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What a major disappointment. I'm not speaking of the movie;it's the soundtrack that leaves me cold. "Notting Hill" is a situational comedy that is deeply moving and charmingly acted. It is the story of an actress whose popularity is without peer;and it is the story of a bookstore owner whose commonality is absolute. Yet,this is an engaging love story of their incidental meeting and their undeniable attraction. Their opposite backgrounds and their opposing stations in life make their love so improbable---and this is precisely what drives the plot. The stage is set for emotional music to move the emotions of we viewers. But what we get leaves us flat,in my opinion. Well,not totally so. Elvis Costello's rendition of the Charles Aznavour hit is a Godsend. It is nothing short of beautiful in sound and words. It tells us that her smiles and laughter are his souvenirs;her existence is his purpose for being. It also tells us that her eyes may never show their tears,but that,after all,she is just like him. She says,"I'm just a girl asking a boy to love her." How befitting this song is as it recaps their relationship as the movie nears its conclusion. (When I finally received this cd after a winning bid,I downloaded and played "She" on my nano an almost embarrassing twenty continuous times as I pedaled away in the gym. Costello's rendition is that wonderful). B U T B U T B U T..... But where do we go from here? For those of you who have viewed the movie,consider all the superb scenes,and the possibilities for musical accompaniment. But what do we get? Boyzone's "No Matter What" is a pleasant enough tune,but it has nothing to do with the film. And so it impels no emotion. Shania Twain and 98 Degees have very pleasant voices,but "You've Got a Way" and "I Do Cherish You" do nothing to stir my desire to see this unlikely couple make it. Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" gets us back on track because it expresses such a loss when she is gone,and such disappointment in wondering if and when she will come back. Of course,"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Al Green is admittedly a gorgeous,sentimental,soft melody about longing,but little else is said in the lyric that is relevant to the storyline. Skipping to the last two numbers on the soundtrack,Trevor Jones plays two instrumental guitar scores entitled "Will and Anna" and "Notting Hill". They are pleasant tunes,but they simply don't serve. They explain nothing and conjure nothing. They seem to fill space. I saw this movie at least five times in the theater,and a few times on television. It grabbed me that much. But the music should have been better selected. I ask the movie viewer to think of the scenes they adored,and fill them with one's own selection of melodies in their vast universe of love songs. Fill these scenes with songs that really show us the love saga of Will and Anna. I think you might just find that you've created a markedly better selection.Read full review
This cd has some great songs, and seeing the movie so many times, I felt I needed the cd also. Great value!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This cd is great I got it because me and my grandma love the movie and the soundtrack is great to .
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Love this movie, love the music!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great songs from a great movie! Highly recommended!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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