The Rewrite

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The Rewrite is a 2014 American romantic comedy written and directed by Marc Lawrence. It stars Hugh Grant as Keith Michaels, a washed-up screenwriter who becomes a writing teacher at Binghamton University in upstate New York, and Marisa Tomei as Holly Carpenter, a single mother who inspires Keith to change.

Plot in brief:
Keith is broke and disconnected after years of failed projects. At Binghamton, he starts off rude and uninterested, but he begins to mentor his students and discovers real talent in Clem Ronson. He forms a friendship with Holly, who helps him see life differently. When Keith’s past and a short fling with a student come to light, he risks losing his job. He and Clem travel to Manhattan to pitch to Hollywood producers, but Keith realizes his true calling is teaching. He apologizes to his students, stays in Binghamton, and starts a new screenplay inspired by his experiences. Keith and Holly pursue a relationship, and the film ends with him choosing a meaningful life over a Hollywood comeback.

Cast highlights:
- Hugh Grant as Keith Michaels
- Marisa Tomei as Holly Carpenter
- Bella Heathcote, J. K. Simmons, Allison Janney, Chris Elliott

Production notes:
- Development started in 2012 with Castle Rock Entertainment
- Filming began in New York in April 2013, with some scenes at Binghamton University in August
- Premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 15, 2014
- Released in the United States on February 13, 2015; UK release was October 8, 2014

Reception and box office:
- Box office: about $4.5 million
- Reviews were mixed
- Rotten Tomatoes: 66% based on 62 reviews
- Metacritic: 51 out of 100

Overall, The Rewrite is a light, feel-good romance about a man finding purpose through teaching and a hopeful relationship.