Tone Deaf

Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is a former 80’s pop icon thanks to his world-conquering Wham-meets-Duran Duran band Pop. But, 20 years on, with his fellow-lead singer now a mega-star and a single copy of Alex’s only solo album gathers dust in a local New York record store, Alex isn’t exactly where he thought he’d be.

Instead of the limos, parties etc., Alex ekes out a living – thanks to his dependable manager Chris (Brad Garrett) – on the nostalgia circuit, wiggling his relatively-pert behind at class reunions, county fairs and the like.

Then hope arrives in the shapely form of Cora Corman (Haley Bennet), a Britney / Christina hybrid looking for a final song for her album. Chris is offered a shot at writing it… as are 11 other composers but that’s not important right now.

Just the one catch though. While Cora’s decided on a title – Way Back To Love – and is a fan of Pop, Alex hasn’t written a song in several years. He needs a muse, a break, a lyricist and his plants cleaned in the very near future or another opportunity goes begging.

Cue Sophie (Barrymore), plant care lady and, wouldn’t-you-know-it, frustrated writer. She turns up at Alex’s flat expecting to polish a few leaves and ends up co-writing the song. And slowly falling for Alex. Like you didn’t see that coming…

Music & Lyrics teams Hugh Grant up again with Two Weeks Notice director Marc Lawrence. And it’s business as usual with another rom com about two unlikely people pairing up. It’s the sort of movie that Grant can sleepwalk through and, indeed, there are times where that seems to be the case.

Yes, it’s warm enough and witty enough to keep the masses happy, the leads – Grant plus Drew Barrymore generally giving it Wedding Singer-levels of charm – are appealing, the support work from Garrett and, particularly, Kristen Johnston as Sophie’s Pop-obsessed sister, is first rate and as the inevitable happy ending lumbers into view, Lawrence presses the buttons well enough to ensure a few extra Kleenex sales.