Hitch Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)February 23rd, 2005
Get "Hitch"ed
by Homer Yen
(c) 2005
It's amazing to think that opportunities abound around us but that most of us do nothing to go and grab it. That's not to say that you may actually hit your target. But it's worse to think that you have the weapon locked and loaded but become too stricken with fear to fire it.
Nothing is truer than the opportunities that pass us by every day when single people are trying to connect with other single people.
Imagine if we had the gusto and the creative methods to find ways to make an impression.
There are clever approaches such as pretending to save a cute girl's dog from instant death by a guy that wants to get to know her. There are subtle approaches such as when a man goes the extra mile to show her just how well he knows her. And then there are the dramatic approaches such as when a man shouts it out loud for all to hear. All of these methods have been mastered by Hitch (Will Smith), a date doctor of sorts, who can reach deep into his bag of tricks to ensure that every encounter will turn out favorably.
Hitch's newest client, Albert (Kevin James), is going to be a tough project. He's a timid, pudgy accountant. He's disarmingly likeable, but he doesn't have the magnetism. The only mark that he leaves is the mustard stain that invariably winds up on his shirts. His eyes are set on the rich, powerful, and alluring Allegra (Amber Valletta). And while Albert's first attempts seem to catch her attention, how can Hitch continually mastermind this delicate operation when it becomes increasingly clear that Albert requires way more polish?
The premise is an interesting one, and it's almost like watching Dating for Dummies with the smooth Hitch pulling all the strings. But the greatest message and the most illuminating that the film forwards is that while men may look for perfection in women, women on the other hand appreciate and even love our foibles. Yes, despite Albert's chubbiness, he's actually kind of cuddly in Allegra's eyes.
Meanwhile, his own romantic life is missing true companionship. He eventually falls for a gossip columnist named Sara (Eva Mendes). But his line of work, which involves secrecy, and her need to uncover dirty little details create a collision course in which misunderstandings and misgivings yield momentary gasps from the audience. But this is a romantic date movie, and all will find a way to resolve itself amiably.
The cast possesses a sort of unexplainable chemistry that gives it more mileage than it should otherwise get. Will Smith brings and air of charm and insouciance to his role. Kevin James is outright funny in his overachieving ways and his efforts merit a look at his television show, King of Queens. And Eva Mendes seems like the self-assured yet unattainable woman that every guy hopes for. They find their mojo and it provides us with 120 minutes of laid-back, fun-loving goofiness.
Grade: B
S: 1 out of 3
L: 1 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3
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