Review of Two Weeks Notice

Introduction

An awful lot of critical mileage was wrung out of the missing apostrophe in the title, but to be honest that kind of thing only matters to an anally retentive minority who can`t find anything else to carp about.

"Two Weeks Notice" is an enchanting romantic-comedy starring two sure-fire stars. Hugh Grant sharpens up his normal so-vague-as-to-appear-stoned persona to play successful businessman George Wade. Wade needs a top-line corporate lawyer and finds what he thinks is the ideal woman for the job in committed idealist and environmentalist Lucy Kelson, played by the ever reliable Sandra Bullock. However, for Lucy the job soon proves more than a challenge as George comes to rely on her for everything from settling his divorce to choosing which socks he should wear.

The last straw comes when he yanks her out of her best friend`s wedding for a wardrobe consultation and she is forced to hand in her two weeks` notice. Then comes the onerous task of finding her replacement, and in the process comes the realisation that there may be more to their relationship than just driving each other nuts.

There are, of course, no prizes for guessing the end of the story and any hopeless romantic will undoubtedly be left with a warm fuzzy glow having watched this picture.

Video

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1, "Two Weeks Notice" is as flawless as you would expect a fresh-from-the-cinema release. Colours are vibrant, details sharp and digital artefacts are non-existent. Special comment should be made of the "beauty shots" of New York, not least the background plates shot for the helicopter flight where George points out the Chrysler Building. Gorgeous.

Audio

The movie comes with the standard DD5.1 surround mix. Unfortunately, the full potential of the mix is completely unused and the soundstage is focused on the screen speakers.

Features

There is a full length yak-track with both stars and the director participating. There is the usual promotional puff-piece from HBO on the making of the movie. There are also additional scenes (nothing earth-shattering) and a gag reel "Two Bleeps Notice", which unfortunately demonstrates Mr Grant`s somewhat child-like application of profanity in the process of cocking up. Trailer and full subtitles.

Conclusion

A very pleasing movie worth at least a couple of spins. On Sandra Bullock`s resume this is a worthy follow-up to Miss Congeniality (sharing the same writer and some of the cast), and it also shows that Hugh Grant can be interesting when he wants.