An obvious choice to direct Hitch was director Andy Tennant, who had ably displayed his romantic comedy chops in such major hits as Sweet Home Alabama and Ever After. “Andy owns this genre,” says Zee, who previously worked with Tennant on Fools Rush In. “He’s not only funny, but he brings a refreshing humanity to romantic comedies as well.”
Tennant’s films are informed by his attitude toward romance. “Basically, love is a wonderful problem we never solve,” he says. “It’s this great merry-go-round of emotions that I find endlessly fascinating.”
Hitch’s “date doctor” rules are part of a long-standing tradition regarding the game of love. “There’s a line in the movie that says it very well: ‘She wants the real you. She just doesn’t want it all at once,’” says Tennant. “What that means is that you can’t completely overwhelm someone with your emotions. It’s all about the controlled release. You have to play some of the courtship games that have been going on for centuries.”
While Hitch proves himself to be extremely successful in helping other men find love, his smooth, practiced approach doesn’t seem to work on Sara Melas (Eva Mendes), a beautiful reporter who works for a New York tabloid newspaper, leaving him stymied and intrigued.
“For the first time in his life,” says Lassiter, “Hitch has met someone who also has it all figured out and he finds that very appealing.”
“It’s almost like the universe is conspiring against him,” laughs Smith, “forcing him to show Sara who he really is rather than what he thinks she wants to see.” “Sara brings out the vulnerable, awkward geek that’s inside all of us when we approach the woman of our dreams,” observes Tennant.
Mendes, who has already made her mark in comedy and drama in such films as Out of Time, Stuck on You, and 2 Fast 2 Furious, was cast in the role, says executive producer Wink Mordaunt (Tennant’s producing partner), “because she is light-hearted, yet has a certain gravity. She has exactly the right temperament for Sara. When Hitch tries to set up dates with her and they go horribly wrong, Sara is not irritated. She’s entertained. That corresponds perfectly with Eva’s personality.”
“And she’s a brilliant actress,” adds Smith. “She’s beautiful and funny — and a lot of woman. She totally kept me on my toes.”
The opportunity to work with Smith was definitely a draw for Mendes, but it was also the appeal of Sara’s character. “Like Hitch, I fell in love with Sara, a woman who thinks she needs to keep her guard up so she can succeed as a career woman,” says Mendes. “But inside she is a hopeless romantic.”
Another actor who kept Smith on his toes was Kevin James, who is making his feature film debut as Albert Brennaman, Hitch’s new client who is sorely in need of a “date doctor’s” help. The role offered the star of the hit comedy series “The King of Queens” the opportunity to transition his talent for physical comedy to the big screen.
James’ years of television comedy training were an added plus to Smith, who honed his own talents on the successful series “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and cites such other experienced TV performers who easily made the transition to film including Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy. “When you work on television for years, you’re prepared for anything. The guys who are successful on TV are the ones who can turn it on in an instant,” Smith says. “The minute the director yells ‘Action!’ they can do something brilliant.”
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