimmed a bit tighter.
Overall, though, Hitch is most entertaining. If you want to impress that special someone — or the woman you hope will be your special someone — escorting her to this film would be a positive first step.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or at [email protected].
Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal and Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com or at the Internet Movie Database Web site:
www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
