Hitch (2005)

Will Smith plays the smoothest man in New York, and Kevin James takes the whole movie away from him with one terrible dance. James is Albert, a clumsy accountant who eats like a raccoon and dances like he’s fighting off bees, and every scene with him is a treat. Smith is charming on cruise control. The trouble is his own romance. Eva Mendes plays a gossip columnist bound to find out what Hitch does for a living, so you can map the third act from their first meeting: secret, misunderstanding, public speech, make-up. The jet ski date to Ellis Island is cute until it goes very wrong. The best Smith moment is an allergic reaction that puffs his face up like a pool float, followed by a frantic drugstore run. At 118 minutes, it also overstays. Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore and $371.6 million worldwide. A 5.9 because Kevin James is a delight and the rest is rom-com autopilot. $6,004 says you try Albert’s dance at the next wedding you go to, and the DJ changes the song mid-move.

What works: Kevin James’s lovable Albert, Will Smith’s easy charm, and the allergic reaction scene.

What doesn’t: The main romance follows the rom-com map to the letter, misunderstanding and big speech included, and it runs long at 118 minutes.

Who it’s for: Date night viewers who want a breezy rom-com and anyone who has ever panicked before a first date.