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True love will find a way, so the old saying goes.
In the timely romantic comedy, NOTTING HILL,
love’s way proves rocky indeed for America’s most
bankable movie star (Julia Roberts) and a lonely
British travel book shop owner (Hugh Grant). These
two very different individuals have much to
overcome on the road to romantic bliss. Their
obstacles include hordes of paparazzi, eccentric
friends, a wacky flat mate, an abusive boyfriend,
and the star’s own temperamental outbursts.
Roberts simply glows in the role of Anna Scott, an
actress who earns 15 million dollars per film.
During the opening credits, stunning photos and
clips highlight her unique beauty while Elvis
Costello sings the entrancing "She" in the
background. No stranger to the challenges of
publicity, both good and bad, Roberts projects a
clear understanding of her character. Complaining
about the pitfalls of stardom, she admits being on
a diet since she was 19. "I’ve been hungry for a
decade," she confesses while trying to win a
delicious brownie at a birthday party. Perhaps
this isn’t acting at all. Maybe Roberts is just
playing herself. Who cares? Either way, she's
intriguing to watch here.
Exuding a self-deprecating charm that’s hard to
resist, Grant captivates the audience immediately
as the film’s narrator. "My wife left me for
someone who looks like Harrison Ford," he begins.
Considering Grant’s leading-man good looks, that’s
hard to believe. Nevertheless, everything else
this talented actor says or does rings true,
thanks to his impeccable timing and great comic
flair. Grant easily convinces viewers of his
bewilderment when a famous movie star seems
attracted to him after buying books in his humble
shop. And when he poses as a journalist
interviewing the cast of a film he hasn’t seen, he
brings down the house.
"Did you identify with the character you played?"
Grant asks one of the actors, who quickly answers
"No." "Why not?" querries Grant. "Because I played
a psychopathic, flesh-eating robot!" replies an
exasperated thespian.
The screenplay by Richard Curtis, who also wrote
FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, bubbles over with
sparkling dialogue. But one glaring editing error
and a few unlikely situations (such as a
celebrated star agreeing to change her clothes in
a stranger’s apartment) mar this otherwise
first-rate production. Director Roger Michell, so
thorough in his work on PERSUASION, let a serious
mistake slip through. In one key scene, Roberts
apologizes to Grant for her rude behavior of "last
night." Yet in between these two sequences, Grant
has been seen with a variety of women in meetings
arranged by his sister and friends during a time
span of many nights.
Thankfully, Roberts and Grant more than make up
for these shortcomings. Because of their appealing
performances, I had a delightful two-hour visit to
NOTTING HILL.
(Released by Universal Pictures and rated PG-13
for sexual content and brief strong language.)
To purchase
this DVD,
click here
(this will open a new window. To return,
just close the new window down:))
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