Hitch

Hitch, showing Wednesday November 25th on Five at 9:00pm

Will Smith stars in this romantic comedy from director Andy Tennant about a Cupid-for-hire who faces an uphill battle to help one uninspiring client win the girl of his dreams, while also inadvertently falling for his own ideal woman.

As far as eligibility and attractiveness are concerned, rotund tax accountant Albert (Kevin James) isn't exactly what you might describe as the ideal catch. Unfortunately for Albert, the woman of his dreams is. Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta) is a rich, beautiful and powerful celebrity socialite who, we would assume, would never look twice at someone like Albert, but maybe that's because he's never had the right advice when it comes to wooing the seemingly unwooable.

Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens (Will Smith) is a self-styled 'date doctor' who makes a lot of money helping average but good-hearted men become irresistible to hot women. He's not so enthused however by the plausibility of a man like Albert hooking up with a high-profile woman like Allegra, but Hitch likes a challenge and, as he explains to Albert, he is Michelangelo to Albert's Sistine Chapel.

As Hitch begins to impart his wisdom upon Albert, including a hilarious dance lesson, Hitch himself becomes smitten with a woman called Sara (Eva Mendes), a ruthless tabloid gossip editor who is following Allegra's every move. The problem is that Hitch's Jedi mind tricks don't seem to be working on Sara and he struggles to get her to agree to a date. And when he finally succeeds, they embark on a truly disastrous series of dates, including one where a food allergy leaves Hitch with an awfully swollen face.

With such misfortune plaguing Hitch's own attempts at love, Albert would be within his rights to question his mentor's suitability. However, despite the bad luck that has befallen Hitch and Sara, Hitch is starting to feel as though he has met his ideal woman. Can both Hitch and Albert make sure their affections for their respective ladies don't remain unrequited?

A smash hit at the box office, taking over $200 million, Hitch benefits from some great on-screen chemistry between Will Smith and Eva Mendes but the real find of this movie is Kevin James as Albert. After several successful years in top-rated US sitcoms, James' transition to the big screen was long overdue and his great comedic timing leaves Will Smith, for once, playing the straight man.

Did you know? Kevin James made up all of the dance moves for the scene where Albert is dancing in Hitch's apartment.

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