I tend to be quite fond of romantic comedies like this one, so I'm looking forward to it. I've been hearing strong word of mouth on this film for quite some time, but hell... enough of me... read on...

Notting Hill Screening in London last night...

Packed house and an excellent response.

The film is to be released here on May 21 for a platform release, going wide the following week at the same time as its US release. Understandably, 'film', 'release' and 'May' were not words I expected to hear together again this year but someone's got to fill those screens I suppose.

The film itself is fantastic - the most laugh out loud, feel good movie I have seen in a long time.

It is beautifully shot and superbly acted. Julia Roberts has taken a brave role playing 'the most famous actress in the world' alongside a cast of excellent supporting actors (The content of the bitchy reviews writes itself...). The writing and comic timing is as perfect as you'd expect from Richard Curtis. If reviewers are going to bitch about this one then they should perhaps take another look at how everyone else in the theatre reacted.

It's the quickest two hours I have ever passed in a cinema and it will easily fill the lag we have in the UK before Lucasfilm lets fly.

This is not a sequel. It carries similar themes and Hugh Grant is back where he belongs and he fits so well there. Oh, and he has an amusing clique of friends again. But 'Four Weddings' this is not.

I can't rave about this one enough - it will be a pleasure paying to see this again. So, if any one fancies something different yet totally enjoyable in between your sixth and seventh viewings of that other one then this is it. I hope it rides on the box office wave of the month because it certainly deserves to.

Elwood Dowd