"Hitch"

Reviewed by Chris Cappola
Starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James and Amber Valetta. Directed by Andy Tennant. (2005, Columbia Pictures)

'Hitch' is a fairly brainless idea that is executed so strongly, played so convincingly and hits all the right buttons that it's easy to dismiss its idea as just another scriptwriter running out of ideas to get two people to fall in love. 'Hitch' is romantic comedy at its finest. It knows its genre, knows its audience and is everything that it needs to be - funny, sweet, romantic and most of all sincere. They may seem like easy principles but just like a good recipe, if one of these doesn't work, it ruins the feel of the film. The romantic comedy is the hardest genre to really perfect because you have to get it all right - there's no cutting corners. Fortunately, 'Hitch' doesn't try anything other than to please.

'Hitch' has a fairly stupid premise, one of those ideas where the believability factor is questioned - "do people really act like this in real life?". Will Smith plays Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens, a smooth-talking New York date doctor who can work magic on anyone. He helps men overcome their nerves to find the perfect woman. One of his latest clients is Albert (Kevin James), an accountant who has had his fair share of bad luck with the ladies. Albert likes his new client Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta), a wealthy socialite. Can Hitch bring these two opposites together? Meanwhile, Hitch also meets Sara (Eva Mendes), a gossip columnist who is investigating Allegra's new boyfriend whilst falling for our very own date doctor. Do people in New York actually have proper jobs? How great our two leads have such cool jobs like date doctor and gossip columnist! Yes, the believability factor isn't its strongest asset but luckily, it doesn't rely on it. As absurd as the premise sounds, the film executes the idea into hilarious scenes, funny moments and a cast who genuinely are having fun and have sincere chemistry. The combination of Albert and Allegra initially looks far-fetched and unrealistic, but thanks to the sharp writing and charisma of the two leads, they make it work.

Director Andy Tennant knows the romantic comedy well and has an ability to turn something better than it should have turned out as evident in films like 'It Takes Two', 'Fools Rush In', 'Ever After' and 'Sweet Home Alabama', fairly ordinary films that worked because of Tennant's ability to cast charismatic actors and a sweetness that's necessary to the story. 'Hitch' is charismatic and charming, witty, funny and romantic… it fits the criteria of the genre. There's no edginess to the material, no flashy scenes and no attempt to go against the norm. If there's any quibbles, it's the length, which is at least 20 minutes too long in coming to a conclusion that's obvious to anyone who has seen a romantic comedy.

The romantic comedy relies on the following principals for it to work. Most importantly, the chemistry must be right between the two leads. Will Smith and Eva Mendes are good together, they bounce off each other well and their romantic endeavours feel genuine. I'm not the biggest Will Smith fan but this is a good role for the actor. He is usually too cocky, but here is right for the role. He is more restraint than usual and it suits him better. Eva Mendes is getting better as an actress. She may be a JLo-lite and struggles in roles that are not suited to her. This is a good fit for the actress. As good as Smith and Mendes are together, this film belongs to Kevin James, who steals every scene in a hilariously funny role. James, star of the TV series 'The King of Queens' is a gifted comedian and he translates to the big screen very well. By far the best aspect of 'Hitch' is James' charming and funny performance. Even model-turned-actor Amber Valetta comes off well in a role that could have been one-dimensional. Again, Valetta and James are an odd-looking couple but have great chemistry together.

'Hitch' is very similar to 2003's 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days', which had an absurd idea but made it work by production, scripting and casting. 'Hitch' is the same. It does everything right. Will Smith has never been more charming, Eva Mendes is a great foe to Smith and Kevin James is simply sensational. This is what a crowd-pleaser should be all about.
out of 10
- Chris Cappola's Reviews

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