With its particularities in place, it does feel at times that "The Rewrite" might be willing to pull some punches, stand by some unexpected statements and push the envelope a little bit. But ultimately it changes its mind and goes down the route of rom-com-iness, which it executes well enough.
The story looks at a washed up Hollywood writer who seems at present to be far more capable of putting together a string of vices rather than a string of words. And this frustrated, disinterested, self-absorbed character gets the morality treatment, in a very blunt manner at times, balanced with spurs of wit and charm to make up for it.
Unfortunately, there's little beyond the stereotypes of the supporting cast, to make for a more interesting experience. It's funny to see Hugh Grant's mannerisms at work, which seem to suit his old(er) age quite well, although perhaps more on a caricaturist level. And Tomei resolves herself to be the happy-go-lucky type that has too little bite to help you get really involved emotionally.
What I did enjoy, was the particular pace the movie had, in no rush to get anywhere in particular and yet particularly abrupt once it got there. Like admitting to the audience that yeah, you know what's happening here. There's value in familiarity, when things fall into place reasonably well. And despite its shortcomings, The Rewrite does come together with a pinch of distinctiveness that makes it worth a lazy Sunday afternoon.
The story looks at a washed up Hollywood writer who seems at present to be far more capable of putting together a string of vices rather than a string of words. And this frustrated, disinterested, self-absorbed character gets the morality treatment, in a very blunt manner at times, balanced with spurs of wit and charm to make up for it.
Unfortunately, there's little beyond the stereotypes of the supporting cast, to make for a more interesting experience. It's funny to see Hugh Grant's mannerisms at work, which seem to suit his old(er) age quite well, although perhaps more on a caricaturist level. And Tomei resolves herself to be the happy-go-lucky type that has too little bite to help you get really involved emotionally.
What I did enjoy, was the particular pace the movie had, in no rush to get anywhere in particular and yet particularly abrupt once it got there. Like admitting to the audience that yeah, you know what's happening here. There's value in familiarity, when things fall into place reasonably well. And despite its shortcomings, The Rewrite does come together with a pinch of distinctiveness that makes it worth a lazy Sunday afternoon.