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MUSIC AND LYRICS 2 Stars - Shallow The melding of artistic partnership with romantic love is the
theme
of
Marc
Lawrence’s
“Music
and
Lyrics.” As a romantic comedy it works, but as a film
with
significant
insights
there
are
few
if
any. The duo around which this romance spins is a middle-aged singer
whose
glory
days
are
approaching
their
second
decade. As a lead musician in a past hit group named
“Pop”,
Alex
Fletcher
(Hugh
Grant)
was
dumped
when
the
lyricist
of
the
group
successfully
went
solo.
Attempting
to
follow
with
his
own
solo
album,
Alex
failed
and
has
found
himself
with
a
far
less
glorious
and
ever
diminishing
career
as
a
nostalgic
singer
at
state
fairs
and
amusement
parks.
When
his
agent,
Chris
Riley
(Brad
Garrett),
invites
Alex
to
write
a
theme
song
for
the
currently
most
popular
female
vocalist’s
new
tour,
Alex
still
finds
himself
unable
to
find
a
lyricist.
This
is
where
Sophie
Fisher
(Drew
Barrymore)
enters
the
picture. Sophie is an insecure writer whose confidence was damaged by
an
egotistical
professor.
When
she
comes
to
Alex’s
apartment
to
care
for
his
plants,
Sophie
demonstrates
an
obvious
gift
with
words.
Reluctant
at
first
to
try
her
hand
at
song
lyrics,
she
is
predictably
wooed
by
Alex
and
their
partnership
and
romance
begin. The plot is predictable as everyone knows they are going to
fall
in
love
and
make
beautiful
music
together.
But
what
makes
this
film
even
less
interesting
is
the
predictability
of
Hugh
Grant
and
Drew
Barrymore.
The
self-deprecating
humor
of
Grant
and
the
charming
girl-next-door
persona
of
Barrymore
expose
the
film
as
one
that
seems
to
be
written
for
them. There is no real chemistry, drama or even much
humor.
It
is
a
throw-away,
feel
good,
shallow
romantic
comedy. The only reference to spirituality is the use of the symbols
of
Buddhism
by
the
pop
star
Cora
Corman
(Haley
Bennett). A shallow, immature young woman whose self-importance
is
only
matched
by
her
sensuality,
Cora
has
chosen
a
large
Buddha
as
the
centerpiece
of
her
stage
production. Emerging from its revolving presence, Cora is
dressed
in
the
revealing
black
leather
of
a
sadomasochistic
outfit. She is met by dancers in the hooded garb of
Buddhist
monks
who
join
in
a
sensual
dance.
There
is
nothing
in
this
use
of
these
religious
symbols
that
anywhere
matches
the
teachings
of
Buddhism
and
they
could
be
seen
as
disrespectful. It is similar to the wearing of a Christian
cross
necklace
by
many
performers
who
are
disrespecting
the
teachings
of
the
Christ
who
died
on
that
cross
by
their
behaviors. Perhaps these symbols have lost their meaning
and
have
simply
become
a
part
of
culture,
props
for
a
movie
or
concert. If that is true, then it is a loss that should
be
lamented. Discussion:
1.
When Sophie and Alex become intimate within
days
of
meeting,
their
awkwardness
with
one
another
the
next
day
is
obvious.
Do
you
believe
this
is
an
accurate
portrayal
of
such
a
situation?
Why
or
why
not?
2.
The
sense
that
Alex
has
to
become
something
other
than
he
is
in
order
to
sell
albums
and
make
a
living
almost
destroys
him.
Do
you
believe
that
musicians
and
artists
lose
themselves
in
the
commercial
demands
of
their
craft,
or
do
you
believe
most
stay
true
to
their
gifts?
3.
The
power
of
Cora
to
command
an
audience
has
created
an
inflated
sense
of
importance
within
her.
How
do
you
believe
young
artists
can
protect
themselves
from
such
a
destructive
force?
4.
Does
the
entertainment
value
of
shallow
romantic
comedies
such
as
this
one
outweigh
their
lack
of
spiritual
values
for
you? ________________ Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual
movie
commentary.
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