Review of Notting Hill: Collector`s Edition

Video

Notting Hill can almost be described as the long awaited sequel for the successful ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, and has been produced by many of the original team. It is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic ration, split over 18 chapters. For a film over 2 hours in length I would have liked to have seen a few more. Colours are sharp and the general image transfer is excellent.

This film gives a nice insight into the day to day business of the residents of this part of London. It was mostly shot on location, with several indoor scenes filmed at Shepperton and Ealing studios. Lots of wide angle shots are included on Portobello Road which works well. The film did very well in America probably because they love all this Brit stuff, but mostly because Julia Roberts was paired with that ‘typical’ Englishman Hugh Grant.

Audio

A 5.1 surround soundtrack is presented, which although you may not have expected much from, given the type of film it is, has been used to the full. A nice example is the outside street scenes where you can hear the locals chattering away and going about their business from all round the soundstage.

Features

Some relatively basic animated menus allow access to the special features. As the box proudly states this is the ‘Collectors Edition’ you can expect several goodies to play around with.

If any DVD is labelled as a Collectors disc I would instantly expect to see a full length commentary. Sure enough, Notting Hill does not disappoint, and a feature commentary with director Roger Michell, producer Duncan Kenworthy and writer Richard ‘Four Weddings’ Curtis is supplied.

You also get rather self indulgingly I feel a short section called ‘Hugh Grants Movie Tips’, which takes us behind the scenes on making the film, and we even get to meet his mum and dad! Shame nothing from Julia Roberts is included in this section, or in the extras generally.

There are about 6 deleted scenes, and a nice little ‘subplot’ section that takes us to all the music tracks in the film, including tracks by Ronan Keating and Boyzone.

A rather cute section entitled The Travel Book is supplied, which includes maps of Notting Hill, and all the surrounding roads where the film was shot. It gives information of the market, and all the good eateries in the area. No doubt our American friends will lap this up, and use it on their next holiday over here!

Other bits and bobs include the Universal Showcase (two trailers of soon to be released movies), production notes, cast and crew biogs, and the theatrical trailer. DVD-ROM users also get a behind the scenes section.

Conclusion

Yes this is a cute little Brit pic romantic comedy. The pairing of Grant and Roberts is complimented by a strong supporting cast which includes Tim McInnerny, Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers (who plays a very similar character to her role as Alice Tinker in ‘The Vicar of Dibley’), and James Dreyfus (Constable Goody in ‘The Thin Blue Line’) plays Grants shop assistant and provides some extras comic scenes.

The extras are worthwhile, but it is a shame we don’t get any behind the scenes stuff from Julia Roberts, as it seems to be mainly devoted to our lad Hugh.

All in all, if you liked Four Weddings, this will appeal, but I didn’t feel it had quite the same ‘edge’ that Four Weddings did. The locations are marvellous and Hugh is there playing well, Hugh. So if you’re in the mood for a slushy movie – this one fits the bill.