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Life & Arts

'Hitch' satisfies with a mix of romance, wit

By Amy Perez
The Daily Cougar

For moviegoers thirsty for a romantic comedy more quick-witted and fresh than the one-sided Bridget Jones flicks, and one that is actually funny, Hitch is sure to deliver. Will Smith is Alex "Hitch" Hitchens, a successful 30-something who has built a career on helping the men of New York City snag the women of their dreams. Too bad a man skilled at arranging fairytale encounters and playing wingman has trouble believing his own sales pitch when it comes to matters of the heart.

But Hitch is not the only skeptic of true romance. Gossip columnist Sara Melas (Eva Mendes) is a woman who spends all her free time staking out unfaithful celebs and has lost all faith in finding love. 

Though it's easy to imagine what happens when these two undercover pessimists meet, the plot thickens when Hitch takes on his worst case to date, setting up accident prone Albert (Kevin James) with the rich and beautiful Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta).

Hitch will keep the laughs coming as viewers watch the dating guru himself fumble date after date with the confident yet quirky journalist. 

But what really brings this story to life is the dynamic cast. Smith transforms Hitch's tendency to recite love-related maxims at opportune moments into a character flaw that reveals the man's deeply-rooted detachment from love. 

And, though it's likely she embodies the typical love interest role, Mendes shows a distinct flair for slapstick as the actress seemed to have abandoned her ego at the start of every scene.

Hitch

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Will Smith, Eva Mendes

Columbia Pictures

Verdict: Hitch may be what we all need to improve our game.
 

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