You make some very valid points. I haven't watched the movie in a really long time so I can't remember specifics, but I remember reading the "I made fifteen million dollars" line as her responding to being mansplained to about her poor choice in career, which I have to respect. I may be wrong though, as I say, it's been years.
Really enjoyed this post and now feel an urge to revisit the movie that inspired it, thank you!
Great essay! I actually had the reverse experience. Sort of. I hated the movie from the moment I saw it in the theaters for all the reasons you’ve expressed so eloquently. But saw it again recently and, knowing Anna Scott was the worst, I focused on the other characters. Who were brilliant. The friends, the roommate, the people in the shop were all quirky and funny and endearing in that wonderful British romcom way that made the film much more palatable. So, good movie, terrible romance.
I ALWAYS thought she was awful and the only way it was a win for him was that he got to tame the famous girl. Oh. Actually. It's Taming of the Shrew. In a way. I didn't realize that until this second. Another fantastic essay--thank you, Jennifer!
I had the SAME experience! I watched "Notting Hill" again about six months ago and thought, "Wow, THAT didn't age well!" Anna Scott is the WORST. I was surprised to see that they are making a thing about the 25th anniversary. Some movies are better left to quietly fade away.
Hi, thank you for sharing your thoughts, love this! Totally agree with you, especially that if the genders were reversed -- it wouldn't be very funny at all. I do love watching that era's rom-coms, though. Julia Roberts' character in My Best Friend's Wedding did some dicey things too -- although I think it's a better movie overall. :)
I confess. I still love this movie— because it never ceases to make me laugh. Anna Scott as Horse and Hound’s favorite actress? Hilarious. I completely cede to your arguments, Jennifer, about how awful Anna is, but I will show up for William any day of the week.
Any thoughts on what is an exceptional Rom-Com? I think that they are all going to deal with the power dynamic in a relationship and the question is how artfully the movie explores the change in the relationship. Although there are many objectionable thing in Pretty Woman, I did like that the Julia Robers character evolved to take control of the relationship. (Ending was very corny though). Looks like all respondents so far are women!
The thing that always bothered me was her reaction when she's hiding out at Will's and there is an unexpected knock on the door. First she's all cute and then she flies into a rage that he answered the door, like she asked him to. Why didn't her paranoia kick in at the sound of the knock? Why didn't somebody spy out of that bathroom window and see the gathered paprazzi and just not open the door?
I think Richard Curtis has some issue with an American woman. Four Weddings and Funeral--an American woman behaves badly. Notting Hill--an American woman behaves badly. Love, Actually--the American woman are characters from a porno. About Time--she must have finally succumbed to his dubious charms because the American woman is finally seen behaving well.
It was on last week and as a joke the Hubs turned it on for me. We saw the last third or so and I honestly could
not BELIEVE how terrible it was. The script was awful and I couldn’t figure out how I didn’t notice it at the time… was it simply the star power of Julia and Hugh that turned off my quality radar? We did have fun saying over and over, “I’m just a GIRL, standing in front of a BOY...” Also, girl and boy?!?
My vote for the most offensive rom-com is "You've Got Mail" written by a woman no less (Nora Ephron) who puts the Tom Hanks character totally in charge of the relationship, stringing Meg Ryan along by pretending that he doesn't know who her mystery man is. If I met such an odious and manipulative man at the big reveal in Riverside park, I would have kicked him hard in the grapes.
I think this is an exceptional evaluation of a movie I have literally not watched since the '90's but now am quite excited to unleash my outrage on this Friday night. Well done! 👏
A very entertaining but also thought-provoking synopsis of a movie I’ve seen (it’s been awhile admittedly) and enjoyed back in the day because, well, Julia and Hugh and the quirky cast mates. Some of these movies do not age well and this is one of them. Julia’s character was a bit of a wretch and it gives me pause to do a mental role-reversal. Eek. Regardless, love your writing and this post! Now I want to watch it again from this viewpoint!
You make some very valid points. I haven't watched the movie in a really long time so I can't remember specifics, but I remember reading the "I made fifteen million dollars" line as her responding to being mansplained to about her poor choice in career, which I have to respect. I may be wrong though, as I say, it's been years.
Really enjoyed this post and now feel an urge to revisit the movie that inspired it, thank you!
Great essay! I actually had the reverse experience. Sort of. I hated the movie from the moment I saw it in the theaters for all the reasons you’ve expressed so eloquently. But saw it again recently and, knowing Anna Scott was the worst, I focused on the other characters. Who were brilliant. The friends, the roommate, the people in the shop were all quirky and funny and endearing in that wonderful British romcom way that made the film much more palatable. So, good movie, terrible romance.
I ALWAYS thought she was awful and the only way it was a win for him was that he got to tame the famous girl. Oh. Actually. It's Taming of the Shrew. In a way. I didn't realize that until this second. Another fantastic essay--thank you, Jennifer!
I had the SAME experience! I watched "Notting Hill" again about six months ago and thought, "Wow, THAT didn't age well!" Anna Scott is the WORST. I was surprised to see that they are making a thing about the 25th anniversary. Some movies are better left to quietly fade away.
Hi, thank you for sharing your thoughts, love this! Totally agree with you, especially that if the genders were reversed -- it wouldn't be very funny at all. I do love watching that era's rom-coms, though. Julia Roberts' character in My Best Friend's Wedding did some dicey things too -- although I think it's a better movie overall. :)
I confess. I still love this movie— because it never ceases to make me laugh. Anna Scott as Horse and Hound’s favorite actress? Hilarious. I completely cede to your arguments, Jennifer, about how awful Anna is, but I will show up for William any day of the week.
I never liked that movie much. My favorite scene is the dinner scene because I loved his friends so much more than Anna.
Any thoughts on what is an exceptional Rom-Com? I think that they are all going to deal with the power dynamic in a relationship and the question is how artfully the movie explores the change in the relationship. Although there are many objectionable thing in Pretty Woman, I did like that the Julia Robers character evolved to take control of the relationship. (Ending was very corny though). Looks like all respondents so far are women!
Yes! I have never liked Notting Hill despite my affection for Hugh Grant and you have just clearly explained why.
The thing that always bothered me was her reaction when she's hiding out at Will's and there is an unexpected knock on the door. First she's all cute and then she flies into a rage that he answered the door, like she asked him to. Why didn't her paranoia kick in at the sound of the knock? Why didn't somebody spy out of that bathroom window and see the gathered paprazzi and just not open the door?
I think Richard Curtis has some issue with an American woman. Four Weddings and Funeral--an American woman behaves badly. Notting Hill--an American woman behaves badly. Love, Actually--the American woman are characters from a porno. About Time--she must have finally succumbed to his dubious charms because the American woman is finally seen behaving well.
It was on last week and as a joke the Hubs turned it on for me. We saw the last third or so and I honestly could
not BELIEVE how terrible it was. The script was awful and I couldn’t figure out how I didn’t notice it at the time… was it simply the star power of Julia and Hugh that turned off my quality radar? We did have fun saying over and over, “I’m just a GIRL, standing in front of a BOY...” Also, girl and boy?!?
I had the same impression watching it again. I remember thinking she was the perfect woman. Now I think she’s pretty hideous. William deserves better.
My vote for the most offensive rom-com is "You've Got Mail" written by a woman no less (Nora Ephron) who puts the Tom Hanks character totally in charge of the relationship, stringing Meg Ryan along by pretending that he doesn't know who her mystery man is. If I met such an odious and manipulative man at the big reveal in Riverside park, I would have kicked him hard in the grapes.
Also, it is unforgivably THREE HOURS LONG. Dabney Coleman is hilarious in it tho.
As usual, your thoughts were well thought out well presented, and spot on. You are the best.
I think this is an exceptional evaluation of a movie I have literally not watched since the '90's but now am quite excited to unleash my outrage on this Friday night. Well done! 👏
A very entertaining but also thought-provoking synopsis of a movie I’ve seen (it’s been awhile admittedly) and enjoyed back in the day because, well, Julia and Hugh and the quirky cast mates. Some of these movies do not age well and this is one of them. Julia’s character was a bit of a wretch and it gives me pause to do a mental role-reversal. Eek. Regardless, love your writing and this post! Now I want to watch it again from this viewpoint!