Two Weeks Notice (2002) * * *

 

Directed by:  Marc Lawrence

Starring:  Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock, Alicia Witt, Robert Klein

Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock have charm and likability to spare.   They carry Two Weeks Notice past expectations and give it an edge.   Grant doesn't play the stumbling, stuttering romantic lead, but a real estate mogul named George Wade whose arrogance and wealth lead him to believe he can treat women and buildings any way he wishes.    You could say he was modeled after Donald Trump, but Trump himself appears in the movie in a cameo.   Grant isn't a bad man, just one whose life of privilege has kept him aloof and out of touch with others' feelings.   The person to help him get in touch with reality:  Attorney Lucy Kelson (Bullock), who has forsaken personal gain for pro bono work and causes such as protesting the demolition of buildings by George, who would love to build new shopping centers over cultural landmarks.   

Then, one day, George offers Lucy a job as his chief counsel.   With the big paycheck and perks staring her in the face, she takes the job with George's promise not to demolish a recreation center in her native Brooklyn.   Lucy quickly regrets the decision, especially when George treats her more like his personal assistant than an attorney.   Soon enough, Lucy hands in her two weeks notice.  

We forgive George his trespasses and we know he and Lucy will soon fall for each other.   Two Weeks Notice pushes the formula conventions, including the late introduction of a rival (Witt) who will be Lucy's replacement in the workplace and possibly in George's heart.   We know George will have one change of heart than another about the promise he made to Lucy.   Even when Lucy is frustrated with George's lack of boundaries, she cares for him even though she fights admitting it every step of the way.   There is a telling scene in which the two have lunch and order salads.   Watch how they instinctively know what the other won't like on the salads and remove the unwanted items from the other's salad.    We sense their growing comfort with each other through entirely non-verbal gestures.

The early scenes of Two Weeks Notice crackle with energy and wit.   As the romantic comedy tropes take root, things slow up a bit, but we never lose our adoration for Grant and Bullock.   Lesser comic actors might not have been able to keep a hold of us.