The Rewrite movie review

Now he comes to the party in a role tailor-made for the kind of stammering, understated, witty and dashing individual that helped define him. Grant steps nimbly into a romantic comedy role that requires equal doses of charm and wit – with oodles of funny lines. And he delivers. The Rewrite is written and directed by Marc Lawrence, who has collaborated with the British actor on three previous occasions.

Though the film hardly breaks fresh ground, it nevertheless entertains and fires a steady stream of amusing moments. The production also benefits from great performances from its two leads and top-class supporting cast.

Grant portrays Keith Michaels, an Oscar-winning screenwriter who hasn’t had a hit in more than 10 years and desperately needs to work. His wife left him for the director of the film that won Keith the Oscar. Eventually, Keith’s agent (the raspy-voiced Caroline Aaron) manages to find work for him – but its teaching at Binghamton University in upstate New York. Keith soon proves to be a right royal jerk with no respect for the teaching profession.

The Rewrite could have become a simple story about a Hollywood has-been who becomes a teacher and offends everybody he meets – and we would have hated the character. Instead, thanks to Grant and Lawrence’s firm direction, we have a likeable individual (even in his worst moments) who eventually makes good.