Enjoyable...

Rating: 7/10 (24 August 2000)

Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts compliment each other so well in this film. Hugh Grant plays the bumbling travel-book store owner who leads a simple life well, while Julia Roberts plays a celebrity with character in an almost self-analytical role. Considering she already is a celebrity with character, she certainly makes Anna Scott extremely appealing.
(WARNING: mild spoilers) What I liked about this film the most is that it is totally from William Thacker's (Hugh Grant) perspective. The audience never gets to see Anna Scott's glamourised world unless William is present. Essentially we're all stuck in Notting Hill with him, but on the other hand, in reality, would we ever see how celebrities live unless it is through the media. Thacker's perspective relates to the audience very well because we could all wonder about what it would be like for a normal person to become involved with a celebrity. This factor plays well in the film for comic value without being slapstick such as when William takes Anna to his sister's birthday celebrations, the humour revolves around the friends and family's behaviour towards Anna!
Great performances from Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, and the supporting cast. Predictable but fun, and a great balance of analysis of celebrity hype and normal everyday life and romantic comedy. ***1/2 out of *****!