How On Earth Is This Film Only Rated 6.9

Rating: 9/10 (21 March 2012)

At least when I write this review, this wonderful film is rated only a 6.9. Largely speaking I avoid most films that fall under the magic 7 out of 10 rating. However, there are hundreds of films on this site that, in my opinion, are far inferior to this gem. I am not a fan of romantic comedies in general, as the vast majority are so much shallow pond water - full of rather tasteless odds and ends and leaving a bad taste in the mouth. There are some exceptions, and this is one. Julia Roberts plays the part of the flawed but beautiful film star, and Hugh Grant plays his diffident best as the understated dry humored Englishman. But what makes this film great is the whole cast, from the effeminate book shop assistant, to William's quirky sister, Rhys Ifan's delightful gently crude and socially inept Welshman, Bernie the failed stock market trader (Played immaculately by the now famous Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville), I could go on!
The genuine and realistic relationships that the group of friends has contrasts with the world of fame represented in a somewhat satirical fashion. This only serves to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy with the thought of ordinary well-meaning people who love and appreciate each other and stand together through life's vagaries. How anyone cannot be moved by the response of Anna (Julia Roberts) at the end smiling like 'a little girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her' and what's more to a stirring rendition of 'She' by Elvis Costello; Come on, there is enough cynicism in the world not to delight in this gem of a film that oozes happy endings and feel good lives! This is probably the 5th time I have watched it and I admit unashamedly to tears welling up at the end.
Give it another viewing, you won't be disappointed