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A much-loved romantic comed is set to return to our screens on Film 4 on Christmas Day.
Written by Richard Curtis, this nineties classic Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, spins the tale of an improbable romance between a British bookshop owner and a world-famous American actress.
The film features an impressive supporting cast including Rhys Ifans, Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers, Tim McInnerny and Gina McKee, and remains a favourite for its uplifting atmosphere, 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 glamorous and renowned US actress Anna Scott (portrayed by Roberts) visits his Notting Hill, London shop to buy a book.
Their lives couldn’t be more contrasting – Will, a divorcee, lives 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 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, according to the Mirror, reports the Express.
Packed with quotable moments that have achieved iconic status, including “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy”, the picture was met with widespread acclaim from both reviewers and cinema-goers upon its 1999 release.
The romantic comedy generated £31 million in UK ticket sales alone, cementing its position as the nation’s top-grossing film of the period.
The movie garnered numerous honours, including a BRIT Award for its outstanding soundtrack which featured numbers such as Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing At All, Elvis Costello’s She, and Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine.
Fans remain devoted to every element of this treasured favourite.
On Rotten Tomatoes, where it boasts a remarkable 84% score, one critic said: “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 ought to 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 watch romantic films, gave it five stars and said: “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.
