H I T C H

Helping ordinary guys succeed in the dating game is professional matchmaker Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens (Will Smith). Devising strategies, and offering advice and much needed encouragement, Hitch gives shy men the confidence needed to approach beautiful women to ask them out on dates. His latest client, Albert (Kevin James), is a shy, clumsy accountant who is in love with a beautiful celebrity. Albert is not the type to stand out in a crowd and Hitch is going to find this case difficult.

Things get a bit more complicated when Hitch falls for a beautiful gossip columnist (Eva Mendes) and he discovers that giving out advice is a lot easier than putting it into practice...

It's unusual to see Will Smith in a light-hearted romantic-comedy. He is usual saving the world in some action blockbuster and this role of Cupid is very different but he looks comfortable and creates a funny likeable character. Hitch may be funny, slick and confident but he also gets it wrong and messes things up. Just like all of us!

In fact, what makes this movie better than most rom-coms is that all the main characters are funny and likeable. Kevin James is great as Albert the clumsy overweight guy who has set his sights on a beautiful woman way out of his league. What's great about Albert is that he's witty and has his own winning ways and charm. He is the type of underdog character that you find yourself cheering for. Allegra (Amber Valletta), a beautiful wealthy celebrity, is the woman that he wants.

Eva Mendes plays a cynical gossip columnist who doesn't trust men and definitely doesn't believe in happy-ever-after. She thinks she has heard all the chat-up lines but smooth talking Hitch makes an impression and manages to get her to go on a date with him.

On the down side there isn't much to the story and it is very predictable. It runs out of steam towards the end but fortunately doesn't get too sentimental and the director, Andy Tennant, doesn't drag things out unnecessarily.

Bottom Line: Predictable, but a winning cast give this movie enough charm to make it better than your average romantic comedy. Entertaining and guaranteed to give you a good laugh. If you enjoy Hitch you might also enjoy How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days,  Maid In Manhattan,  Sweet Home Alabama or  Laws Of Attraction.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  ANDY TENNANT: Sweet Home Alabama.  WILL SMITH: Bad Boys 2,  The Legend of Bagger Vance,  Men In Black II.  EVA MENDES: 2 Fast 2 Furious,  Out Of Time.

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Director: Andy Tennant

Certificate: Hitch is rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie). The film contains mild sexual references and moderate language.

Official Movie Website: HITCH

Will Smith
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~ Main Cast ~

Will Smith

Kevin James

Eva Mendes

Amber Valletta