Notting
Hill
(1999)
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2 Hours and 4 Minutes
Reviewer: Dale
Grade: AEvery so often there comes a film that you have no interest in seeing. People tell you that it's good but, for some reason or another, you don't quite believe it. I mean, people were always telling me how hilarious "Billy Madison" was. I shudder to even think about it. But unlike "Billy Madison", sometimes those films really are as good as everyone tells you they are.
Sometimes you see them and you kick yourself for not seeing them sooner.
"Notting Hill" is one of those films.
Now, I usually have a problem with romantic comedies. My problem is that they usually aren't that romantic nor are they all that funny. They just lay there: limp and withering on the screen for two hours. I think the only reason people take their dates to them is that they know they can safely make out in the dark for two hours and not risk missing anything important.
"Notting Hill" succeeds, however, by being both drop-dead hilarious and genuinely tugging at the heart strings. It is the story of the unspectacular owner of an English travel book store (Hugh Grant). He has a mundane life, no love life, and a roomate who takes eccentricity to new, unparalleled heights. Then, one day, a beautiful American actress (Julia Roberts, not really a stretch for her) wanders into his store. Understandably, Hugh falls for her immediately. And, much to his happy surprise, she falls for him.
Complications then ensue.
You don't really need to know the specifics of the plot. This film has a wonderful charm to it.
You find yourself falling in love with this film almost at once. Hugh is delightful and engaging in this film. He reminds me of a younger, British Cary Grant. Was Cary Grant British? I was never able to figure that out. Oh well. That's neither here nor there. Anyway, Hugh Grant gets you to immediately identify and root for him. And so does Miss Roberts. Why didn't she get nominated for this? She is exquisite. You can easily see why Hugh would fall in love with this woman. I have never really cared for Julia Roberts before. But in this film, she completely enchanted me. She wowed me. I can see how she is such a star.
And the guy who plays Hugh's roommate. God, this guy is hysterical. You start laughing every time he shows up. All he has to do is walk into a room and your funny bone is tickled.
But then he....well, he does some very bizarre things. You will laugh. I guarantee it.
"Notting Hill" was written by the same man who wrote "Four Weddings and a Funeral", which was another enchanting romantic comedy that provided a great deal of entertainment.
But I liked this one even more. It is sweet, tender, charming and thoroughly hilarious. It's the sort of date movie that might just keep you from making out during the film.
Well, maybe.