Two Weeks Notice

Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant headline this frothy romantic comedy about a high-minded lawyer and the billionaire boss she can't quite quit. Bullock plays Lucy Kelson, a public-interest attorney who takes a job at a Manhattan real estate firm to save a beloved community center. Her new employer, George Wade (Grant), is a charmingly clueless tycoon who relies on Lucy for everything from legal advice to picking his ties. Directed by Marc Lawrence, who also wrote the script, the film pairs two of the early 2000s' most likable stars in a battle of wills that's more flirtatious than combative. Produced by Bullock's Fortis Films alongside Castle Rock and Village Roadshow, it came with a $60 million budget and went on to earn over $199 million worldwide, a solid hit that capitalized on Grant's post-Notting Hill appeal and Bullock's knack for playing smart, slightly frazzled women. The tone is light and snappy, with a wink at workplace power dynamics and a parade of New York City backdrops. Critics were mixed, but audiences warmed to the chemistry, and it holds a mid-range 6.3 rating on IMDb, suggesting it's a comfort watch for rom-com fans rather than a must-see classic. The film also features Alicia Witt as a poised Harvard grad and Dana Ivey as Lucy's pragmatic mother, adding texture to the romantic tangle. [edit]

Lucy Kelson is a public-interest lawyer with a passion for preserving New York City's character. When the Wade Corporation, led by billionaire George Wade, plans to demolish a beloved community center in her childhood neighborhood of Coney Island, Lucy confronts George at a charity gala. Charmed by her conviction, George offers a deal: if she becomes his chief legal counsel, he'll personally ensure the center is saved. Reluctantly, Lucy accepts, believing she can do more good from the inside.

But the job quickly turns into a nightmare of dependency. George can't choose a tie, approve a memo, or even pick a restaurant without Lucy's input. He calls her at all hours, interrupting her personal life, including her brother's wedding. His brother Howard, eager to take over the company, adds corporate intrigue. Lucy's idealism clashes with George's obliviousness, and after a particularly exasperating incident, she gives her two weeks' notice.

George hires June Carter, a brilliant but emotionally distant Harvard Law graduate, as her replacement. As Lucy returns to her advocacy work, she finds herself missing the chaos of her old job and, more surprisingly, George. Meanwhile, George begins to realize how much he relied on Lucy, not just for her legal skills, but for her honesty and warmth. He starts to change his ways, attempting to become more self-sufficient and considerate.

As the two-week period winds down, George plans a grand gesture at a charity benefit, while Lucy grapples with her feelings for a man who represents everything she opposes. The film builds to a climax where both must decide what they truly want, and whether their differences can be bridged.[edit]