too slow for a comedy

Rating: 7/10 (7 July 1999)

Much too slow for a comedy. The camera lingered on faces for far too long and if they'd only cut that technique out, the film would've been 20mins shorter. Thing is, I think they played on the actors rather than the characters. Hugh Grant with his bewildered blue eyes and Julia Roberts with her smile etc etc (and Rhys "Spike" with his utter lack of hygiene). Anyway, there was too much of the staring thing and not enough acceleration although I guess they had to hide the fact that it was really just "together apart together apart together" the whole time. It had its moments though, especially Thacker's family and some of the cultural input was interesting. A slow film - don't pay for it at the cinema, hire the video or something.