If done correctly a romantic comedy can be a pleasant and enjoyable experience, even if not terribly memorable one. It is a genre which was at it’s peak during the 1950’s and ever since Harry Met Sally and Pretty Woman it has proved to be just as popular in the 90’s. Notting Hill, the latest star vehicle for Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant is a solid execution of this predictable, but quite often enjoyable style of film. Though it’s hardly on the level of the great romantic comedies, such as Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy or any of the classic romantic comedies from Woody Allen. The genre’s two purposes are to: one be funny and two be romantic, Notting Hill fortunately is adept in both purposes. As a result it provides it’s viewers with an amusing, romantic and enjoyable two hour excursion.

Unlike most romantic comedies, Notting Hill sports at the very least a slightly different premise. It’s premise is hardly stunning in it’s originality but it is certainly more interesting than the very conventional: normal girl meets normal boy romance.

A likeable travel bookstore owner named William Thacker (Hugh Grant) who has recently been divorced and isn’t having a great time with life at the moment (due to boring social life, lack of romance and an annoying flat mate), has an incredible experience one day. William Thacker is having a typical day,until glamorous movie actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) wanders into his store, Thacker plays it cool and his charm seems to impress her. Of course he thinks that’s the last time he’ll ever see her again, fortunately for William he is wrong as a few minutes later he runs into her on the street, spills orange juice on her and invites her into his house to "clean herself up". Just as it seems his incredible encounter with Anna Scott will end, young William is surprisingly given a big kiss from Anna. A few days later she rings him and an unlikely and awkward romance begins.

As per usual of mainstream romantic comedies this is all pretty predictable and unremarkable stuff. The execution of the romantic side of the story sports all the typical scenes which appear in most blockbuster romances. However due to the highly appealing nature of the whole thing, the film remains likeable and enjoyable throughout.

Notting Hill’s script is an agreeable one in the comedic sense. There are plenty of amusing one liners from Hugh Grant , plenty of comical outbursts from his friends and some jaunty comedy from his quirky, uncouth flat-mate named Spike (Rhys Ifans). All of the comedy is low key and unimposing, providing the audience with lightly humorous outbursts rather than silly and over-the-top sight gags, which a lot of lesser romantic comedies posses.

Though his range might be limited Hugh Grant (best known for his role in Four Weddings And A Funeral) always makes for an easy to relate to,amusing and likable protagonist. His English charm and low key comic timing make for an appealing actor who is ideal as the lead in romantic comedy films. Along side Julia Roberts in this film,Grant is actually better in this than he was in his star making turn in Four Weddings And A Funeral. Fortunately he has dropped the slightly annoying eye lash flashing and constant stuttering routine. Although he is certainly not a brilliant actor,Hugh Grant does do a good job for what he does.

In the role of Anna Scott, Julia Roberts delivers a pretty good performance. Like Grant she is an actress of limited range, but in this film she gets to play a slightly different character: this time playing a big time movie-star not unlike herself. Roberts brings some realism to her character and remains appealing and likeable throughout.

In the supporting roles there are a few familiar faces. James Dreyfus who plays Hugh Grant’s c.o.-owner of the book store, is an actor I best remember from his role as Goody on the British comedy TV series The Thin Blue Line. Gina McKee like Dreyfus is an appealing and likeable actress who I’ve seen on the British TV drama series Our Friends In The North and in various English made for TV movies. In Notting Hill both inhabit interesting characters and do a reasonable job in their roles.

Notting Hill I feel is guilty of robbing it’s audience of a good ending by instead giving us a corny plugged in happy ending. There is a time in the film where I felt it should have ended and it would have been an appropriate ending which would have made the film more credible. Unfortunately the film’s makers have opted for the very safe happy ending routine which mutes the film’s impact somewhat.

Overall for what it is Notting Hill is pretty good. A lot of romantic comedies these days are of below average quality. Films like Runaway Bride and The Wedding Singer are good examples of what I’m talking about. Laughless, stupid, predictable films devoid of intelligance, romance or wit. Whilst not a brilliant film, Notting Hill is romantic, witty and if you exclude it’s cheap ending, an enjoyable motion picture.

3 STARS