The Rewrite

Starring: Hugh Grant, Marisa Tomei, J. K. Simmons, Chris Elliott, Allison Janney

Year: 2014

Despite Hugh Grant's inappropriate bad bad booboo way back when, I do like him. Yes I do! He's a great actor. Usually playing the same type of character, with that sheepish boyish charm. That crooked grin. And that's okay. Even at the age of fifty-four he's still got it. Well sort of. Okay, maybe not quite as much.

Keith Michaels (Grant) was a successful actor and award-winning screenwriter; winning an Oscar for his screenplay "Paradise Misplaced". He had it all. A wife, money, fame, respect. But that was then. This is now. He is broke, alone and hasn't written a successful screenplay in years. Lucky for him, his agent finds him a position at a university in small-town Binghamton, teaching screenwriting. Leave posh, exciting LA and move to dull, boring small-town Binghamton?? To teach? Well, having no other choice, he does. How hard could it be? He's a screenwriter after all! And an actor! And since he truly believes that writing can't be taught, he figures he can bullsh*t his way through it and nobody would be the wiser. Until he meets Holly (Tomei). Holly is a single mother, working two jobs and attending college. And just so happens to be in his class.

While Keith first intends to do as little as possible, so he can concentrate more on writing his next screenplay, he soon discovers he loves teaching. And begins to connect with his students. All of them. Including Holly. He even finds himself interested in his students' lives; their passions and work. Especially Holly's. It seems, this small-town isn't so dull and boring after all.

Favourite Scenes: #1 When Keith shares, with his students, how he came up with his storyline for "Paradise Misplaced" # 2 Any scene with J. K. Simmons (Dr. Lerner, the department head and the father of four daughters - stern and yet so mushy)

Fun Facts: #1 Mark Lawrence (writer) and Hugh Grant have worked together four times. #2 Mark Lawrence attended Binghamton University and met his wife there. #3 The scene in which Keith is watching himself accept an award, is a real life clip from when Hugh Grant won the Golden Globe as Best Actor in Four Weddings and a Funeral.

While this might not be my favourite movie. Not even my favourite Hugh Grant movie. I do like it. It's about second chances. It's about ending up exactly where you should. And for Keith and Holly - Keith was meant to teach at Binghamton University and Holly was meant to be in his class.

Favourite Lines:

*As long as you're alive, you can forgive and be forgiven.

*Dr. Lerner, you must have an opinion on this? Hah! I have a wife and four daughters. I have no opinions.

*In an ideal world, that's what you hope for. Someone you can be yourself with.

From one movie "buff" to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.