Two Weeks Notice

The Blu-ray presentation of "Two Weeks Notice" serves as a fitting tribute to the artistic capabilities of cinematographer László Kovács. The video quality is reflective of Kovács' diverse portfolio, showcasing a blend of simple elegance and sophisticated lighting techniques that articulate the contrasting lifestyles of the film's main characters, George Wade and Lucy Kelson. Warner's 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer does justice to the original cinematography, delivering acceptable clarity and detail. The Blu-ray's color grading successfully distinguishes between the cool, glossy tones of George's environment and the warmer, nostalgic hues of Lucy's Coney Island backdrop. Although the absence of a digital intermediate is noted, implying the film's age, a subtle degraining process appears to have been employed. This sophisticated touch ensures that while film grain is minimized, it doesn’t detract from the overall detail of the picture.

Moreover, the technical decisions in the Blu-ray’s video encoding are worth noting. The entire 101-minute feature, along with its additional content, is compressed into a single BD-25 disc. This choice results in an average bitrate of 18.86 Mbps - a number that, while on the lower end, manages to suffice for a movie of this genre with limited action sequences. The absence of noticeable artificial sharpening suggests a deliberate attempt to maintain the integrity of Kovács’ original vision without resorting to post-processing enhancements that could potentially alter the film’s visual essence.

In essence, the Blu-ray video presentation of "Two Weeks Notice" strikes a careful balance between honoring the cinematic artistry of László Kovács and navigating the technical limitations inherent in transferring such works to home media. While there are compromises - notably in bitrate and the implications of degraining - they do not significantly impair the viewer’s experience, allowing the film’s visual narrative to shine through with good detail, solid blacks, and a compelling color palette.

The Blu Ray audio presentation of "Two Weeks Notice" primarily showcases its lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track through crisp, clear dialogue, particularly accentuating the witty banter between the lead characters, Lucy and George. This is not to say the track lacks in atmospheric touches; indeed, scenes such as the opening sequence with Lucy aiming to halt the demolition of an old theater do bring forth modest but effective sound effects, enhancing the viewing experience without overwhelming the dialogue. However, it's evident that the audio design intentionally minimizes the use of ambient sounds in more bustling settings, such as Coney Island, to ensure that the romantic storyline remains front and center without auditory distractions.

Musically, the soundtrack by John Powell performs competently, supporting the film's emotional and narrative arc without dominating it. Nevertheless, it's the selection of pop classics that leaves a lasting impression on the listener. Tracks like Aretha Franklin's "Respect," James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care of Business," and a Counting Crows cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" stand out. These choices not only punctuate key moments within the film but also establish a certain nostalgic ambiance that complements the story's modern setting.

Overall, while the audio presentation of "Two Weeks Notice" on Blu Ray might not heavily leverage the full potential of its DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound in terms of dynamic environmental effects, it strikes a careful balance that serves the film well. The clear dialogue, combined with a judiciously utilized soundtrack, ensures that the audio component contributes positively to the overall cinematic experience without detracting from the film's narrative and character-driven focus.

The Blu-ray extras for "Two Weeks Notice" offer a mix of amusing anecdotes and additional content that might have enriched the original film. The commentary track, featuring writer/director Marc Lawrence along with Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock, is especially light-hearted, offering more in terms of banter than behind-the-scenes insight. The HBO First Look segment serves as a promotional tool rather than a deep dive into the filmmaking process, while the additional scenes give a glimpse into what could have been. Most notably, the presence of a gag reel titled "Two Bleeps Notice" and an enhanced theatrical trailer adds a layer of humor and intrigue, revealing lines and scenes absent from the final cut. This collection seems mostly aimed at fans looking for entertainment rather than educative content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Writer/Director Marc Lawrence, Actor Hugh Grant, and Actor/Producer Sandra Bullock: A light-hearted and jokey commentary track.
• The Making of Two Weeks Notice (HBO First Look): A promotional behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Additional Scenes: Includes a non-selectable wedding scene and a jogging scene.
• Two Bleeps Notice: A gag reel showcasing the film's humorous off-camera moments.
• Theatrical Trailer: An enhanced trailer with content not in the final film.

Two Weeks Notice" stands out as a testament to the enduring charm of Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant, under the directorial debut of Marc Lawrence, who also penned the script. This film marks the third collaboration between Lawrence and Bullock, following the success of "Miss Congeniality" and aims to replicate the spark with the addition of Hugh Grant, a seasoned romantic lead with a portfolio that boasts titles like "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill." Despite receiving lukewarm reviews upon its release, the film has managed to secure a fond place in the hearts of rom-com enthusiasts, owing much to its lead actors' irresistible appeal and a narrative that, while treading familiar grounds, does so with a level of charisma and charm that's become increasingly rare in the genre.

Set against the backdrop of a post-9/11 New York, "Two Weeks Notice" plays its part in showcasing a resilient city, with scenes like a leisurely helicopter ride over Manhattan serving not just as cinematic fluff, but as a subtle nod to the city’s enduring spirit. This setting amplifies the narrative’s emotional resonance, blending well with the film’s light-hearted yet sometimes poignant exploration of love and professional integrity. The plot hinges on the unlikely romantic fray between Lucy Kelson (Bullock), a Harvard Law prodigy with altruistic ideals, and George Wade (Grant), a billionaire with less-than-noble hiring practices. The chemistry between Bullock and Grant is palpable, their interactions brimming with the kind of witty repartee and convivial friction that define classic rom-coms.

Technical elements aside, "Two Weeks Notice" navigates through its clichés with grace, thanks to Lawrence’s direction that leans heavily on the strengths of his leads. While the script sometimes dips into familiar comedic wells and even controversial humor, it never loses sight of its core—the evolving dynamic between Lucy and George. The film cleverly juxtaposes corporate law's high-stakes world with the more personal battles of its characters, creating a narrative that feels both escapist and grounded in its emotional payoffs. Despite its departure from reality in depicting high-end corporate dealings and romantic entanglements, "Two Weeks Notice" endears itself to viewers through sheer charm and wit, elevating it above many of its contemporaries in the rom-com genre.

In reviewing the Blu-ray release of "Two Weeks Notice," it's clear that the collaborative magic between Hugh Grant and director Marc Lawrence, which subsequently led to additional projects such as "Music and Lyrics" and "Did You Hear About the Morgans?," is a key highlight. This film showcases the versatility of Sandra Bullock, who, after this comedy, ventured more confidently into dramatic roles, earning accolades for her performances in "The Blind Side" and "Gravity." The chemistry between the leads, coupled with their career trajectories post-"Two Weeks Notice," lends this Blu-ray a layered significance, appealing particularly to fans who appreciate the actors' evolution. The technical presentation of the Blu-ray honors this transition well, albeit without breaking new ground in Warner's catalog.

The Blu-ray quality itself is described as acceptable, aimed squarely at enthusiasts of Grant and Bullock. It delivers on the promise of revisiting the early 2000s charm of both actors, capturing a time before their career paths diverged towards more dramatic and varied roles. The nostalgia factor plays a significant role in the appeal of this release, allowing viewers to indulge in a period piece of cinema that marks a pivotal moment for its stars. The preservation of technical details ensures that fans receive a presentation that respects the original theatrical experience.

Conclusively, the Blu-ray release of "Two Weeks Notice" serves as a competent celebration of its main attractions - Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock - and their subsequently illustrious careers. While it may not represent the pinnacle of Warner’s Blu-ray efforts, it is undeniably a must-have for ardent fans of the lead actors and those interested in a nostalgic revisit of early 2000s rom-com cinema. The combination of career context, adequate technical quality, and the sheer charm of its stars makes it a recommended addition to any collection, capturing a specific moment in cinematic time with clarity and fondness.