NOTTING HILL 🤩

When I first began writing my classic reviews over three years ago, I had to define what the word classic meant to me. I came up with what worked for me, allowing me to flit from one genre to another without any particular rhyme or reason. Each week, I chose a film that connected to my life story. It had to be a movie that stayed with you long after the lights came on in a theater and the seats were empty again. 

In my mind, my weekly selection had to have either a strong plot, excellent acting, or memorable special effects. It’s imperative that when watching, I feel a slight flutter in my heart. Were there laugh-out-loud moments? Was I face-to-face with topics I’d rather not deal with that would make me sad and grief-stricken? Was I brought to tears, taught valuable lessons, or felt inspiration while soaring to new heights? I wanted my buttons to be pushed no matter how many times I revisited that piece of celluloid while in the comfort of my home. I wanted the same reaction each time, because the whole experience never got old or stale. My classics must be timeless and stand the test of passing decades. 

With all these criteria in mind,  I also must not be swayed by what other critics have written or rated. I must be true to myself and acknowledge that most critics have diverse opinions that may not align with the masses. Obviously, all these criteria can reveal a vast category of movies that I have barely scratched the surface of. I guess I have been holding back, but this Valentine’s week, I decided to open and embrace that can of films.  Let it be known that NOTTING HILL is one of my favorite rom-coms and must be reveled and reviewed. 

NOTTING HILL premiered in 1999. It didn’t win the big statues, except for BAFTA’s Audience Award. To prove this, the movie grossed nearly $370 million on a budget of only $42 million. $15 million of those expenditures went directly to Julia Roberts as a paycheck. She was the only actress considered for the role of Anna. Most of the footage at the beginning was taken from ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s authentic press releases throughout Roberts’ career. 

The director, Roger Michell (VENUE and ENDURING LOVE), and writer, Richard Curtis (LOVE, ACTUALLY, and FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL), were a match made in heaven. They both understood what it took to make a romantic comedy fraught with serious, underlying, dramatic scenarios. It was Curtis’s genius idea, conceived one night while lying in bed. What would happen if an ordinary person and an extremely famous person met by chance and fell madly in love with one another? Could the relationship withstand the yin and yang of trying to make it work? Obviously, this was a fabulous idea, since most of us have daydreamed about meeting a movie star a time or two. Of course, in our minds, it always worked out perfectly, but could it have a chance in the movie world? 

Curtis was at the pinnacle of his writing career. The studios could not say no to him, nor could Julia Roberts. Her beauty and grace have been compared to Hollywood’s Golden Age of film. Some equate Roberts to a cross between Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. Roberts wondered how she could create Anna Scott without making her appear stuck-up. She nailed her performance with her vulnerability and inner beauty. “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” This was the most universal, brilliant line that broke down every barrier when it came to finding love, no matter how famous or ordinary you were.

William Thacker played by Hugh Grant (FOUR WEDDINGS AND FUNERAL and ABOUT A BOY) was the man chosen to be the love of Anna’s life. The chemistry sizzled. Grant has the extraordinary ability to raise a mere eyebrow, look directly into the camera’s eye,  or twist his lips in such a way that moviegoers can only feel empathy for any character he creates. It is uncanny. His choices are smart and funny, and they allow ample breathing room for everyone to catch up. Curtis has said that he is one of the few actors who understands how to read the words and lines he writes.

The director knew to let Grant and Roberts improvise as well. Many key moments were not previously part of the script, such as the scene where Anna describes her salary at the birthday dinner party and when she tells off that group of obnoxious men in the restaurant. The greats know instinctively when just to let the cameras roll. 

The ensemble was incredibly selected as well. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by such a quirky, unconditionally loving group of friends who have your back at all times, while still dealing with such heavy topics as using a wheelchair, occupational failures, dating, body issues, and unrequited love? Spike (and his very brief underwear), Martin, Rufus, Tony, Max, Bella, and “googly-eyed” Honey were simply amazing. Kudos to their subtle, wonderful strengths as a dynamite supporting cast. 

There are far too many memorable lines and scenes to mention, but I do have my favorites:

1. The park bench- what a magical moment when it is discovered deep within a neighborhood garden, complete with the most loving plaque for all to read and remember. The camera panning up at night and the film’s final frame brought me to tears. “People do stay together for a lifetime.”
2. The Market Street montage showing the passage of time as Thacker deals with his loss of love breaks my heart every time. It is thoughtful and poignant as we witness relationships form, grow, and end over the four seasons. What makes it so special is the visceral vision achieved with just a sports jacket. Bravo. 
3. “Flopsy” and the ad-libbed line “adios the plates” 
4. Julia Roberts’ magnificent smile and resounding laughter 
5. The infamous blue door was years later auctioned for over $100,000.
6. Fighting over a brownie and movie goggles
7. Chagall 
8. The hilarious, bumbling travel bookstore customer
9. “Nice, but surreal.”
10. Rhys Ifans/Spike 💜

NOTTING HILL is endearing. It is a sweet, patiently edited film. It shares a well-told story, complete with a happy ending, while nestled firmly on the smoldering shoulders of Roberts and Grant. It is a wistful, wishing it could be true, romantic classic. It makes audiences dream about all the infinite possibilities of who we love. It is the perfect gift this year on Valentine’s Day. 

NOTTING HILL is available on Peacock.