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NOTTING HILL review

Published at:  May 21, 1999 12:46:16 AM CDT

While waiting in the Star Wars line the other day I
decided to kill a few idle hours with a Sneak Preview
of NOTTING HILL.

When I announced my intentions, Copernicus roared,
"No fucking waaa... aaaay, maan!"

Yes way man...

You see I'm a huge fan of the Romantic Comedy
genre. In fact, it's darn near my favorite type of
movie. Going way way waaaay back to the likes of
THE THIN MAN, SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS, IT
HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, UNFAITHFULLY
YOURS (not the Dudley Moore one).... on up to
modern films like YOU 'VE GOT MAIL,
AMERICAN PRESIDENT, SABRINA (both of
them) and so on...

I devour these films... I love watching them.

When I go see these movies I like to go alone. When
I'm watching the films, when I let myself get caught
up, I don't like to think of someone 'judging' my
reaction.... Watching to see if I cry, or if I sniffle a bit
here and there.

Or.... at least that's the way I once was. The
machismo male in me that wanted to.... 'Be a Man'
until I realized that if something 'spoke' to me,
whatever that reaction creates in me is.... me. And
I'm secure. Just like... Robogeek.

Beginning in High School I really began to fall in
love with these funny love sonnets, and I didn't mind
if they were in Black and White or starred Patrick
Swayze or Jennifer Grey.

One of those films was PRETTY WOMAN, and
unlike a lot of folks nowadays that I talk to, I loved
the film.... Even though I don't care for Mr Hamster,
for whatever reason... I liked Julia Roberts.

You know... she was never one of those Masturbation
Movie Stars. I never really had fantasies about her...
Instead she objectified 'someone to fall in love with'.
Not her... specifically. BUT rather.... The idea of
someone to fall in love with.

That's who Julia Roberts is for me. The
conceptulation of love. Not necessarily my 'perfect
woman', she's probably living up in Oklahoma
working on teeth or some other demeaning activity of
utter funkiness.

Well, ya know... I've grown into adulthood with Julia
Roberts. She's been around for a while now. I've
been both happy and disappointed in her... but
usually... Whenever she does the romantic comedies
like MY
BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING well... I'm happy.

I liked her in that John Grisham/Denzel Washington
movie, but really... I thought the movie as a whole
just didn't do it.

So, when I walked into this film I expected to be
happy. I did. Really. And... I was.

For the first time, I think what I've seen is the real
Julia Roberts on camera. Or at least to a certain
degree.

Can you imagine how awkward it has to be to BE
famous?


I mean, I've just had a taste of it, and while it
definately has it's perks there are plenty of drawbacks.

For example, whilst I've been in this line... the camera
crews seem to gravitate towards me. I sat way back
in line, no signs saying, "THIS WAY TO HARRY"
but still... MSNBC, and three local affiliates, as well
as various radio stations all came up trying to get me
to do interviews. I did them... I kinda have to, lest I
be considered RUDE, but quite frankly... I wanted to
just be a PART of the line, I didn't want to 'embody'
it... ya know?

SO, since I'm in this state, where I wake up to see
cameras poking into my tent, catching me waking
up... I began to really sympathize with Julia Roberts.
I mean, while she was married to Lyle Lovett and was
seen all over Austin... Well, I began seeing the local
radio and press keeping tabs on their every
movement. Where they ate, any incidents that
occurred... this stuff would be picked up by various
tabloids and as a result I began to think....

"God, It'd suck to be them."

Imagine, you're out on a date with the woman you
believe you love, but folks... mind you nice folks,
keep coming up interrupting your conversation. For
all they know, you could've just asked the woman
across from you for her hand in marriage, but there is
this compulsion to... be nice, small talk and be
gracious.

So you decide to go to a park, but some damn snoopy
reporter sees you leave the restaurant. They follow
you. You're holding hands, walking in the moonlight,
from time to time you see a couple and a blanket
laying there... perhaps kissing.. perhaps just holding
hands... Not a bad idea, you decide... sure... why
not....

Then the next day some hack like Michael
Coldcockring is running a big ol article about it in
your local paper.

I mean... seriously where does this little rat bastard
get off? But imagine if this was simply the state of
being for you and your life. It's the mold that's put
around you when you enter into the limelight that
casts you into a cynic. And it is that part of the story
that I love.

You see, how calculating having a relationship with a
famous person can be. The 5 minute intervals
between entries into hotels, the fake names, the
sunglasses and large hats... Suddenly you realize
that... ya know... you kinda have to give up being
normal.

Or do you? You could, just not care what the press
thinks. You could choose to be normal. I mean,
really how much negative personal press does
Harrison Ford get? Or how about Tom Hanks?
Fairly regular Joes... right?

Robert Rodriguez is just a normal family man, three
normal kids, normal wife, and all are happy. It can be
done, but only if you really want it.

And ultimately the 'happily ever after' bit is attainable
but only if you work for it. You have to be able to
not care about the 'outside', and focus on your
personally reality and not what others perceive your
reality is.

Those are the issues that are dealt with in the film.
Well... not quite.

There is also the issue of dating a famous person
while being a 'normal' person. What's it like to break
up with a star... Someone that's face lay across the
sides of public transportation. Someone who appears
during commercial breaks and that exists in a theater
near you.

I mean, seriously... breaking up is pretty damn
painful. Suddenly favorite restaurants can become
echoes of heartache, but imagine if in addition to all
of that... Everytime you went to checkout at the
grocery store you saw the cover of some magazine or
some tabloid that told you who your ex-lover is
seeing now.

Everybody likes to laugh at folks like Larry
Fortensky, but really.... Boil it down, what would that
be like? I mean, you marry Liz Taylor... You look
into those eyes, you love that woman. Then, when
you break up... well, you get publicly executed as
being 'Just a Gigolo, and everywhere you go... people
know the part you're playing...' as ol Louie Prima
would sing.

Ya know... I just don't know. Would it be worth it? I
just don't know. I mean, breaking up is hard
enough... division of friends, division of property,
waking up alone, walking into your kitchen, making
breakfast for two out of instinct, then you realize
that... Well... you have to feed half the breakfast to
the dog.

It sucks man. It does. But to turn on Jay Leno or
David Letterman and then be torn asunder. To drive
to work the next day and hear Howard Stern rip you a
new one.... Gosh... ain't life hard enough?

ALRIGHT HARRY, I GET THE POINT.

Yeah, I know, but this movie brought alot of this type
of things up for me. But I'll move along.

The actors in the film do a wonderful job, the ending
is a bit... well, you know... but hey... what do ya
want... really?

The 'local' British color is wonderful, and the Notting
Hill area reminded me a bit of Rotterdam as well as
London, and I enjoyed the memories.

I love Hugh Grant in this sort of role. He can play
Cary Grant in his sleep, but here... well, I'm not sure
but to me, he feels a bit Gary Cooper-esque. And it
suits him. He looks worn. He looks like the perfect
candidate to be smitten ya know?

And Julia Roberts is just dead on here. You kinda get
the idea that she's too much trouble to pursue, but at
the same time... She is.. just another girl. And when
she allows herself that reality, you can see who Grant
falls in love with. She's someone who desperately
needs to be loved, honestly loved.

Then the various relatives and friends of Hugh
Grant's... well... I love them. What a great group.
High marks all the way around. I especially love the
quirky sister and roommate. They're great.

Then there is Alec Baldwin. Why on earth did he
accept this part? I mean seriously, my God he comes
across as being an A Number One asshole. Great
work Alec!

How does this film stack up to FOUR WEDDINGS?
Well, I liked it a bit more, but hey... I'm often times
accused of having a lack of taste.... So go take a
nibble yourself and you tell me.

I'm anxious to see RUNAWAY BRIDE later this
summer but I seriously doubt it'll be as strong as this
one, if only because I really dislike Richard Gere as
an actor... but... I'll give him a shot. Sheesh...



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • May 21, 1999 1:49:13 AM CDT

    Julia was never in 4 Weddings....

    by korwin

    Hi Harry,

    Harry Wrote:
    Well, ya know... I've grown into adulthood with Julia Roberts. She's been around for a while now. I've been both happy and disappointed in her... but usually... Whenever she does the romantic comedies like FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL or MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING well... I'm happy.


    Just thought I would point out that Julia Roberts never appeared in 4 weddings. Maybe thats not what you meant but thats how it looks.. Anyway keep up the good work!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 1999 5:31:37 AM CDT

    Re: Julia was never in 4 Weddings....

    by happycat

    Yeah, I think you did misread it...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 1999 5:37:25 AM CDT

    Happy Cat?

    by smilin'jackruby

    Now there's the coolest user ID I've heard in awhile (yes, I'm serious, I have a real cat-thing). Anyway, thanks for the review, Harry. The fiancee wants to see this pretty bad and since she went and saw "The Mummy" with me, well...guess I'm going to be getting in line for "Notting Hill" this weekend.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 1999 4:37:39 PM CDT

    This movie is great!

    by cineman

    I caught the sneak for Notting Hill as well and I have to agree with Harry. Thisis one of the best romantic comedies in a while, much better than 4 Weddings and a Funeral and My Best Friend's Wedding. The supporting cast are truly incredible. Sure, the film is strictly by-the-numbers but is that so bad? After seeing this, I'm completely convinced Hugh is the most likeable actor in Hollywood.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 1999 5:15:45 PM CDT

    Harry got it right.

    by dhartung

    Early in this rambling review he does mention Julia Roberts as appearing in MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING. Later, at the end, he wonders how it stacks up against Hugh Grant's other American hit, FOUR WEDDINGS.

    Easy enough to misread.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 1999 11:29:14 PM CDT

    Baldwin cameo

    by breedlove

    Harry - You're usually good about spoiler warnings...I wish you hadn't spoiled that Alec Baldwin appearance! OBVIOUSLY that's supposed to be a surprise. I knew some movie star made a cameo from Julia's Letterman appearance the other night, but they made sure not to say who, and I was looking forward to the surprise!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 22, 1999 3:40:03 AM CDT

    Not your best review Harry

    by kieran

    Saw the film yesterday at the Odeon, Leicester Square (I think they got the film a week early, because they filmed a couple of scenes there). Not blown away, but yes, I enjoyed it and Yes, I agree the ending was kinda squiffy, but really Harry, you can do better than that. Now I know it's tough to come up up with reviews that Zing, time in and time out. No one expects Gore Vidal, but please. This is easily the blandest page and half I've seen come out of your site in a while. I'm not trying to be too critical Harry, but really, do try to get some sleep once in a while. All those hours in line waiting to see the film with that cartoon frog-rabbit seem to be catching up with you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 22, 1999 8:43:46 AM CDT

    The Review

    by corran fox horn

    I agree with you Kieran, but let's face it, Harry isn't a review-writer, let alone a writer. He does write them, but they are merely a vessel for what he thought. And the reason we listen is because he's a lot like many of us, and therefore often agrees with us. He doesn't do good review, he does good opinions, and he talks about personal things which would relate to his experience. I wouldn't read *only* Harry's reviews, but I make sure to check out nearly everyone of them.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 24, 1999 9:56:06 PM CDT

    Some thoughts...

    by jerry maguire

    Harry, I've only begun to recently comment to articles on the site, and then only when I'm really moved to comment. First, I enjoy reading your reviews, but lately they've become....well, I don't know what they've become but they're not really reviews anymore are they? Second, the film was indeed wonderful. I saw the sneek preview a week ago and the movie blew me away, I honestly did not expect to like it. I am a huge fan of the romantic comedy and I go to see almost all of them. The previews for this one didn't strike me as original, it very much reminded me of FOUR WEDDINGS. But from the first few scenes where Hugh Grant is describing Notting Hill I was smitten with the idealism of this film. It succeeded where YOU'VE GOT MAIL failed. I ended up caring. I just walked out of the THE LOVE LETTER because I frankly didn't care who wrote the damn thing. I think love is THE emotion and NOTTING HILL did love justice where the other two films simply did not treat it with enough respect. As you can tell from my ID I go for the films that inspire and NOTTING HILL inspired me to turn to my girlfriend in the seat next to me and tell her I love her. I highly recommend this film. ****

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 26, 1999 1:02:14 PM CDT

    First response

    by mbrundle

    As people say, this isn't a review, but a lovely, heartfelt piece of writing which I empathise with entirely. And I also agree 100% that Ms. Roberts is a true sweetheart! Now I just have to go see the film... :-)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 26, 1999 1:56:46 PM CDT

    terrible movie

    by geneguy

    I also went to a sneak preview of Notting Hill. It was one of the worst movies I've seen this year. None of the main characters were likable and I just hoped Hugh Grant's character would develop enough backbone to tell the bitch to get lost. Her and Alec Baldwin's character were made for each other. What would have been satisfying is for Hugh to have taken her back long enough to fill his bank accounts and then left her standing somewhere, but that would be totally out of character for this sniveling, star-struck ninny. The peripheral characters were OK though. Even my wife, who generally likes about all movies, was disappointed with this sorry excuse for a romantic comedy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 27, 1999 10:58:51 AM CDT

    Re: Julia was never in 4 Weddings....

    by flngroovy

    He was obviously making the comparison to Hugh Grant's movie. I was kinda mislead for a minute but I figured it out. And by the way, Phantom sucked.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 29, 1999 11:34:30 PM CDT

    The best movie yet this year!

    by polgara

    I absolutely loved this movie. The showing i went to sold out. But at any rate...this movie was amazing, everything a movie should be. I did not think it echoed 4 weddings. I watched the movie and was amazed that I was actually watching a movie and not watching these characters lives fold out right in front of me, it seemed so real. I just wanted to get that off my chest.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 30, 1999 11:47:55 AM CDT

    Think I'm first this time.

    by stephens

    Just like to say I know what you mean Harry with the I'm meant to be big and strong and a guy but some of the sentimental shit just gets you you. Its weird but true. And Pretty Woman was great.

    Dave

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 30, 1999 2:33:22 PM CDT

    I also knew a girl named Pandora...

    by darius25

    Hugh Grant was good, Julia was pretty good and Rhys Ifans was fucking amazing. He deserves his own movie. Seriously though, Harry, how could you even think that this movie was better than 4 Weddings. Everything in that movie was better. It had better romance, more laughs, more London, every thing. It's true that this movie was pretty damn good and one of the truly romantic comedies since Chasing Amy but still, Four Weddings was way, way, way better.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 31, 1999 4:47:13 PM CDT

    More FX than Star Wars

    by napolean solo

    Do you know that industrial Light and Magic (lucas' FX company) Done the effects for NOTTING HILL. In fact they done more for that film than they did for star wars because that is the only way you could possibly shoot a movie based around that area and not include black people. I am a Black resident of that area and for everyone oversees who knows not about the place... NOTTING HILL IS AN URBAN AREA that has all of a sudden become trendy. Don't get me wrong the film is good but come on folks... it is the equivalent of shooting a film called Harlem Nights and not showing any African Americans.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 02, 1999 2:25:39 AM CDT

    Enjoy...

    by tids

    I have to say I am in total agreement with you on this one big guy. Not macho, maybe, but what they hell. Hugh Grant proves he was born to play the foppish English man. Julia Roberts... wow. Never had her stored in the old memory wank bank, but she is to die for in this. Go see, enjoy and dispite what you may of heard... better than "Four Weddings..."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 02, 1999 6:56:27 AM CDT

    Notting Hill

    by xian

    I'm afraid that 4 Weddings had one distinct, distracting feature that turned me off on the movie, and that is Andy "Knock on Wood" McDowell. Never have I seen a less sexy and more stoic piece of mahogany fluff on the silver screen who was so successful (barring William Shatner, but I can forgive him. He was Kirk! ;) ).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 02, 1999 11:08:05 AM CDT

    Typical Harry

    by princpl kahotec

    You know, I read review after review from senior Harry, and the one thing I notice that continues to be present in every review, is Harry's story. It's not enough for Harry to critique the merrit of the said film, he must come forward and share a myriad of stories and memories from his life in order to even begin to discuss the film. Now I know that is why so many of you gravitate towards his thoughts, because of his relaxed whimsical approach towards reviewing a film. But for once, even for a small one time affair, I would love to see a review that dealt specifically with the film at hand. No stories, no dreams, no self analysis, I would love to see a review in which Harry discusses the merit of the film, not who he secretly wanted to be in the film. I may be commiting AICN suicide with this commentary, but these are my thoughts. Thank you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 03, 1999 2:57:38 PM CDT

    HA HA HA HA HA

    by johnny bartlet

    I was going to write something important... but I'm laughing too hard at JD's ILM statement...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 03, 1999 5:06:22 PM CDT

    THIS MOVIE BLOWS

    by chi-town

    awful...julia roberts is unlikeable...hugh grant does his usual eye blinking method of acting...and it's the most implausible plot you'll ever see from a romantic comedy....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 03, 1999 6:30:05 PM CDT

    Notting Hill - A Londoner's perspective

    by jedickie

    So, the movie - I was expecting 4 weddings part 2, and I was pleased to find it wasn't. OK, Hugh Grant played the same part, but Julia Roberts was a million times better than Andie MacDowell. The Audience tests worked, as the movie was far less disjointed (although the edit on the 4 seasons scene could have been better)

    As for life in Notting Hill? I lived and worked in London for 4 years, and spent much of my time visiting friends in the area. First faux pas was the lack of ethnic mix - the great thing about Notting Hill (real life), and London in general, is the cosmo mox you get - but Notting Hill is perhaps most famous worldwide for its Afro-Caribbean flavour. But the people who lived there in the movie fit those who would do so in real life (as it should be - Richard Curtis, the screenwriter, lives there himself).

    After being let down by Forces of Nature, I though that there were no women who could equal or carry a movie these days. Julia Roberts was fantastic. I remember how she was championed in Pretty Woman as the next big thing, only to make flop after flop of bum movies (we wait with baited breath for la Paltrow to start doing the same). But now she is used to media focus, and is happy being typecast, she is absolutely fantastic - I can't wait for "Pretty Woman 2" to be finished (what is the working title for that anyway?)

    Please, also appreciate the support cast - they are all stalwarts of fine British TV - from BlackAdder (anyone remember Lord Percy? - Tim McInnery), to Our Friend in the North (Gina McKee), to the Vicar of Dibley (lovely Emma, who plays Hugh's sister) and the thin Blue Line (James Dreyfus - the bookshop worker who's a bit camp) I would rather this waved the British Flag than Shakespeare in Love any day of the week, and will happily sit through this one again with my Girlfriend, whilst faking protest and insisting she comes to see Star Wars with me here in July! Go see when it opens Stateside, this is compulsive viewing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 04, 1999 6:02:20 AM CDT

    Brit whinging (with quaint spelling)

    by call me roy

    It's my first time so be rough with me. The thing I most like about Richard Curtis' writing is his creative use of swearing. This is something films often lose when shown on TV here as colourful language is edited out. The 'big' channels are the main culprits, sorry, guardians of my morality, and it bugs me badly. How does this compare with other countries?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 06, 1999 6:47:04 AM CDT

    Sod a dog!

    by noumenon

    My wife & I both really enjoyed this film, even though she lead me into the cinema kicking and screaming (I wanted to see The Matrix for the third time). If I'd known it as a Richard Curtis film I wouldn't have minded so much.

    I love the "obscenities" in this film:

    "Sod a dog!" and
    "Bugger that for a bunch of bananas!" being my two favourites.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 06, 1999 7:44:18 AM CDT

    which film is this?

    by noumenon

    Even though I enjoyed this film, it does strike a very strong resemblance to FWAAF. I'm going to run you through a treatment, see if you can figure out which film I'm referring to:

    An easy-going, yet inhibited Englishman meets a glamorous American woman and falls head-over-heels in love. The problem is that she belongs to another man and lives in a universe to which he does not belong. She keeps flitting back and forth from the USA to the UK and everytime he thinks he has gotten her out of his system, Slammo!, she turns up again. Lucky for him his madcap friends and family cheers him up with their shenanigans. His boring life and inability to get over this babe provide a counter-point to the tragedy and humour evoked by his companions. In the end, he decides he has to have her, but wait! It's might be too late! His friends throw him into their (very small) car and drive him around town at breakneck speed. Just in the nick of time he finds her, declares his love, and they fall into each others arms to live happily ever after...

    Which film?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 1999 4:36:49 AM CDT

    utter crapness

    by glitteredbug

    How could you Harry?
    How could you like this film?
    It had to be the single most painful form of torture I have ever had to sit through. Julia Roberts with her tentative pauses made me want to shout.. SPIT IT OUT GIRL!
    (I didn't)
    I admit that it looked good, but I agree that the population didn't look much like that of Notting Hill...
    I love romantic comedies, but in my oppinion this wasn't one.
    This was Julia Roberts acting a bitch, and getting away with it because she's Julia Roberts.
    The only saving grace was when I thought that he might actually dump her..
    And of course Rhys... who is god.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 08, 1999 7:46:27 AM CDT

    Disappearing

    by wugly

    Wow, amazing, a whole review about a movie that manages to NOT mention the best thing in it (Spike played by Rhys Ifans) but does manage to talk about Harry a lot, and also get a plug in for his buddy/agent/casting director Rodriguez!!
    This is just another symptom of how this site is slowly disappearing up is own rectal passage.
    I know this isn't supposed to be a forum for personal attack, but when you encounter a review that barely mentions the movie, but the writers "fame" gets the majority of the space, then I think its a valid point.
    Anyway, good movie, slightly better than 4 weddings, mainly because Andie (no expressions) McDowell isn't in it, and the afore-mentioned Ifans is, whose comic timing and sheer disgusting physical presence is the funniest thing in movies since Austin Powers.
    wugly

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 15, 1999 1:56:04 AM CDT

    Notting Hill's a parody of some good fairy tale

    by gueser

    I tried very hard not to dislike this movie but found it almost impossible to do so. From the very start I couldn't believe in the story that it was trying to sell us. And by the end, when Anna Scott asked William to love her like an ordinary girl, it just became too tough a lump to swallow because the whole movie had been built around the fact that she is NOT an ordinary girl. As a fairy tale the movie doesn't click for me because there were such a lot of mismatched elements; elements that do not belong in a fairy tale. Starting from the very notion that a temperamental international movie star will find lifelong marital bliss with a rather befuddled London storekeeper.

    This movie can't run away from being compared to Four Weddings and A Funeral and maybe it should be. I really liked Four Weddings and A Funeral for its comic energy and its zany but likeable characters who were all really good folks at heart. And I liked Hugh Grant there as a fumbling charmer who follows his heart in the end after a few misfires. The story of boy meets extraordinary girl but is afraid to commit reminds us of our own choices. We know what we want, sometimes we even know what is good for us but we are afraid to try and get it.

    Notting Hill is the story of boy meets movie star but is afraid to commit. This time around I think he has very valid reasons not to commit but all that is lost in the frenetic and overdramatic last 15 minutes. From the very beginning, it seemed highly improbable that a worldly seen-it-all woman like Anna Scott would kiss a stranger who has just spilt juice on her. Taking that huge leap required me to hoist my disbelief up to dizzying heights for the rest of the movie. Before that, there was also the nagging thought that a movie star like Anna would actually agree to follow a strange man into his house and change her clothes there.

    While the supporting cast in Four Weddings was endearingly quirky, the bunch here seemed a pale shadow of their predecessors. In Notting Hill, they are weird for the sake of being weird. The roommate Spike was all too predictable, a one dimensional comic relief who had no depth, no redeeming qualities that would help us understand why the younger sister would fall in love with him. And the pain of watching Honey make a fool of herself the first time she meets Anna only substantiated the fact that this story never intended for us to see Anna as a mere mortal.

    And because of the movie star aura obstructing our vision, we never really find out whether Anna is a nice suitable match for William, assuming that all he wants is a nice suitable soulmate for himself as he did in Four Weddings. The writer tries to convince us that Anna is a nice person by throwing at us really deviant blind date types like the woman who wouldn't eat a cooked vegetable. William never gets a chance to develop a normal relationship with any of these dates before Anna started imposing herself on him again.

    What do we know about Anna? She is a movie star, she is gorgeous, she doesn't have any bad habits, she can talk nicely to a bunch of people around a dinner table and she inexplicably likes William enough to sleep with him. What do we know about Anna when she tries to be an ordinary person? She can't stand people criticizing her even though she's been in show biz for the last ten years, she is a very career minded professional who doesn't stay in one place a whole lot, she doesn't stand up for William when her boyfriend mistreats him, she throws a tantrum when her public life interferes with her romance and starts blaming everyone else, she leaves William in limbo without even calling him to try and clear things up after that episode. To cap it all off, she comes back and asks William to accept her.

    The last decision was of course William's to make. And what about William? He is portraye
    as being very ordinary. He is supposed to be an average man with no bad habits, a handsome face and no girlfriend although he owns a store in one of the busiest parts of London where people from all over the world traipse through daily. He is apparently no overachiever and is satisfied with his routine life, traveling no more than a few hundred yards a day from his home to his shop and back. Then he has the world's most famous movie star falling in love with him. He gets to know her personally for a total of not more than 48 hours. He rejects her for good cause, then listens to the advice of his friends who hardly even know her and decides that he will marry her after all. More than that, in the last 15 minutes of the movie, he decides that their union will be a feasible and lasting one. The last two minutes or so we see William appearing at Hollywood functions with Anna but we never get to know how he feels about being the husband of a movie star, not the husband of just an ordinary girl. This is the part of the fairy tale that I find most difficult to swallow, this no catch happily ever after that the movie dissolves into at the end.

    Last of all, I pity Hugh Grant for getting stuck in stuttering roles for the rest of his career.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 1999 10:02:55 AM CDT

    Notting Hill: A message to America.

    by normalperson

    After watching Notting Hill, and previously Four Weddings, Americans must have a warped view of the British male. So to clarify: we are not all blushing, bumbling, public school educated fops, with dangly hair, a nervous stutter and a bum (butt) which has a silver spoon firmly jammed up it.

    Yes, most of us are working class slobs. But of course, they don't make romantic comedies about slobs. But come over to England anytime, and have a beer with us. We can't promise you epigrams, an audience with the Queen, or a mention in our eccentric aunties will. But you'll meet some real people, rather than the clumsy stereotypes portrayed in Notting Hill.

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  • Jul 14, 2000 8:26:57 PM CDT

    Pretty good

    by jubieloo

    Notting Hill was cute and a nice romantic comedy...there was nothing REALLY special or herendous about it, but it was a nice flick. See it on a date or if your in the mood for somthing sweet and light...of course if your in this mood i say see Keeping the Faith instead cuz its way better and has Edward Norton in it!

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  • Jul 26, 2006 8:23:20 PM CDT

    But America cherishes its stereotypes!

    by wolfpack

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