HITCH

US, 2005, 119 minutes, Colour.
Will Smith, Eva Mendez, Kevin James, Amber Veletta.
Directed by Andy Tennant.

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 well and there are some enjoyable dates, especially a visit to Ellis Island where she sees documents about her ancestor (unfortunately he was a serial killer, a butcher, not a purveyor or 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… and 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.

An enormous success in the US, and a really nice film about love and commitment, allowing for its fairytale affluent setting, it could be successful anywhere.

1. The popularity of the film, romance, love and commitment?

2. The New York settings, affluent world, apartments, restaurants, offices, the marina? The opening credits songs? The musical score?

3. Will Smith, his popular presence, comic style, romantic lead?

4. The title, his name Hitchens, the play on Hitch and marriage? The Date Doctor?

5. The credits, seeing the different men and his coaching them, the performer, the black man, the man with the dogs, the shy balding man? Their success?

6. His philosophy of dates? Alex and the flashbacks to Cressida, his gawkiness, learning, his being shunned by Cressida? His learning techniques, wanting to share them with others? With Albert, the discussions and coaching? Sarah in the restaurant and his getting rid of Chip? His phone call to her, the gifts, his wit, the Sunday date, on the water – and his awkwardness?

7. Alex, his personality, the past, the advice and his finesse, with the dog and the suitor and his accident? Researching Allegra? Albert’s discussion at the door and his handing him the pen etc? The discussion with Munson and his not wanting his case? The attraction to Sarah, on the water, the tour, the disaster about her ancestor and his being a murderer, his being accident prone? The coaching of Albert, intercutting with the meeting with Allegra and his success? The post mortem of the meeting with Albert? His theory about kissing – and practice at the front door? The door and the keys, ninety percent and holding back? His going to the fish market with Allegra, the cooking of the fish, Max and Louise and their observations, the allergy – and his taking the medicine, singing, telling Sarah about the Nicks game? In Sarah’s apartment? The story about her sister? Getting the breakfast, the kiss? His being set up at the zoo, Sarah at his apartment, her behaviour, his puzzle, seeing the newspaper, the argument with Sarah, the interviews for the couples, his being outspoken, meeting Casey? Albert accusing him of being a coward, that he did not love, that love was only his job? The revelation of the truth about Munson, the confrontation with Albert, his going to Sarah’s, gabbling at the door, his being hit by the car – and his declaration of love?

8. Sarah, the introduction to her, her friend, holidays and gossip, her boss, being a loner, workaholic, in the bar, the encounter with Chip and her remarks, Alex saving her? His phone call at the office, her agreement to the date, going on the water, the accident? His shirts? Her judging that Alex had failed after the tour and the information about her ancestor, but failing with flair? Her anger at the lost photo opportunity of Albert and Allegra? Calling about the sauce, the fish market, cooking the fish, his allergy, at the apartment, the story about her sister almost dying in the ice, the breakfast and her wanting to appear nice? The kiss? The truth, watching Jerry Maguire on television, the argument at the dating service? Her apology? Alex at the door? Tom, hitting Alex with the car, the declaration of love and her explanation?

9. Albert, his awkwardness, employing Hitch, accident prone, their talk, the meeting and his asserting himself to defend Allegra and her interests, Allegra coming to his office – his handling of the situation, the pen, fainting? The phone call to Allegra? Taking her to the fashion show, the photos? Being coached by Alex, the dance steps and Alex forbidding them, the actual dancing, reaction to the photos? The problem about the kiss, the practice, the doorstep and the keys? His back hair and its being removed? The Nix game, her whistling? The actual scene at the door? Their dancing together? The paper, his arrest? Chasing Alex to the boat? The final revelation of the truth, Alex and his talk with Allegra?

10. Allegra, rich, subject of gossip columns, her boyfriend double-dealing? The phone call and the appointment with Albert? The fashion show, wanting to invest her money? The dancing, the door and the kiss, the Nix game and the whistle? The board meeting and Albert absent? The confrontation with Alex, learning the truth, that the awkwardness was all genuine Albert?

11. The tour of Ellis Island, the photos, the Kissing Post, the signature of Sarah’s relative, the story? Larry as guide? Sarah’s reaction? The Butcher of Cadiz?

12. Maggie – Magnus and his fashion design, inspiration, Allegra wanting to invest her money?

13. Max and Louise, at work, the gossip, the cooking at the fish market, Louise as psychologist and her observations about Sarah, the allergy?

14. Munson, Casey, his crass way of talking to Alex, his anger after the sexual encounter, her anger, Sarah presuming the worst, the truth?

15. The dance at the end, the atmosphere of the happy ending?