Written by Richard Curtis and directed by Roger Michell, Notting Hill achieved numerous accolades upon its release in May 1999. Against a budget of $42 million, the movie grossed nearly $364 million worldwide, becoming the 7th highest-grossing movie across the globe that year. The film was nominated for three Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical, Best Motion Picture Actor – Comedy/Musical for Hugh Grant, and Best Motion Picture Actress – Comedy/Musical for Julia Roberts. Along with its box office success and various award nominations, there are a slew of reasons Notting Hill remains the best British rom-com of the ’90s.
Notting Hill Has Better Pacing and Writing Than Many Other Romantic Comedies
Unlike many other romantic comedies, Notting Hill’s pacing is much slower, which benefits its overall narrative. Because its story unfolds more gradually, viewers can sit with the characters in a way that allows the potential love story to develop in a more realistic and believable way. Given its premise is still somewhat far-fetched, the pacing makes up for how the pair come into each other’s lives. On paper, it’s hard to believe an internationally known Hollywood superstar would accidentally crash into a local bookstore owner on the streets of Notting Hill and then promptly begin a romance with him. However, with the proper pacing and writing, the circumstances become adorable rather than ridiculous.
Furthermore, the film’s writing is far superior to most other romantic comedies. Unlike other films in its genre, it doesn’t rely on too many tropes or clichés to move its story forward. Make no mistake, it’s still a rom-com, which means there are bound to be a few silly situations that wouldn’t necessarily happen in real life. However, those moments in the movie make more sense because its writing is grounded in reality. Given that the overall narrative takes a realistic approach, the tropes the film uses feel more delightful than anything else.
Notting Hill’s Supporting Characters Are Realistic Friends Who Love Will
When the time calls for it, a well-placed, eccentric supporting character in a romantic comedy adds a slice of quirkiness that can round out the film perfectly. However, too often, it becomes an overused trope that feels more ridiculous with every new rom-com that hits the big screen. Thankfully, Notting Hill sets itself apart in a subtle way because its supporting characters are realistic friends who genuinely care about Will. That being said, the movie’s characters are rife with plenty of quirky, idiosyncratic qualities. Nevertheless, they remain relatively relatable and loveable, which makes them easy to believe.
Like Will, his friends look and act like the same regular people viewers might have in their own lives. They offer sage advice true friends would, and they support Will in all his endeavors. Furthermore, they provide a level of comedy the film wouldn’t possess without them. Their quirks don’t outshine the story’s main characters. Instead, they offer the perfect amount of support such a cast of characters needs to make a solid romantic comedy. Unlike numerous other films in its genre, Notting Hill’s supporting characters remain grounded in reality while providing just enough unconventional, wacky qualities that bring more personality to the film.
Notting Hill’s Perspective Is Different Than Most Romantic Comedies
So often, romantic comedies take the viewpoint of their female leads. However, Notting Hill’s central perspective is that of Will instead of Anna. While she definitely sits at the center of the story, she doesn’t move it forward in the same way Will does. Viewers only see Anna when she’s interacting with Will, but there are numerous scenes in which Will exists on his own outside his relationship with the movie star. Such a perspective allows the audience to experience the film’s romance through Will’s eyes, which sets it apart from the majority of other romantic comedies.
Given Notting Hill offers viewers such a different viewpoint on romance, it allows the film to feel more rooted in reality. That isn’t to say a man’s viewpoint is required to believe the love story in a rom-com. It’s simply that so many films entirely exclude such a perspective, so its inclusion in Notting Hill feels refreshing, which makes the story itself so much more enjoyable to watch when compared to its counterparts. As such, it’s by far the best British rom-com of the ’90s. Notting Hill is currently streaming on Prime Video via a STARZ add-on subscription.
