"spoiler" regarding uneven denouncement

Rating: Null/10 (25 November 2000)

Here is another 1999 comedy centered around the film industry. The problem with "The Muse", "Bowfinger", and this film is the unrealistic depiction of Hollywood. The screenplay Sharon Stone inspires Albert Brooks to write, an aquarium picture for Jim Carrey, or 'Chubby Rain' from the Martin/Murphy comedy, sounded awful. In "Notting Hill", Roberts is an actress starring in a fictional space opera that looks a lot like "Barbarella". I think Roberts as an actress peripherally suggestive of herself would have been a more interesting concept. Hugh Grant is exasperating in this role, and throughout his career. His work was good in assemble pieces like "Sense and Sensibility" or "Four Weddings and a Funeral", and I must acknowledge appreciating the "Coma"-like medical thriller "Extreme Measures", but the majority of his performances are variations of himself. I think Tim Roth or Julian Sands would have brought complexity to this character, sadly neither possess Grant's boyish splendor. Something the producers felt would appeal more toward women. It is the same feminine friendly bottling that robs this film of a potentially thought-provoking ending. After having been twice scorned by Roberts, Grant rebuffs her proposal to resume dating. Instead of ending on this note, the film has Grant, with friends and family in tow, driving wildly around London in a feverish attempt at reconciliation. If only he had cast her off and started anew, instead of a rehash of Roberts' insipid "My Best Friend Wedding". I liked Gina McKee and Emma Chambers as his younger sister and wheelchair bound friend. An interesting illustration of the passage of time as Grant walks down the street while 'Ain't no Sunshine when she's Gone' plays on the soundtrack, is impressive. Also, Grant impersonating a journalist from 'Horse & Hound' magazine (does this publication actually exist?) is quite humorous. 2.5 out of 4 stars.