Emerging star rocks in romantic comedy “Music and Lyrics”
IMTA Press Release
February 14, 2007
Film opens nationwide Valentine’s Day
“I moved to California to be an actress and a singer and this part let me do both at the same time.” – Haley Bennett
In “Music and Lyrics,” Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is a washed-up 80s pop star who's been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit at county fairs and amusement parks. He gets a chance at a comeback when the reigning pop diva invites him to write and record a duet with her, but there’s a problem – Alex hasn’t written a song in years, he’s never written lyrics, and he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days. Enter Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), Alex’s beguilingly quirky plant lady, whose flair for words strikes a chord with the struggling songwriter.
The character that inadvertently brings Alex and Sophie together is young singing sensation Cora Corman, played by IMTA alum Haley Bennett in her first film role. “We auditioned a lot of girls on both coasts for this role. We had a very specific idea of what we were looking for. Haley looked perfect and she could really sing, which was essential for the part,” states director Marc Lawrence. “She also got the comedy slant on Cora, which is a little out there and slightly spacey but also sweet.”
“Cora's very spiritual but also very sensual. She's also a little insane; she does outrageous things,” says Bennett. “I did model her after some big pop stars, but she also has an original side. I love that she really cares about her music and its message...even if she is a little over-the-top about it.”
Observing her famous co-stars on set gave Bennett a valuable lesson in acting. “Watching Hugh and Drew work is amazing,” she says. “They're both so natural and relaxed and I was so nervous. They taught me that you have to be confident and feel comfortable when you are acting, because that's what people will see.”
In addition to filming “Music and Lyrics,” Bennett has been working on her first album that will feature songs she has written, two of which are featured on the “Music and Lyrics” soundtrack that is being released the day before the film opens. She has also found time for photo shoots for AP Magazine and GQ.com. Bennett Came to IMTA in 2001 and is represented by Kazarian, Spencer & Associates.