Nothing like a British comedy

Rating: 9/10 (27 January 2000)

No one can match the British comedy. Take "Notting Hill", and compare it with any American counterpart, like "You've Got Mail". That is a great movie, and I loved it. But "Notting Hill" is just over-the-top.
British comedy has a special ingredient that Hollywood has yet to appreciate: tragedy. There is often a tragic background to the funny events and characters - just have a look at "The Full Monty", one of the best films of the 90's. It's basically tragic. The seriousness of the situation and the grief involved makes it sting - and that's what makes it so good. I really can't see any tragedy in "You've Got Mail"...
Anyway, "Notting Hill" is not very tragic. The situation between Thacker and Scott, however, seems to be doomed. Also, the woman in the wheelchair adds a sad note to the music. But the characters lift themselves up from the mess of their lives and make something funny and worthwhile from it. It's uplifting not only to see the harmless behavior of Thacker or the incredibly dumb-ass Spike - but the entire set of people that Thacker trust and love provides additions to the story that are just as valuable.
This film was probably the best one, bar "The Matrix" to appear in 1999. And I just want to say that I'd like a T-shirt like the one Spike wears to his date.