So I watched The Rewrite…

There’s something special about Hugh Grant in a romcom. Since the days of Notting Hill, I’ve been a huge fan of his work. He’s a very niche actor. You’re not going to go to him for an action movie or an introspective thriller but the man is a Romcom God. He just knows how to sell the idea of a broken Protagonist who needs some romance to fix him. Add the underrated talent of Marisa Tomei and a few big name cameos and you have a recipe for certain success, which this movie certainly is.

Okay, basic plot: Hugh Grant stars as Keith Michaels, a washed up screenwriter who, after one major hit, has been unable to re-achieve past success. With no options, Michaels reluctantly takes a teaching position at a state university. He plans to blow off his responsibilities as a teacher while working on a script he hopes will propel him back to the limelight but along the way he learns that fame and fortune aren’t everything. Um…it’s pretty much your standard romcom plot.

Yes, this movie follows all the standard steps you’d expect in a romcom. Protagonist starts out a bit of an ass, learns to appreciate the new people/circumstances in their life and then gains redemption. So because of this, this movie is pretty predictable but I think if you’re not going to create an original piece, you have to make it a fun ride and this movie is a pleasure to watch. It’s charming, warm and full of humour. This movie has a great script, the movie kind of feels like Birdman lite. It takes shots at Hollywood and society but it does it in a much lighter tone than Birdman did.

The movie also has an amazing cast with the likes of J.K. Simmons, Chris Elliot and Allison Janney supporting Grant and Tomei. All the actors put in powerful comedic performances but Chris Elliot really took the cake for me. Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei also have great chemistry. To be fair, Grant is such a pro that he could have chemistry with a rock; but paired with the incredibly talented Tomei he and her really shine. Grant’s signature blend of dry English humour and razor-sharp barbs of sarcasm are the lifeblood of this movie. He really does a great job with this movie.

I really need to know why Tomei doesn’t appear in more films? I love her even more than I love Rose Byrne and that’s saying something.

Overall, this movie is a really great film filled with wonderfully written and acted pieces of humour and charm. It isn’t anything you haven’t seen before but Grant and co. make it special. It’s a feel good movie that will have you leaving the theatre with a smile – definitely worth a trip to the cinema 8/10