Newell’s rom-com flounders in this lengthy and predictable comedy about a bachelor finding love.
Grant brings his usual bumbling appeal, however is ill-countered by the charmless MacDowell. Scott Thomas and Callow have some funny moments, however the dialogue doesn’t grant the supporting cast enough room to play, as in Notting Hill.
Curtis’ writing lacks the wit of Love Actually and the cheek of The Boat That Rocked. Poor chemistry between the leads fails to develop the romance past an unconvincing love-at-first-sight scenario.
The ending is unsurprising and the script methodically repetitive, plodding along until the two hour mark concludes this loveless film.
Jo Bradley.
Scribbles of Stage and Screen 
I went to see this when it first came out and thought it was really good, although the scene at the end when she turns up in the rain was a bit cringeworthy.
Now I find most of it cringeworthy. I think it’s one of those films that worked in a particular time in Britain but really hasn’t aged well.
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I agree. When you look at the other work the writer has done, it seems he was just coming in to his own before his more timeless, quality works came out.
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