One of the hit films of the late 1990's was Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and High Grant. In the movie Julia Roberts plays a Hollywood superstar who meets an ordinary everyday fella played by Hugh Grant. The movie shows how their romance unfolds against seemingly impossible odds. In many ways Notting Hill is a remake of the 1950’s movie Roman Holiday, which starred Gregory peck and Audrey Hepburn. In Roman Holiday Audrey Hepburn plays the role of a princess who mingles with commonfolk during a holiday period and in the process develops a romance with a commoner. There is however one stark contrast between Notting Hill and Roman Holiday. In Roman Holiday the princess realises that her responsibilities to her people and position mean she must give up her romance with a commoner and return to her throne. In Notting Hill love must win out. This reflects a dramatic shift in values in our society, our belief that in the end nothing is more important than the fulfilment of the individual. Community needs and expectations are always secondary.
Source: Scott Higgins. Links between Notting Hill and Roman Holiday
identified in a Sydney Morning Herald film review
Applications: individualism, community, fulfilment, priorities, values,
selfishness