User reviews

Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant hearken back to classic screwball comedies in a very engaging if somewhat shallow romantic film that accentuates laughter above sentiment and succeeds wonderfully - even when it's not especially witty or gut-busting.

Bullock plays Lucy Kelson, a committed left-wing attorney with an immaculate Ivy League background who fights the good fight against the heartless developers of lower Manhattan and the outer boroughs. Complications ensue when she finds herself working for one such figure, George Wade (Grant) in exchange for his preserving a Coney Island landmark near her childhood home. Wade's not a bad guy, but he's frightfully dependent on Lucy for everything. When it seems possible she might at last get clear of him, she begins to have second thoughts about letting him go.

Two things I really, really like about this movie. One is the chemistry of Grant and Bullock. Bullock takes to being the butt of assorted slapstick with a gusto rare for a gorgeous screen star. She seems to have inherited the Doris Day mantle from Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan, though in a better way than either of those two screen stars. It's a pity she's since shown no interest in maintaining it. Grant plays off her very well in a role he could perform in his sleep - and sometimes seems to do just that, albeit in a good way. He has a casual way with a line that reminds me of Roger Moore or David Niven at their best, and shows he is growing comfortably into a solid on-screen presence after years of coasting on looks and charm. If IMDb.com is correct, he got paid $12.5 million for this, which if true is way too high, but he is probably the one guy who could make Wade so enjoyable, to the point where you're happy at his shenanigans for keeping Lucy by his side.

The other thing is the NYC backdrop. There's some eye-popping visuals courtesy of legendary cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, like the bridges lit up like Christmas trees in the background while Bullock has a drunk moment with Grant aboard his yacht. Another scene features a helicopter shot of Manhattan by the Hudson, with a nice nod at 9/11 that doesn't impose itself on the viewer but is there for the noticing. (This was the first film shot in the city after the tragedy.) You can compare "Two Weeks Notice" with classic romantic comedies like "What's Up Doc?" or "Bringing Up Baby." Not that it's as good, but the goal is similar in that it strives to entertain more than play with one's heartstrings.

Alright, the story is shallow. We never really get a sense of Kelson's duties with Wade except when it comes to being pulled out of weddings to pick out ties. Her absentee boyfriend is barely established. The supporting cast is not well developed, except Robert Klein and Dana Ivey as Lucy's parents. (Klein especially is wonderful.) Alicia Witt is spellbindingly gorgeous as Kelton's would-be replacement, and she plays wonderfully off the main pair, but she's suddenly thrust into the role of the heavy simply for plot convenience, and it's jarring. Too many other secondary roles are like that, too.

The script, by director Marc Lawrence, has its share of lame one-liners, but it keeps a steady, merry tempo that distracts from the film's shortcomings at least somewhat while focusing on its key strengths, Bullock and Grant. Lawrence's direction is similarly solid. I like the little bits of business between Bullock and Grant, like when they pick off each others' plates at Fraunces Tavern, or when she refuses his offer of a sidewalk kebob, calling it a "flesh popsicle." The scene that sticks out most is of her at an outdoor party, wearing a lovely tulle gown and a clown nose. This is one film that makes a serious point of being goofy and glamorous all at once, and it works. If all romantic comedies were so committed to being entertaining, it would be a lot easier for us guys to sit through them.

A by-the-numbers romcom is made better than average by Hugh Grant's impeccable timing and delivery. When Sandra Bullock is snoring her head off, he puts a pillow under her head to stop her. Instead, the snoring gets louder."Opposite effect. Interesting," says Grant. The line is only funny because Hugh Grant says it. He has perfected the little-boy-lost routine to a tee. Bullock does fine, and the character actors support the main players well, particularly the overweight not-pregnant-but-then-is colleague of Bullock's, who gets the best squirming out of Grant. But the whole film lives or dies on the casting of Grant, it is impossible to think of these lines working said by any other actor. This film will bring a smile to your face and is worth renting as a Friday night date movie.

Two Weeks Notice (2002)

Hugh Grant is funny. Sandra Bullock is funny. "Two Weeks Notice" takes full advantage of both, and for a warm, if someone canned, romantic comedy, it's enjoyable.

The premise is two-fold. First is the idea that Bullock makes herself indispensable as an assistant to an unbelievably demanding boss (an precursor of the more recent "The Devil Wears Prada" though in this case Grant is also a bit incompetent). Then she has to give notice she is quitting. This makes Grant desperate, which is always fun to watch.

The other premise is the feel-good part where a community center with history needs to be saved, somehow (an echo, perhaps, of "You've Got Mail"). Bullock is a do-gooder and a smart one, and she finds working with Grant has threatened her idealism. In fact, this is the deeper part of the movie, if still treated with typical easy going slightness. I mean, this is no serious commentary for sure, any more than "My Man Godfrey" will really change our views about unemployment in the depression. But it helps to have a cause to root for.

Most of all I came to love Bullock for her natural on-screen personality. She's so likable in her own offbeat way you come to support her view of the world automatically. And in this case that's a good thing, even if you also understand how Grant's character is both a jerk and a lovable misguided rich man. Grant of course is his own kind of natural, and the two are rather good on screen. They might not have chemistry, the way you'd want the screen to steam up, but they have energy or synergy together, more like the other Grant (Cary) and some of his counterparts did in the old days.

I'm tilting this review toward a feeling that this is a screwball comedy as in the the late 30s and early 40s, and in a way it is, though not nutty enough perhaps to really qualify. It does have the standard romantic comedy problem of two leads who would be great together if only a million things weren't standing in the way.

This movie gets weak reviews overall, but I liked it, and don't hesitate to recommend it as a thin but enjoyable comedy.

Lucy Kelson {Sandra Bullock} lands a job as chief counsel for a big hitting New York real estate firm that is owned by mega-rich George Wade {Hugh Grant}. He's an engaging enough boss but he's very shallow, and Lucy finds that she's practically running his life for him. So finally tiring of being treated like a Personal Assistant, she gives her two weeks notice of resignation. But can the pair do with out each other? And is there more than a working relationship bubbling under the surface? For his first feature film directing assignment, Marc Lawrence played it safe and got lucky with his lead actors. Whilst hardly setting a new benchmark in the ROM-COM genre, Two Weeks Notice is however witty and not without charm. This is due in the main to the pairing of Grant & Bullock, who play it perky and spark a chemistry so sadly lacking in many other modern day films of its ilk. By their own admission the pair got on great off screen, and that is evident as the pair feed of each other to make the lightweight script work wonders. The dominance of the pair tho leaves little room for the supporting actors to breathe, with many of them coming across as mere fillers. It's this that stops the film from being the great film that Bullock, and particularly Grant's, efforts deserved.

Enjoyable light entertainment that could have been better if more thought had gone into the outer characters. 6.5/10

Sandra Bullock is one of my favourite actress's, I'll give any movie with her in a chance, and Hugh Grant is funny if given good material. So despite looking every inch the predictable romantic comedy, I expected to like this.

Plot In A Paragraph: Idealistic lawyer Lucy Kelton (Sandra Bullock) quits her job working for demanding corporate boss George Wade (Hugh Grant) But Soon realises she can't let go quite so easily.

Bullock and Grant have great chemistry (Their relationship reminded me of Arthur and Hobson from "Arthur" if Hobson had been a woman) and the first half of this movie is very enjoyable but midway through it sort of loses its way, as it heads towards its predictable climax.

Hugh Grant is in top form here, Bullocks's "Miss Cingenialty" co star Heather Burns has a role here, as is Grant's "Four Weddings & A Funeral" co-star David Haig, and Alicia Witt is fine too. As for Bullock

I'll admit from the off, that I am bias. I love her. With her gorgeous girl next door looks, I adore her, and will usually give anything she is in a chance. she remains one of the most talented and beautiful women in movies, and her ladylike sexiness is in rare supply. Any movie becomes promising just by having her name in it's cast.

"Two Weeks Notice" tells of the romantic misadventures of a playboy tycoon (Grant) and a "greenie" attorney (Bullock) who can't seem to get along until they finally realize what they can't get along without is each other. On the downside, the film is the usual romcom fare with nothing in particular to distinguish it from a panoply of peers. On the up side, the flick is chock full of Lawrence's humor which made "Miss Congeniality" and "Forces of Nature" so enjoyable. Entertaining stuff worth a look for Bullock or Grant fans and romcom junkies. (B-)

I am sick of defending romantic comedies on this site. Every time a new one hits our screens IMDb is absolutely inundated with reviews containing the words, boring and predictable.

Most of the time these reviews are written by people who are just annoyed that nobody was killed or nobody fired a gun or blew up a building or whatever. GROW UP.

This is the last time I'm going to say this but romantic comedies work to a successful formula which have worked well for seventy odd years and that is why they are successful, they are not going to change them and we certainly hope they don't so everyone please stop moaning for heavens sake. Maybe your action movies are a bit "same ol' same ol'" but do we slag them off to you? NO. So CAN IT.

Now my little rant and rave is over onto the film in question.

Sandra Bullock is in my opinion the greatest living comedy actress alive today. She is sexy and gifted and has the perfect talent and timing to easily take over the mantle of stars like Irene Dunne, Jean Arthur, Katherine Hepburn, Doris Day and more recently Meg Ryan as a true queen of Rom-Com.

It's my opinion that in fifty years time Sandra Bullock will be regarded as a screen great like the great actresses mentioned above. She has the ability to adapt between comedic and dramatic roles with perfect ease making us cry or laugh with equal vigour. I suppose she is almost like a female version of Cary Grant in that respect.

In Two Weeks Notice she is given so much chance to make us laugh and she fails to miss one of them. I especially like the part when she says she can also speak German and Japanese and then turns down an offer using both, followed by one of her rye giggles....hilarious and clever.

Hugh Grant, never really strays too far away from Hugh Grant but again as in the case of Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler this persona is what has made him a star and that is what he successfully does. It seems however that in this film he does it better than in any other film before.

It's a love story between a radical left wing lawyer (Bullock) and a capitalist, heartless tycoon (Grant).

He's been using her for her intellect and she has been using him and his money for her own charitable organizations, but when she decides to quit, the last two weeks sees their relationship change into something neither of them seem to want to part with.

The script is funny and fast paced and both are handed good comedy material to sink their teeth into. Hugh Grant is surrounded by beautiful women throughout the film giving him the opportunity to work his English charm school act, and with another sexy secretary in the picture, Bullock is given her opportunity to spar in her own inimitable way. The schoolyard type fight over the stapler is a great example and gut-wrenchingly funny.

An enjoyable film and one deserving pride of place on any DVD shelf. Incidentally check out the feature commentary between Bullock, Grant and Marc Lawrence. It's very funny and shows that the magic between them poured right off the film and leaked into real life.

As for one of the previous reviewers who referred to Sandra Bullock as FAT, I lay my gauntlet at your feet sir and it's pistols at ten. You may like her acting or loathe her, but fat she ain't.

I like romantic comedies... but please give me a minimum of acting, dialogues, and a script that holds together. Unfortunately, this is not the case with this "turkey"... and I regret to give it the note of 2.

Thanks god that I did not pay for a ticket... anyway, I would never pay to see a film with either Hugh Grant or Sandra Bullock, as they resume for me all that the word "non acting" is about... Grant is doing the same thing as ever... don't you remember ?? the stammer, the lost little boy look, come on.. five weddings and a funeral, about a boy etc.... and, as he is unable to do anything else, he has reduced it to a fine art. As for miss Bullock... she keeps most of the time the outfaced expression of a traffic warden in a bad mood. Decidedly not worth a second look, and a first one, only to see how NOT to do it !

Two weeks notice is a movie that is so completely lightweight in viewing, it's almost embarrassing to admit how much I liked it. But I did. I'm a big fan of romantic comedies but it seems like there is so much of a redundent churning out of crummy or average ones in the past few years, it's hard to keep them all straight.

This movie differentiates itself very much from other below average or at best, average or slightly above average romantic comedies. It's the same classic setup as a million other ones(see: "Maid in manhatten", "The wedding planner", runaway bride", "I love trouble" etc etc etc.) What makes this one a bit better then the above mentioned is the dialogue. It's actually funny! This is a movie that exists entirely on the witty "back and forth" barbs between Bullock and Grant's characters. It's peppered with zingy one liners and caustic banter and the result is a peppy, funny and entirely entertaining romantic comedy.

AS is NOT the case with some of those other movies I mentioned, this is one I will actually remember fully once the movie is over. Although nothing about the plot is realistic in the slightest, the banter is so much fun and the chemistry so cute and sassy, that it makes for very entertaining movie watching.

Anyone who's ever had that type of relationship will be able to relate. That fun type of relationship with a member of the opposite sex where chemistry and attraction is built slowly and sassily, where both people know their attracted to each other but haven't yet admitted that to each other so off they go into the world of sexual banter! This is a fun relatable romantic comedy that any fan of the two main stars should see. I happily give it an 8 out of 10.

If I was interested in Heather Burns other than eye candy, I would have probably focused on the Miss Congeniality movies. But, in honor of her birthday, I pick a Hugh Grant film just because I like him.

If you are looking for a cute romantic movie, you can never go wrong with Hugh Grant, who is teamed in this one with Sandra Bullock as an environmental lawyer who becomes Grant's legal eagle and mommy. Yes, she gets more than she bargains for and finally gives notice - hence, the title. In typical Grant style, he spends the rest of the movie trying to get her back. Sure, his movies follow the same formula, but they are just fun to watch.

Beside that, you get a great Joni Mitchell song (Big Yellow Taxi) as part of an outstanding soundtrack - another feature of Grant's films.

I'm wondering whether I saw the same movie as all the people on this board who loved it. I found it almost unwatchable, extremely unfunny, and after suffering through an hour, gave up on it and walked out. In general I think Hugh Grant is extremely talented and usually very funny, but he was not given anything to work with in this poor apology of a movie. Sandra Bullock should get over herself and stop playing these parts where we're supposed to believe she's unattractive to the opposite sex in her eyes. Come off it, Sandra, you know you're too good-looking to get away with it, you're no Nia Vardolos (Big Fat Greek Wedding) - in fact I believe the suits wanted to shoehorn Bullock into the Greek-girl role but thank the gods they were foiled.

To all the people complaining out there about this movie, either you have no idea what a rom-com comprises of, or what good acting is all about. Good acting is NOT LIMITED TO PLAYING real people in biographies, or people who are diseased, addicts, orphans, extremely poverty-stricken, with physical/mental disorders, differently-abled people or people in horrifying situations like the War. These sort of roles sure give the actor an advantage- as they can have a shtick to tickle the emotional and moral corners of the audience and award-givers. And in the billion-dollar fantasy franchises, 'action' and special effects dominate, and people's familiarity to these characters is exploited as a guarantee of audience. But what is most difficult to play is playing everyday, normal people, set in the current world, having no such excruciating difficulties or stunning visual effects as props, and yet make them interesting, funny and likeable. A rom-com is actually the most difficult genre to write and act in, because it totally depends on the skills of the people presenting it, not the 'content'. I mean, people would watch biographies of people they love even if the movie is a dud just because they love the person, and also movies about wars and such horrors of the past as they feel "they should see it" as a relic of their history. No such compunctions for a rom-com. On the other hand, in a rom-com, content-wise, the basic story arc is predictable in all romantic films - either a happy or a sad ending, and how they get there, so it's up to the crew and cast to know how to present it. So simply - if it's enjoyable, people see it, if not, they don't. If you want strange twists in movies, don't go for such movies. Go for Sci-fi, or Action or the other kinds of drama films I mentioned above. If you want a steady, warm, enjoyable, happy time with a generous number of laughs, go for this film. But don't expect the hero/heroine to turn into a fish, or grow horns, or become a zombie. This aint the place for that. Get used to it. Well now, let's see for this movie: Acting: Hugh Grant & Sandra Bullock : 10/10 Chemistry (The Rom): 10/10 Cinematography: 10/10 Dialogues - 9.5/10 Comedy Element (The Com) - 10/10 Did it make me laugh outright? Several times. Did it make me happy? Definitely. Did it satisfy all the criteria of a rom-com and a highly enjoyable film for me? A GREAT YES. Would I love to watch it again..and again? HECK YES!

Two Weeks Notice is a conventional story done in an unconventional way. The two characters are total opposite and yet, no real clashes happens. The movie even refrained from doing an over exaggerated introduction of them. They both are presented in strong terms, yes, but not over done.

If you can't stand easy witty wordy humor like Hugh Grant so charmingly display in this piece, something he excels at, you better not watch it. It's those dialogs that propel this movie forward. He does it in an unpretentious earnest way, which is why Lucy Kelson (Sandra Bullock) ends up working for him.

The story is simple, the photography very good, and nothing is out of place. This film doesn't reinvent the genre, but it's a very well built offspring.

See it for good entertainment.

Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock are really funny in this, I bet everyone watching could tell they had some chemistry even when they thought the other to be irritating. They both have a very natural screen presence.

On the other hand the script isn't the best, especially after the first 30 minutes or so, there were some really cute moments between Grant and Bullock but when they weren't on screen it was quite boring, the other stars weren't as good as them. But both Grant and Bullock's characters (a rich toff and clever secretary) were great; but the film didn't have enough substance to leave a lasting impression or anything too unconventional to make it too interesting.

5/10: Decent for a romantic comedy

I saw 'Two Weeks Notice' some years ago and didn't like it much. It seemed like a passable romantic comedy. I mean, the acting was overall good, the story a little old... it just felt like it lacked something. However, after having revisited it today, I actually liked it a lot more than before. Once one is passed the first half hour or so, I think he/she can really enjoy the film.

What makes the first half hour or so annoying is it's dragging pace and Hugh Grant. His character just comes across as extremely needy and perhaps it's not Grant's fault but the actor doesn't add anything new to his role. This is the kind of role that made him a star but he seems to have forgotten that there are other genres outside romantic comedy. Perhaps he wants to stick to a safer formula but I wonder how long people will continue watching him in the same kind of films playing similar roles. Anyway, after this initial half hour, he does decent in the acting department as he shows George's growth. We see his He shares a good chemistry with Sandra Bullock.

'Two Weeks Notice' belongs to Sandra Bullock and I think it is her acting and her character that make this film more likable. The woman is naturally beautiful and her comic timing is impeccable and it is no surprise that she's known as one of the finest comedy actresses (and she's great in other roles too). she has some of the best lines and she delivers them with complete ease.

I also loved the dialogues. There are some hilarious one-liners such as the barking chilli dog and the bobcat pretzel. After the dragging initial reel, the story moves at a good enough pace and gets funnier. Lawrence's screenplay and direction are good as the end result looks polished but some editing could have helped to tighten it up.

Overall, I think this funny film deserves a second chance as I liked it a lot more during the second viewing. I'm glad that I chose to watch it again.

The chemistry between Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock is great and they have a really funny relationship in the movie. However, I do wish that Grant's character had grovelled more before he got the girl.

This movie really disappointed me. As a fan of romantic comedies I found neither romance or comedy. The total lack of chemistry only served to highlight the limited range of both Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. The best acting in this film may well have been the brief appearance by Mike Piazza who did a great job playing a professional baseball player (even better than he does on the field). If you are looking for a really cute, funny movie to share - skip this one.

I don't care if people don't like this movie. I think it's fantastic. It's absolutely hilarious and the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant are just off the charts and their comedic timing with each other is just perfect. Also beyond that, The story is really adorable. even the smaller characters have a lot to play in the story. Definitely one of my favourite romantic comedies.

A feel good 90s movie made in the 00s (however you say that), still a fun throwback to the good old (and very loveable) Sandra Bullock & Huge Grant characters that made them household names.

I read with amusement the comments of others. I bought this movie on DVD and have got it in my normal rotation (along with others I like). I thought that the pairing of Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock worked very well. I did not enjoy this movie for it's social significance, that's not what I watch movies for. If you enjoy adult humor and can appreciate the nuances then you will find this quite enjoyable. It is Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant at their best. Some of my favorite scenes include the one where Sandra Bullock has eaten too much and has to go to the bathroom while they are stuck on a bridge in New York City. Adding the music "Taking Care Of Business" was really a stroke of genius. The "Bobcat Pretzel" scene was equally funny. The interjection of the appropriate music adds much to the results.

This romantic comedy succeeds primarily due to the script and the chemistry between the two principals. Sandra Bullock plays Lucy, a left-wing activist for all causes that honor tradition and local values. Hugh Grant plays George, a developer who has been the brunt of Lucy's activism numerous times.

Lucy intends to confront George about an upcoming demolition project, but he-being the unorthodox person he is-convinces her to work for him. The only problem is he comes to value her opinion so much, he constantly calls her for every little thing. So she decides to do whatever it takes to get herself fired.

Both characters are likable, so it is not too great a stretch that they could develop feelings for each other. Or that viewers would like watching these two characters interact. Or that Hugh Grant would mentioned how much he enjoyed acting with Sandra Bullock.