Hitch

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Kevin Bisch, screenwriter, and past resident of New York City describes the Big Apple dating scene as a contact sport. From his experience came the idea for Hitch, the newest fluff comedy from Hollywood. Now, I could slight this film by not even writing about it, or I could do a hatchet job and describe this latest marshmallow as meaningless drool in the pack of: Hotel Rwanda, Aviator, Million Dollar Baby and others. But, if you have been reading this column for long you know that I have a soft spot for good movies that just fill an afternoon or evening with laughs and good fun. Hitch is the ticket for this.

Hitch (Will Smith) plays the smooth “date doctor” who helps the nerds, geeks and well meaning nice-guys into relationships with the women of their dreams; women they feel way too insecure to approach. He is a love consultant and his success is based on turning wall-flowers into roses, a booming business that succeeds for everyone except himself. While he preaches true love, a past hurt keeps him from finding love for himself, leaving marriage and lasting relationships for his clients, not for him. His newest project Albert (Kevin James) is a bumbling accountant who is in love with one of his clients, the wealthy and beautiful heiress Allegra (Amber Valletta). Albert needs the help of the date doctor, Hitch, and in an absolutely hysterical scene Hitch directs him into Allegra’s view in a manner that leaves little doubt but that he will be noticed.

In the remainder of the plot Hitch finally meets the woman who will change the past for him. This is Sara (Eve Mendes), gossip columnist for a New York Post-ish tabloid. She’s a sour, dull, no-fun workaholic but for a “movie reason” Hitch finds her fascinating and begins a campaign of wooing her. Here he pulls out all the stops. The ensuing date scenes aren’t particularly interesting or warm, and except for two very funny moments that involve a past relative of Sara’s and a shell-fish allergy, they would be downright dull.

Predictably there has to be the near-end split that involves both Hitch and Sara as well as his latest client Albert and Allegra. A more deft film director would have finalized this event and left the audience with a sense of “Hey, pretty clever film.” but this film overstays it’s welcome and drags on for another thirty-minutes.

One reason to entertain being entertained by Hitch, is the chemistry between Smith and James. They are the new team to watch and funnier than many in the past. Secondly, writer Bisch maintains "The turning point for me (as a writer) was when I stopped looking at what's so unique about my experience and I started looking at what's universal." Most men will be able to relate to this; remembering those times we crossed a dance floor only to be turned away. Most women may get a glimpse at just how daunting it was for us to ask for that dance. That’s universal.