Editing Two Weeks Notice

{{short description|2002 film by Marc Lawrence}}
{{for-multi|the contract law concept|Notice period|the 2019 Burmese film|Two Weeks Notice (2019 film){{!}}''Two Weeks Notice'' (2019 film)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Two Weeks Notice
| image          = Two weeks notice ver2.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| alt            = Close-up shot of a serious-looking woman and a smiling man.
| director       = [[Marc Lawrence (filmmaker)|Marc Lawrence]]
| writer         = Marc Lawrence
| producer       = [[Sandra Bullock]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* Sandra Bullock
* [[Hugh Grant]]
* [[Alicia Witt]]
* [[Dana Ivey]]
* [[Robert Klein]]
* [[Heather Burns]]
}}
| cinematography = [[László Kovács (cinematographer)|László Kovács]]
| editing        = [[Susan E. Morse]]
| music          = [[John Powell (composer)|John Powell]]
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Fortis Films]]
* [[Castle Rock Entertainment]]
* [[Village Roadshow Pictures]]
* NPV Entertainment
}}
| distributor    = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|2002|12|20}}
| runtime        = 102 minutes
| language       = English
| country        = United States
| budget         = $60 million
| gross          = $199 million
}}

'''''Two Weeks Notice''''' is a 2002 American [[romantic comedy]] film written and directed by [[Marc Lawrence (filmmaker)|Marc Lawrence]] and starring [[Sandra Bullock]] and [[Hugh Grant]], with [[Alicia Witt]], [[Dana Ivey]], [[Robert Klein]], and [[Heather Burns]]. In the film, an idealistic, liberal lawyer (Bullock) goes to work for a narcissistic, billionaire developer (Grant) and they form an unlikely pair.

The film was released in the United States on December 20, 2002, by [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $199 million worldwide.

== Plot ==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
[[File:Childs Boardwalk Long Shot.JPG|thumb|The "Coney Island community center" Lucy wants to preserve was actually the [[Childs Restaurant (Boardwalk)|Childs Restaurant location]] on [[Coney Island]]'s [[Riegelmann Boardwalk]]. It was declared a [[New York Landmark]] a month after the film's premiere. It closed later (as in this 2013 picture) and, after renovation, became part of the [[Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island]].]]

Lucy Kelson is an intelligent, highly competent [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] lawyer who specializes in historic preservation, environmental law, and ''[[pro bono]]'' causes in New York City. George Wade is an arrogant, needy billionaire [[real estate]] developer and stylish womanizing playboy, who is also quite naïve. Lucy's hard work and devotion to others contrasts sharply with George's childish recklessness and greed.

Lucy meets George in an attempt to stop the destruction of the [[Coney Island]] [[community center]] from her childhood. Learning that she graduated from prestigious [[Harvard Law School]], he asks to hire her to replace his old Chief Counsel, overlooking their opposing views of real estate development. She decides the benefits he offers for discretionary funding for community causes she espouses outweighs the negatives, especially as he promises to protect the community center.

Lucy finds what he really requires is advice in all aspects of his life. She regretfully becomes his indispensable assistant and he calls her for every little thing at all hours. After Lucy is disrupted at a friend's wedding by George's latest "emergency" (what to wear to an event he is attending), she gives him two weeks' notice of [[resignation]].

Lucy looks for work at other firms, but George has called in advance asking them not to hire her, so he can keep her on. Eventually, he admits defeat and she offers to help him find a replacement, but unaware of how close and interdependent they have become. They act like an old married couple at a restaurant, able to simultaneously carry out a conversation while involuntarily exchanging food out of habit from knowing each other's food preferences.

When potential interviewee June Carver shows up without an appointment seeking the position, Lucy speaks to her, but is concerned she lacks real estate experience. When George sees June, he is immediately attracted and is ready to hire her on the spot, seemingly disregarding Lucy's concerns. Lucy becomes increasingly concerned and competitive with her replacement. When George invites June to business events that Lucy would normally go on, she acts increasingly jealous.

Lucy learns that despite George's promise, the community center is going to be knocked down and so goes to confront him on his apparent betrayal. Arriving at his hotel, she finds George and June in his suite in lingerie during a game of "strip chess". George confronts her the next day (her last day) where Lucy reminds him he promised her to spare the community center and storms out.

After Lucy is gone, George realizes his time with her has demonstrated he needs to change. Meanwhile, in her new job, she realizes she misses him. George goes in search of Lucy and reveals he decided to keep his promise to her. She initially rebuffs him but then runs after him and they declare their feelings.

In the DVD version of the film, an unreleased wedding scene of George and Lucy was featured. George and Lucy were married at the community center attended by family and friends.

== Cast ==
<!--- [[WP:NOTDATABASE]]  [[MOS:FILMCAST]] - cast and order per Main Cast [[Motion picture credits#Opening credits]], roles per closing credits scroll --->
{{Cast listing|
* [[Hugh Grant]] as George Wade
* [[Sandra Bullock]] as Lucy Kelson
* [[Alicia Witt]] as June Carver
* [[Dana Ivey]] as Ruth Kelson
* [[Robert Klein]] as Larry Kelson
* [[Heather Burns]] as Meryl Brooks
* [[David Haig]] as Howard Wade
* [[Dorian Missick]] as Tony
}}

In addition, [[Jason Antoon]] portrays Norman and [[Sharon Wilkins]] plays Polly St. Clair, while [[Mike Piazza]], [[Donald Trump]], and [[Norah Jones]] make cameo appearances as themselves.

== Production == 
Director [[Marc Lawrence (filmmaker)|Marc Lawrence]] suffered headaches, sinus infections, a [[root canal]], and a slipped disc, while making the film. Lawrence previously wrote the films ''[[Forces of Nature (1999 film)|Forces of Nature]]'' and ''[[Miss Congeniality (film)|Miss Congeniality]]'', which starred Bullock, and it was on the latter film where he asked her to look at his unfinished script. Bullock liked it enough to star in and produce the film. Grant was first choice for the part, he and Bullock had already wanted to work together. Lawrence hoped the film would be different enough for Grant, not the same as his ''[[Notting Hill (film)|Notting Hill]]'' character, but not as unpleasant as his ''[[Bridget Jones's Diary (film)|Bridget Jones's Diary]]'' character.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Two Weeks Notice |date=2002-08-19 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/08/19/two-weeks-notice/ |access-date=2020-08-08}}</ref> Filming took place in New York City, and was noted as the first Hollywood production to take place after the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{Cite web |title =The Sandra Bullock Files #33: Two Weeks Notice (2002) |first=Brian |last=Rowe |website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |date=2018-09-09 |url=https://medium.com/@brianrowe_70270/the-sandra-bullock-files-33-two-weeks-notice-2002-5f1c4f0b50d2 |access-date=2021-01-02 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118165031/https://medium.com/@brianrowe_70270/the-sandra-bullock-files-33-two-weeks-notice-2002-5f1c4f0b50d2 |archive-date=2019-11-18 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
The soundtrack music to ''Two Weeks Notice'' was released on January 28, 2003.<ref name=AMAlbum>{{AllMusic|access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| extra_column    = Artist
| total_length    = 30:19<ref name=AMAlbum/>

| title1          = Love Theme
| length1         = 1:38
| extra1          = [[John Powell (composer)|John Powell]]

| title2          = Divorce
| length2         = 1:24
| extra2          = John Powell

| title3          = Take Away
| length3         = 2:41
| extra3          = John Powell

| title4          = Trying to Get Fired
| length4         = 1:31
| extra4          = John Powell

| title5          = Helicopter Ride
| length5         = 2:31
| extra5          = John Powell

| title6          = In the Limo
| length6         = 0:51
| extra6          = John Powell

| title7          = Bobcat Pretzel
| length7         = 3:15
| extra7          = John Powell

| title8          = Protest
| length8         = 1:26
| extra8          = John Powell

| title9          = Interviews
| length9         = 0:44
| extra9          = John Powell

| title10         = Emergency
| length10        = 1:40
| extra10         = John Powell

| title11         = Absolutely Beautiful
| length11        = 2:41
| extra11         = John Powell

| title12         = Sad Bowels
| length12        = 2:51
| extra12         = John Powell

| title13         = George's Speech
| length13        = 2:44
| extra13         = John Powell

| title14         = Finale
| length14        = 3:41
| extra14         = John Powell

| title15         = Epilogue
| length15        = 0:41
| extra15         = John Powell
}}

== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|Though ''Two Weeks Notice'' has nothing new to add to the crowded genre, Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock make the movie a pleasant, if predictable, sit.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-08-20}} {{MC film|42|30|ref=yes|access-date=2023-08-23}} Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=[[CinemaScore]]}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film 3 out of 4 and wrote: "… some of the dialogue has a real zing to it. There were wicked little one-liners that slipped in under the radar and nudged the audience in the ribs."<ref>{{cite web |date=2002 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Two Weeks Notice movie review (2002) |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/two-weeks-notice-2002 |access-date=2020-08-08 |via=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref> [[Lisa Schwarzbaum]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote that it "Knows what it needs to do for both its stars, does it, and doesn't make a federal case about it. I'd watch these two together again in a New York minute."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Two Weeks Notice |first=Lisa |last=Schwarzbaum |author-link=Lisa Schwarzbaum |date=2002-12-20 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/12/20/two-weeks-notice-2/ |access-date=2020-08-08}}</ref> David Rooney of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called it: "An affable but undernourished romantic comedy that fails to match the freshness of the actress-producer and writer's previous collaboration, "Miss Congeniality.""<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rooney |first=David |title=Two Weeks Notice |date=15 December 2002 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/two-weeks-notice-1200544344/ |access-date=2020-08-08}}</ref>

===Box office===
''Two Weeks Notice'' opened at number two domestically, behind ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'',<ref>{{cite news |title='Two Towers' dominates US box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2002/12/22/Two-Towers-dominates-US-box-office/65301040606355/ |access-date=29 April 2022 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=22 December 2002 |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429214429/https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2002/12/22/Two-Towers-dominates-US-box-office/65301040606355/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and spent its first five weeks in the Top 10 at the box office.<ref name=BOMWeekend>{{cite web |title=Two Weeks Notice {{!}} Domestic Weekly |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1568048641/weekly/ |access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref> It grossed $93.3{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada, and $105.7{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $199{{nbsp}}million, against a budget of $60{{nbsp}}million.<ref name=BOM>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0313737/ |title=Two Weeks Notice (2002) |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=June 28, 2024}}</ref>

==Punctuation issue==
In the best-selling book on punctuation ''[[Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation]]'', author [[Lynne Truss]] points out that the spelling of the film's title is grammatically incorrect because it is missing an apostrophe (Two Weeks' Notice). The book's original hardcover edition featured Truss in her author's photo, glaring at the poster and holding a marker where the apostrophe should be.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/15/books/chapters/1115-1st-truss-eats.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0|title='Eats, Shoots, & Leaves' - New York Times|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 April 2015|access-date=23 September 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403221520/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/15/books/chapters/1115-1st-truss-eats.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0|archive-date=3 April 2015|last1=Truss|first1=Lynne}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwidewords.org/reviews/re-eat1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031225154442/http://www.worldwidewords.org/reviews/re-eat1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2003|title=Reviews: Eats, Shoots and Leaves|access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{TCMDb title}}

{{Marc Lawrence}}
{{Sandra Bullock}}

[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:2002 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2002 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Castle Rock Entertainment films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about lawyers]]
[[Category:Films directed by Marc Lawrence]]
[[Category:Films produced by Sandra Bullock]]
[[Category:Films scored by John Powell]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Marc Lawrence]]
[[Category:Village Roadshow Pictures films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Workplace comedy films]]