Notting Hill (PG-13, 1999)

In this romantic comedy set in London, the quiet life of sweet, bumbling Notting Hill bookseller William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is turned upside down after a chance encounter with American movie star Anna Scott Julia Roberts, who's in London for a film shoot. Constantly hounded by the paparazzi and rarely able to escape her entourage, Scott finds herself attracted to Thacker's adorably humble manner, simple life, and down-to-earth friends. Romance blooms between the unlikely pair, but Scott's fame poses serious challenges to the budding relationship, as does her on-again, off-again affair with arrogant actor boyfriend Jeff King (Alec Baldwin).

While this romantic comedy doesn't expose the dirty underbelly of our celebrity-crazed culture, it's definitely funny. Hugh Grant plies his trademark self-effacing act to great effect. The writers also give Grant some wonderfully funny lines to deliver. Julia Roberts plays the straight character with just the right angst and desire, and William's grungy flatmate Spike nearly steals the movie with his outrageous outfits and disastrous hygiene.

 

Despite the story's attempt to maintain an ironic tone, it descends into mawkish sentimentality at times. It also bogs down in the last fifteen minutes--just bring the two leads together, already! Overall, this is a fine movie for teens and parents to share together.

Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Roger Michell
Cast: Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts, Rhys Ifans
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release: November 10, 1999
DVD release: November 10, 1999
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: content and brief strong language