Product Description

Containing the script from "Notting Hill", the new film from Richard Curtis, this book also includes material about the making of the film and stills taken from it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1003622 in Books
• Published on: 1999-05-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Who hasn't ever dreamed of meeting a movie star, falling in love and discovering the feelings are mutual? Richard Curtis's Notting Hill is a funny, enchanting, lighthearted take on just such a fairy-tale premise. Curtis's screenplay of the film--starring Hugh Grant as an ordinary British bookshop owner and Julia Roberts as the world-famous American actress who waltzes into his shop and his life--makes an effective and enjoyable read, chock-full of the snappy, witty dialogue that made Curtis's Four Weddings and a Funeral such a hit. Fans of the film will be pleased to relive such moments as Roberts and Grant's first embarrassing meetings and her appearance at a small dinner party for Grant's sister, where she turns the dynamic upside-down. On the page, the story is charming if a bit slight (it doesn't feature a rowdy and riotous supporting cast à la Four Weddings), but as wish-fulfilment and romantic comedy, it's irresistible and will leave a smile on your face to rival that of our heroine. In addition to the finished script, the book includes scenes that didn't make the final cut (great ones, too--it's too bad they won't be seen), loads of colour stills from the movie, an engaging introduction by Curtis detailing the genesis of the film and an affable if offbeat afterword by Hugh Grant himself. --Mark Englehart

From the Back Cover
"I suppose I started writing this film about thirty-four years ago. I was seven years old, and every night, to lull myself to sleep with a smile, I would have the same fantasy. It was my sister's birthday. Presents were unwrapped - and there didn't seem to be one from me. She would be unhappy, and then I'd say "Oh yes, well, actually, I did get you one little thing" - then walk to a big cupboard and swing the doors open - and there inside would be the four Beatles. They'd come out, chat, sing And I Love Her - and leave. And then I'd be asleep.

Twenty-five years later, I was still having the same dream. The personnel had changed, but the basic plot was still the same. Now when I couldn't get to sleep, I would imagine going to dinner with my friends Piers and Paula, in Battersea, as I did most weeks. I'd casually say I was bringing a girl - and then turn up unexpectedly with Madonna - usually Madonna, sometimes Isabella Rossellini - but usually Madonna. Piers would open the door, and be very cool about it, though secretly thrilled - his wife Paula would have no idea who Madonna was and behave accordingly - and my friend Helen would arrive late and explode with excitement. By which time I would have dozed off again.

Five years later, we were doing the first week's filming of Four Weddings and I was sitting in a cold room in Luton Hoo, beside James Fleet, asleep, trying to work out what I should write next. I remembered these dreams, and thought it's not a bad idea for films to be about dreamy situations - and so I decided I'd have a bash at writing a film about someone very ordinary going out with someone very famous.

This script is the result of that." - (Richard Curtis)

Customer Reviews

A great reminder of an excellent film
Having seen this movie 5 times already, buying the book was the next best thing to trekking out to the cinema all the time. The whole screenplay is there along with the photos (which are aplenty) as well as scenes and dialogues which didn't make it. As in my summary, this is very good book to a wonderfully enjoyable film.

Lovely!
If you like the film - you'll love the book! This illustrated screenplay is gorgeous quality with lovely glossy pictures from the film. It'll bring back what you loved about the film - only it's on paper. An excellent choice for Notting Hill fans.

exellent read, enjoyed the film then read the book.
What I like about screenplays is that you read the story as it is in the film with pictures to remind you of scenes. This brings alive the film whilst reading it, generally like this book it includes scenes that were scripted but but not shown, this sometimes gives a different view of what the film may have been like if it had been included. I was reccomend you to buy the book if you enjoyed the film.