Notting Hill: HD DVD Review

Features Julia Roberts as one of the world’s most famous women.

That’s quite a stretch for Roberts, one of the world’s most famous women, and yet director Roger Mitchell doesn’t stop there.

In an effort to complete the thin illusion, he puts Roberts’ face on the rear end of city buses and prints untrue stories about her character in tabloids.

And then he does something that gives his film unexpected appeal and depth--he allows audiences to draw their own conclusions and parallels between Roberts and Anna Scott, a moody, unloved megastar who itches to ditch her career and get away from the media to find happiness with a regular guy.

Hugh Grant is that regular guy. But before you start to snicker, know this: The film, now on HD DVD, works. There is real chemistry between Roberts and Grant, the supporting cast is superb, and Richard Curtis’ script trumps his lauded script for “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”

Rated PG-13. Grade: B+