Although this movie came out in 1999 and received huge critical acclaim, I didn’t get around to watching it until almost four years later, principally because I actively dislike the kind of floppy-haired mild-mannered hesitant twits that Hugh Grant always seems to play. I don’t know the guy, but it’s easy to develop the sense that that’s really him, since so many of the parts he takes seem to be the same character.
I have to admit though, when I finally did get to see it, all the plaudits were well deserved. The film is warm, funny (often hilariously so) and moving, it’s written by Richard Curtis and it has Julia Roberts in it. What more do you want? So if, like me, you’ve been avoiding it just because of Grant, don’t. And if you’ve seen it before do yourself a favour. Autumn is almost here. Stoke up the fire, crack open a bottle of wine, take the phone off the hook and watch it again.
William Thacker is the owner of a struggling Notting Hill book shop. Strike that. The shop isn’t struggling; it’s floundering. Foundering even. Then, one day, Anna Scott, the world’s most beautiful woman and best-loved actress, walks into this almost-not-a-shop.
Later that day, still reeling from his earlier meeting, William runs into Anna again – literally. He spills his orange juice all over her. Embarrassed and desperate to make amends he offers his nearby apartment for Anna to change out of her wet clothes. She accepts graciously and, when it comes time to leave, thanks him with a kiss which surprises them both.
Slowly, the chemistry between the two of them starts to emit some heat, but the reaction is stalled by outside influences. Her fame, their close friends, the press and, ultimately, her boyfriend. But the course of true love never did run smooth and good things are always worth fighting for..
Notting Hill: E4, Tuesday 18 September, 9pm
Worth a look:
Rio Bravo: ITV3, Saturday 15 September, 2.40pm
On Golden Pond: Film4, Wednesday 19 September, 6.55pm
Total Recall: ITV4, Thursday 20 September, 10.05pm
The Long Riders: UKTV Gold, Friday 21 September, 10.30pm
White Heat: BBC Two, Saturday 22 September, 1.05am
