What happens when opposites attract in an office setting? Romance blooms, hearts are broken and then of course, someone has to make it into a cheesy rom-com featuring the queen of romantic comedies and a British actor who is oh-so-perfect in the role of an arbitrary yet whimsical billionaire. This is a winning catch if you're feeling lonely or catching a flick together with your girlfriends; filled with the humor and charm that has made Sandra Bullock a reliable fixture in any romantic comedy, and the accent and dorkiness that makes Hugh Grant so adorable and irresistible to any woman over thirty.
Lucy Kelson (Sandra Bullock) is a liberal lawyer living in New York City. Specializing in environmental law, she is determined to prevent the demolition of the Coney Island community center, which was and still is an eternal part of her life. Remembering all the memories and experiences the center has given her, Lucy persists in accomplishing her goal by persuading a rather young and attractive real estate tycoon, George Wade (Hugh Grant), to help keep the community center out of harm's way. It just so happens that George is also in need of a lawyer for his divorce case, and without further thought, he hires Lucy for the job. He also gives her a job at his office for being such a strong presence in the proceedings of the case as well as during their first encounter. Intrigued by her dedication for the cause she believes in, George makes her a promise that if she helps him in the legal department of his business transactions, he will help prevent the imminent destruction of the center Lucy has loved for so long. Despite being aware of George's playboy habits and capricious behavior, Lucy has no idea what she's in for during her employment at Wade Corporations. Juvenile, inconsiderate and eccentric in his requests and overall state of mind, George has taken the last straw of Lucy's patience, and after less than a year of employment she opts to quit the job despite how well she gets paid and the benefits that George is willing to give her. Realizing that maybe this was all a waste of time and that the center may not survive much longer based on George's fickle temperament, Lucy is in a state of despair and doesn't know what to do about her current situation. With a two-week notice issued, George asks if she can just help train a young woman named June (Alicia Witt) to fill her position. Lucy agrees, but during her last two weeks, she starts to develop a genuine understanding of George and his past even if he comes off as a smug, pretentious, and utterly unbearable pest. She also learns that this venture to take over his father's company, is an enormous amount of pressure for George and all he needed was a little advice from someone he can trust in order to make the right impression not only among his clients, but his co-workers as well. Feelings of sympathy and love arise from Lucy's side but has George eventually taken an interest in his new assistant and forgotten about Lucy altogether? Watch out for the tug of war which ensues as a result of this growing love triangle.
Although this light-hearted comedy feels like an unambitious attempt at producing yet another addition to the genre, I still can't but love how human and touching the main characters are, based on their backgrounds and goals that although are different in intent, still flow into one compound which binds them together until the end. The story seems a bit unrealistic in terms of the pairing of a billionaire and an unconventional, yet effective lawyer if you really think about it. I don't think an important person like that would ever chase after an average person with integral values that do not include material possessions or marrying a rich man. It's all part of the formulaic structure of the romantic comedy which makes women swoon and envision a more desirable future for themselves where love and financial stability are profuse and everything takes care of itself. Wake up people! It's a figment of someone's imagination that gives women hope about the possibility of meeting that one person who appreciates their flaws and everything they have to offer in a relationship, and not a true to life story which takes into account every nuance and facet of a person's life which contributes to their fate.
The color scheme and cinematography for the film was relatively meaningful in the context of the story. Different shades of grey and other washed out or pale colors were mostly used in the detailing of the sets and wardrobe to convey Lucy's desolate lifestyle and cynical attitude towards others. It's somewhat of a complex outer presentation of Lucy's mindset which is reflected and translated on the people who contribute and surround her in her every day life. However, it seems as though the wardrobe choices for the characters Lucy chooses to focus most of her energy upon -- George and June -- is composed of colors which are much more striking in appearance as opposed to their encompassing space; even if they are rather bland and still fit into the primary spectrum of the production.
I do approve of the bigger picture that this picture chooses to portray in a modern, capitalist world where people choose to embrace the amount someone's wallet holds in contrast to that person's personal views, overall personality and work ethic while dedicating their life to something bigger than themselves. Humility and integrity is what Lucy brings to the table not only as a lawyer, but a human being, and now it's up to George to learn from her and exhibit his true colors and intentions if he wants to stay true to himself and prove to Lucy that he's not just a suit with a mind for instant gratification at the expense of other. Lucy is the one who pops his bubble of thought and direction after so many years of being groomed to take over a job which requires nothing but the skill to earn a profit for himself and his well-endowed family; is George ready to do what's right even if it means to lose the trust of the family which has given him everything he ever wanted, except for the much needed guidance, love, and attentiveness which makes him so incomplete as an adult?
On an ending note, this film does have its upsides and a message which could be measured more deeply, but I won't forget to state that this is a comedy and all that is required of you is to enjoy the comical situations and wry humor as opposed to figuring out what's really behind the facade of characters who comprise this particular story. Wait a minute... that's my job! That being said, most will find this enjoyable and refreshing to watch while others will complain about the banality of it all; I say take your chances.
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