Thursday marks the 22nd anniversary of the rom-com Notting Hill starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, and we can’t wait to celebrate!
The original movie release date was May 13, 1999.
The film, directed by Roger Mitchell and written by Richard Curtis, shows Hollywood actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) meeting bookshop owner William Thacker (Hugh Grant) while visiting Notting Hill, London. The movie follows the couple as they try to balance their relationship with Anna’s fame and stardom. Following the film’s release in 1999, New York Times critic Janet Maslin wrote that “the movie has lots of glossy charm,” and it went on to win the award for Orange Film of the Year at the 2000 British Academy of Film and Television Awards.
Notting Hill was added to Netflix this month, just in time for its 22nd birthday. The film found a new life on the streaming service, connecting with a whole new generation of movie watchers.
What is the cast of Notting Hill up to now?
Julia Roberts has continued to thrive in her acting career since Notting Hill’s release. Her most recent projects include the 2018 drama film Ben is Back and Amazon Prime Video series Homecoming. While Julia Roberts hasn’t starred in any projects in a few years, she remains rather active on social media. During the 2020 Presidential election, she encouraged followers to vote and publicly supported President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Hugh Grant most recently starred in HBO’s The Undoing and the British mockumentary Death to 2020. He is set to star alongside Chris Pine and Regé-Jean Page in the 2023 film Dungeons & Dragons. Hugh Grant is a board member for Hacked Off, which is a “campaign for a free and accountable press.” Hugh often discusses politics on his Twitter profile.
Rhys Ifans who played Spike in Notting Hill most recently starred in the British comedy Misbehaviour (2020) and will star in The Fantastic Flitcroft and the spy film The King’s Man, both to be released later this year.
James Dreyfus, who played Martin in Notting Hill most recently starred in the 2020 British drama Supernova, which also stars Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci.
Hugh Bonneville, who played the role of Martin, starred in the 2020 holiday musical Jingle Jangle: Christmas Journey, and will reprise his role of Robert Crawley in the upcoming historical drama Downtown Abbey 2. Hugh also recently had voice roles in TV shows DuckTales and Amphibia.
Fans’ reactions to the film today
Streaming services like Netflix allow movie lovers to find their new favorite movies or rekindle the fondness they once had for old films. Here is what some Notting Hill fans thought after re-watching the film, or seeing it for the first time:
Eleodora highlights one of the film’s most memorable quotes after watching it for the first time.
I can’t believe notting hill is the movie where ‘I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her’ ??????
— eleodora marie (@ayraland) May 11, 2021
One Twitter user went so far as to call Notting Hill the best rom-com in history and shared their admiration for the one and only Julia Roberts.
Notting Hill might be one of the best rom coms in movie history. It’s so pleasant and makes you feel so good. Julia Roberts is stunning and cool. I just ugh ?
— BABE II (@near_awe) May 7, 2021
This movie-lover said that Notting Hill might just lead them to watch Julia Roberts’ entire filmography!
After Notting Hill I think I have a Julia Roberts obsession. Which is just so random. Like now I want to see all her movies. pic.twitter.com/guYAfDvKLw
— whorekhail (@pageitchy) May 10, 2021
Nathan said that seeing Julia Roberts in a suit is worth watching the entire movie.
The best part about the movie Notting Hill is Julia Roberts in a suit….
— Nathan Brown ?☠️ (@barefootlobo) May 10, 2021
Notting Hill has this Twitter user feeling all the feels. (Us too!)
Notting Hill = best movie
all the feels have been felt— Kylee Madison (@thekyleemadison) May 8, 2021
The fact that Notting Hill still has us talking about its sweetest moments over two decades after its original release date shows just how timeless rom-coms can be. We’ll surely be curled up on the couch watching Notting Hill Thursday night to commemorate this iconic film’s anniversary!
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