MovieChat Forums > Notting Hill (1999) Discussion > Why didn't he hold her back?

Why didn't he hold her back?

posted 11 years ago by tcolshorn
5 replies | jump to latest

Adorable movie, really. But there's something I NEVER understood:
William opens the door and is confronted with this helter-skelter crowd of paparazzis. He shuts it, and then Anna arrives, asking, who's that at the door, and opens it, only to be completely exposed, too.
So, what always annoyed me about that scene:

1) WHY in God's name isn't William holding her back? For f**cks sake, he KNOWS, why she's hiding in his place. He KNOWS about the nude pictures and she even told him that every journalist in London is probably after her to get a story!

2) Also: Why would she open the door in the first place? I mean, it's Williams house, not hers, right? It shouldn't be of her interest at all, who was at the door. Could have been the friggin' mailman.

I know it's a major plot point, so she can leave him. But I guess there could have been a better solution to that scene.

[–] BillK-5 11 years ago

He's being somewhat stereotypically British and is in a bit of shock; when he tells her not to open the door, she thinks he's just being playful.

Yes, it would have been different if he had angrily yelled not to open the door, but it doesn't seem Thacker has the ability to get angry at anyone - not the potential shoplifter, and not Anna.

[–] xenopharb 11 years ago

He is stunned. He is thinking what to do, but he is not quick enough. It is not like he faces that every day.

Does he grab her? Thacker did not come off as a physical first type of person. It was in character not to react quickly.

[–] TrentinaNE 8 years ago

Definitely a weak plot point. They both acted like idiots.

[–] Lester_Burnham_Risen 11 years ago

I know it's a major plot point, so she can leave him. But I guess there could have been a better solution to that scene.

---

not at all, this sequence was intended to mimic Brian and his mum in Life of Brian as Brian also awakes after his night of bliss with Judy ["you weren't so bad yourself"] and flings open his Judean window with his dick there for the huge crowd to see.

OK even Brit movies have been "de-sexed" over those 25 years so we don't see any dick but that was the connection.

"he's been a very naughty boy"

http://www.kindleflippages.com/ablog/

[–] louiseculmer 8 years ago

1. William is being his typical dithery, uncertain self I think. he is shocked and bewildered, not thinking quickly. i think that is in character.

2. Yes, that is definitely weird. Why would you want to open a door in someone else's house when they had already answered it? That is very odd.

i agree that scene could have been better done.