MovieChat Forums > Notting Hill (1999) Discussion > I think Anna...

I think Anna...

posted 10 years ago by Frances_Kubelik
4 replies | jump to latest

...seems a little bit shallow and insensitive, completely unaware of William's feelings when he is obviously uncomfortable. She doesn't seem to behave like the humble person they are trying so hard to sell us. At that birthday scene, Anna doesn't hide her salary to a guy that doesn't recognize her, making him feel uncomfortable. Later she is unable to pretend to enjoy the meal, stating that she is vegetarian. She even has the nerve to talk about her very difficult life stating a series of facts in a very superficial manner.

In many different occasions Anna treats William very poorly, and she reacts very childishly at the restaurant scene. A more believable, intense and strong reaction would have shown more than merely confronting the guys and talking about their parts. Besides, guys like that would have probably answer back at her.

I think the story loses quite an opportunity to portray the struggle a famous actor goes through from a deeper point of view. The movie in my opinion doesn't show - it tells, and it tell too much. It doesn't allow the audience to analyze - it tells them how they should feel, what to think, when and how much we have to like Anna.

And the thing is that Anna is not a likable character. There absolutely no scene in which I empathize with her. She is a selfish person.

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I'm not bad, I was drawn that way

[–] TxMike 10 years ago

We need to keep in mind the movie is mainly about William and his story. Anna is what she is, Roberts plays it the way the scriptwriter and director wanted her to in a manner that it makes William's quest for love easier or harder. As you recall more than once William, being the practical person he is, "logically" decided that it wasn't worth the trouble to try to build a relationship with one of the most famous women in the world, but in the end it was "just a girl asking a boy to love her." And he went for it ... after a figurative slap in the face by his friends ("You daft prick".)

So I don't get hung up at all on Anna and whether all the things she does seem genuine, she is there to facilitate William's quest.

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

[–] louiseculmer 10 years ago

Don't think she should have to pretend she's not a film star when she is, that would be silly. and it's actually rather ill mannered of him I think to probe for details of how mych money she makes. Insee no reason why she shouldn't tell him the truth. Nor should she have to pretend she isn't a vegetarian. She does in fact eat the guinea fowl without fuss, and she says 'it's the best guinea fowl i've ever tasted' which is obviously true and rather sweet.
i think the restaurant scene is quite funny, but you seem to want the film to be much more serious, i'm not sure why. It is meant to be a comedy after all.

[–] peanutflower 10 years ago

It's possible you need to realize this is a movie and not real life.

[–] Frances_Kubelik 10 years ago

Thanks, I didn't see it from that point of view. It is just that she seems to be so un-interesting as a person! I think he deserved way better...

"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way. " Jessica Rabbit