There's a certain type of film that is just right for Hugh Grant...and this is it. It's fortunate that Grant has seemed to understand his current age and has opened himself to this type of more middle-aged role.

The story here is "nice" , but certainly not groundbreaking. It's a pleasant romantic comedy...but not one that throws it all in your face. No, this one is a little more subtle. Here's the story in a nutshell: Hugh Grant plays a once (with emphasis on the word once) successful screenwriter. Now he's dead in the water, and reluctantly takes a job at the SUNY college in Binghampton, NY teaching writing...it's the only job open to him, and will give him a chance to recharge his batteries...maybe. But he goes into it with no enthusiasm...in fact disdain. And as soon as he arrives, sex with a young (but legal) student falls right into his lap. Big mistake. Especially when an older student is who he actually falls in love with. Just as he begins to find himself in his new life, just as he breaks off the relationship with the young student, and just as he begins to realize who he is really in love with...another faculty members decides to bring him up on ethics changes for having a sexual relationship with a student.

Hugh Grant is just right in this sort of self-depreciating role. You end up rooting for him...and that's always good for an actor in a film.

Marisa Tomei -- a much underrated (though usually fairly busy) actress, is also perfect for the film. She's very believable as an older back-to-college student.

Allison Janney is really good as the rather bitter college professor who the plot sort of revolves around...but actually has little screen time.

J. K. Simmons -- who seems to more and more be a man for all films -- is really good as the department chair. He brings a great perspective on how seemingly people from different walks of life can become teachers (and I know).

So, what's wrong with this film? Well, to begin with, we expect an ethics hearing...which we don't get...although admittedly that might have been stereotypical. And, I do dislike films that don't bring closure to a film, or who short change us on closure...as this one does. The "next chapter" would have been very interesting.

So, it's good, but not great. Charming and humorous, but not a comedy. It shows we all can have second chances. It's worth watching, but probably won't end up on your DVD shelf.

Keith Michaels (Hugh Grant) is a sharp-tongued Oscar-winning screenplay writer of the popular "Paradise Misplaced". That was 15 years ago and he has fewer options now. His agent gets him a job teaching a screen writing course at Binghamton University in upstate New York. He sleeps with college student Karen before even starting his class. Dr. Lerner (J.K. Simmons) is the department chairman and he's fighting with Jane Austen expert Professor Mary Weldon (Allison Janney). He doesn't believe in teaching writing, and picks mostly hot girls with a couple of nerdy guys for his class. He is hounded by single mom Holly Carpenter (Marisa Tomei) who really wants to be a writer.

Hugh Grant is having a bit of fun spreading his charm around whether it's wanted or not. He reunites with Marc Lawrence but the writing could be sharper. It is filled with quips from Grant but not all of it sticks. Tomei is lovely and I wish the movie concentrated on her more. In a rom-com, she needs to have more screen time. Also she is too nice and perfect. It doesn't lend itself for outrageous fun. She's kindly charming. The movie has a great cast and they keep the middling material chugging along.

Hugh Grant plays Keith Michaels, a raffish LA screenwriter who won an Oscar for his screenplay some years ago but his career has struggled since. Whatever he writes is not what the Hollywood producers are looking for, they want to see movies with a kick ass action girl.

Estranged from his family, with rejected screenplays and short of cash his agent gets him a job teaching screen writing at a small university just off New York.

As soon as he arrives he has a sexual relationship with one of his class student Karen (Bella Heathcote.) At a party he offends stuck up Professor Mary Weldon (Allison Janney) by insulting Jane Austen. He also has no interest in teaching his class or reading their fledgling scripts.

However he soon finds inspired to teach by the work his class has produced and especially by one of his nerdy male student who produces a promising screenplay. He also falls for a mature student Holly (Marisa Tomei.) Keith who is arrogant even aloof at first decides it is important that he sticks with his class although Professor Weldon wants to see the back of him.

There is nothing much original about the film, it has an easy charm, an amiable time waster and a good cast rounded off by JK Simmons as the department head.