When you think of romantic leading men, Luke Wilson doesn't exactly spring to mind. Of course, neither do Billy Crystal or Cary Elwes, but both of Director Rob Reiner's classic romantic-comedies "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The Princess Bride" made you consider that Crystal and Elwes could be seen as such. They're not A-list stars like Bruce Willis and Michael Douglas, which made Reiner's "The Story of Us" and "The American President" unable to capture that spark. Instead, he excels when the leading men are down-to-earth, fun-to-be-around guys next door. Thankfully, he's at it again, this time throwing likeable Luke Wilson into the Romantic Lead category. "Alex & Emma" will hook you until the very end, and may just become this summer's sleeper hit.

Wilson plays successful writer Alex Sheldon, who is struggling to get past his mental block and write his newest novel that is extremely behind schedule. Alex's gambling loan from the Cuban Mafia is also extremely behind payment, and he is given 30 days to come up with the money - or else. When his publisher (played by Reiner) denies him an advance on his book, Alex resorts to hiring a stenographer named Emma (Kate Hudson) to dictate his story to. Unfortunately, Alex knows his characters, but doesn't exactly know where the story is going; he makes it up as he goes along. As Alex narrates the story, Emma begins to play the part of the reader and challenges the weaker points of the story. Working day and night together, the two start to fall for each other, and Alex's book begins to mirror his own life and relationships.

As with most stories that fall into the Romantic genre, "Alex & Emma" does fall into the foundational formula of "guy gets girl, guy loses girl, guy tries to win back girl." What really makes the film work is the narration of the book by Alex, and the ensuing visualizations of the characters and situations.

With Wilson playing dual roles as narrator Alex and as the novel's character Adam Shipley, the transitions from current day to 1924 are seamless (and more often humorous). Wilson has a constant inquisitive look on his face that almost borders confusion, yet it is an endearing quality.

Kate Hudson portrays a multitude of roles in the visualizations of the novel as Adam's nemesis/confidant/lover as her character's dynamic changes throughout the course of the narration. From the Swedish au pair Ylva (who isn't "edgy" enough) to the down-to-earth Anna, her role transforms from characters with annoyingly bad accents to an everyday average beauty.

Wilson comes across on-screen as the every-day guy; confused with relationships, eating cereal out of the box, and not too concerned with his surroundings. Hudson, on the other hand, comes across as that average beauty that really could be working as a Stenographer down the street. Again, this is what Reiner does best: make those down-to-earth romances seem possible. There is no "love at first sight" in his films. Instead, the two characters get to know each other over time and start to see the underlying 'real' qualities in each other that will eventually grow into love.

Funny, romantic, and lighthearted, "Alex & Emma" is an enjoyable alternative to the usual Summer Blockbuster. While it doesn't break any new ground in film making, it resorts to a basic formula and sweetens the pot. It's two love stories in one, and even though you think you know how the film will end, the parallel stories will keep you guessing in anticipation of whether or not Alex (and Adam) will get the girl.