A Hollywood one-hit wonder screenwriter (Hugh Grant, at 54 as twinkly and sheepishly charming as ever), now broke, condescendingly accepts a teaching position at a small college in upstate New York. He immediately beds a foxy student, alienates a scowling Jane Austen scholar (Allison Janney) by mentioning Clueless, and engages in clever yet meaningful banter with an attractive single mother (Marisa Tomei).

This comfort food of a movie wins points for being reasonably intelligent and congenial, and avoiding outright mawkishness, but loses a few for its utter predictability. Also J.K. Simmons. Japanese title: Re: Life. (107 min)