Drew Barrymore: In 2 romantic films 'Music and Lyrics,' 'Lucky You'

Drew Barrymore has been a favorite of film audiences for more than two decades, earning praise for her performances in a wide range of movies, including "Charlie's Angels," "Perfect Catch" and "50 First Dates." Now, she will be seen in two upcoming love stories from Warner Bros. - "Music and Lyrics" where she's romanced by Hugh Grant and "Lucky You" where she ignites the screen with Eric Bana.

In "Music and Lyrics," as the chemistry heats up between washed-up 80s pop star, Alex Fletcher (Grant) and his quirky plant lady, Sophie (Barrymore), they will have to face their fears - and the music - if they want to find the love and success they both deserve.

When it came time to cast the woman who would become Alex's perfect partner in romance, "Music and Lyrics" writer-director Marc Lawrence approached Barrymore. "Drew was the person I most wanted to send the script to. She's spontaneous and really, really funny," states Lawrence. "And she also has vulnerability as an actress. There's nothing she can't do. When Drew smiles she takes the whole theater with her. There's no amount of teaching or coaching or pleading that can achieve that effect."

"Drew brings a charm to any role," says Hugh Grant of her co-star. "She's so clever and, apart from being a brilliant actress, she's also a very good bloke. She has a calming effect on set. Plus she makes her leading men look good, which is another reason I was so keen to work with her."

Barrymore says she was drawn to the project for a multitude of reasons. "There's a style to this movie that's refreshing. I think Marc's writing is of another era; his style of banter reminds me of comedies from the forties and fifties where the man and woman really inspire each other and rally. It's like watching a tennis match."

The actress also enjoyed the unique qualities of the characters she found in the script. "There's something about them that's true to people in real life. Marc's characters are very balanced and very specific with lots of idiosyncrasies. Sophie and Alex both have very different ways of dealing with life."

Meanwhile, Barrymore plays a young singer in "Lucky You," a romantic-drama set in the world of high-stakes Las Vegas poker. In the film, Huck Cheever (Eric Bana) is a blaster-a player who goes all out, all the time. But in his personal relationships, Huck plays it tight, expertly avoiding emotional commitments and long-term expectations. When Huck sets out to win the main event of the 2006 World Series of Poker-and the affections of Billie (Barrymore) - there is one significant obstacle in his path: his father, L.C. Cheever (Robert Duvall), the poker legend who abandoned Huck's mother years ago. As these two rivals progress toward a final showdown at the poker table, Huck learns that to win in the games of life and poker, he must try to play cards the way he has been living his life and live his life the way he has been playing cards.

Both distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, "Music and Lyrics" opens across the Philippines on Feb. 14 th, to be followed by "Lucky You" in April.