Hitch

Hitch (Will Smith) is a romantic comedy about  a New York “date doctor” or “consultant” who advises guys on how to get to first base, and then maybe second or third, with a girl.

 

Hitch won’t take on just anyone, however. He turns down a financial executive, Vance (Jeffrey Donovan), because he makes it obvious he only wants to use women, not woo them in view of a commitment.

 

Then, across town, there’s a gossip columnist, Sara, (Eve Mendes) who is following the romantic fortunes of a rich girl, Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta) while advising her friend Casey (Julie Ann Emery) to avoid a man who doesn’t take fidelity seriously.

 

One of Allegra’s financial brokers, Albert (Kevin James) falls hard for her and hires Hitch to help him get a date. Sara is following Allegra…

 

Do you see where this is going?

 

Hitch is a predictable romantic comedy, but so what? I went to see it with my younger sister and her husband and my nephew and his wife and we all enjoyed it. My sister said she thought it was good because it avoided clichés. I liked the multicultural aspect of the film. The film is directed by Andy Tennant who also directed Sweet Home Alabama and Fools Rush In – all watch-able romantic comedies (Fools Rush In is fun to analyze: there are signs everywhere…).

 

Hitch has issues because he masks his vulnerability; Sara has issues because she trades in gossip but isn’t very forthcoming herself. Allegra and Albert? Just because a girl’s rich doesn’t make her brave and just because a guy is short and chubby (and a really nerdy dancer) doesn’t make him a bad catch. In the end, well, you’ll have to see it. The reason the film works is because it stays light, it stays human and the characters grow and change for one another.

 

Go forth and enjoy.