Notting Hill-Amazingly No Sequel...
How does one explain the success of Notting Hill? Julia Roberts could make a film about going to the bathroom and a few million women would think they have to see it. What else do you really need to know about this one? If you are into romantic comedies and your one the drones that line up for Julia Roberts movies, then there you go, have a good time. You get to see Hugh Grant fumbling around like a drunk with some yet unnamed syndrome for a couple of hours and of course love is in the air.
However, to the credit of all involved Notting Hill all involved have, so far, skipped the sequel to this very successful film, for this I am very grateful. With a modest budget of $35-45 million (you can do that when there is no real substance in a film even if you have stars, you just have to be willing to try) and a box-office well over $300 million dollars, Notting Hill is one of the most profitable films of all time.
In all fairness, Notting Hill is a masterpiece, an absolute masterpiece, when compared to other castrating machines such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which is sort of a microwaved, cheaper Julia Roberts movie beaten with a stick. Finally, I suspect that far less women actually like these films than we men suspect, these films are mechanisms fellows, mechanisms. They want to see if they can get you to sit through the dam thing. It is a test, be strong my brothern. Be strong. Or perhaps the real strength is to refuse to go and suffer in the first place.
Story C- (Through the lens of a Julia Roberts vehicle, the script could be worse.)
Acting C+ (How did people ever buy this Hugh Grant stuff?)
Visuals C (These people are not as attractive as you have been told. Wait for the day that you see them in high-definition, just wait.)
Originality/Innovation NA/F (Perhaps I am unqualified to assess the originality of this type of film. That consideration aside, I would stamp Notting Hill with an F for originality. The only thing original about the film was the new type of pain I experienced.)
Enjoyability Grade A/F (If you are a woman and enjoy torturing your mate, then this is probably a good time. If you have a penis and are a heterosexual, you are likely to feel as if someone is sticking a hot poker into both of your eyes. A if you are a woman, F if you are a straight man, or even a mostly straight but somewhat bi-curious man.)
Home Theater/HD Factor C
Overall Grade A/F (A if you have ovaries, F if you are heterosexual with a penis.)
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