The Rewrite 2014

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: Lawrence's script for "The Rewrite'' could have used one, and his direction is uneven, but it's still rewarding watching Grant dispensing his dithery charm surrounded by old pros. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: Another Hugh Grant comedy that follows the dots without much wit ... Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: That "The Rewrite," an entirely unsurprising romantic comedy, works as well as it does is entirely due to one factor: Hugh Grant. Read more

Guy Lodge, Variety: Keith is presented upfront as such an obnoxiously self-oriented, morally wayward figure that Grant's fidgety charms have to work overtime to sustain audience engagement with its big-fish-out-of-water narrative. Read more

Jesse Hassenger, AV Club: Once in a while, Grant tosses off a funny line; more often, he's too busy mouthing Lawrence's patronizations. Read more

Elizabeth Kerr, Hollywood Reporter: It's the fourth collaboration between Grant and writer-director Marc Lawrence, and it could be their strongest outing to date. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: It's far from perfect, but "The Rewrite" is the kind of witty, enjoyable star vehicle in sadly short supply on screens these days. Read more

Richard Brody, New Yorker: Bright-toned performances by J. K. Simmons, as Keith's department chairman, and Allison Janney, as a stiff-necked colleague, provide deft distractions from the didactic strain. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: Before it was done to death, there was something terribly appealing about Grant's heroes, and many of his romantic comedies -- something "The Rewrite" nicely reminds us of. Read more

Ella Taylor, NPR: Hanging out with Keith and Holly in this kindly, observant movie is a perfectly pleasant way to pass ninety-odd minutes. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: The title of this Hugh Grant romantic dramedy feels like a challenge, so we'll bite: The performances are strong, but a rewrite - or two - was definitely in order. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: Mr. Grant, now 54, is facing the expiration date of his twinkly boyish act. And in "The Rewrite," as he plays a spoiled screenwriter and one-hit Hollywood wonder on the skids, you can feel the strain as he goes through the routine one more time. Read more

Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times: A full two decades after "Four Weddings and a Funeral," Hugh Grant still does that stammering, understated, witty and dashing thing as well as anyone in the business. Read more

Tom Huddleston, Time Out: Those who hoped that playing a ferocious cannibal in 'Cloud Atlas' might have got Hugh Grant's thespian juices flowing again are in for a disappointment. Read more

Nick Schager, Village Voice: The Rewrite talks a good game about second chances, but for Grant, it's merely more of the same old. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: The Rewrite wants to be a film about the messiness of life but it only has Hollywood cliches to work with. Read more