By now we all know that Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant showed some interesting chemistry and together pulled off a delightful little romantic comedy in the film Notting Hill (now out on video). But, you may not have heard about the delightful ensemble cast that filled in the gaps between the lovers' meeting, separating, meeting, separating, lamenting and living happily ever after.  

Bernie (Hugh Bonneville), Honey (Emma Chambers), Bella (Gina McKee), Max (Tim McInnerny) and Spike (Rhys Ifans) make a ho-hum film highly unpredictable when they take the screen. You'll waffle between chuckles and sighs for weeks over this band of all-too-human misfits. 

This Cinderella tale begins with a chance meeting between a love-scarred couple. Anna Scott, a famous American actress (not unlike fans' perception of Julia Roberts) enters William Thacker's timeless travel-book store, which oozes with centuries-old British charm. She embraces anonymity. Thacker (Hugh Grant), after a double take, guards her privacy as only a truly chivalrous Englishman can.  

Thacker's chivalry stands up under several tests including orange juice, paparazzi, an old boyfriend (Alex Baldwin), Spike and humiliation (his and hers). But the film begins to work its magic when Thacker takes Anna home to meet his family of friends during his sister Honey's birthday party. 

Thacker's under-achieving friends carry every scene in which they appear. Bella struggles valiantly in her wheelchair with her true love Max carrying her to bed and cooking up inedible meals. Bernie, a chubby-cheeked innocent, freely admits he sucks as a stockbroker. Honey, Thacker's sister, with her googly eyes, frantic hair-do and wanton ways just wants to be loved. And then there's Spike. This horny artist and Thacker's flat-mate -- untouched by civilization and soap and water -- freely dispenses advice with an understated, naive hilarity.  

The Julia Roberts of Pretty Woman returns with this performance and reinforces my belief that Runaway Bride was just a bad dream. Hugh Grant plays the ultimate bumbling Englishman and the perfect straight man for Spike and company's humor.  

Director Roger Michell brings out the best in Richard Curtis' screenplay. The exquisitely simple film score by Trevor Jones enhances but never overwhelms. This video, surreal at times, provides the perfect entertainment for a rainy weekend which gives you the chance to watch it again and again and yet again. The love angle might get old, but the hero's friends just get more interesting.  

Dawn Goldsmith

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