THE BROKER took time out from the exchange to file this review with FATHER GEEK. We here at Geek Headquarters have heard some good feedback on this one, it's supposed to be pretty funny. Here's what our uptown spy thought...
On Tuesday, April 20, a press screening of "Notting Hill" was shown at Manhattan's Sony Lincoln Theatres, at 6 pm. In addition to members of the press, "regular" people were given passes, and a friend gave one to me.
I had heard a lot of ecstatic buzz about this film--the highest test scores on a romantic comedy ever, etc., and the studio seems to be really high on it, positioning it at the end of May, to cash in on the audience who isn't interested in Star Wars: Episode 1. And I assume that since the press were invited, the print we were shown is the final cut.
First off, I liked the film--but there's nothing particularly fresh or unique or award-worthy about it--it's a standard, run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. Hugh Grant turns in a performance identical to his work in 4 Weddings, and does a good job of making diffidence and self-deprecation charming. Julia Roberts has been saddled with some horribly unflattering costumes, but does fine in her role.
[MINOR SPOILERS]
The film has a whole can be neatly broken into two parts: the first half, in which Grant and Roberts fall in love, and the second half, in which they experience complications. The first half is really wonderful, full of chemistry and fresh situations and interesting characterizations. In this movie, I really, really believed that the two characters were falling in love. The second half, however, is a big disappointment, full of cliched complications and a formulaic climax.
So, how does this compare to 4 Weddings? The romance is much more satisfying, since Grant is actually wooing someone who can act, instead of the MacDowell mannequin. However, on every other level, this film is not nearly as satisfying as 4 Weddings. Just as Grant's character was surrounded by a coterie of lovable eccentrics in the previous film, there is a similar ensemble in Notting Hill--but this time they are annoying and grating. There's a quirky roommate, and lovable-but-socially inept friends. The roommate, played by Rhys Ifans, is particularly obnoxious, and Grant's decision to live with him is inexplicable. I quickly tired of their antics. The one supporting character who is interesting is Grant's homely and gawky sister, who is hysterically overeager to become friends with Julia Roberts. Unfortunately, we see way too little of this terrific character.
The production looks fine . . . but British, in that the production values are not quite what they would be if this film had been made in America--the newspapers and magazines that advertise Roberts' character are especially fake looking. And the title is pretty bad, I think. Who cares that the name of Grant's neighborhood is Notting Hill?
In summary, the movie is great when it comes to the romance between Grant and Roberts, but on every other level, it's a disappointment. Grade: B.
THE BROKER
