HITCH (2005)

Directed By: Andy Tennent 
Written By: Kevin Bisch 
Cinematography By: Andrew Dunn 
Editor: Troy Takaki & Tracy Wadmore-Smith 

Cast: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Jeffrey Donovan, Adam Arkin, Michael Rapaport , Paula Patton, Kevin Sussman, Matt Malloy, Robinne Lee, Maria Thayer, Joe LoTruglio, Rain Phoenix, Beau Sia

The original title of the script was "The Last First Kiss".

Alex Hitchens is "The Date Doctor." He helps men to land dates. Sara is a gossip columnist for a New York City tabloid. Both are very guarded around the opposite sex. Despite their natures, Alex and Sara begin a relationship. Complications ensue when Sara's latest scoop happens to be one of Alex's clients.

This film is just like candy, It’s sweet, very colorful and goes down easy. It’s not necessarily good for you. If you eat/Watch too many movies like this you’ll get sick to your stomach as it is not a healthy diet.

I actually enjoyed this film there is nothing here you haven’t seen before, but the film is very entertaining, slick and moves fast.

Your enjoyment of this film rests on your opinion of Will Smith if you are a fan or like him, You’ll love this film. If you hate him and I know there are quite a few people who dislike him. You probably won’t care for the film. I am not a fan, but he doesn’t really bother me. Sometimes his films are good some are bad. I actually don’t mind him here. He is more in his element, comedy. But he is a star and that is how he acts. Yes he has a ego. But he is charming and has a lot of charisma. Sure each role he takes, he brings a lot of baggage in the form of star treatment, but keep in mind a lot of stars do, He is just seems to be the one who is most talked about. I give him credit because at least he tries to do different types of movies and characters. Right now his career is like Tom Cruise before the fall in other words red hot though as of recently he may find himself on the same path. I admire Will Smith he is one of the few black star actors and he is making entertaining projects, Nit the most creative ones. He is just good at his job. He makes Blockbusters pure popcorn movie. You know what your going to get when you see one of his films. So stop complaining. He’s not doing Shakespeare or remaking classics.

Eva Mendes is beautiful, Lucious. Goregeous unfortunately this role is hardly challenging for her, Plus she really has nothing to do except react to all the crazy and funny things that happen and not get a chance to do any comedy herself. Unfortunately that seems to be the same rule to all of her roles. She is usually the girlfriend or the seductress. It seems to all be about surface. She has not had a role that delves deep for her or gives her a realistic three dimensional character to play and it’s a shame as you can see at times there are periods of depth in her performances. It’s not entirely her fault, but that is the case with this film.

According to Will Smith, the female lead was supposed to be Caucasian, but the producers didn't want to make the lead couple interracial as it was considered a taboo. They also didn't want the female lead to be black as they feared it would alienate white audiences, so they decided to go with a Hispanic female lead instead.

Cameron Diaz was considered for the role of Sara Melas.

Jennifer Lopez turned down the role of Sara Melas. Which is a shame as this would have been right up her alley and been a definite blockbuster helping both careers and making them both seem more down to earth then their usual on-screen personas allow them to be.

The Director Andy Tennent offered Aishwarya Rai a part in this film, but she turned down the offer because she was working on BRIDE & PREJUDICE at the time.

Kevin James Steals the show and is drop down hilarious in every scene. He gives a star making comedic performance. He made up all of the dance moves for the scene where Albert is dancing in Hitch's apartment. Will Smith suggested Him for the role of Albert, being a fan of James' hit series THE KING OF QUEENS.

This is a pretty typical Romantic comedy that impresses with it’s energy and cast that have a lot of chemistry and the inventive ways they try to make the film a little different from your typical romantic comedy. Here more from a male point of view. Though the film always seems to have a certain smoothness and slickness working for it.

A satisfying Rental

GRADE: C+