Julia Roberts' Best

Rating: Null/10 (20 July 2003)

This is possibly Julia Roberts' best romantic movie so far. She does best when she plays what's been cut out for her - can-do-no-wrong sweetie pie. Assisted by a wonderful cast and witty script, this movie proves she does best at this than attempt something like Mary Reilly or Erin Brockovich. She should just stick to roles like these and stop pretending she can do anything else. Hugh Grant, as usual, plays the bungling messy commitment-confused single who doesn't really know what he wants; sounds too familiar. He did well but I'm glad he did 'About A Boy' and 'Bridget Jones' Diary'. I was beginning to get sick of his goody two shoes onscreen persona.
The one who really stole the whole show from the two of them was Rhys Ifans, who was hilarious as Hugh Grant's housemate who gets caught outside the house in his underwear and takes advantage of his 15 mins. The other supporting cast members, though unknowns in US, are actors and actresses in their own right in UK. They made their friendship with Hugh Grant's character rather real, especially when it is discovered *SPOILER* that two of his closest friends were previously his former girlfriend who had chosen to marry his good friend instead. I particularly liked Emma Chambers who was adorable and funny in his younger sister role. They don't seem to share any resemblance though so casting should have watched out.
The dialogue is sweet but unnauseating, believable and quite possibly real. The story line itself does touch a nerve, especially in an era where celebrities are vulnerable to daily life's activities and don't seem so god-like like the stars of yesteryears. The happy ending is expected and nothing else would have made any sense.