So maybe this one is an admittedly embarrassing love of mine, but I can't help but hold strong in my opinion that Notting Hill is the perfect modern example of a great romantic comedy. Its two leads are inherently likable and have amazing chemistry (which is more than can be said for most entries in this genre). Julia Roberts is radiant and slyly emotional in what I consider her best performance. Hugh Grant is at the top of his game, and, considering he's had zero chemistry with other romantic co-stars (take a gander at Music and Lyrics and, from what I've heard, Did You Hear About the Morgans?) he and Roberts seem to be an ideal pairing as the dowdy travel book salesman (Grant) and the flashy American movie star (Roberts). And detractors be damned -- I absolutely love her near-end monologue to Grant. Call the "I'm just a girl..." speech corny, but its damn fun corn nonetheless.Standout Performance: This is quintessential Roberts greatness -- playing a congenial romantic lead with an endearingly rocky past and a winning smile. And she's never looked better.
3 comments:
Nice to see a Julia lover in this age of Julia hatred. Strangely, I've never seen this. I can't say why, since my sister is obsessed with it to a degree.
I saw this film for the first time about a month ago, and, honestly, I was rather disappointed in Julia's performance.
I just LOVED her in both "Pretty Woman" and "Runaway Bride" - I felt the quest and the emotions of her character SO MUCH MORE in those films.
Hugh, however, was fantastic in "Notting Hill." The only other movies that he's had remotely close to this great of a performance, in my opinion: "Nine Months" and "Love Actually."
Ah, Sara. You're hard just so hard to disagree with. :)
Gotta say, her performance in Pretty Woman would probably make a close second for me. But I would definitely rank Runaway Bride waaaaaay down on her list.
Sorry to dissent. :)
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