Notting Hill (1999)

The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world.

Director:

Roger Michell

Writer:

Richard Curtis

Stars:

Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts, Richard McCabe

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julia Roberts	...	Anna Scott
Hugh Grant	...	William Thacker
Richard McCabe	...	Tony
Rhys Ifans	...	Spike
James Dreyfus	...	Martin
Dylan Moran	...	Rufus the Thief
Roger Frost	...	Annoying Customer
Henry Goodman	...	Ritz Concierge
Julian Rhind-Tutt	...	'Time Out' Journalist
Lorelei King	...	Anna's Publicist
John Shrapnel	...	PR Chief
Clarke Peters	...	'Helix' Lead Actor
Arturo Venegas	...	'Helix' Foreign Actor
Yolanda Vazquez	...	'Helix' interview Interpreter
Mischa Barton	...	'Helix' 12-year-old Actress

Storyline

Every man's dream comes true for William Thacker, an unsuccessful Notting Hill bookstore owner, when Anna Scott, the world's most beautiful woman and best-liked actress, enters his shop. A little later, he still can't believe it himself, William runs into her again - this time spilling orange juice over her. Anna accepts his offer to change in his nearby apartment, and thanks him with a kiss, which seems to surprise her even more than him. Eventually, Anna and William get to know each other better over the months, but being together with the world's most wanted woman is not easy - neither around your closest friends, nor in front of the all-devouring press.

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Plot Keywords:

dating | park | hotel | fake reporter | friendship | 

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Taglines:

Can the most famous film star in the world fall for just an ordinary guy?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Travel Bookshop had a sign in its window saying "We're almost famous." It would sell non-travel books when it fitted in with a theme. For example, selling Martin Amis's "London Fields" when doing a Notting Hill theme.

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Goofs

While William and Martin are talking about Topol and Ringo Starr, a man with red hair walks past twice in the same direction.

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Quotes

William: Please, sod off.
Anna Scott: Ok.
William: No, no, no! I thought you were someone else. I mean I thought you were Spike, but I'm thrilled you're not.

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Crazy Credits

The coloured dots and symbols pop up in time with the music (And when the word 'heart' is sung, a litte red heart appears)

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Alternate Versions

In his commentary on the DVD, director Roger Michell indicates that the song "She" is sung in "some territories" by Charles Aznavour, but it was thought that a French vocalist singing "in an English film about an American star" might be too confusing so they brought in Elvis Costello to do a cover version. The version shown in Thailand (and some other countries), and on the DVD issued there has Aznavour singing the song under the head credits. Elvis Costello's cover is used in the last sequence of the film, just like in the American and British releases. In addition, the Thai version finishes with "FROM THE HEART" (Performed By Another Level Written by Diane Warren) instead of "NO MATTER WHAT" by Boyzone.

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Connections

References Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

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Soundtracks

I Do (Cherish You)
Written by Keith Stegall and Dan Hill
Performed by 98 Degrees (as 98°)
Courtesy of Universal Records, Inc., a division of the Universal Music Group

User Reviews

20 years later and still excellent

This movie is 20 years old, but it's still the most enjoyable movie I've seen in ages. Why can't they make movies like this again?

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

28 May 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Notting Hill

Filming Locations:

280 Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$42,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,811,180, 30 May 1999

Gross USA:

$116,089,678

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$363,889,678

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Working Title Films, Bookshop Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1