Screenwriter Keith won an Oscar, but that was years ago. Now on his beam ends, he is left with no alternative but to accept a post teaching screen writing at a minor US university. But, given that Keith is a bit of an a-hole – charming and talented, but an a-hole nevertheless – not to mention libidinous (he stocks his class with attractive, beddable co-eds from the start), it appears that his days as a lecturer may be numbered.
Hugh Grant can do effortless charmers in his sleep, and this film places no great demands on him. Marisa Tomei as the mature student who helps him to find a side of himself which he didn't realise was there acts rings around him. He also gets good support from Alison Janney, JK Simmons and Chris Elliott in a film which raises chuckles from time to time as it runs along rails to its completely expected conclusion.
It's not a bad film. There are quite a lot of references in the script for film buffs to enjoy, and some clever lines. But there is no emotional depth, no characters rise much above cliché, the class of students is drastically under developed and underused, and there are no surprises. It is an enjoyable time-passer, no more.
I did enjoy the scenes over the closing titles, though, especially the one showing Sara Lu's little secret.
Hugh Grant can do effortless charmers in his sleep, and this film places no great demands on him. Marisa Tomei as the mature student who helps him to find a side of himself which he didn't realise was there acts rings around him. He also gets good support from Alison Janney, JK Simmons and Chris Elliott in a film which raises chuckles from time to time as it runs along rails to its completely expected conclusion.
It's not a bad film. There are quite a lot of references in the script for film buffs to enjoy, and some clever lines. But there is no emotional depth, no characters rise much above cliché, the class of students is drastically under developed and underused, and there are no surprises. It is an enjoyable time-passer, no more.
I did enjoy the scenes over the closing titles, though, especially the one showing Sara Lu's little secret.