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    Aww, that's the first thing that I think of after I've viewed this film.  I was a little shocked.  It's not at all what I expected.  I thought for sure it was going to be a romantic comedy especially after I saw the trailers.   However, I was surprised.  That's not what it was like after all.  Yes, it definately has numerous funny parts.  But I would classify this film as more of a romance drama-like film than a comedy.  Most romantic comedies are light-hearted and don't have any or alteast very few dark moments.  This one has about 4 or 5.   They don't last that long, but enough for me to think of this more as a drama than a comedy.

    Ok, enough of that.  I think that the movie was really cute.   Hugh Grant really surprised me.  I've never been a big fan, but I think he was excellent.  I also think that he and Julia Roberts made an excellent couple.   Julia Roberts was also superb!!!  I also applaud Roger Michell.  Whether he let the actors do what they wanted or whether he specifically pointed out what he wanted from them, it doesn't matter.  It worked.  There were little touches that just made every scene so believable and real.  The one that initially comes to my mind is when Julia is making the cracks about Hugh's feet.  They also show this in many of the trailers.  What I really liked is this one little look that Julia gives Hugh while she's curled up on the couch.  It's sort of out of the corner of her eye and she's grinning.  In that small moment the characters became real to me.  I really think that a movie does its job when it pulls the audience out of reality for a brief period of time and makes everything believe.  This movie accomplished it wonderfully.

    A good example of this is just the basic story line and writing.   If had to imagine what it was like to be a huge star and have the press following me everywhere, I truely believe that Julia's character is totally believable.  I think the situations are very real and I was very impressed.  I also loved the supporting cast.  Again, they seemed to be very genuine.  Yes, Spike, the nutty roommate was a little overboard but I think it was an appropriate touch for the kind of comedy the audience got from him.

    As I was saying, I think the writing was spectacular.  Hugh Grant did an excellent job of pulling off the comic role.  I wasn't sure if he'd be able to.  But his dry, dead-pan humour was refreshing and I thought it was countered excellently by Spike, the over the top roommate.  I thought that Hugh Grant's friends in the film were also wonderful.  I think that they added a nice backstory and I really enjoyed them as well.

    Also, for a romantic movie I think that this film separates itself from the formulaic stories of the past by adding artistic touches that are just really creative.  The one that comes to mind is the seasonal changes scene.  Instead of the basic..."6 months later" or however many months they changed the scenes in one shot.  I thought it was a nice touch and I was impressed.

    All in all, I think this movie is really nice.  Yes, there are some slower, sad parts.  But as a whole I found the movie charming.  Great casting and creative touches.  Very nice.