Music and Lyrics 2007

In this pivotal moment, Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant), a once-beloved pop star from the iconic group ‘PoP!’, finds himself stuck in a rut as a washed-up has-been. His manager, Chris Riley (Brad Garrett), presents him with an unexpected opportunity when Cora Corman (Haley Bennett), a young and talented superstar, asks Alex to write a song for her titled “A Way Back Into Love”. This request is not only a chance for Alex to revive his music career but also a nod to the nostalgia and memories he shared with fans like Cora, who grew up on his songs.

Cora’s enthusiasm stems from the fact that Alex’s melodies were a constant source of comfort during her parents’ divorce when she was just 7 years old. Ray (Matthew Morrison), Cora’s manager, adds urgency to the situation by informing Alex that they are not alone in this endeavor; seven other retro artists are also working on the same song, and the deadline for completion is mere days away.

Alex’s initial reluctance to compose again stems from his reliance on his former partner Colin (Scott Porter) for lyrical contributions. However, his professional manager implores him to adapt and evolve, warning that his music career will ultimately be doomed if he doesn’t. Alex’s search for inspiration leads him to a collaboration with the edgy lyricist Greg Antonsky (Jason Antoon), but their efforts prove unfruitful.

It is during this period of creative drought that Alex encounters Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), a talented lyricist who has been quietly watering his plants. Initially, Sophie is hesitant to help Alex with his songwriting endeavors, but he persists, eventually convincing her to collaborate on the project. Their growing connection over the course of 48 hours sets the stage for an unforgettable journey as they work together to craft “A Way Back Into Love”.

Sophie’s creative spark was extinguished after a tumultuous romance with Sloan Cates (Campbell Scott), a charismatic English professor who got close to her, only to reveal he was engaged. The revelation led to a messy breakup and left Sophie reeling. Years later, Sloan’s book - loosely based on Sophie’s life - became a national bestseller, but at a cost: it portrayed her as a talented imitator with no original thoughts. This stinging criticism had long-term consequences for Sophie’s confidence.

Meanwhile, Alex revealed that Colin had pilfered their last three songs and released them in his own solo album, which went on to sell 8 million copies. In contrast, Alex’s solo album barely scraped together 50K sales. A particularly stubborn copy of Alex’s album had been lingering on the shelves at the local music store for over six years.

When Sophie and Alex finally submitted their new song to Cora, they were thrilled when she accepted it - but little did they know that this was only the beginning of a series of trials. At a celebratory dinner with Alex’s manager Chris (Brad Garrett) and his wife, Sophie was mortified to encounter Sloan again. She retreated to the bathroom, where she rehearsed her entire speech with Alex, building up the courage to confront her former lover. However, when the moment arrived, Sophie found herself tongue-tied in Sloan’s presence, and even Alex’s attempts to defend her ended in a scuffle.

As they nursed their wounds back at Alex’s apartment, Sophie and Alex stumbled into an unplanned romantic encounter, marking a turning point in their relationship. Over the next few days, Sophie accompanied Alex to his gigs, offering words of encouragement when he doubted his ability to entertain crowds. In turn, Alex joined Sophie for a dinner with Rhonda.

However, things took a dramatic turn when Cora invited Alex and Sophie to hear her interpretation of “A Way Back into Love.” Sophie was appalled by the Indian-inspired, sexually confident rendition of their earnest song. Alex hastily escorted Sophie out of the room before she could express her disgust, telling her they needed to accept this new arrangement as the cost of doing business. Later at Cora’s party, despite Alex’s best efforts to block her, Sophie finally voiced her concerns to Cora about the new interpretation clashing with the song’s lyrics. Although Cora remained committed to performing it her way, she appreciated Sophie’s honesty and acknowledged its importance.

As the deadline looms closer, Cora demands that Alex and Sophie conjure up another lyrical masterpiece within a mere 24 hours. However, Sophie remains stubbornly unyielding, insisting that creativity can’t be forced and refusing to collaborate with Alex when he’s unwilling to acknowledge his own artistic limitations. The tension boils over as Sophie storms out of the room, her frustration palpable.

The next morning, Alex seeks out Cora, only to discover that Sophie has secretly faxed her their collaborative efforts based on their impassioned conversation the night before. Meanwhile, Sophie is busy making plans for a fresh start in Florida, but reluctantly agrees to attend Cora’s highly anticipated concert at Madison Square Garden, where Alex and Cora will debut “Way Back into Love” - a song that has taken on new significance since Sophie’s departure.

As the lights dim and the crowd cheers, Alex takes the stage, proudly proclaiming that he’s written the new song himself. Sophie is outraged, convinced that Alex is attempting to steal her thunder by claiming credit for their joint effort. But as she watches him perform “Don’t Write Me Off”, a heartfelt plea for forgiveness and a second chance, something in her softens. She tracks down Alex backstage, where he confesses to having successfully talked Cora into toning down the risqué version of their song - all in an attempt to win Sophie back.

As the credits roll, we’re treated to a nostalgic montage that pays homage to VH1’s Pop-Up Video. The film reveals that “Way Back into Love” becomes a chart-topping hit for Cora and Alex, while Sloan’s cinematic adaptation flops with critics and audiences alike - effectively ending his career. PoP! reunites to celebrate their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where they’re joined by their former lead singer Colin Thompson, whose years of dancing have finally taken a toll on his hip. As for Alex and Sophie, they’ve found a harmonious partnership in both songwriting and love, with five more pop hits under their belts.