Hitch (I) (2005)

While helping his latest client woo the fine lady of his dreams, a professional "date doctor" finds that his game doesn't quite work on the gossip columnist with whom he's smitten.

Director:

Andy Tennant

Writer:

Kevin Bisch

Stars:

Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James

3 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Smith	...	Hitch
Eva Mendes	...	Sara
Kevin James	...	Albert
Amber Valletta	...	Allegra
Julie Ann Emery	...	Casey
Adam Arkin	...	Max
Robinne Lee	...	Cressida
Nathan Lee Graham	...	Geoff
Michael Rapaport	...	Ben
Jeffrey Donovan	...	Vance
Paula Patton	...	Mandy
Philip Bosco	...	Mr. O'Brian
Kevin Sussman	...	Neil
Navia Nguyen	...	Mika
Matt Malloy	...	Pete

Storyline

Alex Hitchens is "The Date Doctor." He helps men to land dates. Sara is a gossip columnist for a New York City tabloid. Both are very guarded around the opposite sex. Despite their natures, Alex and Sara begin a relationship. Complications ensue when Sara's latest scoop happens to be one of Alex's clients.

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Plot Keywords:

gossip | new york city | surveillance | hand to hand combat | courtship | 

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Taglines:

The cure for the common man.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and some strong sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Gaumont Columbia Tristar [fr] Sony Pictures [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Last First Kiss

Filming Locations:

12th Street and 7th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$146,071 (Norway) (18 March 2005)

Gross:

£17,306,574 (UK) (6 May 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Overbrook Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of Albert's favorite books is "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, And Doggone It, People Like Me!" by Al Franken (writing as "Saturday Night Live" character Stuart Smalley).

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Goofs

When Sarah is trying to drive the manual transmission car near the end of the film, a shot is shown of her pushing down the gas pedal and the car taking off. However, her left foot is not on the clutch at all. With a manual transmission, the car would have stalled without having the clutch pushed in and then gradually releasing it while pressing the accelerator.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Hitch: Basic principles: no woman wakes up saying, "God, I hope I don't get swept off my feet today!" Now, she might say, "This is a really bad time for me," or something like, "I just need some space," or my personal favorite, "I'm really into my career right now." You believe that? Neither does she. You know why? Because she's lying to you, that's why. You understand me? Lying! It's not a bad time for her. She doesn't need any space. And she may be into her career, but what she's really...

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Connections

Referenced in Will Smith's Red Carpet Race (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Closer"
(2002)
Performed by Goapele Mohlabane (as Goapele)
Courtesy of Skyblaze Recordings
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

Love Cynics hate Hitch but True Romantics believe

It's about time the multiplex features a romantic comedy with a multi-cultural cast. As a New Jersean, I can honestly say Hitch did for New York what Pretty Woman did for Rodeo Drive. The city is appealing, the premise is intriguing and the acting quite wonderful. Only lovelorn prudes that have no hope of a great sex life could hate this movie.

Now I'm not saying the movie is perfect… as a matter of fact the last act seemed a bit little rushed. Alex's epiphany about love and his feelings for Sara seems incomplete. Is it me or did the director leave some film pieces on the editing room floor? But even with that said, it's a romantic movie that will have men alert enough to have an intelligent conversation afterward. Don't believe what the sour critics say about this movie … besides are any of them single in the current dating world? I believe most of them are either married or so hopelessly ridged in their solitary life that they wouldn't recognize dating for middle classed professionals people if it was on a screen in front of them.

Will Smith enters a wonderful genre as Alex "Hitch" Hitchens, a professional dating consultant, and he is properly showcased with great cast mates - Eva Mendes (Sara), Kevin James (Albert), and Amber Valletta (Allegra). If Smith continues to stretch his talents in this arena I'm sure we'll see a great Tom Hanks, Sleepless in Seattle performance in the future.

Hitch is a movie that makes single people and new couples alike believe in finding love in this cynical world. It's worth the price of admission.