Alex "Hitch" Hitchens (Will Smith) is the self-confessed cure for the common man - a New York 'date doctor' who helps shy men land the girls of their dreams. Hitch promises to steer hapless blokes successfully through the first three dates, focusing on first impressions and leading up to the first kiss. He's pretty good at it too but has his work cut out when bumbling and tubby accountant Albert (Kevin James) hires Hitch to help him woo Allegra (Amber Valletta), Albert's beautiful celebrity client. And Hitch realizes that following his own advice isn't plain sailing when he finds himself attracted to feisty gossip journo, Sara (Eva Mendes) who smells a story when Allegra is photographed about town with Albert. And what's a good gossip journalist to do, but dig deeper and dish the dirt?

Hitch took the USA by storm in its opening weeks and it's not hard to see why. Because Hitch is that rare thing - a warm, funny, smart and thoroughly entertaining movie with the widest possible appeal. So how does it do it? Well, by the sheer class of its comedy and having a bunch of characters that are really worth getting to know and spending time with. That, and a clever attention to the perils and pitfalls of attraction and relationships that everyone can identify with. Not many romantic comedies can entertain teens, twenties, thirtysomethings and their parents. But this one can. Even your grandmother would love it. In an age of so-called romantic comedies that focus more on the sex, it's refreshing to find one that is sexy but sex-free, smart and sassy without any swearing (well, only once).

Of course the undoubted and bankable charm of its star and co-producer, Will Smith (I, Robot; Independence Day; Men in Black) is a big plus. But this isn't Will Smith's film - it's carried by the chemistry between all the leads. Eva Mendes (Training Day and the face of Revlon cosmetics) shines as Sara, the breezy cynic who warms to Hitch in spite of herself. But Hitch's relationship with Albert (a fantastic turn by stand-up comic and sitcom star Kevin James) is just as much fun - whether teaching him how to kiss or, equally, how not to dance!

A thoroughly modern comedy with old-fashioned class, Hitch is great fun. Whether it be Albert's attempts to put Hitch's advice into action, the speed-dating session that doesn't go quite as it should, or Will Smith's allergic reaction to a sea-food supper, there's much to enjoy. All credit then to director Andy Tennant ( Sweet Home Alabama; Anna and the King) and to an inspired cast that seem to be enjoying themselves too. The hitch? There isn't one.