Wie schreibt man Liebe?

OK-so it's rather predictable and gets off to a slow start, but I found this indie as it progressed, enhanced by an excellent cast, won me over with its' wit and humor. It reminded me somewhat of the movie "Liberal Arts", from filmmaker Josh Radnor, which I also like quited a lot.

Hugh Grant is in fine form here, portraying Keith Michaels. a once highly successful screenwriter, but whose career is now flagging badly. Out of desperation, he accepts a position, set up by his agent (Caroline Aaron), which will have him teach a screen writing course at Binghampton University, in upstate New York.

Grant plays the fast-talking and glib cynic as well as anyone, and when he arrives in Binghampton, he undergoes the culture shock of feeling he's in the "sticks", and firmly believes all teachers are "losers" and that writing can't be taught anyway. Of course over time, he will see he can really help and care about his students, and will learn some important lessons for himself as well.

He gets exceptional support here from such screen notables as Marisa Tomei, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney, and Chris Elliott. All of the students add much to the movie as well, with Bella Heathcote leading the way and getting the most screen time.

Overall, this film, ably written and directed by Marc Lawrence, was a pleasant surprise, and I found it quite funny and enjoyable. Even the outtakes, as the credits are rolling, were very humorous.

Film of Choice in a Boeing 767 at 36,000 feet - The Rewrite. I wanted something light and predictable for a 7 hour transatlantic flight and had about 50 films to choose from, how times have changed. The rewrite stars Hugh Grant as a once bright young Oscar winning screen writer who hasn't written anything of note since. Divorced from his wife, alienated from his son and so broke his electric gets cut off, he is forced to take a teaching position in a small American town in the back of beyond. This is a typical Hugh Grant vehicle, and while there is nothing outstanding about this film, if you are a fan of his acting style and the way he bumbles through his film is the same fashion time and again, you are guaranteed to like this film. I find I can watch his films and enjoy them, and he is helped along here by Marisa Tomei who is a single Mum taking his class. Unlike its main character, this film is not an Oscar winner but is a fairly watchable effort.

Hugh Grant and Marissa Tomei. That actually should be enough. And most of the running time it is enough. At the highest points this get, it is really witty and funny and light entertainment. Nicely written then. But maybe some passages would've worked better with a re-write (yes I went there - pretty sure not the first and only one to do so of course).

Apart from the obvious pun and the already mentioned lead cast, we have a more than stellar surrounding cast. If you haven't seen Whiplash yet, do so. Though you might see the actor playing nice here with a completely different mind set. There are some extra bits at the end credits, with a really nice pun from one of the younger cast members. I also liked the fact that it didn't shy away from hot topics. Even if not entirely discussing them through (not always necessary)

I did not expect much from this movie, surprisingly I smiled from start to finish. The Rewrite is a lively comedy about second chance and self-acceptance. A one-time awarded Hollywood screenwriter takes a job as a writer-in-residence at Binghampton University! "Gotta pay the bills"…It's a far cry from his former glorious LA life and his teaching skills are questionable. As the leading man, Grant embraces his maturity in this project, it suits him well. I was charmed by the chemistry from a solid cast including Allison Janney as a humorless Jane Austen scholar and the radiant Marisa Tomei. Sometimes all we need is one humble witty comedy like The Rewrite!

Hugh Grant is an icon and icons get older too, like the rest of us mortals. Here's a wonderful movie portraying a 'has been' screenplay writer in Hollywood struggling through life, divorced and no clue how to be a dad to his 18 year old son, which he didn't speak to for over a year. He hits rock bottom and is forced to teach at a remote university upstate New York to pay his bills.

In the bumpy process through it all he realizes that teaching gives him a true perspective on his own life and enjoyment for being valued by his students. He finds peace in not juggling anymore in Tinseltown. The script is magnificent, it tells a story through a comic lens with a melodramatic touch. It's a a classic romantic comedy with lots of nice movie clichés. Hugh Grant didn't loose his touch, he matured and accepts it, the floppy hair turned grey. Excellent casting by the way. Nice to see Marisa Tomei, Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons in a supporting role.