Hugh Grant is landed with a sort of Simon Cowell-ish role in this very moderate romcom written and directed by Marc Lawrence. He plays a louche Brit pop singer, a washed-up has-been who lives a twilight existence playing the 80s nostalgia circuit, and pondering the humiliation of reality TV. Then a superstar babe capriciously decides to record a new song by him, and he is stuck for a lyricist. This is where quirky, cutesy Drew Barrymore comes in. There is a nice spoof 1980s pop video at the very beginning, and a good turn from Campbell Scott, playing Drew Barrymore's cold-hearted ex-lover. Grant and Barrymore make a reasonable odd couple, and both have charm, but this never comes to life.
(Cert PG)