Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Music and Lyrics’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

I think we can all agree upon the fact that romantic comedies can be quite difficult to settle into and properly enjoy. Because this is a genre of film that is designed from the get-go, to provide its audience with a sweet and sappy story, one that features little conflict outside of how a particular couple is going to get together and it also offers us perfect relationship scenarios so that we can get lost in the wonder and magic of love. But it is those very scenarios that quite frankly make these films tough to enjoy. For some of those moments are simply too good to be true and impossible to achieve and that really can detach an audience as the story rolls on.
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But from time to time, there are romantic comedies that pop up in theaters that are actually quite enjoyable. For these are the ones that figure out a way to inject a genuine sense of realism into the story, the kind that we can actually relate to, and they feature enough laughs and fun moments that when the sweet and sappy stuff comes along, you’re invested in seeing the couple succeed at love and all the gooey stuff that comes with this particular genre. And recently I had the opportunity to revisit a film that manages to pull all of that off in Music and Lyrics.

Now for those unfamiliar with this particular film, in it we are introduced to a washed up 1980s pop-music star named Alex Fletcher and well, Alex is just trying to get by these days. He knows his career is a distant memory, one preserved by a love of nostalgia, but he would love to get back into the game and make music once again and as fate would have it; he is granted that opportunity. Because pop superstar Cora Corman wants him to compose a new hit single for her, and while Alex is grateful for this chance, his past failures and firm belief that he cannot write all that well put him in a tough place. But a chance encounter with a woman named Sophie Fisher is going to change a great many things for Alex. For Sophie is a natural songwriting talent and her beautiful words may give Alex’s career the boost he’s been hoping for and… it may give him something more since he finds himself falling for his newfound muse. 

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So, you’ll note that the plot is pretty by the numbers for a romantic comedy, which leaves one to wonder why on earth I would say this movie offers up any sense of realism and well, the devil is in the details. Because while Sophie and Alex eventually find their path forward together and get their happily ever after, it is a bit of a struggle to get there and that makes the story worthwhile. Because both of these characters are filled with doubt and anxiety in regard to what they are feeling and whether or not they’re actually good for one another and let’s be honest, we all go through that in the early days of a relationship when we meet someone we really like. Because we want to be their everything in those early days it was quite wonderful to see that on display here and see them struggle with their doubts and even clash over them.
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Yet what truly impresses me about this motion picture, is the sheer fact that it flips the script on the most common trope when it comes to romantic comedies. Because let’s be honest, most of these movies involve a career driven woman who has zero time for love, only to discover that the man she just met is everything she’s ever been missing in life and now she has purpose through his love, but this one does a fine job of getting away from that stupid trope. For Alex is lost until Sophie comes into his life, and it is her actions and her insight and wisdom that help him to get back on track and her genuine nature also prompts him to open up like never before and that is just so supremely refreshing to see in this genre and I wish more films in this vein would attempt to flip the script in this fashion.

Yet while those two elements make this movie quite enjoyable for certain, it’s the comedy that is the icing on the cake. Because this movie is genuinely funny, and the 80s pop music homages and concert sequences absolutely leave you in stitches and that’s also thanks to the quality performances from Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant, since they play Sophie and Alex respectively and their comedic timing and overall acting skills are what sell every single moment in this magnificent gem of a motion picture. So, if by chance you haven’t seen this one, please seek it out and do so. Because this one really is something special and you really cannot go wrong with a romantic comedy that does everything it can to tell an original love story that everyone can relate to and enjoy. 

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