The Rewrite (2015)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Sick Product of a Sick System

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Yes, I liked it. More than I thought I would; much more. I am not the hugest fan of Hugh Grant, but this film played well to both his strengths and weaknesses as an actor and, well, to the background of his life, shall we say. I salute his ability to accept his strengths and weaknesses in accepting the part. The film suggested that, apart from the louche aspects of English writer Keith Michael's life, the part he plays, the chap has a heart and deserves redemption. He just needed the right girl to awaken it and also to awaken his inspiration. He deserved that filip both as character and person. Marisa Tomei was never lovelier than in her girl-next-door role. It is a pity we haven't seen more of her on screen in the meantime. So Hollywood but I love it! There is this dismissive attitude to feel-good movies, as they are called. But I love 'em. Those that succeed,as this does, have this pleasant, positive and life- affirming aura about them. Hollywood's greatest invention, along with the Western. Shakespeare's King Lear is for manic-depressives!In this film, miracles can happen in middle America, that great space in middle of the country that the elites of both sides of the country fly over without caring about it much. But this is the engine of the American economy and the American soul. And writing this review at this time, there are additional political resonances here, are there not?This is a light but philosophical comedy and there is nothing wrong with that, I say. But, to its credit, it does suggest the harsher, harder side of Hollywood. The film didn't have to lay it on the line but I liked that it suggested. at least, the more abrasive quality of reality, particularly the reality of a Hollywood writer who fears he may be past his best. But also, as I said, that the American dream prevails, in the artistic imagination if not always in real life, is an important proposition of the genre. And I say that as someone not American but someone who speaks with Hugh Grant's accent if, enviously, not being quite as good looking as him!Film, or movies, if you prefer, is still the vibrant artistic genre of our time. Modern Western music, architecture, sculpture and painting, seem to be in decline. We needs must take our comfort where we may.Two hours emphatically not wasted.And not to forget Alison Janney, the adversarial mid-West professor, I love her from The West Wing. Pity we haven't seen more of her on- screen in the meantime.

Grant's a lesson in urbanity and wit in most of his movies but never as convincingly as here in this low budget but perfectly cast and beautifully written light comedy set in Binghamton, New York. The movie is about a Hollywood screenwriter who hasn't had a hit in years whose agent gets him a paying 'gig' as a college instructor teaching screen writing.Marisa Tomei gets into his class, J.K. Simmons is Head of his department, and Chris Elliott also teaches at the college and lives next door. Allison Janney plays a pivotal part as the fearsome Professor Weldon, the Head of the Ethics Committee, in front of which Grant is taken for having an innocent affair with one of his students.All in all I thought the comedic timing and direction near perfect and more than a little enjoyable. Clearly the stars here read the script and thought it delightful. With one caveat, that I've taught and live in a college town, I highly recommend. Hugh Grant fans will be especially enthralled but this should be a good choice for any guy too.

This Hugh Grant vehicle is better than his last few rather painful vehicles (ie Did You Hear about the Morgans) because the role he is cast in suits him this time. A screenwriter unable to get anything produced goes to teach screen writing in upstate New York. He looks suitably down cast with the droopy mouth and crumpled face.The situations are generally quite funny especially choosing the students. The dialog is often witty although Hugh speaks so fast you can miss some of the jokes. Good supporting cast playing college teachers: Alison Janney, JK Simmons. Marisa Tomei plays an older student in the class.Worth one watch.

Well this is what happens when the basic movie going public is between 18 and 25 and the stars or this film are 50 plus. When I was young a really long time ago, most movie bills featured two films: the "hit"and the B picture. Those days are gone as no one could sit in their seat for two films anymore. For this film, the B picture, Grant is an aging A list writer who can't even get on a list as he hasn't written anything good for years. His agent gets him a gig as a teacher in a university in Binghamton, New York. So we have a set up for a very upset fish out of water plot. Grant is perfect as the Hollywood sophisticate sentenced to working with what he sees as bumpkins. And thus our story. Grant slowly realizes that teaching might not be the waste of time he thought and then there is a possible love connection with the only adult member of his class, Marisa Tomei. I am always complain to my wife that they don't make pictures with heart anymore. And this film is a good example. I loved it and my wife who at first resisted a viewing became a fan. That's why it's still on the DVR. And yes there is nothing "new" here but we do have an story made engaging by a wonderful cast including Allison Janney, J. K. Simmons, and Chris Elliott. Janey is an overeducated and unappreciated Jane Austen scholar; Simmons as the chair of the department and sentimental family man; and Elliot as a Shakespeare instructor who has struck out in love and life but is an excellent next door neighbor and friend. The film is also helped by a wonderful younger supporting cast playing Grant's script writing pupils. So either rent this or record it and sit yourself down with a bag of popcorn and date (wife) and cheer a film with heart. You might decide it is an A picture.