You ever have one of those moments where you’re scrolling through a streaming service or digging through a dusty bin of DVDs and you find a title that sounds like a law firm but looks like a Rom-Com? That’s basically the deal with Martha Meet Frank Daniel and Laurence.
Released in 1998, right in the thick of the British romantic comedy boom (thanks, Hugh Grant), this movie is a weird, jigsaw-puzzle of a film. People often lump it in with the sugary, "perfect London" vibes of Notting Hill, but honestly? It’s a lot more cynical—and arguably more interesting—than that.
The Plot That Feels Like a Math Equation
The premise is kinda simple but executed in a way that’ll have you double-checking who is talking to whom.
Martha (played by Monica Potter) is an American who has reached her limit with Minneapolis. She buys a one-way ticket to London, literally flipping a coin to decide her fate. Once she lands, she manages to meet three best friends—Frank, Daniel, and Laurence—completely independently of one another.
Here is the kicker: none of the guys realize they are all pursuing the same woman until things start to get messy.
- Daniel (Tom Hollander): The wealthy, high-flying music executive who meets her at the airport. He’s the arrogant one.
- Frank (Rufus Sewell): A struggling, bitter, out-of-work actor who encounters her in a park. He’s the "tortured soul" type.
- Laurence (Joseph Fiennes): The bridge teacher who is actually the nice guy of the group.
The movie isn't told linearly. It’s framed through Laurence’s session with a "psychiatrist" neighbor (played by the legendary Ray Winstone). We see the events of three days unfold through flashbacks, which makes the whole thing feel like you're solving a mystery rather than just watching a date.
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Why Martha Meet Frank Daniel and Laurence Still Matters
Most people forget that this movie was written by Peter Morgan. Yeah, that Peter Morgan—the guy who went on to write The Crown, The Queen, and Frost/Nixon. You can see the seeds of his sharp, dialogue-heavy style here.
While the 90s were full of fluffy romances, this script has a bite to it. It’s about the toxicity of male friendship just as much as it is about Martha’s search for a new life. The three guys are childhood friends who clearly love each other, but they also kinda hate each other. There’s a lot of one-upmanship and bickering that feels way more realistic than the "best friend" tropes we usually see.
The "Struggling Actor" Trope Done Right
Rufus Sewell’s performance as Frank is probably the standout. He’s pathetic. He’s jealous. He’s self-sabotaging.
There’s a scene where he walks out of an audition that is genuinely painful to watch. It’s a reminder that beneath the "wacky coincidence" plot, there’s some real character study going on. If you've ever felt like a failure while your friends are succeeding, Frank is your guy.
The London You Won't See Anymore
If you watch Martha Meet Frank Daniel and Laurence today, it’s a total time capsule.
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Filming locations like Battersea Park, the South Bank, and Hammersmith Bridge look different now. The movie captures a specific "Cool Britannia" era of London—grittier than Love Actually but still polished enough to make you want to move there.
They filmed at some iconic spots:
- Blakes Hotel in Roland Gardens.
- The Battersea Park Cafe (which apparently had a hut that's now demolished).
- Clerkenwell Green, where the big climax happens.
It’s also worth noting the title change. In the US, they rebranded it as The Very Thought of You. Honestly? Terrible move. The original title, while a mouthful, actually tells you what the movie is. It’s a roll call. It’s a sequence of events.
What the Critics Got Wrong
At the time, critics were a bit split. Some felt Monica Potter was just a "sub-Julia Roberts" and that the plot was too clever for its own good.
But looking back, the "tricksy" narrative structure is exactly what saves it from being boring. By 1998, we were all a bit tired of the standard "girl meets boy" formula. By having three "boys" and a non-linear timeline, director Nick Hamm kept the audience on their toes.
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Is Martha a bit of a blank slate? Maybe. But in many ways, she’s the catalyst for these three men to finally confront how they feel about each other. It’s less about who she chooses and more about how their friendship survives the "Martha" hurricane.
How to actually watch it today:
If you’re looking to track this down, don't expect it to be on every major streaming platform. It’s one of those "hidden gems" of British cinema that often requires a deep dive into Amazon secondary sellers or specialized film archives.
Next Steps for Film Fans:
- Check the Writer's Roots: If you like The Crown, watch this to see how Peter Morgan handled comedy before he moved into historical drama.
- Compare the Cut: Look for the UK version titled Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence rather than the US The Very Thought of You—the pacing sometimes feels slightly different depending on the edit.
- Spot the Cameos: Keep an eye out for a young Rob Brydon as a bus driver. It’s a classic "before they were famous" moment.
Basically, if you want a Rom-Com that doesn't treat you like you're five years old, this is a solid pick. It’s smart, it’s cynical, and it’s very, very British.