(Credit: www.sphepublicity.com)
Director:
Andy Tennant
Cast:
Will Smith……….Alex “Hitch” Hitchens
Eva Mendes……….Sara Meles
Kevin James……….Albert Brennaman
Amber Valletta……….Allegra Cole
Julie Ann Emery……….Casey
Michael Rapaport……….Ben
Adam Arkin……….Max
Columbia presents an Overbrook Entertainment production. Written by Kevin Bisch. Running time: 118 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for language and some strong sexual references).
The movie:
Simply put, romantic comedies are a dime a dozen. Hollywood keeps churning them out, though, because single women and desperate housewives love to escape their boring lives for a couple of hours. The chances that both men and women will love the same romantic comedy is another matter altogether.
But Hitch does the impossible: it is a romantic comedy that both sexes can enjoy. From the opening scene it presents a cool vibe that flows for the entire feature. In the open the protagonist goes through a laundry list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to guys wooing the opposite sex. He speaks directly to the audience because in a home or an apartment somewhere some guy or gal is watching the film and nodding in agreement.
The basic principles: no matter what, no matter when, no matter who, any man has the chance to sweep any woman off her feet. He just needs the right broom.
So says the Date Doctor. The way you present yourself with your body language, posture and tone can have a dramatic impact on your life. A woman just loves the nonverbal nuances she receives from a guy. So avoid cheap pickup lines whenever possible. It must work because how else could we have TV land couples like James Belushi and Courtney Thorne-Smith, Kevin James and Leah Remini?
Will Smith stars as Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a professional dating consultant for hapless and hopeless men in New York City. If a Mr. Lonely Heart needs help, Hitch is the man to see. The advice he dispenses shows that he understands women. With his clients Hitch instills in them how to get the attention of a woman, how to present themselves assertively and what to achieve on the very first date.
Hitch’s romance success record is unmistakable; the wedding invitations he receives is a clear indication. It proves that his courting strategies work. Also, pear-shaped hopeless romantics heed his advice because Hitch looks suave and dresses to impress. Definitely a man who spends his free time flipping through the pages of In Style and Cosmo.
Hitch doesn’t advertise his line of work so when a new client comes along it is through the word-of-mouth of past success stories. Not wanting to be a lonely guy anymore, Albert Brennaman (Kevin James) looks to Hitch for guidance. The day the two meet, Hitch shows up with a dossier on Albert containing a photograph and other pertinent information. Hmmm, the man had done his homework.
The love of Albert’s life is assumed to be unattainable. No way Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta), a rich and beautiful woman would ever love a shy, pudgy account. Or could she? Albert makes an impact when he causes an uproar at a board meeting with Allegra in attendance. Unlike the other “yes men” in the room, Albert is outraged that we (the accounting firm) know what is in Allegra’s best interest. He is so peeved that he quits in dramatic fashion, storming out of the room.
His actions did not go unnoticed. Allegra was touched that a guy would care so much about what she wanted and a connection is made. Even with Hitch’s guidance Albert is able to show Allegra just who he is. He’s a clumsy man, constantly spilling nachos and Cokes on his shirt, who can’t dance. Yet Allegra finds him utterly adorable. That’s the thing about love. Men and women like each other’s company but it is their imperfections that they fall in love with.
While Albert’s romantic life is on the upswing, Hitch’s is falling apart. This Date Doctor has met his match. He has fallen in love with a fine, sultry honey who is also smart and a cynic when it men. Sara (Eva Mendes) is her name. She writes a gossip column for some uppity New York tabloid. It’s weird, all the advice that Hitch gives to his clients fails to help him with Sara. Like she’s kryptonite, causing him to screw up at inopportune times. Her cynicism may have something to do with that. She is able to play the game of love like a chess match, foreseeing Hitch’s next move.
When it comes to comedies Will Smith does what he does best: he takes a step back and let’s others share the stage. He did this for Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black and it worked to great affect. Kevin James plays one of the most affable schlumps in cinema history. And in some ways his performance upstages even that of Smith’s. Both are likeable but most men can relate to James’ Albert character. It probably has to do with Will Smith’s star power. Sure, another actor could have easily played the Hitch character. But Smith’s clout brings the movie instant credibility. There’s no way you would buy Paul Giamatti or Steve Buscemi as the Date Doctor.
Even with the performances the last act of the film is a bit of a letdown. Hitch explaining his love for Sara plays out like a convenient cliché directors and writers use to finish a film. Love is never this black-and-white. So why have the protagonist and his true love pick up where they left off, as if nothing happened?
Despite this complaint, Hitch is surely a movie chicks and guys will enjoy. So even if the third act goes to autopilot the performances will steer you through the bad times.
Score: 7/10
THE DVD:
VIDEO: How does it look?
This Sony Pictures Home Entertainment release has a pleasant-looking video transfer. You have to watch your screen closely to notice any disparity in the video. There are times where the images are hazy, but it is not a big hindrance. No digital spots. In actuality, the transfer for this release is so much better than when I saw it on the big screen. No wonder box office receipts are decreasing. The film’s theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1 is presented in anamorphic widescreen.
Score: 8/10
AUDIO: How does it sound?
The English 5.1 audio soundtrack does this DVD release justice. Hearing “She Drives Me Crazy” by the Fine Young Cannibals just transports me back to a day when MTV was good and big hair bands were all the rage. There are some rough spots – like Nat sound – though. But they aren’t too noticeable that they will change your view experience. In addition to the 5.1 mix, the DVD has a French 5.1 soundtrack.
Score: 8/10
SPECIAL FEATURES: Gags, deletions, and featurettes!!!
Four months after its theatrical release, the DVD release for Hitch has enough extra material to keep you occupied for, um, about an hour.
The first feature is a gag reel with Will Smith and Co. There were at least two times I found myself cracking up, which is a good sign. Gag reels are so hit-or-miss these days you wonder why some films have them. You are sure to enjoy the flub Kevin James makes while in the limo ride with Amber Valletta. Then there is Will Smith flexing his tongue. Yikes, that guy must have the widest tongue on record.
Up next are three deleted scenes: Hitch sees Cressida; I could use a bathroom; and the film opening with George Fenton score. You can watch each scene individually or all together. Following a long-winded introduction by director Andy Tennant the Hitch/Cressida scene plays. Not a bad scene, but it doesn’t fit in the whole scope of the film. A very serendipitous moment. “I could use a bathroom” is just a longer version of Hitch and Sara’s first date at Ellis Island. The alternate opening is intriguing. George Fenton’s jazzy and cool score would have worked if the viewers weren’t already accustomed to the finished version. The golden oldies just work better. A rumor circulated on the Internet that when Hitch arrives on DVD the music would be changed. Hit, chart-topping songs would be replaced by a complete musical score Fenton. Interesting concept. Too bad the DVD producers couldn’t have included an alternate soundtrack.
The bulk of the supplemental material can be found in five featurettes. In Dance Steps Made Easy (8:15), Kevin James shows off dance moves that didn’t make the film. Forget “The Robot,” try some of these maneuvers the next time you go clubbing: The Lighthouse; Sloow Thriller; and Crazy-Nauseous White-Guy. Love in New York (6:48) has cast and crew talking about some of the 47 New York locations used in the film. The feature includes popups that give you some “did you know”-type facts. Like, did you know that in 2004 there were 170 weddings in Central Park? Neither did I.
Learn how to dress like Hitch, Albert, Allegra and Sara by watching Hitch Style (6:30). This feature shows off the clothing styles of these actors and actresses. Hitch represents a European look. He is strong and masculine; cool but stylish. Heavy on Gucci, Prada and power suits.
The Dating Experts is the best extra feature of the bunch. Dr. Georgia Witkin, a professor of Psychology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, worked as an on-set consultant. She made sure the men were acting as men and the women as women. For 11 minutes, Witkin and dating consultants give credibility to the advice Alex Hitchens gives to his clients.
The last featurette, Will Smith’s Red Carpet Race (3:50), has Smith attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for most public appearances by a film star in 12 hours. See him in England as he travels to Manchester, Birmingham and London.
Completing the supplements is Amerie’s “1 Thing” music video and previews for these Columbia Pictures theatrical and home video releases: Bewitched, Zathura, Stealth, Man of the House, Guess Who, XXX: State of the Union, Boogeyman, D.E.B.S., Rescue Me, Seinfeld, Creature Comforts: The Complete Series, Are We There Yet? and Stripes.
The extras are a mixed bag, overall. The gag reel is fun and some of the featurettes are worth watching. But you don’t get Hitch on DVD to see how they set up the camera for one shot or learn the underpinning for each character. It is a carefree movie and the DVD features illustrate its lightheartedness.
Score: 6/10
