| legeros.com > Movie Hell > 1999 > Reviews |
NOTTING HILL, a delightfully daft kissy-face comedy that opens on May 28, stars Hugh Grant as a London bookstore owner who falls in love with, well, Julia Roberts. (So she's called Anna Scott here. Big deal.) They meet, touch souls, and part ways. And each encoun- ter (or series of encounters) ends even more abruptly than the last, due to the difficult circumstances surrounding her fame. (Theirs' are *vastly* different worlds...) For the audience, the resulting ride is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Ergo, be prepared for some rough patches. (Plus a couple of contrivances, to get things properly sewn back together.) On the chemistry front, H and J make an even more perfecter pair than expected-- Grant flustered as all get-out; Roberts flashing that giga-watt smile. (The former's comic timing is also impeccable. Has Hugh always been this funny?) Brit director Roger Michell (PERSUASION) gives significant screen time to the ensemble supporting cast as well, which FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUN- ERAL writer Richard Curtis heartily fleshes out. They're a fun-- and occasionally scene-stealing-- bunch. If this charming, crowd- pleasing, and dryly-funny film has a couple points to pick at, it's the trying American touches: a preponderance of intrusive pop songs on the soundtrack and, sigh, yet another driving-fast finale. Oh well... With Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers, James Dreyfus, Rhys Ifans, Tim McInnerny, Gina McKee, and Richard McCabeand, plus a sur- prise star cameo that's worth the price of admission. (Rated "PG- 13"/123 min.) Grade: B+ Copyright 1999 Michael J. Legeros Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros
Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: Nott