Hitch – Classic Film Review 637

Will Smith stars as Hitch, aka Alex Hitchens, a smarty-pants date doctor who teaches men how to win the girl of their dreams. Hitch can help everyone – including timid and tubby accountant Kevin James, who is chasing heiress Amber Valletta – except apparently himself.

Hitch is vainly trying to melt New York City tabloid gossip columnist Sara (Eva Mendes), who’s a real iceberg. Hitch and Sara begin a relationship, but then Sara’s latest scoop turns out to be one of Hitch’s clients.

Though not really at his best in rom-com, Smith shows an easy charm and raises effortless laughs, while sizzling sexpot Mendes is a class act but looks like too tough a nut for Smith to crack.

TV star Kevin James is an irritant with the silly slapstick comedy and even worse with his wooing of Valletta.

This 2005 movie confection, written by Kevin Bisch and directed by Andy Tennant, is patchy, contrived and overlong at 118 minutes. Yet it keeps sparking into laugh-out-loud moments and the feel-good factor is pretty high too. The likeable and appealing Smith and Mendes keep it going quite nicely, and you’re always on their side. It end up an enjoyable movie, but not quite the best of its rom-com kind.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 637 derekwinnert.com