Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Notting Hill Blu-ray Movie Review

Also known as the one before "Love Actually."

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 29, 2013

If the1994 sleeper hit, “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” kicked off the whole middle-class, Richard Curtis-scripted notion of the “Britcom,” 1999’s “Notting Hill” turned such submissive endeavors into a formidable industry, creating a sizable dent at the box office, even directly competing with the behemoth known as “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” Its impressive performance isn’t surprising, as the picture is the type of Casual Friday film audiences love when they take time to find it, only here Curtis has an ace up his sleeve with star Julia Roberts, who tempers the English bite of the effort with her flashy Hollywood charisma, forcing the production to find a halfway point between comedy and romance that would be able to register worldwide. Moments charm and the screenplay has a wonderful fondness for its characters, yet “Notting Hill” takes its time to arrive at a foregone conclusion, glacially working through quirk and stuttered contemplation that doesn’t carry the pace it should.

The owner of a failing travel book store in Notting Hill, William Thacker (Hugh Grant) leads a peaceful life with mayo-slurping, unshowered roommate Spike (Rhys Ifans), trusting in the comfort of his close circle of friends (including Gina McKee and Hugh Bonneville). Popping into his store one day is American film superstar Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), a tentative woman well trained in the game of fame, taking an immediate liking to the affable retailer. When an orange juice accident reunites the pair, Anna takes a bold step and kisses William, sending his mind racing through the possibilities of their pairing. After taking Anna out on a few dates while she’s in England to promote her latest blockbuster, William tastes the bitter reality of celebrity, learning of his crush’s deceptions, though he finds it impossible to get over her, sending him into a tailspin of depression his friends try desperately to snap him out of.

Directed by Roger Michell, “Notting Hill” is glossy, trivial production that aims to satirize Hollywood conventions while indulging established formula. Outside of a few ambitious shots, including an unbroken take where William experiences the changing of the seasons while walking through his neighborhood in a daze, Michell’s job here seems to be one of passive observance, tasked with preserving Curtis’s screenplay and creating a pretty picture, with lovely, bright lighting that makes the entire cast (with the excepting of Ifans) look like a million bucks.

Despite Grant’s expertise in the genre and Roberts’s marquee value, the real star of the show is Curtis, with “Notting Hill” his second stab as nailing the nuances of the romantic comedy, with his next effort, 2003’s “Love Actually,” mastering the moves. His approach is interesting, trying to slow down the rushed routine of new love to inspect the participants as they navigate a truly unique situation where the demands of fame always interfere with courtship plans. “Notting Hill” is at its best when focused on character, treating even supporting turns as special people, drawing up backstories for much of William’s friends, threaded their romantic fortune into the lead’s life. It’s nice to be aware of these personalities, to understand those who care so deeply for William, strengthening the homey atmosphere of the picture. Even foul moron Spike is permitted screen time to impart his worldview, making him the comic relief of the feature and also William’s shoulder to cry on.

Anna’s story offers broken glass to swallow, which is a smart choice from Curtis, stripping the dewy glow off the pairing as they figure out how to be honest with each other. Paranoid and a bit of a liar, Anna isn’t a sweetheart, but a figure who’s been run ragged by the moviemaking system, stripped of her self-confidence and ability to be intimate. She finds William attractive due to his cordiality and nonjudgmental attitude, which casually oozes out of his Britishness. Anna is complex and borderline unlikable, which works to scrape a layer of sugar off the concoction, though Roberts has trouble managing the sting of worldwide fame colliding with thawing sensitivity, sharing awkward chemistry with Grant, who does a fine impression of an abused puppy dog just aching to be pet.

Notting Hill Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The VC-1 encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation is typical of a Universal catalog title, lacking a fresh scan to keep up with proper BD standards. Filtering is present (grain is mostly gone), and while it doesn't overwhelm the viewing experience, it creates a softness that scrubs away the richness of fine detail, with faces on the waxy side, lacking texture. Colors aren't lush, merely satisfactory, best with decorated interiors and certain props, while skintones look a little anemic at times. A mild amount of ringing and judder are detected. Blacks aren't taxed in full, but appear communicative, preserving depth.

Notting Hill Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't contain any surprises, offering a straightforward track that emphasizes dialogue exchanges. Voices are crisp and expressive, with pinpoint emotional accuracy and a healthy sense of crowd activity, with pleasing separation. Scoring is sparse but respectfully placed, providing support without overwhelming the performances. Soundtrack selections carry more low-end heft, sounding heavy and big, accurately selling the mood of the moment. The tunes also offer a modest amount of surround activity, which isn't a priority for the mix, finding the majority of concentration placed on the front stage. No distortion was detected.

Notting Hill Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary with director Roger Michell, producer Duncan Kenworth, and writer Richard Curtis is a dry discussion of the picture's creation, with the men pointing out the specifics of the frame with customary British reserve. Lacking humor, but benefitting from an interest in BTS information, the track certainly has its moments of value, especially when focused on the minutiae of the locations and the numerous misspellings found on book and magazine covers found throughout the film.

• Deleted Scenes (12:22, SD) offer Will's attempt to explain his relationship with Anna to his parents, another botched attempt at a blind date, extended time with Anna and Will as they work on one on her scripts (including strong language that would obliterate the picture's PG-13 rating), additional tomfoolery with Spike, and an alternate ending.

• "Seasonal Walk on Portobello Road" (3:30, SD) meets up with Richard Curtis, who shares his appreciation for the film's location, which happens to be where he lives. The featurette also explores the production's attempt to convey the passage of time through seasonal changes.

• "Hugh Grant's Movie Tips" (4:17, SD) joins the actor as he points out idiosyncrasies on set, include parental visits, crew fashion sense, bodyguards, doubles, and requests for nudity.

• "Spotlight on Location" (14:48, SD) is a standard cable EPK endeavor, highlighting cast and crew interviews as they share turns of the plot, character inspiration, and creative highlights. It's fawning material, practically worthless, but there's some BTS footage to keep the viewing experience engaging.

• "She" (3:14, SD) is a music video from Elvis Costello.

• "You've Got a Way" (3:37, SD) is a music video from Shania Twain.

• Photograph Montage (4:46, SD) collects snapshots from the production and stills from the movie.

• A U.S. Theatrical Trailer (2:48, SD) and International Theatrical Trailer (2:08, SD) are included.

Notting Hill Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Curtis takes his time with "Notting Hill," and the picture struggles to nail a pace where humor and heartache find equal importance. There are a few terrific scenes scattered around the feature (William accidentally taking part in a press junket is the best sequence in the film), but slowly, very slowly, Curtis gives in to formula, pushing the movie past its expiration date once break-up-to-make up machinery takes over, offering a pat ending to a complex situation of personal connection. Perhaps integrity is a pipe dream, threatening the reassuring sparkle of the fairy tale, but the turmoil "Notting Hill" promises in its early scenes isn't resolved to satisfaction, abandoning a compelling irritability to make sure everyone goes home with smile.