I've written three so far: one's a coming-of-middle-age romcom/Shirley Valentine-esque one; one's about a jazz singer who returns to her hometown when her relationship implodes just before Christmas; one's a love triangle romcom set in the world of commercial radio (which is also a jukebox musical!).
Oh wonderful! And yes, definitely lots for you to mine from that, I'm sure :D Also I feel quite strongly that we don't have nearly enough films which centre women musicians/performers - having that status, that skill, being on stage etc - so the world definitely needs more of them!
It's a unique structure. NOTTING HILL is interesting in that the POV is only shifted once and then, after that, used to inform everything else that follows. But everything that follows is very specifically about Anna escaping her gilded cage. Will has nothing to gain but love. It's a very uneven thematic/character journey. As for great rom-com scripts being written, I suspect many are being written. Getting them made is much harder. Most don't ring true in the same way, I suspect because the goal is mass entertainment now rather than something more autobiographical to the filmmakers.
Tonight we happened to watch “The Idea of You,” which adds a gender/age difference twist to the famous/not famous theme of “Notting Hill.” Did you see it? We laughed out loud several times 👍🏼 performances, spark & vulnerability felt genuine
Fascinating how this based on true story blew up in mass entertainment terms. Others, too. Will the pendulum swing back to romcoms? Dearly praying 🙏🏽 Over-the-top action sequences puts me to actual sleep.
I never really understood why I liked this film as much as I did at the time. I think you just explained what's so compelling about it. So much more than just a collection of great lines.
Loved the movie. Loved the scene. Loved the humanity of the scene and the movie. I’ve been seeing it available for free viewing recently and have wavered on watching it again. Now I have my movie pick for this evening. Thanks for the memories Cole.
Ok, but what you've explained here I think gets at why I so strongly prefer this movie to 4 Weddings. This one has so much more heart, and Anna is such a great character. They both are. But yes, that brownie scene. This movie is just so brilliant.
Yess this has always been the pull for me of this fantastic film - her anxiety about her need for real loving relationships in a world not distorted by being the constant obsessive focus of thousands of strangers. Watching it again recently (had to take about a 15 year break after viewing it at least 10 times with my growing daughters!) I was struck by what a human counterpoint it presents to the current scene, where so many fools seem unable to engage in anything but fame-seeking.
Yes, this is an excellent point. NOTTING HILL is the anti-TikTok and (social media in general) film. It's about privacy and authenticity rather than performance and publicity.
Loved this article. The answer I came up with to your question at the top (before reading the rest) was that it's a cross between the Cinderella story and “Roman Holiday.” Which to some extent ties in with your analysis, since at the end of the day Roman Holiday is more about Audrey Hepburn's character's changes than those of Gregory Peck's. But even though the two bits of “Notting Hill” I that I regularly rewatch are the dinner party scene and the press conference scene at the end, I never noticed any of the POV dynamics in the dinner party that you bring up here. OR that the Hugh Grant character has no arc to speak of. This is great — it's marvelous to be taught a little of how to read a film, especially a delightful one like this. The press conference where the “Roman Holiday” ending gets redone makes me happy every time, and this adds to it.
Incidentally, I used to occasionally introduce college-age students to close reading of literature. It often didn't really make sense to them until I described how little decision-making in film I notice — decisions like camera angles and so forth. As a film-watcher, except for the language parts, I'm just along for the ride. Since they DO notice those things in film, it made complete sense to them to realize that they tended to read the way I tended to watch, and easier for them to start paying attention to writerly decisions in fiction, etc.
I'm glad I was able to help you notice something new about the film. Shifting POVs are very hard to notice, but they can often be so telling about the filmmakers' intentions. I write these just to help people experience art in new ways, so mission accomplished.
Don't you ask that question because I changed my answer just this last year, and it's very similar to yours, except it's not just Will, it's his life (and that includes all his friends) that she needs and falls in love with. It's about this normal life with friends being the dream of those we idolize.
This is such a good point and you're right - it's Anna's story, because Anna is the one who really has to change - or rather: find the courage to change her current situation (and the habits of a romantic lifetime) - in order to find love. That courage being nicely epitomised by the "I'm just a girl..." scene of course.
I'll try to attach as a Note here a photo from Richard Curtis's book of his screenplays - I don't know if you've ever seen it, but his little intro to Notting Hill discloses that it was originally a love-triangle story, and serves as a super-useful reminder to us writers about how screenplay iterations change!
Excellent take on this and super helpful for the rom com I am writing. And struggling with. The note about point of view so helpful. Reread the script this morning. Perfect start to the week. Thank you.
I watched this movie for the first time earlier this year and honestly did not like it. I didn’t see why they were together outside of superficial reasons (him being mortal and her being a beautiful celebrity needing to be saved). They didn’t seem to have good enough communication with each other to be in a healthy relationship. But I did like the dinner scene. I didn’t pick up on “the test” aspect and now you’ve made me want to give this a rewatch with a different perspective.
I don't know why. I've not watched Notting Hill. I was the wrong demo for it then and never gotten around to it... But just READING about that brownie scene (i didn't watch it) brought my sappy ass to tears!!!
So I'll have to change my perspective and watch this ASAP. I'm kind of mad at myself for not watching it sooner!
It's also really refreshing to read about how you can turn movies and art and how you can look at it in many different ways and get different experiences watching a film based on how you watch it, age, ECT...
For example: I loved Fight Club as a screwed up 18 year old suburban punk kid who thought Tyler Durden was a hero.... Imagine my horror watching it in my 40's after years of therapy to see that, no. Flight Club isn't a rally cry, but a warning of things that could come.
Not the same as Notting Hill, I'm sure but it's the example that came to mind. I'd love to hear your takes on other films and how their perspectives shift like NH.
Thanks again for another wonderful newsletter. I sure do hope you don't mind my sending you these praises almost every week! I really do love these. Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️
It makes sense to see this as Anna’s story, I think, especially in light of her monologue at the end of the film. That didn’t really surprise me. However, I have not watched this nearly as many times as you and I feel like I need to go back and watch the brownie scene again. I don’t think I was aware of the shift of focus or the way in which this was actually a test.
Shifting POVs are very hard to notice, but they can often be so telling about the filmmakers' intentions. I do this all day long, and I still miss them.
YESSS your brilliant take on Anna’s lead arc now seems obvious.
Q: do many films begin with one protagonist and switch POV midway?
“this is one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made and, fuck me, I wish they still made rom-coms like it.”
How can we make that happen? Are great rom-com scripts being written out there?
I'm trying to write them, Christine! :D Also - Rye Lane is a great modern romcom, if you haven't seen it. I honestly think it's a new classic.
PS I wrote a feature too, about how my husband and I almost died on our first date in NYC
Oh wow! That's quite the meet-cute...!
It truly is. The problem is that the tone of a romcom and the true darkness of some of our first date Ara bit of an uneasy blend for my first readers.
I should study more comps of films that have that mix – humor and dark (plus a supernatural element)
We effing LOVED Rye Lane - that opening bathroom scene! 🤣
It's such a wonderful film. I lived there for two years, so it's very much MY personal Notting Hill story.
Ha yes! :D
What’s yours about?
I've written three so far: one's a coming-of-middle-age romcom/Shirley Valentine-esque one; one's about a jazz singer who returns to her hometown when her relationship implodes just before Christmas; one's a love triangle romcom set in the world of commercial radio (which is also a jukebox musical!).
Awesome 👏🏼 yay! I’m a singer and I love these concepts! (I should write one about my past lives as a singer 🎤 and the ways I’ve died for it 🤣)
Oh wonderful! And yes, definitely lots for you to mine from that, I'm sure :D Also I feel quite strongly that we don't have nearly enough films which centre women musicians/performers - having that status, that skill, being on stage etc - so the world definitely needs more of them!
Yes 🙌🏽 I agree. Need more Electrifying women.
It's a unique structure. NOTTING HILL is interesting in that the POV is only shifted once and then, after that, used to inform everything else that follows. But everything that follows is very specifically about Anna escaping her gilded cage. Will has nothing to gain but love. It's a very uneven thematic/character journey. As for great rom-com scripts being written, I suspect many are being written. Getting them made is much harder. Most don't ring true in the same way, I suspect because the goal is mass entertainment now rather than something more autobiographical to the filmmakers.
Tonight we happened to watch “The Idea of You,” which adds a gender/age difference twist to the famous/not famous theme of “Notting Hill.” Did you see it? We laughed out loud several times 👍🏼 performances, spark & vulnerability felt genuine
I haven't yet! I've been on the world's longest family vacation. It's why I didn't get to this comment sooner - sorry!
Fascinating how this based on true story blew up in mass entertainment terms. Others, too. Will the pendulum swing back to romcoms? Dearly praying 🙏🏽 Over-the-top action sequences puts me to actual sleep.
I never really understood why I liked this film as much as I did at the time. I think you just explained what's so compelling about it. So much more than just a collection of great lines.
Absolutely. I'm glad anything I wrote spoke to you, especially about a film I love so much.
That was lovely to read, thanks.
Thanks, Georgina. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Loved the movie. Loved the scene. Loved the humanity of the scene and the movie. I’ve been seeing it available for free viewing recently and have wavered on watching it again. Now I have my movie pick for this evening. Thanks for the memories Cole.
You're welcome, John. I watch it, on average, eighteen months and I *never* tire of it.
Ok, but what you've explained here I think gets at why I so strongly prefer this movie to 4 Weddings. This one has so much more heart, and Anna is such a great character. They both are. But yes, that brownie scene. This movie is just so brilliant.
I'm glad to hear the piece resonated with you, Sarah!
Yess this has always been the pull for me of this fantastic film - her anxiety about her need for real loving relationships in a world not distorted by being the constant obsessive focus of thousands of strangers. Watching it again recently (had to take about a 15 year break after viewing it at least 10 times with my growing daughters!) I was struck by what a human counterpoint it presents to the current scene, where so many fools seem unable to engage in anything but fame-seeking.
Yes, this is an excellent point. NOTTING HILL is the anti-TikTok and (social media in general) film. It's about privacy and authenticity rather than performance and publicity.
Loved this article. The answer I came up with to your question at the top (before reading the rest) was that it's a cross between the Cinderella story and “Roman Holiday.” Which to some extent ties in with your analysis, since at the end of the day Roman Holiday is more about Audrey Hepburn's character's changes than those of Gregory Peck's. But even though the two bits of “Notting Hill” I that I regularly rewatch are the dinner party scene and the press conference scene at the end, I never noticed any of the POV dynamics in the dinner party that you bring up here. OR that the Hugh Grant character has no arc to speak of. This is great — it's marvelous to be taught a little of how to read a film, especially a delightful one like this. The press conference where the “Roman Holiday” ending gets redone makes me happy every time, and this adds to it.
Incidentally, I used to occasionally introduce college-age students to close reading of literature. It often didn't really make sense to them until I described how little decision-making in film I notice — decisions like camera angles and so forth. As a film-watcher, except for the language parts, I'm just along for the ride. Since they DO notice those things in film, it made complete sense to them to realize that they tended to read the way I tended to watch, and easier for them to start paying attention to writerly decisions in fiction, etc.
I'm glad I was able to help you notice something new about the film. Shifting POVs are very hard to notice, but they can often be so telling about the filmmakers' intentions. I write these just to help people experience art in new ways, so mission accomplished.
Great article!
Thanks!
Don't you ask that question because I changed my answer just this last year, and it's very similar to yours, except it's not just Will, it's his life (and that includes all his friends) that she needs and falls in love with. It's about this normal life with friends being the dream of those we idolize.
Absolutely.
This is such a good point and you're right - it's Anna's story, because Anna is the one who really has to change - or rather: find the courage to change her current situation (and the habits of a romantic lifetime) - in order to find love. That courage being nicely epitomised by the "I'm just a girl..." scene of course.
I'll try to attach as a Note here a photo from Richard Curtis's book of his screenplays - I don't know if you've ever seen it, but his little intro to Notting Hill discloses that it was originally a love-triangle story, and serves as a super-useful reminder to us writers about how screenplay iterations change!
I don't know how to add the Note, but here it is, if this link works?! https://substack.com/profile/119589481-andrea-mann/note/c-59282163
This is fascinating. The journeys that go into just telling the RIGHT story are sometimes as dramatic as the ones ultimately told.
Excellent take on this and super helpful for the rom com I am writing. And struggling with. The note about point of view so helpful. Reread the script this morning. Perfect start to the week. Thank you.
Thanks! Shifting POVs are very hard to notice, but they can often be so telling about the filmmakers' intentions.
Brilliant. Thank you.
You're welcome!
I watched this movie for the first time earlier this year and honestly did not like it. I didn’t see why they were together outside of superficial reasons (him being mortal and her being a beautiful celebrity needing to be saved). They didn’t seem to have good enough communication with each other to be in a healthy relationship. But I did like the dinner scene. I didn’t pick up on “the test” aspect and now you’ve made me want to give this a rewatch with a different perspective.
You’re right. I like brownies.
I don't know why. I've not watched Notting Hill. I was the wrong demo for it then and never gotten around to it... But just READING about that brownie scene (i didn't watch it) brought my sappy ass to tears!!!
So I'll have to change my perspective and watch this ASAP. I'm kind of mad at myself for not watching it sooner!
It's also really refreshing to read about how you can turn movies and art and how you can look at it in many different ways and get different experiences watching a film based on how you watch it, age, ECT...
For example: I loved Fight Club as a screwed up 18 year old suburban punk kid who thought Tyler Durden was a hero.... Imagine my horror watching it in my 40's after years of therapy to see that, no. Flight Club isn't a rally cry, but a warning of things that could come.
Not the same as Notting Hill, I'm sure but it's the example that came to mind. I'd love to hear your takes on other films and how their perspectives shift like NH.
Thanks again for another wonderful newsletter. I sure do hope you don't mind my sending you these praises almost every week! I really do love these. Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️
No, please praise away. I'm not going to complain about it. Hahahaha.
It makes sense to see this as Anna’s story, I think, especially in light of her monologue at the end of the film. That didn’t really surprise me. However, I have not watched this nearly as many times as you and I feel like I need to go back and watch the brownie scene again. I don’t think I was aware of the shift of focus or the way in which this was actually a test.
Shifting POVs are very hard to notice, but they can often be so telling about the filmmakers' intentions. I do this all day long, and I still miss them.