Starring: Will Smith, Kevin James and Eva Mendes
Director: Andy Tennant
Rated: M15+
THERE is something about Will Smith that makes you like him no matter what.
Whether he is a man in black, in the wild wild west, challenging robots or flying on Independence Day, he is the genial figure who combines the joke and the sentiment as you like it.
Which means that Hitch is a hit for Smith fans.
He is a date doctor with quite a flair for helping men overcome their shyness, awkwardness or just plain stupidity to marry the girl of their dreams (and this is just during the credits).
As for himself, he was disappointed in love when he was a gawky student and he avoids entanglements.
When he tangles with a dedicated reporter (Eva Mendes), who is equally unwilling to be disappointed in love, they really hit it off and there are some enjoyable dates, especially a visit to Ellis Island in New York City where she sees documents about her ancestor (unfortunately he was a serial killer, a butcher, not a purveyor of meat!)
Hitch takes on an above average awkward client who is infatuated with one of the richest women in New York City. When the reporter starts stalking the celebrity, we have a recipe for disaster all round which is what happens.
But, of course, there is a very happy ending with everybody at the wedding and dancing. Who could ask for anything more?
Actually, Ken James as the geeky client shows that a little bit of extra weight should be no impediment to true love. The object of his affection, Amber Valetta, is much taller and much thinner (and richer), but she needs love not money.
Eva Mendes is a lively partner for Will Smith, she can give as good as she gets.
This has been an enormous success in the US, and is really a nice film about love and commitment.
Allowing for its fairytale affluent setting, it could be successful anywhere.
