Two Weeks Notice

Details

George Wade is one half of Wade Enterprises, a billionaire, high-profile New York real estate developer who doesn't really care for the old buildings that stand in the way of progress - and a nice, large, fat profit. Naturally, this stance tends to attract the more vocal members of the public who want their historical landmarks preserved for future generations.

Lucy Kelson is a Harvard law graduate who's gone green and is one such vocal opponent of everything that the Wade Corporation does. When Lucy isn't on the phone to her distant, whale-protecting boyfriend, she's out protesting at various building sites, getting arrested and then being bailed out by her parents. However, when Lucy discovers that Wade Enterprises is going to pull down a historic Brooklyn recreational centre, she decides to confront George Wade face to face.

George is a bit of a ladies' man and, as a result of his playboy ways, is in the process of employing a new chief counsellor. Although he's been told to employ a man - and preferably someone from Harvard - George is determined to continue annoying his elder brother and father, even though the latter died ten years ago. When Lucy confronts George outside his offices, he soon discovers that she matches all of his needs - she's Harvard-educated and, most of all, she's pretty. On the losing end of a very persuasive argument, Lucy soon finds herself in a highly paid and influential job at Wade Enterprises. In return, George promises not to pull down the recreational centre.

On her first day of work, Lucy quickly discovers that her Harvard law degree isn't going to be put to much use, as she ends up spending most of her time making mundane decisions for her boss, including selecting personal stationery and mattresses. Lucy puts up with this imposition for months, but the final straw comes when George rings Lucy in an apparent emergency, causing her to leave in the middle of a wedding ceremony. Dropping everything, she rushes back to his hotel only to discover that he merely wanted help picking out a shirt. Infuriated, she tenders her resignation and gives her two weeks' notice.

However, George has no intention of accepting her resignation and even goes to the extent of contacting every law firm in the city to prevent them from hiring her. Lucy is left with no other choice but to attempt to get herself sacked by arriving late or upsetting the Wade Corporation. Despite her best efforts, George is still having none of it, so they are forced to come to a mutual arrangement - Lucy must find a replacement counsellor before she can leave. Trouble is, George and Lucy have been together so long that they fail to realise they were made for each other.

Picture & Sound

The picture is of reasonable quality and definition, with no signs of outlining or artefacting and an average bit-rate throughout. However, there tends to be too much contrast, especially during the daylight scenes, and the image has a tendency to appear slightly grainy at times. It's actually something of a disappointment and not really what you'd expect from the likes of Warner. It has a definite "low-budget" look to it.

For this genre of film, you shouldn't really be expecting anything too special from the sound department, and indeed there is very little to get excited about. The soundtrack is so bland you may as well save yourself the electricity and not bother turning on your surround system. The surround channels remain virtually silent throughout the film and there's very little in the way of stereo separation. The only redeeming feature is the easily digestible dialogue in the centre channel.

Menu & Extras

The menu system is pleasantly animated and scored, with a number of scenes playing in the background and quotes from the film uttered by cast members. It's all simple, but highly effective. However, dwell too long on the menu and the film will start - and your admiration of the menu will be short-lived.

The main redeeming features of this disc are the extras, with the audio commentary being of particular interest. Both Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock provide an audio commentary along with the director - and an interesting one it is too. Both actors appear to give the illusion that they get along well, but listen closely and they constantly take little bites out of each other, be it Sandra's walk or Hugh's pronunciation of certain words.

Another good, but particularly annoying feature is the "Two Bleeps Notice" outtakes section. Whilst outtakes and general on-set antics can be funny and worthwhile, this feature has to be enabled before the film is started. The outtakes can then only be accessed when a heart symbol appears on the screen during particular scenes. Whilst this is a novel approach, it isn't half annoying when you just fancy viewing the outtakes without having to watch the entire film. Perhaps there's an Easter egg in there somewhere to allow you to do so?

The extras also include a number of deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes look at the film and a theatrical trailer. All in all, the extras add value to the package and go some way towards making up for the lacking picture and sound.

Overall

I don't normally go in for romantic comedies, but there is something about Two Weeks Notice that allowed me to sit and watch the film without requiring a blubbering female sat beside me (not that there's any blubbering to be had - but you know women). Maybe it's the fact I like Sandra Bullock (what male doesn't?), and perhaps it's because I enjoyed Hugh Grant in About a Boy, but whatever it is, this film is a refreshing take on the tried-and-tested romantic comedy formula. The two roles are filled perfectly by their respective actors; in fact, you couldn't really cast anyone else in these parts.

Two Weeks Notice is a funny, touching and highly entertaining film. It's sure to be enjoyed even by the most hard-faced of cynics.

Special features

• Audio commentary with Sandra Bullock, Hugh Grant and Writer/Director Marc Lawrence
• "Two Bleeps Notice" - Watch the Film with Access to Gags and On-set Antics
• HBO First Look: The Making of Two Weeks Notice
• Theatrical Trailer