The Rewrite [Blu-ray]

Okay. This is a typical, but very good, Hugh Grant vehicle. If you like Hugh, you'll like this. It's as good as "About a Boy". However, the ensemble cast is so good. Marisa Tomei imbues everything she does with Life. Chris Elliot and J K Simmons do their usual scene stealing good job. Allison Janney is superb as the Jane Austin obsessed tenured department head, and all the young newcomers are good as well. The script is filled with the quick-witted dialogue you would expect and Hugh does his usual funny British asides during his delivery. Even with all the formula and comedy, however, the actors make it all live and give their characters an emotional basis that make you care about each. The theme is as old as it gets, but I never get tired of someone finding a meaning to their life. Their are moments where you will feel if you have feelings at all. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Oh, and the soundtrack is definitely a cut above. Enjoy. :)

I've never seen a review on this movie and I'm glad that I haven't. Though I try not to be influenced by reviews, sometimes I do allow them to prevent me from watching. What a shame that would have been in this instance. I loved the movie. Yes, it is Hugh Grant in a format that we have seen repeatedly, but it was set in a vehicle that used his talents to tell the very best of stories. I applaud ever performance in that telling. Marisa Tomei is always a delight to watch and I felt this was a bit of a stretch for her that she performed well. It was a subtle role for her and she carried it off beautifully. Over the years, I have under appreciated JK Simmons. In recent years, I have come to enjoy seeing him in just about anything - so simple, laid back and easy to take. Neither Allison Janney nor Chris Elliott have ever been favorites of mine, but the mixture of all of the portrayals from all of these actors were a winning combination for me. I don't know how this movie has gotten past me for this long. I'm constantly on the lookout for these kinds of stories and they don't make enough of them now to keep me happy. I would highly recommend the movie - great story and a well-blended cast to tell it. Five stars for me!

The thing about art (TV, Film, Painting, Books, Etc...) is it 100% subjective... in the eye of the beholder. My wife and I come away from our first viewing of The Rewrite decidedly lukewarm - at best. Hugh Grant is a charming guy with a certain kind of character he normally plays - charming, quirky, unsure, but gets the girl... this time we came away not really liking his character until deep into the film, and even then... eh.Grant's Keith Michaels is a one hit wonder screenwriter with a film everyone seems to love, but a string of dudes after, that lands him in need of work as he has a divorce to pay for, not to mention his own bills. He takes a job in upstate New York as a visiting artist teaching screenwriting. SPOILERS HERE: Before arriving this guy decides to only accept the pretty girls and a couple of nerdy guys. Eh.... He’s a jerk, stacks the class, but ironically with mostly stereotypes and ... well, more stereotypes. Like the nerdy guy who only likes, watches, and writes Star Wars. The overly pretty girl(s) with not much to offer and a sheltered view of life, and the girl who thinks sex is the way to get anywhere in the world. Now stereotypes work for a reason - we recognize people via shorthand to understand what’s going on - but sometimes they work and sometimes they annoy. These supporting class characters are ... okay. A little more charming as time goes on, but still... Interestedly, in a class stacked for looks, the two guys come out as the most interesting and the girls land like a dude. There are some sweet moments, but...Marisa Tomei as Holly Carpenter, comes in a little deep, but without a lot of connection to Grant. While they’re the love interests, they don’t end up with much chemistry. Which in a weird way, makes it more interesting. While we’re supposed to wait for them to fall in love, instead my wife and I liked them for their scenes, but their non-romantic connection. Yes they end up together, but... the stuff between, if you take it as friendship, is interesting.JK Simmons shines as Dr Lerner - department head - but not because his character is at all deep - his depth goes it his annoying love for the women in his life (it’s sweet, but...) it’s simply because pretty much anything Simmons does is interesting. The same with Allison Janney. In fact, we could not understand HOW two such amazing actors ended up in this film, but they gave us some nice moments and were a welcome change from Grant’s jerk. Lastly, Chriss Elliott, who we have never once enjoyed in anything, was the least annoying ever - though somehow still makes every character annoying - and was somewhat decent as the next-door neighbor-colleague.Overall we are lukewarm, but... being as it was cheaper to buy than rent, we bought The Rewrite and will at some point give it another try. I think most (lots and lots) films deserve to be viewed. They are harm work requiring many people to create, and those people work hard to produce something great. For that alone their work deserves viewing. Ironically, the rewrite itself is about second chances for a screenwriter, seeking something more to his life, finding it along the way... so just like Keith Michaels gets his rewrite, so too at some point will we give The Rewrite another chance.

As a writing teacher, he teaches the truths of writing:1. know what your character's goal is2. know the obstacles that get in the way3. know why you're writing your scriptI have no idea what this character's goal is, and as a viewer, I should know that. Otherwise, what am I rooting for? I also don't know how his obstacles have anything to do with his goal, whatever it is. The main obstacle seems to be played by Allison Janney -she can fire him at any time, but since he didn't love the job, that obstacle wasn't strong enough.Someone here made a comment about the girl he slept with and how that part of the story wasn't interesting; I agree, mostly because they don't care about each other. I think the reason she was placed into the film was to provide a setup for him to lose everything in Act 3 (climax) when he has to face Ms Janney's character about it. There's nothing interesting about his relationship with Marisa Tomei's character, either, because there are no strong feelings there (why do I care?) She's put in the film to help provide a transformation for Hugh Grant's character and to give the feeling that the story is going to continue after the movie is over, but it's not strong because the feelings between them are weak; it's also not a genuine transformation because his problem is being attracted to any young and pretty woman that comes along and he's attracted to Marisa.What I like about the film and what I think other people may like but aren't verbalizing (?) is... Hugh Grant. He's funny in a subtle way and he overcomes the problems with the script simply because he's fun to watch.

It's formulaic and predictable but the cast (not just the top names, but they are on form) are all excellent and pull it off with conviction. I sat through the film having fun at every step of the way. Even though predictable, there are lovely gems here and there that give an extra angle to each step of the way. The dialogue is quick and witty, it carries you along and engages and despite all the characters' flaws (and film/formula ones of which there are a few small ones too) charms you in the way we've come to expect from this cast.You'll be glad you saw it, and for the real fans of the genre and the stars, why not have a copy for the library... you might want to watch it again one day when you need a Hugh Grant performance... I thought it probably matched 'Love, Actually', though with more credibility, many fewer strands and no farce.

Hugh Grant is a somewhat troubled figure to start with who doesn't take life too seriously. However as the storyline unfolds, his values change as he realises the effect he is having on his students. A little comedy together with a little pathos leads to a changed man. Wonderful film if a little different and a lovely ending. Well done to the screenwriter.

Very enjoyable film. Maybe a sleeper and be discovered more in the future. My father favourite Grant film with wonderful cast and an intelligent script. Sort of Wonder Boys meets Lucky Jim.

Well it was Hugh Grant playing Hugh Grant - the diffident Englishman. Nothing bad about the film at all and Marisa Tomei was very good. For me though, there could have been more depth to film and more made of both characters so a little shallow in places - hence 3 stars.

Good cheap film