The director Sandra Bullock called “wickedly funny”
After making her acting debut in the 1987 thriller Hangmen, Sandra Bullock set about becoming one of the most notable stars in Hollywood, and before the 20th century was said and done, the Virginia-born actor had achieved her goal with acclaimed performances in the likes of Demolition Man, Speed and A Time to Kill.
There’s a brilliant diversity and range to Bullock’s talents and she has shown time and time again her capability in portraying characters in a wide range of movie roles, whether in the horror of Bird Box, the science fiction drama of Gravity or in her more action-heavy efforts mentioned above.
Still, away from her more dramatic and action-based roles, there was one point at which Bullock was hot property in the realm of the romantic comedy, beginning with her effort in Donald Petrie’s 2000 film Miss Congeniality. Bullock then appeared in the movie’s sequel of 2005, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous.
Both films were written by Marc Lawrence, who is best known for his collaborations with both Bullock and Hugh Grant. In 2002, the trio came together for Lawrence’s directed film Two Weeks Notice, which saw Bullocks play an optimistic liberal lawyer who goes to work for a chauvinistic billionaire real estate developer.
Speaking with the BBC about why she had been drawn to working with Lawrence on so many romantic comedies, Bullock once explained why Two Weeks Notice felt right to do. “I think, in general, romantic comedies tend to take one person’s point of view, but every once in a while, you get something that is balanced for two people,” she said.
According to the actor, there had been “enough friction and entertainment” between herself and Grant, who both felt “satisfied with their lines and what they get to do.” At the core of her reasons for taking on another rom-com, though, was Lawrence himself, with Bullock noting, “Marc is a brilliant writer and wickedly funny. He just knows how to write great characters and make them work.”
Two Weeks Notice was the first time that Lawrence had ever directed, but thankfully, he had experience of working with Bullock on Miss Congeniality, so he knew that he had a close colleague to lean on and understand. “Having worked with Sandy before, it was very easy,” the director admitted. “She likes to get to the point quicker. She’d be like, ‘Just tell me what you want me to say.’ She likes everything to be fast.”
Bullock was not the only person who gushed about Lawrence and his ability to write genuinely funny romantic comedies, as Grant was also on hand to issue his verdict. Marc came along with this great idea,” the British actor said. “I personally believe that Marc is one of only two people in the world who can write really good romantic comedies.”
Elsewhere, Lawrence had directed the comedy movies Music and Lyrics, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, The Rewrite and Noelle. While Sandra Bullock has proven that there are many strings to her bow, at one point, she was the queen of the rom-com, particularly those of Marc Lawrence. “You always hope that a writer will come along and give you all the elements and set it up, and that’s why Marc and I have worked together three times; he makes it work,” Bullock signed off her impressions of the “wickedly funny” writer and director.
