Two Weeks Notice

from Film Forum, 01/02/03

Two Weeks Notice is another romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant: an event that seems to happen two or three times a year. This time he's matched with Sandra Bullock. Bullock plays a liberal activist lawyer who is hired to work for Grant's insensitive character. When his mistreatment of her prompts her submittal of "two weeks' notice," she finds herself helping him look for a replacement. During this close-quarters teamwork, sparks start flying and the two are drawn together in that oh-so-Hollywood way.

Gerri Pare (Catholic News Service) writes, "The romantic triangle crawls along to its assured outcome without delivering much entertainment." Bob Smithouser (Focus on the Family) is also disappointed: "The likable Grant and Bullock share good chemistry, making the tired formula more bearable. If only the movie's sweet and funny moments weren't marred by sexual repartee and a preachy, left-leaning social agenda." Phil Boatwright (Movie Reporter) turns in a soul-baring review: "I have two hopes. First, that Sandra will some day find me. Second, and nearly as important, that she will star in a great movie. Alas, she knows me not, and Two Weeks Notice has all the charm and humor of a pink slip."

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) had a better time at the movie. "Utterly predictable, utterly unbelievable, but undeniably charming. The premise, formulaic as it is, works largely due to the impeccable comic timing of the film's two stars. … Central to the film's romance is the idea that people can change. Nobody is beyond redemption."

Lisa A. Rice (Movieguide) says, "There are lots of very funny parts to this movie." But she concludes by listing the things that offended her: "The worldview is politically correct, with generally light elements of feminism, environmentalism, homosexuality, and anti-wealth/anti-capitalism." (Clearly, only a certain number of Christian critics find "environmentalism" to be an offensive element.)