Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant in a scene from 'Music and Lyrics'. - Contributed

Lois Golding, Contributor

Are you a born songwriter? Or can you develop a melody that is just great? Which is more important? Fisher (Drew Barrymore) in the movie Music and Lyrics thinks melody creates the 'attraction', lyrics the 'memory' of a song, but a combination of the two makes it 'magic'. You decide.

An avid music listener may hear unique beats and rhythms in his head but can't express them because he has no knowledge of music. A student, on the other hand, who has natural talent for verbalising rhythmic combinations wants to learn to read/write well so he can create a permanent record of his songs. Blending these basic skills, the movie shows, is crucial to creating a hit song.

Wants to regain fame

Such is the logic that Alex Fletcher recognises when he, a dated icon of the pop era, pursues Sophie Fisher to assist in writing a song. He wants to regain some fame so he employs Fisher as lyricist to write a song suited for collaboration with the current, popular idol Cora, a splice of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Scenes connect in showing that the whole music business is a process that needs more than a 'sweaty and steamy performance' to be a success.

Fletcher avoids the demeaning reality series route but, to make it happen, had to show sincerity in teamwork. As a team they showed the importance of staying focused on what is to be said, to create the hit song in three days. Both believe in their potential to make brilliant music.

Then he does something extraordinary. Deluged by his aspiration to refresh his image, Fletcher almost sacrifices the intended poetry of their song to produce a 'vacant/ empty' musical presentation for mass appeal and celebrity. Audience response proved it is worthwhile choosing loyalty to your art. This act makes the hero win the girl.

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore represent endearing characters, artistes with insane eccentricities that make them special. They harmonised well to underscore Cora's assertion - she's a symbol of a sometimes cryptic music business: 'getting a spot in the magic kingdom is not a competition, it's destiny or it's not!'