May 13 marks 20 years since the release of Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, and it still has a lasting impact on romance today!
This iconic romantic comedy is about an English bookseller and an American actress, who meet and fall in love, but not without turmoil along the way.
Related: Julia Roberts Calls Out ‘Made Up’ Hollywood Ageism
There are SO many reasons why this movie has stood the test of time (in the words of Mr. Grant “it was obviously a mega hit,”) one being that it stars two MAJOR icons, but here are a few more:
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Love is actually pretty simple, Miz Roberts’ character Anna Scott tearfully breaks it down while flashing her signature smile:
“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
If this scene doesn’t absolutely BREAK you, what will? This line is likely the most quoted from the movie, and for good reason!
No matter how unlikely it may seem, in this case a major celebrity and a book store employee, if you feel something more than just friendship, it’s likely worth exploring.
A little spontaneity goes a long way. Don’t be afraid to kiss first either, ladies! Though if you’re not sure of the vibe between you and the other party, obtain consent first!
This love was clearly meant to be (spoiler alert, they end up together in the end) against all the odds, and they live happily ever after!
Well maybe not always in the real world… but in the movie world even if you’ve made a huge mistake you can always go back to true love.
Overall, the movie does include fairly textbook clichés of an unlikely couple and a mid-movie breakup, though it doesn’t mean we don’t love it just the same! But, there are some other romantic comedies that contain even more unrealistic tropes and scenarios, so this continues to score fairly high on lists everywhere.
The rom-com genre includes other popular ’90s flicks such as Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, Never Been Kissed, and was recently parodied in Isn’t It Romantic.
What do you think, Perezcious readers? Is this movie as good today as it was in 1999? Sound off with your thoughts (below) in the comments!!
[Image via PolyGram Filmed Entertainment/Working Title Films.]