Grantâ??s Fletcher is similar to the lead characters he portrayed in both â??About a Boyâ? and â??Bridget Jonesâ??s Diary.â?

Other than trivial shows on VH-1, the 1990s seem to have quickly faded from recent memory.

On the other hand, the “80s have always nurtured a strong nostalgic sense and whether someone has lived through the “80s or not, they probably have strong feelings toward the decade.

There are those who despise the decade, while others still listen to Duran Duran and watch “The Cosby Show.” Drawing upon this dichotomy, “Music and Lyrics” is a funny, yet predictable, outing for director Marc Lawrence (“Miss Congeniality”).

Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is a washed-up singer from the 1980s who made his name in a band appropriately named “Pop.” Fletcher struggles to get acts and gain attention in modern-day New York, but his manager Chris Riley (Brad Garrett) lands him a chance at a duet with a famous teenage singer.

For this to happen, Fletcher must write a new song in a few days“ time. While brainstorming, he meets a new gardener, Sophie (Drew Barrymore), who has a knack for catchy phrases and poetry. The pair begins to craft a song while embarking on the ever-so-treacherous road to love.

When it comes to romantic comedies, everyone knows the drill. So for this genre of film to make any sort of lasting impact, it has to rely on three distinct devices: chemistry, humor and payoff.

Grant and Barrymore portray their characters as slight variations of what the audience has seen before, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Grant“s Fletcher is similar to the lead characters he portrayed in both “About a Boy” and “Bridget Jones“s Diary.” He is British, slightly rude and somewhat of a charmer.

He is well balanced against Barrymore“s Sophie, a grounded, vivacious and fun-loving girl. Although there have been more accomplished on-screen couples, Grant and Barrymore bring a certain likeableness to their roles.

In addition to humorous secondary characters, the film hits the right notes when it comes to comedy. Lawrence also strikes a nice balance between mocking the “80s and cherishing them.

We live in a time when the mere mention of a band from the “80s can elicit some laughter (Flock of Seagulls anyone?), but the film strays from being too harsh while still motioning toward those who believe “80s music is empty in meaning.

And this is, perhaps, the charm behind the film: Romantic comedies are a lot like “80s music “ predictable, cheesy and sometimes more fun than you thought.

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