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Music and Lyrics Review

Movies.com Critics

2.0

Dave White Profile

… total lack of romantic chemistry. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    59

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    Remember "The Flight of the Phoenix," the movie about the misshapen plane, built from scavenged parts, that flies its builders to safety? Music and Lyrics is like that plane, up to a point. The plot is misshapen, the pieces are scavenged and nothing quite fits. The film does manage to take off, albeit barely, then flits around cheerfully in search of coherence, but finally crashes and fizzles.

  • 60

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    While there is not much chemistry between Mr. Grant and Ms. Barrymore, they are professional enough to work with the movie's conceit while sending flickers of idiosyncratic charm off the screen.

    Read Full Review

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Grant is game for a new level of meta-ha-ha, joke's-on-me in Music and Lyrics. But with Drew Barrymore as his costar, this bland, light romantic comedy insists on keeping the commentary as disposable as one of the '80s gumball tunes Grant used to swivel to as Alex Fletcher, a washed-up '80s pop star.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    Grant carries the day as the fortysomething lad still living off his youth and just about getting away with it.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

    An agreeably loopy romantic comedy that bounces along effortlessly on the genuine chemistry of leads Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    This appealing romantic comedy undertakes the conventions of the formula without an inordinate amount of clichs. Music also infuses the overall plot with a satire of the music industry, and the pop tunes and lyrics are catchy.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    Music and Lyrics is frequently appealing, often witty, and occasionally funny, but it's not going to convert skeptics and cynics into sentimentalists.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

    Grant and Barrymore are very enjoyable together onscreen. Who would've guessed that Barrymore would turn into such a deft comedian?

    Read Full Review

  • See all Music and Lyrics reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 13+

Sweet, predictable date movie. Teens OK.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that teen girls will be interested in seeing this cute Drew Barrymore vehicle. The good news is that you can probably let them: Overall, it offers very little to be concerned about. Alex and Sophie sleep together, but nothing salacious is shown on screen (they kiss a few times, but nothing graphic), and Alex gets into a fight with Sophie's ex. The language is mild, and there's not much drinking. The movie revolves around the question of whether it's better to do what others want or to stand up for what you believe in, which is a good one for teens to think about.

  • Families can talk about how people respond when they face obstacles to achieving their dreams. How can you get support and be true to yourself while still respecting your limits? Do you think Sophie and Alex handle their obstacles well? Families can also talk about the sexual images portrayed by a lot of young girls' favorite singers (as exemplified by Cora in the movie). Is Cora sexy? Is sexiness something that teen girls should be worried about? What messages do singers like Cora send to their fans?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Cora's music and image are described as "Buddhism in a thong," representing so many hyper-sexualized pop princesses; Sophie can't stand up for herself against Sloan, and Alex gives up to easily, but the overall message is to be true to yourself.

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Alex, defending Sophie, gets into a shoving match with Sloan, who twists his arm backward and threatens to break it. He leaves with a bruised cheek.

  • sex false0

    Sex: Cora dances sexily in clothes that expose part of her butt and mimics sex sounds at the beginning of a song. She also appears on stage in a tiny bathing suit. Alex and Sophie have sex (off-screen -- they only kiss on screen). Sophie walks around in a sheet.

  • language false0

    Language: Very little objectionable language -- just "bitch."

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Some products are mentioned/advertised, including the CW network, Google, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, Diet Coke, VH1, and Apple computers are used.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Alex talks about having done drugs, and Sophie and Alex drink wine and then champagne in different situations -- but they don't drink to excess.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.785
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

by StacyWirth

3

by gennifer186

4

by katiehubbard

3

by geoelevation25

Read all Music and Lyrics reviews at Fandango
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