Scripts
Notting Hill poster

1999

Notting Hill script

William, a Notting Hill bookshop owner, unexpectedly falls for famous American actress Anna Scott after she visits his shop, leading to a secret romance. Their relationship is complicated by paparazzi intrusion and misunderstandings, with William believing Anna is uninterested after overhearing a conversation about her boyfriend, Jeff. Despite Anna's later confession of love, William initially rejects her, fearing their different worlds, but quickly realizes his mistake. He publicly declares his love for her at a press conference, leading to their marriage and a future together with a child on the way.

Writer
Richard Curtis
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0125439
Script date
1999
45Scenes
10Characters
67Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

Notting Hill Save the Cat analysis

A humble bookseller’s life is upended when a famous actress stumbles into his shop.

Open full beat sheet
80

Key characters

William Thacker

William Thacker is listed as Protagonist. A relaxed, pleasant, and informal owner of a travel bookshop in Notting Hill. In the parsed data, William Thacker is connected to 42 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.

42 scenes / 8 dialogue lines

Anna Scott

Anna Scott is listed as Protagonist. The most famous movie star in the world, self-assured and beautiful. In the parsed data, Anna Scott is connected to 26 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.

26 scenes / 8 dialogue lines

Spike

Spike is listed as Supporting. William's eccentric, unusual-looking Welsh lodger. In the parsed data, Spike is connected to 13 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

13 scenes / 2 dialogue lines

Honey

Honey is listed as Supporting. William's younger sister. In the parsed data, Honey is connected to 11 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 23.

11 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Bernie

Bernie is listed as Supporting. William's friend, works in the stock market. In the parsed data, Bernie is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.

10 scenes / 2 dialogue lines

Max

Max is listed as Supporting. William's friend, Bella's husband, known for being a terrible cook. In the parsed data, Max is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.

10 scenes / 2 dialogue lines

Bella

Bella is listed as Supporting. William's friend, uses a wheelchair. In the parsed data, Bella is connected to 10 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.

10 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Martin

Martin is listed as Supporting. William's sole, optimistic employee at the bookshop. In the parsed data, Martin is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

5 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Tony

Tony is listed as Supporting. William's friend, an architect turned chef. In the parsed data, Tony is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 24.

3 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Jeff

Jeff is listed as Antagonist. Anna's famous, handsome, and arrogant boyfriend.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. INT. William's House - DAY

    William introduces his flatmate Spike and they discuss Spike's choice of t-shirt for a date.

    William Thacker, Spike
  2. 2. INT. The Bookshop - DAY

    Anna Scott visits William's bookshop, where William catches a shoplifter.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Martin
  3. 3. EXT. Portobello Road - DAY

    William bumps into Anna and accidentally spills orange juice on her.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  4. 4. INT. William's House - DAY

    Anna cleans up at William's house and they share a kiss before Spike interrupts.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Spike
  5. 5. INT. Max and Bella's Kitchen/Living Room - NIGHT

    The group drinks wine before dinner while Max grills William about Anna.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Bella, Max, Honey, Bernie
  6. 6. INT. Max and Bella's Conservatory - NIGHT

    Dinner conversation where Bella reveals she is a vegetarian and the group discusses their personal failures.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Bella, Max, Honey, Bernie
  7. 7. INT. Max and Bella's Kitchen/Living Room/Corridor - NIGHT

    The group says goodbye to Anna and William.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Bella, Max, Honey, Bernie
  8. 8. EXT. Max and Bella's House - NIGHT

    William and Anna walk home and discuss the friends.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  9. 9. EXT. Notting Hill Garden - NIGHT

    William and Anna break into a private garden.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  10. 10. INT. William's Living Room - NIGHT

    William is unable to sleep and is visited by Spike, who suggests he pursue Anna. William rejects the idea, but Anna later returns to the living room.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Spike
  11. 11. INT. William's Living Room - NIGHT

    William and Anna share an intimate moment in the living room.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  12. 12. INT. William's Bedroom - NIGHT

    Anna and William sleep together in the same bed.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  13. 13. INT. William's Bedroom - DAY

    William and Anna have a morning conversation about fame and nudity.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  14. 14. INT. William's Bedroom - MORNING

    Anna brings breakfast to William in bed.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  15. 15. INT/EXT. William's Corridor - DAY

    William discovers paparazzi outside his front door.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  16. 16. INT. William's Kitchen - DAY

    Anna realizes the press has found her location.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Spike
  17. 17. EXT. William's House - DAY

    Spike poses for the paparazzi.

    Spike
  18. 18. INT. William's Bedroom - DAY

    Anna blames William for the press leak.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Spike
  19. 19. INT. Stairs/Living Room - DAY

    William tries to calm Anna down.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  20. 20. INT. William's Kitchen/Corridor - DAY

    Anna prepares to leave as the press waits outside.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Spike
  21. 21. INT. William's Kitchen/Corridor - DAY

    Anna leaves the house.

    William Thacker, Spike
  22. 22. EXT. London - DAY

    William walks through Notting Hill as seasons change.

    William Thacker
  23. 23. INT. Bookshop - DAY

    Honey gives William Anna's contact information.

    William Thacker, Martin, Honey
  24. 24. INT. Tony's Restaurant - NIGHT

    Friends gather at Tony's restaurant for a final dinner.

    William Thacker, Spike, Bella, Max, Honey, Bernie
  25. 25. INT. Tony's Restaurant - NIGHT

    William realizes Anna is back in London.

    William Thacker, Max
  26. 26. EXT. Hampstead Heath - DAY

    William goes to find Anna on set.

    William Thacker
  27. 27. EXT. Kenwood House - DAY

    William is stopped by security but eventually sees Anna.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  28. 28. EXT. Kenwood Park - DAY

    William is invited to watch the filming.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  29. 29. EXT. Kenwood House - DAY

    William listens to Anna's dialogue through headphones.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott
  30. 30. EXT. Hampstead Heath - DAY

    William leaves, heartbroken.

    William Thacker
  31. 31. INT. William's Living Room - EVENING

    William throws out his Anna Scott videos.

    William Thacker, Spike
  32. 32. INT. Backroom of the Bookshop - DAY

    Martin tells William there is a delivery.

    William Thacker, Martin
  33. 33. INT. Bookshop - DAY

    Anna visits the bookshop to see William.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Martin
  34. 34. INT. Tony's Restaurant - DAY

    William tells his friends he turned Anna down.

    William Thacker, Spike, Bella, Max, Honey, Bernie
  35. 35. EXT. Tony's Restaurant - DAY

    The group decides to go after Anna.

    William Thacker, Bella, Max, Honey, Bernie
  36. 36. EXT/INT. Car/Stanley Crescent - DAY

    The group drives through London to find Anna.

    William Thacker, Bella, Max, Honey, Bernie
  37. 37. EXT. Piccadilly - DAY

    The group arrives at the Ritz.

    William Thacker, Bernie
  38. 38. INT. Ritz Lobby - DAY

    William finds out Anna is at the Savoy.

    William Thacker, Bernie
  39. 39. EXT. London Street - DAY

    Spike helps the car get through traffic.

    Spike, Honey
  40. 40. EXT. The Savoy - DAY

    William arrives at the Savoy.

    William Thacker
  41. 41. INT. The Savoy - DAY

    William tries to get into the press conference.

    William Thacker, Bella, Honey
  42. 42. INT. Lancaster Room - DAY

    William confronts Anna at the press conference.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott, Spike, Bella, Max, Honey
  43. 43. INT. Wedding Reception - NIGHT

    A wedding reception where guests are dancing and celebrating.

    Anna Scott, Max, Bella, Martin, Tony
  44. 44. EXT. Leicester Square - NIGHT

    Anna and William arrive at a movie premiere.

    Anna Scott, William Thacker
  45. 45. EXT. Communal Garden - DAY

    William and Anna sit on a bench in a garden, expecting a child.

    William Thacker, Anna Scott

Dialogue examples

Yes, I just wondered whether if it turned out that this... person... realized he'd been a daft prick and got down on his knees and begged you to reconsider, whether you would... reconsider.

William Thacker / Scene 42

Well, obviously it's me, isn't it -- I work in the City in a job I don't understand and everyone keeps getting promoted above me.

Bernie / Scene 6

I come to you to protect myself against more crappy gossip and now I'm landed in it all over again.

Anna Scott / Scene 18

The phone number of Anna Scott's agent in London and her agent in New York. You can ring her.

Honey / Scene 23

Even he. Hey, you couldn't help me with an incredibly important decision, could you?

Spike / Scene 1

Today has ben a good day. Which under the circumstances is... unexpected.

Anna Scott / Scene 10

It still strikes me as, well, surreal, that I'm allowed to see you naked.

William Thacker / Scene 13

I'm going to give the last brownie as a prize to the saddest act here.

Max / Scene 6

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