Hugh Grant

Two Weeks Notice is yet another romantic love story for Grant. Bullock plays a brilliant but neurotic attorney, while Grant plays her wealthy, charming and irresponsible client. The film's premise explores the question of whether it is ever too late to say those three words - 'I love you'.

On the surface it is very different from Grant's last film, About A Boy. Based on the popular book by novelist Nick Hornby, which topped the UK bestsellers list, Grant played an older, wiser, more damaged and more reflective man than in his Bridget Jones days. His character was defined by his friendship with a 12-year-old boy rather than by his charming attentions to young women.

The film hit home in more ways than one. 'I know the life of being a London slacker extremely well,' says the 42-year-old star. 'I've spent huge swathes of my life watching afternoon television, saving up, going to the chemist as my treat for the day. I know all about that. And I'm also aware, because a lot of friends were like that, of what happens to those guys when they get to their late 30s. 'Cause, you know, the party is beginning to pale a bit.'

At times it appears the same can be said of Grant's attitude to his own career. 'I've been acting for nearly 20 years,' he says somewhat wearily. 'But Four Weddings came out eight years ago. And sometimes when I'm feeling particularly tired and grumpy and thinking I'm going to put a stop on this, I think maybe two more years - that's ten years of sort-of successful acting. But I change my mind every day, really.'

Which is good news for his adoring fans.