Written and Directed by: Marc Lawrence
Starring: Hugh Grant, Marisa Tomei, Alison Janney, J.K. Simmons
Run Time: 107 minutes
Certificate: 12
Marc Lawrence found a decent home in the early 2000s with the likes of the fun ridiculous MISS CONGENIALITY and the underrated TWO WEEKS NOTICE, which saw Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant at the peak of different sides of their career. In THE REWRITE, Hugh Grant plays singleton Keith Michaels, an Oscar-winning writer in LA with a career going south whose agent find him a job teaching screenwriting at a University on the East Coast of the States. Keith’s first move is picking out the attractive students for his class and he even sleeps with one, because we learn his plan is not working as he wants to head back to Hollywood as soon as possible. But, yes, things get in the way when the school discovers what he’s up to, his students start to inspire him and then he meets Marisa Tomei’s character, mother of two, Holly Carpenter.
Much of the film relates to being inspired by books, celebrating writing and appreciating the finer form of the creative arts. Writing is a huge influence on the world but not everyone makes it, says I writing about a movie within a movie about writing and trying to make it, so THE REWRITE tends to give across the message that it’s worth the ‘try, try again’ if you’re talented enough. On that side of things, the film clasps at a positive message. What’s slightly disappointing though is it takes nearly a third of the movie to really hit home and grab you.
So despite the progressive meaning behind the idea, plus clever lines that feel amusingly ad-lib, I couldn’t tell whether they were trying to recreate and homage the chemical connection from the likes of SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE and WHEN HARRY MET SALLY or if the references were a personal love of Lawrence. Maybe it’s a little of all of those things.
One thing I am sure is that the cast help soften all those scuffed edges where it’s not sure what it wants to be. The film flips between romance and redemption and does a move away from the standard formula as Hugh Grant’s character tries to play his past away but can no longer escape reality. Marisa Tomei’s co-starring role as an unexpected love interest is effective and she’s once again a worthy ensemble cast member. There are also mentions for Alison Janney, who’s superb as ever and J.K. Simmons who adds his usual impeccable touch.
So, slow plot developments aside, it’s a warm-hearted and honest rom-com that regrettably takes far too long to really connect with, but if you’re looking for a Sunday afternoon film with a restorative message of positive change and possibility, then the final third makes it worth your while.
[usr=2] THE REWRITE is out on DVD and Blu-ray on 9th February. Pre-order here.
