Going through a clip on You Tube, the scene where Julia enters the book store. The different books she browses through. The information the owner, Hugh Grant, is giving her.
Labelling it as ‘the great romance’ between the two. How apt! I must have seen this scene & the movie, what umpteen times but still it holds the magic !
She is trying to hide behind the dark glasses with a cap on her head. The mask was not in vogue then! Hugh recognizes her but keeps it to himself. Without trying to help her more than a regular customer, he tries to help with the various titles.
Later he splashes orange juice & helps her to his house to clean up. With the fresh clothes & removing her cap, she descends down the steps. Smiling, as only she can do, a million dollar smile!
She refuses his suggestions with a smile. Thanks him & leaves. He says, ‘Nice meeting you. But surreal. ” He wishes he hadn’t used the words But we understand. He kept his cool in front of the goddess. Hats Off.
Those scenes have so much there, one has to re-watch. Due to the language barrier, one has to watch again to understand. Then going through the unseen cues & nuances is another.
It remains a classic! Made in 1999, it is as fresh & ever green as old wine. She was the ‘one & only choice’ for the role of Anna Scott. Also the decision to cast Hugh Grant as William Thacker was unanimous.
What remains in our mind is the final scene where Grant is reading 1994 book, ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. It was to have been Roger Michell’ s next film. A heart attack forced him to withdraw from the production.
He is reading a book & she is pregnant, relaxing on the bench in the park, with her head on his lap. A perfect couple.
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