Keith Michaels is an Oscar-winning screenwriter, but when he hits a slump and struggles to get a job he finds himself moving from LA to the East Coast to teach at a College.
Now you may wonder why I decided to watch a Hugh Grant film that had the potential to be another Music & Lyrics (awful just incase you missed that one) but when I saw it also had in Marisa Tomei and the brilliant J.K. Simmons I decided to give it ago. Also thought the storyline sounded pretty ok as well.
I was left surprised by how much I enjoyed the film, which was a lot more than I expected. We haven’t seen this kind of Hugh Grant performance for quite a long time and it reminded me why he had been so good in some romantic comedies back in well the 90s I guess. He’s aging well and not looking too bad in this film I must admit.
It has plenty of amusing moments in different ways, and of course Keith Michaels doesn’t get off the best starts when he sleeps with one of his students right away, although shall we give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t know at the time? Well possibly? But that is a very important part of the story really, as showed his attitude on arriving for the job. Half hearted and not bothered at all.
We get the usual students inspiring the teacher and vice versa but that is still something that I enjoy to watch unfold. Showing that however set in their ways that people have the power to change someone else. Not just the person though but beliefs as well, mainly about talent in this one. I have quite an interest in screenwriting so I think that is why I enjoyed this film probably more than most people who have seen it.
Simmons as Dr. Lerner really brought some hilarious moments when he pretty much cried every single time he talked about his daughters and home life. Pretty outnumbered by all of the women in his life, it was a random thing but something you get used to and expect to see in the end. I probably would have thought it was pointless if it was not for Simmons who really can do no wrong in my eyes at the moment it has to be said.
I must also mention that I watched this film on a Sunday evening, perfect to just chill out before another week at work I reckon. So maybe this one should be given more of a chance than you may first think, I expected the worst and was left pleasantly surprised.
