Notting Hill is romantic comedy about a humble bookshop owner who is swept off his feet by a famous celebrity. It’s anything but your typical relationship, although it does have it’s ups and downs. Let’s consider the pros and cons of Notting Hill…
Pros: Firstly, it’s hard to find a bad Hugh Grant performance in general, but this is arguably the most likeable he’s ever been. Along with an affable leading man is Julia Roberts, who seems to be playing an offshoot version of herself. Of course she nails the role and injects some life into this movie. The two actors have great chemistry and are the main reasons to watch!
Cons: Maybe I’m jaded by my past, but this love story did not ring true for me at all. My main issue is with Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) and her motivations for kissing William (Hugh Grant) and snowballing their relationship. I get it, he’s a charming guy, but later we learn that Anna is already in a relationship. I also believe in redemption and second chances, but by the end, Anna has shafted Will so many times I was rooting for them to go their separate ways. Of course that wouldn’t be a Hollywood happy ending, but this movie could have used at least one surprise. Everything plays out exactly how you might expect and for that reason, I was slightly underwhelmed.
I give Notting Hill a B. It’s a contained story with great performances, but not a whole lot of substance. However, if you’re in the mood for a low stakes, lighthearted rom-com, this is a great option! Happy Watching!
“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
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