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TWO WEEKS NOTICE

Content:

(PCPC, ACap, Ev, B, Ro, Ho, Fe, L, S, AA, M) Politically correct worldview of left-thinking protagonist, shown in slurs about Republican presidents, anger at big bad industry ruining the community, hyper-environmentalism, help-the-welfare-folks-and-fight-the-industry mentality with some moral elements with lying rebuked and contribution toward the welfare of others encouraged, but disparaging remark made that "saints are boring" and some Romantic elements with emotion-based decisions as well as some light pro-homosexual humor and feminist elements; light foul language with about four mild obscenities and a small amount of scatological humor; no violence; some risqué sexual talk by an inebriated Sandra Bullock and allusions to sex with Hugh Grant character playing "strip chess" with scantily-clad new lady lawyer, but no nudity actually shown; several instances of alcohol use with drunkenness; and, lying and cheating, but both are rebuked.

GENRE: Romantic Comedy

PCPC

Ev

B

Ro

Ho

Fe

L

S

AA

M

More Detail:

In TWO WEEKS NOTICE, Lucy Kelson (Sandra Bullock) is an unlikely candidate for the new position of staff lawyer at Wade Enterprises, owned by thrice-divorced industrial tycoon George Wade (Hugh Grant). Lucy is a Harvard graduate and the daughter of two very sincere, help-out-the-environment-and-the-little-guy attorney parents, who live in a small apartment in New York (with Kennedy stickers on their refrigerator.) George has been a silver spooner from day one. He and his brother are madly trying to get around the irritating little people intent on restraining him from tearing down a beloved community center on Coney Island.

When George accidentally bumps into the bumbling lawyer, Lucy (played by Sandra Bullock who is so good at the Steve Martin-type physical humor), he finds out she’s a Harvard grad. He makes her a hasty offer of a $250,000 yearly salary. She takes it in hopes of doing some good at the company and ushering in some compassionate reforms.

As Lucy gets rolling with her new job, she soon finds out that George is way too demanding of her. He calls her at home at strange hours for the slightest reasons, and he requires her opinion on every single matter at the office and personally. Finally, after getting an ulcer, Lucy tries to quit. She finds that she can’t, however, because she wrote her own impeccable employment contract, and her attorney parents agree that it’s airtight! George not only refuses to let her out of the deal, but he sabotages her every attempt to secure alternate employment!

Lucy decides that her strategy should be two-fold: try to get herself fired, and hire a replacement that will distract George from his insistence on keeping her. Both tactics end up showing Lucy what is really in her own heart. Especially when her replacement turns out to be a gorgeous, smart redhead who turns George’s head. Lucy struggles hard with many conflicting emotions, and, as George points out, there has to be something in her that likes the excitement he offers. As with all performance-oriented people, she sets standards for herself and others that are unattainable. When she challenges George’s compromising ways, he tells her, “No one wants to be preached at to live like a saint. Saints are boring!”

After some personal soul-searching, George’s eyes begin to be opened. He realizes that even spoiled rich boys can develop a heart, a conscience and maybe even find true love.

Many movies of late have portrayed characters with various problematic relationships with their fathers. TWO WEEKS NOTICE, however, reveals the telltale footprints of a domineering mother and her unattainable expectations that lead to a weighty performance orientation in the child.

There are lots of very funny parts to this movie. As a matter of fact, in a recent television interview, Hugh Grant said that he was laughing so hard when he read his lines that he could hardly get some of them out. Some of the humor is silly, but relatable, like when George keeps flushing the toilet when his brother is showering, causing the brother to yell out each time the shower water goes hot. There are also the ageing parents who are watching their cholesterol. The mom says to the dad, “Your cholesterol is over 300. You’re basically a solid.” When Lucy tries, unsuccessfully, to quit the company and George won’t let her, she tries to get herself fired by tossing gum across the room. George’s stuffy British brother steps on the gum and throws fits trying to get it off his shoe.

Regrettably, the worldview is politically correct, with generally light elements of feminism, environmentalism, homosexuality, and anti-wealth/anti-capitalism. There is some silly sexual talk when Lucy is drunk, and there is a scene where her replacement entices George into playing “strip chess,” but there is no nudity shown. There are overt reprimands for lying and deceiving and there is a strong, supportive (albeit left-wing) father, who states at the end, “As long as people can change, the world can change.” If only they understood that a true heart change comes from knowing the One True God as an intimate friend through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus!

Overall, TWO WEEKS NOTICE is a cute, funny, romantic comedy, but family discussion would be in order due to some of the dubious worldview elements.

Please address your comments to:

Barry M. Meyer, Chairman/CEO

Warner Bros., Inc.

4000 Warner Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91522-0001

Phone: (818) 954-6000

Website: www.movies.warnerbros.com