The doctor is in.
With the arrival of St. Valentine’s Day, movie studios rush to capitalize on the exaggerated romantic emotion the Hallmark-holiday produces. Myraids of romance-starved girls coerce unsuspecting boyfriends into the theater with promises of “Boogeyman” and “Alone in the Dark” only to find their dreams shattered as the box-office worker hands over tickets to “The Wedding Date.” Boyfriends, fear no more. Sony Pictures “Hitch” offers comedy for everyone and unconditionally sappy love for women.
The movies’ appeal lies within the characters. Will Smith plays Alex Hitchens, a “date doctor” who helps men with lackluster love lives get the woman of their dreams. Hitch is a referrel-only love specialist, but this Casanova finds himself over his head when he meets the pessimistic gossip columnist Sara Melas, played by Eva Mendes. Smith’s character can provide unshakable advice to his clients, but he just cannot get it right with Sara. A hilarious sequence of mishaps occur that compose two of the worst dates in recorded history. But Mendes’ character stays interested, and the interaction between the two is movie gold.
In the midst of this blossoming relationship, Mendes’s character begins chasing the fabled “date doctor” to out him in the press. Eventually she figures out the man she’s in love with is the source of her story, and a predictable outcome ensues.
The movie revolves the interactions and relationships between sexes, and serves up a message of self acceptance and honesty. The super-sweet lesson is pertinent for singles spending the romance holiday eating junk food on the couch and watching “The Notebook” on DVD.
Although the plot is stereotypical for its genre and is a regurgitation of “Pretty Woman” and “What Women Want,” the character development is surprisingly deep. “Hitch” is reminiscent of his character Will Smith in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and it is apparent why Smith chose this role.
Smith humanizes the character and makes a genuine connection with the audience. Mendes’s character is however slightly underdeveloped, but Smith makes up for with his screen presence.
The only drawback to “Hitch” is the last 15 minutes. The film flows incredibly well up until this point, then the writing takes a dive and becomes thin, resulting in pure cheesiness. The interaction between Smith and Mendes becomes awkward, leaving the audience feeling lost in the plot.
But Smith is not the only source of sheer and delightful entertainment. Kevin James, “King of Queens” star, plays Albert as a bumbling certified public accountant in love with a beautiful celebrity. Hitch attempts to make him suave enough for the mega-rich superstar, and the process is nothing short of hysterical. Although the ending is somewhat of a disappointment, all is redeemed in the final scene of the movie.
Overall, “Hitch” provides countless laughs and entertainment both sexes can enjoy. Boyfriends, breathe a sigh of relief.
