Separate the words from the lyrics of any great song and you will discover that each is good on its own. It is when the two parts come together that the real magic happens.

The same works for the new romantic comedy "Music and Lyrics."

Separately, Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are fun to watch on screen. Together, they provide the same kind of sparks as the great romantic screen couples of as Tracey and Hepburn or Hanks and Ryan.

Even the script by writer/director Marc Lawrence has a wonderful duality. The romantic part of the movie works because of the chemistry between Grant and Barrymore. The movie also has a wonderfully wicked dark side that takes some vicious stabs at the music industry.

Grant plays Alex Fletcher, the unknown half of the `80s band PoP. (Think Andrew Ridgeley of Wham!) Fletcher has crawled out of obscurity on the back of the wave of nostalgia for the `80s. He's been reduced to singing at high school reunions and theme parks. But, it is a living.

The former pop idol does balk at an invitation to be on the new television series "Battle of the '80s Has Beens." The show features `80s musicians slugging it out in the boxing ring. The winner gets to perform.

Fletcher is summoned to meet with new pop icon Cora (Haley Bennett). She combines the mystical influences of Madonna with the fashion sense of the Pussycat Dolls. She's not the sharpest note in the scale. That doesn't matter because Cora generates millions in CD sales.

Cora wants Fletcher to write her a new song. The big problem is that, while Fletcher can write music, he's iffy when it comes to lyrics. That's where Sophie Fisher (Barrymore) enters the picture. She's been hired to take care of Fletcher's plants. He discovers she's a born lyricist.

The pair begin a collaboration that is as funny as it is emotional. Grant's natural charm mixes seamlessly with Barrymore's vulnerability. It is a perfect harmony.

There are also strong backup performances by Brad Garrett as Fletcher's agent and Kristen Johnston as Fletcher's controlling and PoP-crazy sister. They both provide sparks of energy when the movie begins to slow.

The unsung heroes of the film are Adam Schlesinger, Andrew Wyatt and Josh Deutcsh. Schlesinger, who penned the title tune of "That Thing You Do," wrote the tune "Way Back Into Love" for the film. The song relays in a few lines the heart of the film.

Wyatt and Deutsch composed the PoP hit "Pop Goes My Heart." The campy song may not create a revival of the `80s sound but just try to get the tune out of your head.

From script to actors and dark comedy to romantic turns, the elements of "Music and Lyrics" come together to create a charming and funny love story. There isn't a sour note in this composition.