A nicely done, very enjoyable romantic comedy. What I liked is the understatement. Before they meet, Drew Barrymore's character has had some disappointments in life, but is basically content, and Hugh Grant's character is actually fairly happy, too, as he coasts along on the remnants of his past fame. In other words, it wasn't a broad, high concept film along the lines of "two broken people meet and heal each other's hurts". No, it was more like two quirky, likable people making their lives even better my meeting each other.

And, once Hugh and Drew (love the way that sounds) meet and get along famously, there's no phony misunderstanding or contrived disagreement that they eventually need to overcome. There's simply a feeling-out process with an awkward (and funny) moment or two along the way, and a touching conclusion as Hugh and Drew realize (as the audience has seen from the start) that their characters are quite a bit more than quirky friends who get along very well personally and professionally. I guess I liked the fact that the talent behind the film trusted the audience not to need broad histrionics to get immersed in a film.

Other plusses: the gentle fun poked at 80's pop culture (though I thought Hugh's "80's" pop hit, "Pop Goes My Heart" was actually kind of catchy), nicely developed supporting characters (Drew's sister and Hugh's manager are a lot of fun), and a handful of entertaining extras on the DVD, the medium that introduced me to this delightful film.

In short, check out "Music and Lyrics". It's one of the good ones, and definitely worth your time.

There is zero chemistry between the aging Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, so the romance here is ice-cold. Grant does have a few comic moments as a washed up 80s pop singer, thanks to the script. But Barrymore is given nothing funny to say whatsoever. The twirpy pop star who wants them to write a song for her is the best thing in the movie. If you need to turn your mind off completely, this is a good candidate to watch.

The key to this movie is quite simple, really. You take two incredibly talented dramatic and comedy actors, a fantastic script, great music, a wonderful cast of supporting actors and a non-stop emotional roller coaster and you make a movie.

Why rate this romantic comedy 5 stars? Because I can't rate it 10! It does what a movie is supposed to do, it MOVES you. You laugh, you sigh, smile, cross- your-fingers - there isn't one person who hasn't gone through some if not all of the emotions this movie elicits. These talented people make characters which touch your heart. That's what movies are supposed to do. Fabulous!

Music and Lyrics is one of the good one's. It does an especially great job of bringing you back to the 80's. "Pop! Goes My Heart" should have been a top 40 song back then. Hugh and Drew are the best.

Hugh Grant is the floundering has been of the 1980s musical scene, now relegated to playing high school reunions and amusement parks. His talent as a lyricist has vanished.

Drew Barrymore is surprisingly good at the ditz substituting for the regular plant waterer. (Yes, plant waterer.)

Grant is offered the opportunity to write a new song for a pop tart rock queen, Cora Corman played by the drop-dead gorgeous and talented Haley Bennett.

You can guess the rest. Grant needs to come up with lyrics in a few days . . . and Barrymore is a natural. Boy meets girl and all that.

It all works out in the end, of course.

This is just a sweet, utterly predictable romance made remarkable by the excellent performances by Grant and Barrymore and the extraordinary presence of Bennett. Just a lot of fun.

Jerry