MovieChat Forums > Notting Hill (1999) Discussion > I love this movie except for that vomitr...

I love this movie except for that vomitrocious ending

posted 10 years ago by curious_chaos
19 replies | jump to latest

This is a lovely and sweet romantic movie that works so well because of the talent of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. However, did anybody else feel like gagging when seeing that atrocious tacked on ending of marriage and pregnancy? It felt soooo out of the blue and unnecessary. Who says that marriage and pregnancy are how happy couples should end up? I think that somebody in the studio decided at the last minute that it would make for a more satisfying ending. Phooey. I think it should have ended with Anna Scott saying "indefinitely".

[–] Lester_Burnham_Risen 10 years ago

Are you american then?

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

[–] TxMike 10 years ago

Your suggestion of where it ended isn't wrong, it very well could have ended there. But I know from reading many viewer comments on a variety of movies over the years, and I suspect the producers of this movie know as well, the average theater-goer likes a movie to be wrapped up in a happy ending where possible. So they did. Yes, it was unnecessary but if that spoiled the whole movie for you then you surely must be a very shallow thinker.

It really isn't substantially different from "Wizard Of Oz", the movie could have ended where Dorothy clicked the heels of her red shoes and "poof" she disappears. But viewers like to know what happens.

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

[–] curious_chaos 10 years ago

I would agree to an extent. Hollywood serves us stinking overkill on a golden platter as far as endings and wrap ups go. The ending of Notting Hill should have ended the way I previously wrote. It would have left a satisfying and happy ending that does not dictate the very specifics of their next life choices-- whether that be marriage, pregnancy, or mere togetherness. Too much additional information after the last important line or scene is unnecessary and distracting. Hence my post! I think the issue I'm trying to address goes above Notting Hill and more into problems with movie endings generally speaking in these modern times. This is a prime example though.

I don't approve of being spoon fed an ending. Why would anybody ever remember or treasure a movie that didn't make them think and ponder and appreciate after it finishes? I When everything is packaged up and and answered too well it seems fake and artificial to me, and furthermore it and it's purpose are forgotten soon after the end since there's nothing left to think about. The movie did it for you! Theres a splendid little Australian movie from a couple years ago called Not Suitable for Children that is an ideal example of how to end a romcom in an uncliche and fresh way. Check it out if you haven't already :)

When I saw that Anna and Will were pregnant, I kid you not, I immediately groaned and said "ugh gross well they'll be divorced in 10 years". The specificity of seeing that soured the sweetness of imagining the cute happy couple simply being together, in love. I am aware I'm a cynic, but the pendulum of opinion sways all and every way, and to me, yes, the ending of Notting Hill was lame. Is it shallow that I don't believe that happiness comes generically from marriage & children? Perhaps to you, and many others who choose (to me) an outdated, more conservative approach to life. But not me. I would rather have not seen their life after the resolute "Indefinitely". I don't believe in marriage and raising kids-- it didn't do me or my parents any good-- So obviously I don't enjoy seeing that perpetuation as the ending of a popular movie. So maybe I have no room to complain and should keep my opinions to myself, but that's how I feel and I'm not sorry for it.

I just think the ending felt tacked on and completely unnecessary. That's all, really. I like the movie fine enough.

[–] TxMike 10 years ago

It all makes sense now! 

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

[–] graham-167 10 years ago

Who says that marriage and pregnancy are how happy couples should end up?

Pretty much all of human society throughout history.

--
Christianity : A god who loves you so much that he'll set fire to you if you don't love him back

[–] curious_chaos 10 years ago

Hahahah! Snarky. I suppose you're right, but my point is still valid-- just because that's the way things have always been doesn't mean they should be that way for everybody forever... Alas, these types of ideals are perpetuated gloriously by movies like this giving impressionable human minds the idea that things like marriage and popping out babies is what should be normal... That's how we get intolerant zealots who refuse to open their minds to the possibilities of people doing whatever feels right, whether that be living with a significant other out of wedlock or not procreating at all...

My views differ greatly than many others and I just want to say that it's just my opinion :) And it doesn't matter :)

[–] louiseculmer 10 years ago

marriage and pregnancy are how happy couples should end up. inthink the ending is nice. Everyone is happy. even thevrestaurant man looks like he's going to have success with his cakes.

[–] movie80 9 years ago

marriage and pregnancy are how happy couples should end up. inthink the ending is nice. Everyone is happy. even thevrestaurant man looks like he's going to have success with his cakes.

I like the ending too, I like the last bench-in-the-park scene!

[–] chitownsiren-774-641813 9 years ago

Completely agree.

[–] asherp 9 years ago

There are 2 types of movies (for the purpose of this post) RomComs and movies with an existential question. This movie isn't about some great search for self....It a RomCom love story....almost by definition those need some form of sappy ending. Did they pound the point home that it all worked out? Yes. And that's what the audience (for the most part) paid to see.

[–] buddey125 9 years ago

Ending is perfect. Maybe a celebrity and a "normal" person can make it if they get away from the crazy hollywood life

[–] speedy1383 9 years ago

I didn't mind the ending at all. I liked seeing all the characters at the wedding. Funny dancing. The chef getting some work by catering the wedding. Will getting his hair fussed with by his previously unseen mother. Will showing his awkwardness with the cameras at a premiere. I liked seeing all of that and seeing where they ended up.

[–] TxMike 9 years ago

I know it is a silly observation but in that final scene I always watch the two small children, a boy and a girl, chasing each other. They are "extras" and the boy was probably told, "Chase but don't catch the girl" and you can see that clearly if you focus on them. The boy's movements are not natural at all.

I think it is funny, having been an extra myself for 4 days of filming a movie near where I live.

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes not.

[–] sunchick116-872-583383 8 years ago

i guess i'm guilty of not being very smart then because i would have been LIVID if it ended at the press conference. i loved that we got to see their wedding and that were going to have a family, and the scene of him at the premiere overwhelmed what what he was in for was a nice touch. my only complaint was, the way anna was dressed, i didn't realize it was their wedding until i saw the flower girls. they needed more scenes at the wedding i think.

[–] prplayer 8 years ago

the ending was just the *beep* cherry on the crap pie

so many movies, so little time

[–] mickey123mouse123 8 years ago

This ending was more or less necessary after Anna's answer "indefinitely", since Anna blew off William several times before. There was needed some "proof" of her decision, otherwise one could've think she'll just blow off William once more.

Without this ending, I don't think the ending would have been believable.

[–] Lester_Burnham_Risen 8 years ago

The nice thing about ending is we see William is STILL in Notting Hill but has "crossed the rails" from poor to rich side of town [in fact just a short walk as we saw in movie].

Anna's millions allowed them to buy one of the mansions with the private garden that most can simply peer at through the fence, BUT William has not changed except he now has time to READ his books as he no longer needs to be nice to the Poo man etc in his former shop, AND they can afford to GO to Turkey etc.

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