Notting Hill
Might contain spoilers.
Absolutely lovely. Heartwarming, sweet, charming, witty, and perfect. It may have taken me 23 years, but I’m so glad I finally watched it. This is what the execrable Marry Me tried and singularly failed to imitate.
Anna is objectively quite unlikable, so it’s a good thing Julia Roberts has that smile to light up the screen. Hugh Grant’s charm is a wondrous thing: his dry, self-deprecating wit and unthreatening upper-crust baritone carry most of the relationship. William’s love for Anna makes you love Anna, and William’s heart breaking makes your heart break. The prolonged shot of the two smiling at each other after reconciling from opposite sides of the crowded press conference is downright magical.
The supporting cast are all very good. It was a treat to see Hugh Bonneville, Samuel West, and Emily Mortimer in their younger incarnations, and even Mischa Barton. I like Gina McKee and Tim McInnerny as Bella and Max, respectively. Rhys Ifans is excellent as Spike, who may be somewhat repulsive in a modern light but redeems himself in the end.