Film

Hitch

Name: Hitch
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Released: 2005
Cast: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Julie Ann Emery

Romantic comedy

A slick romantic comedy about a professional dating coach who helps a shy man woo a supermodel, only to find himself outmatched by a cynical gossip columnist. It's bubbly and earnest, packed with montages and banter, made for people who think romantic comedies should feel good and look expensive. Will Smith in his prime, charming as the self-assured guy who finally meets his match.

TMDb rating

3.3

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy glossy, crowd-pleasing romantic comedies where witty banter, broad physical gags and a lightly cynical take on modern dating all sit comfortably together.

Skip it if you want romance with real emotional stakes, since this is light, glossy and mostly content to stay on the surface.

What it asks of you: Just under two hours at a brisk, chatty pace, with the gags landing quickly and little need for patience; it runs on momentum more than mood.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

About a Boy2002

A grown man reconnects with himself through an unlikely friendship with a troubled kid. Sharp, tender, and genuinely funny—it has Hitch's warmth but with real emotional weight and no cynicism underneath.

But It's quieter and more introspective than Hitch. If you want snappy one-liners and stylized dating montages, this one builds its laughs more slowly.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall2008

Messy, sincere, and hilarious. A guy wins back his life after a public breakup. It has the same generous spirit as Hitch but trusts its audience to laugh at awkwardness rather than perfection.

But It's crude and raw. The humor lands in uncomfortable places, and the tone swings between comedy and genuine hurt in ways that don't always feel polished.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.2011

Multiple love stories converging with style, intelligence, and real stakes. Ryan Gosling's smooth dating coach opposite Steve Carell's genuine chaos gives you Hitch's premise done with more depth and humor.

But It juggles a lot of plot. Some storylines feel overstuffed, and the movie occasionally sacrifices character logic for a neat finale.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Hitch

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

High Fidelity2000

Both explore a character whose professional confidence (dating expert, record store expert) crumbles when meeting someone who won't play by the rules they've written.

A man obsessed with lists and control learns that love requires mess and surrender. It's got Hitch's structure—arrogant guy humbled by someone real—but played as romantic indie drama instead of comedy, with John Cusack breaking the fourth wall and genuinely wounded underneath the charm.

But It's cynical and sad underneath the humor, structured around failed relationships and regret. The tone is wry and sometimes bitter, not uplifting.

When Harry Met Sally...1989

The gold standard for romance and banter. Two people genuinely talking, laughing, and navigating attraction over years. It's proof that chemistry and writing matter more than montages or spectacle.

But It's from 1989 and doesn't try to hide it. If you want contemporary gloss and quick cuts, the pacing will feel leisurely.

The Proposal2009

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds sparring with charm and actual chemistry. Romantic comedy machinery done well—it has humor, heart, and knows exactly what it's doing without winking at the audience.

But It's pretty formulaic. If you're looking for anything unexpected, you'll spot the beats from miles away.

You've Got Mail1998

Warmth, wit, and the pleasure of watching two people fall in love through words before faces. It's ornate and indulgent in all the right ways—cozy and smart at once.

But It's very '90s New York romanticism. The city is a character, and if that aesthetic doesn't appeal to you, the whole thing feels precious.

Notting Hill1999

A rom-com that earns its sentiment. Hugh Grant's stammering ordinary guy and Julia Roberts' famous actress generate real chemistry and genuine laughs without relying on cuteness alone.

But Hugh Grant's nervous routine can grate. The supporting characters sometimes overshadow the actual romance.

10 Things I Hate About You1999

A teen comedy that treats its leads as actual people with intelligence and desire. Sharp dialogue, real charm, and a leading couple who feel like they could actually annoy and attract each other.

But It's a 1990s teen movie. The supporting performances are broad, and the soundtrack dates it heavily.

Enchanted2007

A fairy tale princess in modern New York learning what real love means. It's clever enough for adults, funny, visually delightful, and genuinely sweet without being saccharine.

But It commits fully to whimsy and musical theatre energy. If you need your romance grounded and realistic, this will feel slight.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin2005

Both star confident mentors (Hitch advises; the friends advise) guiding stumbling men, but this one subverts the whole premise by suggesting the advice was wrong and the stumbling was closer to truth.

Steve Carell plays a man who's been hiding from connection, surrounded by friends trying to push him into sex. It's genuinely tender beneath the vulgarity—about learning to be vulnerable and honest instead of performing competence. The same year as Hitch and doing similar work.

But It's crude, graphic, and uncomfortable. The sex jokes and gross-out humor are relentless and not for everyone. The romance takes time to matter.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind2004

Hitch is entirely about creating the right story to win someone; this asks whether the story is worth anything if the feeling underneath isn't real and enduring—whether the technique matters at all.

Joel and Clementine fall in love, break up, and he pays to have her erased from his memories—then realizes he doesn't want to forget her. It's a science-fiction romance about how we construct narratives around love and why we tell ourselves stories about it. Visually stunning, genuinely haunting.

But It's melancholic and fragmented, structured like a fading memory. There's no reassurance, no montage happy ending, no confirmation that anything works out. It's sad.