Still love this film after 20 years

Rating: 10/10 (18 January 2020)

After the huge success of Four Weddings, Richard Curtis struck gold again with Nothing Hill. I think I actually prefer this to Four Weddings. The characters aren't quite as OTT quirky as Four Weddings and seem far more grounded and realistic. The warmth of William's friends who surround him is lovely and you can see why someone like Anna would find his life appealing. I like the little nods to Julia Roberts previous films ("we'll have you spick and span and back on the street in no time... In a non prostitute way of course"). I like how she shows she's just a vulnerable person under the sheen of being Hollywood's biggest filmstar.
Notting Hill of course is a gorgeous setting before it got ridiculously gentrified, and humble book shop owners could afford to rent with a jobless Welshman in a flat in Portobello Road. I can't believe this film is 20 years old, but in my mind is a timeless, sweet, romantic comedy.