This trailer for THE REWRITE is a little bit desperate

I’m not quite sure whether I should be embarrassed or secretly proud of the amount of Hugh Grant rom-coms I’ve seen. No, wait. Scratch that. Definitely embarrassed. It wasn’t through any fault of my own though, as my wife went through a very strict (and very, very long) “girly movie” phase, and me being the respectful, supportive husband that I am, I would more often than not join her in watching them. Luckily for whatever infinitesimal scrap of street cred I still had left, these Hugh Grant rom-roms were often kind of funny and charming (I dare you not to laugh at Four Weddings and a Funeral) whenever they took a break from being schmaltzy.

I’m hoping that the same will at least happen with The Rewrite, Grant’s return to the genre that made his name. He’s reteaming with writer-director Marc Lawrence, which leaves me with mixed feelings as Music and Lyrics had some great moments (the 80’s pop song that kicks off the movie is pitch perfect) but Two Weeks Notice was utterly forgettable at best. Unfortunately, despite also starring the always charming – and apparently ageless – Marisa Tomei, the trailer shows a movie that seems to be leaning in the latter direction.

At least that’s how I feel (I’ll get my wife’s opinion later). Check the trailer for yourself so long, while I go chop down trees with my bare hands and hunt grizzly bears with my teeth so as to replenish all the testosterone I lost during this post.

Once upon a time, screenwriter Keith Michaels (Hugh Grant) was on top of the world – a Golden Globe Award and a hit movie to his name, a beautiful wife and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of wit and charm. But that was fifteen years ago: now, he’s divorced, broke, approaching fifty and hasn’t written a hit film in years. Luckily, his agent has a job for him – a university in the quiet town of Binghamton is looking for someone to teach a course in screenwriting, and with an empty wallet as his motivation, Keith can’t say no. Hoping to give minimal attention to his duties and focus on writing a new script, his attitude slowly begins to turn when he meets Holly (Marisa Tomei). A single mum working two jobs to earn her degree, the pair find themselves connected by their mutual need for a second chance.

The Rewrite also stars Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons and Chris Elliott. It is scheduled for release on October 18, 2014.

Last Updated: August 29, 2014