The 1999 romantic comedy is available to watch on Film 4 this evening
This much-loved romantic comedy is set to return to our televisions on Film 4 on Christmas Day.
Written by Richard Curtis, and starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, the nineties classic Notting Hill spins the tale of an improbable romance between a British bookshop owner and a world-famous American actress. The film features a fantastic supporting cast including Rhys Ifans, Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers, Tim McInnerny and Gina McKee, and remains a favourite for its feel-good factor, nostalgia and unforgettable quotes.
Its award-winning soundtrack, brimming with hits from iconic musicians, perfectly complements this heartwarming narrative. The life of travel bookshop proprietor William Thacker (played by Grant) takes a surprising twist when the beautiful and renowned US actress Anna Scott (portrayed by Roberts) walks into his Notting Hill, London shop to buy a book. Their lives couldn’t be more contrasting – Will, a divorcee, cohabits with his messy Welsh flatmate Spike (Ifans), while Anna stays at the Ritz hotel during her promotional tour for her latest film.
After Anna surprises Will with a kiss, a flirtation develops into a romance, leading her to meet his eccentric circle of friends. However, as in any love story, there are heartbreaking hurdles to surmount, and the couple find themselves separated due to misunderstandings and miscommunication. Packed with iconic one-liners, including the unforgettable “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy”, the film became a runaway hit with both critics and cinema-goers when it premiered in 1999.
The rom-com hauled in £31 million at UK box offices alone, cementing its position as Britain’s biggest-grossing film of the time. The movie garnered numerous awards, including a BRIT Award for its outstanding soundtrack featuring numbers such as Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing At All, Elvis Costello’s She, and Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine.
Fans still adore every element of this treasured classic. On Rotten Tomatoes, where it boasts an impressive 84% rating, one critic wrote: “Charming, feel-good romantic comedy that still holds up. Notting Hill has just the right mix of humor, heart, and sincerity. “The chemistry between Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts is natural and warm, and the story – while simple – hits all the right notes. It’s light but not shallow, and there are moments that genuinely stay with you.”
Another admirer suggested it should be considered the definitive romantic comedy template: “Expertly written and brilliantly directed!” they said. “Classic that should be a sort of ‘model’ for love stories. With Roberts and Grant in the lead, what could go wrong hey? Razor sharp wit and spectacular characters, this is a winner.” A third viewer, who admitted they don’t usually gravitate towards romantic films, gave it a glowing five-star rating and remarked: “Not a rom-com type but this really worked for me. The two leads were superb / It’s perfect… one of the best rom coms of all time.”
Notting Hill is on Film 4 at 11.15pm on Christmas Day.