Hitch

Review by Clint Morris

Though we usually always go for the more attractive, pricier option anyway, the inferior looking product is usually just as good.

Will Smith’s latest movie might have only cost a smidgen of what his prior films Independence Day or Men in Black did, but Hitch tastes just as good, if only lacking a bit of pep when you reach the end of the packet.

Director Andy Tennant’s film is bubbly, bright, bursting with flavour and like chewy, you’ll keep consuming it, even when it does start to lose its taste.

Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Smith) is a ‘Date Doctor’, a self-help guru for the desperate and dateless. Basically, he contracts himself out to single-men and helps them score the lady of their dreams. His latest client is bumbling accountant, Albert (Kevin James, from “The King of Queens”).

Whilst Albert eventually finds love with the woman he’s been chasing, rich socialite Allegra (Amber Valletta), so does Hitch – falling head over sneakers for a journalist played by Eva Mendes. Predictably, she’s recently become aware that there’s a so-called ‘Date Doctor’ in New York City, but isn’t sure who he is – but it can only be a matter of reels before that’s no longer the case.

As unsurprising as a desiccated greyhound near water, Hitch succeeds by merely pressing the buttons. It hits the laugh button, you laugh, it hits the 'aww' button, you go all gooey, it hits the gut-busting button, and you roll around in hysterics in the aisle. In other words, it’s not so much a fresh, imaginative film than it is a studio green-grab.

Having said that, Hitch is still enjoyable. Compared to some of the other lame romantic comedies in recent years – the half-a-dozen Jennifer Lopez did, for example – it’s a notch above the rest.

There are some genuine laughs in here, and some great talent to boot – Mendes is ravishing, James is a riot at the best of times, and Smith is his usual, cocky, charismatic-self. In addition, the New York backdrop adds some splendour to the picture.

3 out of 5

Hitch
Australian release: Thursday 3rd of March, 2005
Cast: Mendes, Kevin James, Michael Rapaport, Ato Essandoh.
Director: Andy Tennant .
Website: Click here.

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