Hitch

Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens makes a living coaching nervous men on how to approach and attract the women they want. When he agrees to help Albert, a clumsy but sincere accountant smitten with glamorous Allegra Cole, Hitch teaches posture, timing and thoughtful gestures to reshape Albert's chances. Meanwhile Hitch struggles when his usual tricks don't win over Sara Melas, a skeptical tabloid reporter probing celebrity romances. As Sara's reporting edges closer to Hitch's client, the relationships he's built start to unravel. The story keeps its focus on matchmaking mishaps and personal honesty without revealing how those tensions resolve.

Released in 2005, Hitch was directed by Andy Tennant from a screenplay by Kevin Bisch. Will Smith stars as the charismatic coach, joined by Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta and Julie Ann Emery, blending romantic comedy with light dramatic beats.

The film was a commercial success at the box office and enjoyed strong international returns, helping cement Will Smith's appeal in romantic comedy roles. Its popularity extended into home video and streaming, where it continued to find audiences after theatrical release.

Critics gave mixed to positive reviews, frequently highlighting Smith's charm while pointing out familiar genre conventions. Audiences responded well, reflected in a roughly 6.6/10 user score from over 6,000 votes. Major themes include the tension between technique and authenticity in dating, how social status affects attraction, and the value of vulnerability when forming real connections.

Hitch left a lasting mark on early 2000s romcom culture by popularizing the idea of a professional "date coach" and influencing later portrayals of modern courtship. Will Smith's smooth, playful performance became a touchstone for romantic leads of that era, and the film often appears in conversations about dating advice, movie references and the era's take on romance in pop culture.