#analysis 5

Analysis #1 Skeletor  |  Analysis #2 Location, Location, Location | Analysis #3 Queen Under The Sea | Analysis #4 Around the Corner

So the next two images, I feel are pretty self-explanatory; but we can still take an in-depth look at them. These images return to showing us new locations.

The first one is a keep on a hill, flying flags.

A closer look shows the keep is weathered, worn, and perhaps abandoned; but flying blue flags with some kind of bird or winged creature statue atop the tower. It’s build into a mountain and off in the distance is a lone pillar, perhaps once housing a bridge or monument. There’s not much here to say what this at the moment, so lets move to the next picture and see if we can get a clue from there.

The second picture seems to be a continuance of the first, at least another angle. As we can see the same tower with the winged figurehead.

However, this one shows the valley below. It’s vast, empty, and full of sand. A river and water holes that cut through a canyon. It’s quite familiar to the north parts of Orlais in Inquisition: The Wastes, Approach, and Oasis. This is almost certainly the Anderfels and more specifically, a Warden’s Keep given the griffon statue in the foreground on the left.

To the bottom left, there appears to be more of that crumbled bridge or ruins, referenced in the other picture too. Perhaps a part of the Imperial Highway?

Date of release - 3 May 1999 Director - Roger Michell Actors and Roles - Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), William Thacker (Hugh Grant), Bernie (Hugh Bonneville) Nation of Production - United Kingdom Budget - $43 million Revenue - $364 million

Synopsis

A famous movie star, Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), falls in love with ordinary book shop keeper, William (Hugh Grant). The conflict of the story arises as they try to overcome the consequences of sharing two very different lives. In the end, William decides to trust his heart, contrary to the inclinations of his level-headed mind.

Commentary

Notting Hill is a romantic comedy that meshes a surrealistic story with realistic elements.

The touch of realism stems from its characters. William, the male lead, is a kind book shop keeper, living in Notting Hill, London. William's friends and family are similarly characterized as being down-to-earth people with idiosyncrasies that are congruent in personality traits found in our non-fictional world.

Surrealism enters the story as William becomes the center of a serendipitous moment. One normal morning, while attending to his book shop, he encounters world famous actress, Anna Scott. As she enters the book shop, the camera employs a deep focus effect where we view William's profile in the foreground, with Anna blurred in the background. This evokes a dreamlike effect, as if Anna were a mirage, rather than a true presence.

Anna's Scott's star power is qualitatively demonstrated in the beginning of the film through a collection of hand-held paparazzi footage of red carpet events she's attended, as well as, behind the scenes video of films starred in. Their sequential nature and accompanying music creates a montage of Anna's life as a movie star.

There is a sadness in her face as the montage reaches its end. As a viewer, we sense that she may be unhappy with the fame she's been afforded.

The medium long shot with the paparazzi in the background overtaking the frame, and consequently Anna, delivers a final look at the gargantuan nature of her celebrity status.

It is for this same reason that when William, an ordinary book keeper, encounters Anna Scott, the awkward conversation initiated and rambling speech has credibility and verisimilitude.

Anna's intrigue for William goes beyond appreciation for his nervous wit. William treats her as he would any customer, something Anna is most likely unaccustomed to given her prestige. There's a moment when a man at the shop (caught stealing earlier) interrupts their transaction to ask for an autograph as William stares in disbelief.

That is not to say William is immune to Anna's charms. When she leaves the shop he longingly stares outside, trying to figure out if that moment was a complete fabrication of his mind.

As fate is a typical plot point in romantic movies, William and Anna bump into each other moments later.

An apologetic William invites her over to his house. It takes convincing, but she agrees, having sensed that William means no harm and isn't trying to take advantage of the situation.

The trip home ends in a kiss, which Anna initiates.

William's genuineness and kind nature appealed to Anna who was so used to living in a world surrounded by superficiality. The romantic story intensifies as Anna meets William's family. There, she develops stronger feelings for William as the family environment seems to bring her joy. Anna's life has revolved around pretenses and for a moment she immersed herself in happiness, knowing that she was an equal at the dinner table.

Trials and tribulations relating back to her fame lead to a culmination of problems between the pair. The conflict continues with a declaration of love by Anna at the book shop where they first met.

William denies her requests to continue seeing each other but as most romance movies go, he has a change of heart and attempts to mend their relationship. The happily ever after comes, as the end ties to the beginning. Anna remains a movie star, but now she has love by her side.