the
magic of NOTTING HILL
By Thomas Chau -cinecon-
The tagline for this film is "Can the most famous film star in the world fall for the man on the street"? After watching the film, I said to myself: "Can the average movie fan not fall for this movie?"
Julia Roberts has had a sudden ressurgence in her career since My Best Friend's Wedding; and this movie is a perfect example of the on-going momentum she's enduring right now. Roberts plays Anna Scott who (not ironically) is one of the most famous actresses in the world. Stalked by the paparazzi, guys gawking at her, she's the ideal person for any guy to fall in love with. Opposite of Julia Roberts is Hugh Grant (who's trying to clear his name after that thing with, well, you know...) Grant plays William Thacker, owner of an unsuccesful bookstore. Scott accidentally runs into Thacker on Notting Hill (a street in London) and at that instant, a sparkles enters her mind unlike any other men she's dated.
The film ultimately answers the question: "What if?"; after all, there are several "What ifs?" in the movie. The grand-daddy of the movie is "What if the most famous actress in the world fell in love with a normal, ordinary guy?" And director Roger Michell guides us through his visions of this chimera. Imagine this: You're on what you think is like any other date, it's innocent, it's peaceful. Then BOOM - next day, you're picture's all over the tabloids. Can you imagine the pressure, the embarassment that Thacker would have to go through? All too often do we daydream about becoming or falling in love with some celebrity.
So why does Scott stay persistent with Thacker? Unlike any crazy Hollywood relationship, this one is not superficial. Scott has a love and attraction for Thacker so genuine, you can already visualize "TOM CRUISE AND NICOLE KIDMAN - DIVORCED" in the headlines in your mind. It's a powerful, emotionally moving story presented in a humorous, quaint Cinderella style much in the likes of Jerry Maguire: When the characters laugh, you laugh. When they cry, you cry.
Another question the movie answers is can a normal guy remain normal after such a twist in his life? Well sort of...you see, while dealing with the operation of his bookstore and dating this celebrity, he also has the mental and tedious conflict of trying to continue on with his life as previously. He, his family, and his friends are all unsure about this relationship: how it would affect him, how it would affect them, etc... You just feel this surge of sympathy for Thacker yet at the same time, you cheer for him. You cheer that like Cinderella, there will be a happy ending.
Roberts and Grant has an on-screen chemistry unlike any other movie couple I've seen in a while. Their performances were DEAD-SMACK ON, I mean, it's not like Roberts had to do much to research her role. But while watching this film, one might ponder the reality of the concept. Can a relationship like this actually be forever? We all saw how happy Andre Agassi and Brooke Shields was and that went out the window. For once, it's nice to see what happens behind the camera and tabloids and watch a blossoming relationship unfold not in front of the press, but in front of themselves. You can't help but wonder if Roberts and Grant were really in a relationship and if this was a "Candid Camera" type deal because (I'm repeating myself) - their performances were terrific.
In conclusion, "The Force" may still be with Star Wars this weekend. But the magic is in Notting Hill.