Get ready for fun! (Leah Rozen, People) with the "feel good movie of the year!" (Clay Smith, Access Hollywood) Love Actually is the ultimate romantic comedy from the makers of Bridget Jones's Diary and Notting Hill. Funny, irresistible and heartwarming, an all-star cast (Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson, to name a few!) will take you on a breathtaking tour of love's delightful twists and turns. Fall under the spell Love Actually and share the laughs and charm again and again.
1 Actually, yes!
This is a different sort of Romantic comedy that tends to take one by surprise. Featuring the talent of Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightly, it is also more star-studded than most RC movies I have seen.
The film is like a collage of stories of several couples. The way the plot progresses reminded me a little bit of the drama PLAYING BY HEART. We are able to view myriad short-stories that are all interwined (in one way other) to form a cohesive whole.
Unlike a lot of flicks in the RC genre, this one is not afraid to engage in political satire. Set in Britain, the writers taken some not-so-subtle "shots" at both the Clinton and Bush(jr) administrations. Fans of either Clinton or Bush are likely to be miffed, while detractors of both are sure to be gleeful.
If you want to different kind of heartwarming drama / comedy, you might actually find some love here. It's worth taking the chance, anyway!
2 Not Much Love Actually
This movie was on TV yesterday so I decided to watch it, I thought it would be another cute romantic Hugh Grant comedy like "About A boy" "Notting Hill" or "Four Weddings and a Funeral" But so wrong I was, this movie was neither charming or remotely fun, it was just silly, confusing and unrealistic.
First of all it's too confusing and messy, there are simply too many charachters in the movie but too few that we really get to know. Instead of having 3 or 4 great couples that fall in love we have 9 or 10 undeveloped charachters that we barely know and fall in love with each other for whatever reason we don't know. I wouldn't call it LOVE actually, since it seems like in many of the occasions it's barely lust or sex instead of actual love that they feel. A PM falling in love with a woman on his office? A guy falling in love with his housekeeper? 2 porn actors falling in love? come on!.
What bugs me most is that it's too unrealistic, it's not that people fall in love at first sight in reality and it's not that everyone actually get it together just because of it. Hugh Grant plays the British PM here (When hell freezes over) and Billy Bob Thornton as the US president. Grant complains to Thornton that he's tired of being USA's knee dogs, and the dumb US president Thornton tries to get busy with Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) when Grant enters at the right moment to stop it. Then we have this man that falls in love with his Portuguese housekeeper. Since when did Portuguese women work as housekeeper for British guys? Come in Portugal is no longer Europe's poorest country, they have no need to do so. They can't speak the same language but STILL they fall in love for whatever reason. When she leaves for Portugal he's still in love and takes a Portuguese course and flies to Portugal to propose. Her dad and everyone else seems so happy that the fabolous Brit is coming to save her from the poor and miserable life in Portugal and he's welcomed with open arms. His portuguese went from non-existant to above average in what? 2 months?, Then we have this kid that is 11 years old that fall in love with a girl at school that is American. He's too shy to tell her that and eventually when she's going home his dad get a idea to follow them to the airport. Unfortunately she's already entered the passport check but his dad get's the brilliant plan to run through the passport check and the security area to tell her his feelings. It's just not possible! even if you're 11 and very small. This scene was even more unrealistic then "American Ninja". Then we have another scene with this British loser that can't get women in England so he goes to USA, where he get's 4! The US women are as dumb as they could be and (prejudices, prejudices) and ready for sex the first day just cause the guy had a funny accent.
In the last scene of the movie there is this airport scene where everyone is meeting up with everyone. And I don't see why? Is there any logic in that scene at all. For some reason the director wanted everyone entangled with everyone and it just get's too confusing. I actually did like the idea of this movie, but it should have had stronger characters and more "real love" then lust and silly moments. It would have been nice to see 4 couples instead of 10 that we got to know, and understand why they fell in love and how they felt. This movie is a big mess, neither charming or romantic like Grant movies normally are. Richard Curtis didn't make it at all with this messy concept.
3 It is about love, actually
What can I say? A wonderful movie about love ... different kinds of love. The good and the bad are shown in this movie, but in the end I believe that love is actually all around us - we just have to look for it.
4 Funny, but long
I saw "Love Actually" a while ago and i thought it was a good movie with one flaw: it was really long. And some of the actors bothered me. Example: Kiera Knightly. She really bothers me. On the commercials they were advertising the people in the movie like they had big roles. Like Rowan Atkinson. His name was on the cover, unlike some of the other main characters. But other than that, it's a very good movie
5 IN-YOUR-FACE LEFT-WING PROPAGANDA -- AND PURE SCHLOCK
All you need to know about this movie: Liam Neeson's character finds out that his 10- or 11-year-old son is in love. What does the father say? "So what's her name? Or is it a he?"
In other words, political correctness run amok.
Forget the blatant left-wing digs at the "bully" American president -- this pic feels like a full-blown advertisement for interracial relationships. You won't see a photo about this on the box, but one of the many absurd plot lines concerns the poor pathetic white man pining over the beautiful white woman whom his black friend has married. And of course the movie ends with Denise Richardson kissing a black guy and exclaiming how "hot" he is.
The whole things feels like a heavy-handed and even patronizing attempt to boost the self-esteem of black folks...
And while we're add it, why don't we do the same for fat chicks:
Hugh Grant falls for a girl with a large bottom -- fat girls around the world can now feel better about themselves.
Right... this movie tries hard to be uplifting, but in the end it is simply insufferable.
Nowhere near as good as "About a Boy" -- easily Hugh Grant's best film -- or even "Notting Hill."
Pass on this load of hooey.
6 Charming
I thought this movie was absolutely charming. It certainly make no pretenses at being anything other than it is, a charming, sometimes funny and touching way to pass a couple of hours. It's true that about three of the plotlines could have been dispensed with completely, and it would have been a better, tighter movie.
But for me, this was made up for by absolutely superb, smart acting. Neeson can do such amazingly delicate emotions for such a big, imposing man; Firth gives himself over deliciously to the absurdity of loving someone who can't understand his language; Thompson is heartbreaking as Rickman's wife, fearing his infidelity, yet stubbornly holding everything together; and however unlikely Hugh Grant seems as PM-- let's face it, he was a pretty unlikely book store owner, too-- he's become such a sly comic actor that it hardly matters-- he's just funny.
I don't see if anyone has mentioned the DVD extras-- the film commentary is done by Curtis, Bill Nighy, the young man who plays Neeson's stepson, and Hugh Grant-- and the highlight of that is certainly Grant's persistent ragging of Colin Firth. Curtis eggs him on. "What do you think of this actor?" he asks. "VERY BAD," Grant intones solemnly. "Ohh, Gaaaawwd!" yawns Hugh as soon as Firth appears in another scene, "Now we're back to the boring bit."
7 The perspectives on this are amazing
This is a "love it or hate it" movie if I've ever seen one. And I'll say this now to get it out of the way: the 8 component stories do at times feel rushed and unfinished, Hugh Grant doesn't pass as particularly impressionable as the PM and Bill Nighy ("Billy Mack") can't sing worth a crap. Despite all that, however, I loved this movie.
I think the 8 mixed stories intertwine well to witness the full spectrum of how love can build us up or tear us apart. And we see love at different levels and stages, from Sam's infatuation with a classmate to newlyweds to Harry's near-infidelity. Many complaints revolve around the assertion that the stories are too far-fetched... but hey, if you can't "let go" somewhat when you watch a movie you may as well not watch any movies ever.
The movie is also a very good comedy; to me it's even more comedy than romance. I am a huge fan of British comedy and this film has a very British sensibility. It has a warm "real" feeling to it that the average Hollywood production lacks. Adding to that is the beginning and closing series of video clips showing people reuniting at Heathrow and showing that "love actually is all around."
Another factor to a great, memorable movie -- a subliminal factor, if you will -- is the music. And this movie features some fantastic music; from the classics "Jump (for My Love)" and "God Only Knows" to Olivia Olson's admirable performance of "All I Want for Christmas is You" to the uplifting main theme.
The only downfall that I would have corrected if I had the chance would be to make it another 20 minutes longer, to the end of developing certain segments further. Nonetheless, I have watched it several times on HBO and have recommended it to my friends because it has become one of my favorite recent movies.
Lastly, I feel compelled to address the negative comments: many of those people must have been sorely burned to the point that they can't even enjoy a movie about our most influential emotion. And some are just wacky -- did you read the one by "germania"? Thankfully, most people are not as stone-hearted.
8 Unique and entertaining...
One of the more interesting movies of 2003, Love Actually is a hilarious, romantic, emotional rollercoaster chronicling the effects of love on an interconnecting web of individuals. Filled with a number of memorable scenes, yet completely ignored by the Academy Awards, Love Actually is the type of film enjoyed by a wide array of people. I have yet to meet anyone who didn't like it, which is saying a lot considering this could fall under the category of "chick flick". But what makes Love Actually a successful film is its ability to identity with each audience member on a personal level. Each character is easy to relate to, and the multiple storylines are surprisingly easy to follow.
Starring a plethora of Hollywood stars and starlets (Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, etc), Love Actually follows the lives of various loosely connected characters as they struggle to deal with their love lives in the hectic month leading up to Christmas. Set in London, England, the film is a collage of various lives. The central character is the world's most eligible bachelor, the new Prime Minister named David (Hugh Grant), a powerful man who falls in love with his newly hired personal assistant Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), but can barely summon the courage to tell her how he feels.
The film also follows the life of the Prime Minister's older sister Karen (Emma Thompson), a woman struggling with her husband Harry's (Alan Rickman) possible infidelity with an office co-worker named Mia (Heike Makatsch) who she knows is after him. Meanwhile, Karen confides in her male friend Daniel (Liam Neeson) who is concerned about the strange behavior of his young son, who he later finds out is in love with a young girl in his class - a girl who will soon move to the United States. Rounding out the storylines are a writer who catches his girlfriend cheating and moves away to France where he find new love, a secretary who questions her love affair with an office co-worker she's wanted for years, a photographer smitten with his best friend's new wife, and a pair of porn stars who develop a relationship after filming a number of scenes together (many of these sequences are hilarious). To top it all off, one young man moves to Wisconsin were he believes girls will stand in line to make love to him. Love Actually features a multitude of eccentric and lovable characters the audience gets to know, and each character crosses paths in the final moments of the film, projecting a very uplifting message about life and relationships.
But the show stealer of Love Actually is Billy Mack (Bill Nighy), an aging rock star desperate to climb back to the top of the charts. He achieves his goal by means of a wildly outlandish and funny personality that puts him on radio and TV shows everywhere and leads to his indescribable song "Christmas Is All Around" taking the country by storm.
With a likeable cast of characters, and a multiplicity of viewpoints (pessimistic, optimistic, young & old, etc.), Love Actually is a refreshing film boasting a little bit of everything. It's a film that will make you laugh, make you sad, and in general, provide you with a good feeling when it's all over. For that reason, Love Actually is a definite must-see film. Don't hesitate to rent this one...
The DVD Report
9 My favourite movie of the past couple of years
I thought love actually was a refreshing take on the typical romantic comedy. It's funny, heartwarming without falling into typical romantic comedy fluff. Not all of the endings were happy, some of the meetings were really unusual and some conclusions were a little unbelieveable, but it just made the story better. And, the soundtrack is amazing. I definitely recommend it.
10 Love Sick
Apparently Richard Curtis has been listening to far too many ' silly love songs. ' How else to explain how the same writer could produce such classics as " Four Weddings And A Funeral ", " Notting Hill " and the brilliant Britcom " Vicar of Dibley " Well, we all have our 'off days' and with the release of " Love Actually " Mr. Curtis seems to be having a very bad day indeed!
Lets be blunt though...I've rarely ever started a film with such high expectations and enthusiasm only to be, by the end of this movie, tearing out whats left of my once full head of hair and trying to remember where I'd left the key to the liquor cabinet. A more frustrating movie experience I don't think I've ever had! You would think that with all the acting talent that this film possess it would be a cake-walk. Just place Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant ( insert Brit thespian of your choice here please! ) and let the camera roll but, sadly, it looks as though someone inserted a tornado of a script here. For starters whoever deemed Hugh Grant, the poor mans Cary Grant, up to the task of playing the British PM should have his screen writers guild card taken away. In what can only be described as 'casting from Hell' Mr. Curtis developes a plot line concerning our randy single-minded PM and how he seems to be " searching for love in all the wrong places. " Not only that but our misguided misanthropic PM even gets to grit his white teeth at the visiting President of the United States after our Commander-in-Chief makes an amorous advance toward a comely secretary. Smugly putting at risk many years of friendship and alliances simply due to Mr. Grant's getting his knickers in a twist over a rather average employee. The plot line is simply beyond ludicrous and, sadly, Mr, Curtis doesn't leave well enough alone.
Theres more plots, sub-plots and the like going on here then Carters got liver pills! Poor Colin Firth...reduced to playing a writer who after discovering his wife is cheating with his brother ( family affair anyone? ) moves to France, meets an extremely average looking Portugese housemaid and voila! Runs off to learn her language, then off to his local arpt. to find the nearest flight to Portugal. Where in a fit of amore' professes his love and asks her father for her hand in marriage. Isn't love wonderful!? Of course all these events take scarcely a few days.
God, there are so many truly insipid moments in this feature that I would have a difficult time conveying all of them but here dear reader is by far the silliest if not the most disingenuous. Liam Neeson playing a heart-broken widower ( is there any other? ) who is predictably depressed but after learning of his step-sons infatuation with a local school-girl is eager to help his young lad. Now all of this would be acceptable if it were not for the fact that the boy, a cute young 'un if there ever was one, is barely 10 yrs. old! How Mr. Curtis expects an audience to believe that even though his mother is barely laid to rest that our young man is simply far too much in love to bother with any feelings of loss and grieving is beyond me. In " Love Actually " apparently love is the only emotion our cast of Brits are required to feel, think or even give a moments thought of. All other emotions are simply brushed away as though they simply carry little if any importance. In fact Richard Curtis takes so many leaps of faith that any viewer would be wise to leave his/her common sense at the door when watching this movie. And I won't even bother to enlighten the reader as to how our young love-struck lad is able to artfully dodge a security heightened Heathrow police as he runs to tell his young paramour his true feelings. Its simply beyond awful when a writer of Mr. Curtis caliber needs to resort to 'cute' and 'precocious' to make a script work.
Getting down to brass tacks here's the problem. Ok, heres one problem but its a big one! I truly love " romantic comedies " but in " Love Actually " Richard Curtis gives the genre a huge black-eye. First, for any romantic comedy to work you truly must care about the folks on the screen and the drama that unfolds before our very eyes. We fully expect a few tense moments, a few miscommunications and even a few misadventures but you enjoy these awkward moments in hopes of our young couples finding their very own ' happy ending. ' In " Love Actually " there simply wasn't one person I could not only empathize with but one character who gave me any reason to care. The characters were poorly developed, one-dimensional and even, for the most part, self-absorbed. Plot lines were beyond silly and forced characters into quickly contrived situations that seemed haphazard and convenient. Plus, the idea of wasting the acting talents of Alan Rickman, protraying the typical lecherous husband under going a bad case of mid-life crisis was beyond reproach. Fact is Mr. Rickman looked thoroughly bored by the whole mindless event and I can't say he wasn't the only one having those feelings. Overall, a total disappointment and one in which I felt showed this writer being not only creatively lazy but one in which he shows no real insight into the complexities of love. A shame but what's on to do? Meg Ryan, please come home...all is forgiven!
11 A Feel good film
This is definitely a feel good film. I have watched it three or four times, and I always end up smiling. There are several stories intertwined among a group of people which might be described as being related through "six degrees of separation", i.e. somebody knows somebody knows somebody. Curtis has showed imagination in including a couple who meets as they perform as "body doubles" and another young man who visits the U.S. to look for his own kind of gold and strikes it rich. There are several resolutions, and a couple of relationships where the viewer is left wondering what is going to happen - the 40 something couple who has reached a fork in the road, the young woman who may lose the love of her life because of family responsibilities and the young man who, out of respect for his best friend, did not speak of his love for the friends girlfriend until it is almost too late. This situation is rather odd, and one wonders how it will turn out. The rocker is wonderful even though it is a sterotype of the rock star of the 60s still playing in his 60s. One of the reviewers said the story plot was confusing; I don't agree. However, as with any film with more than one plot line, one really needs to sit still and pay attention, but a serious film viewer would do that anyway - right?
12 The Moose Hole - Lovely, 'Actually'
Yes, the old saying is true, love is all around us. There is no real chance anyone has of escaping its effects as best we try sometimes. For as simple an act as falling in love may seem, falling out of love or moving on after lover lost is never quite as easy a thing to actually carry out. It is never a gracious thing to go through life believing what our mothers had always told us, that there would be someone out there for every one of us, especially when you have nothing with you now to show for it. As hard as we might try, it is practically impossible when we are alone to prevent our minds from racing with the thoughts of "what if I never find that special someone". There is always tomorrow, you tell yourself day in and day out as the weeks and months slip slowly by like tiny grains of sand through a timer, wondering within your subconscious how long you can keep this act up of fooling yourself with such nonsense. Depression inevitably sinks in as life pitches you the perfect no-hitter in the field of relationships, knocking you about as if you were the universe's personal whore. All around you see couples holding each other's hands and clinging tight to their loved ones while you travel the seemingly desolate sidewalks alone and downtrodden. If love is as chaotic as everyone makes it out to be, why is it that we find ourselves returning to it time and again despite the afflictive lessons of the past? Love is simply a natural occurrence, instinctive really, and there is nothing you or anyone else can do to control those feelings you have for someone close and dear to you, even if they may not know it just yet. Love, when lost or unrequited, can truly be dispiriting, but once you are able to get back on that horse it can be the most completely fulfilling experience of your life and no one should prevent themselves from embracing it head on.
The story is a mingled interweaving of several individual storylines, all of which involve the enchanting, if not often perplexing, subject of love written by Richard Curtis, the man behind such romantic comedies as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary. With just five weeks left until Christmas, London, England is abuzz with men and women sorting out their love lives, or lack of them. The film begins with David, the recently elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who, not even seconds into the door of his new home, has fallen deeply in love with his catering manager Natalie, recently dumped by her ex-boyfriend who complained of her being "too fat". David's younger sister Karen attempts to juggle a crippling relationship with her husband, Harry, the operator of a local magazine, who has become quite friendly with his flirtatious secretary Mia, and helping her friend Daniel cope with the recent passing of his wife. While attempting to move on with his life, Daniel must also help navigate his eleven year old son through a situation of his own, having fallen in love with an American girl who happens to be the most popular girl at school. Karen is also friends with Jamie Bennett, a novelist who has temporarily relocated to France to nurse his broken heart after discovering his girlfriend cheating on him with his much younger and more attractive brother, only to be captivated by Aurelia, the Portuguese housekeeper of his country villa. Harry's best editor Sarah is absolute smitten by Karl, a fellow magazine editor, and has been ever since she started working at the magazine over a year ago but has not had the courage to tell him how she has felt and complications with her brother, who is currently in the asylum, has not made her personal life any easier. Juliet has just married Peter not realizing that his best friend Mark, the photographer, has been infatuated with her ever since they first met, though he has never spoken a word of this to anyone, let alone herself. Colin Frissell, a lascivious waiter at Peter and Juliet's wedding reception, unable to connect with British women decides to travel to the states, specifically Wisconsin, to score with a bunch of American girls relying solely on his "British charm". And burnt-out former British rock-icon Billy Mack, desperate for a comeback to the top of the charts after overcoming a long standing heroin addiction, acts as the main connection for all these individual love-lines.
The story for Love Actually is almost as complicated a matter, ironically, as the concept of love itself. In order to find all the connections between the characters and understand the unfolding of events within the framework of the picture one must truly pay attention throughout the interwoven storylines but it is not as complicated a concept as it would seem. We connect with the characters and their actions on screen almost instantaneously because we, as individuals, see ourselves and our own lovelorn, often foolish, actions paraded in front of us on screen. Having experienced at least one, if not more, of the complex love stories in our own lives, we are at long last able to see our own actions for ourselves and are able to gain a fresh perspective and a far better understanding of those events, thus putting our minds, and perhaps even our souls, at ease for it.
Colin Firth works splendidly as Jamie Bennett, a man so desperate to escape the pangs of lost love that he flees the country to concentrate on his novel only to fall in love once again with a charming woman who doesn't speak a word of English. This just goes to show that love is both blind and strong and it can not be deterred by the mere language barriers that have separated us in so many other functions of human interaction throughout the world. It would have been more appropriate for the filmmakers to have taken Liam Neeson's Daniel a little more serious - the events at the funeral were not offensive given the context but they did seem a tad bit out place considering it was a funeral after all - being how he lost his wife but this is a comedy and it was expected for them not to dwell too longingly on the rather serious subject matter. The deteriorating relationship between Karen and Harry, played eloquently by Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman respectfully, on other hand, was handled as it should have been allowing the audience to contemplate in their head the events, not always in consecutive order, that can lead to love loss in a relationship to love found in another and how everyone in that triangle is affected by it. The most charming scene in the entire film has to be when Mark, played with such effort by Andrew Lincoln, visits Juliet on Christmas Eve and tells her, silently via the use of cue-cards (clever) and carol music, how he has always felt about her but never bucked up the courage to tell her until now. Often, when we lose someone close to our heart to another man or woman, quite possibly forever, we instinctively want to shut out those feelings we once had for that person and attempt to move on with our lives as best we can but never seems to work out. We, as human beings, need closure with any close relationship we have in our lives, whether it involves family, friends, or loves, and we can never fully move on until we let our feelings be known to that person. It is better for us to act upon those feelings then to hold them in, worrying ourselves to death with the thought of "had she/he but known", even if nothing is to come about as a result of this forthrightness, as this particular scenes demonstrates. Then and only then can we be one within our mind once again, telling ourselves "enough" and having the ability now to move on fully with our life. Billy Bob Thornton makes a cheap cameo in the role of the President of the United States. Though his slick southern persona and entirely unlikable womanizing style, eerily renascent of William Jefferson Clinton, are worth a few laughs, he contributes practically nothing to the storyline and could have easily been downplayed or excluded from the film altogether. Originally Rowan Atkinson's character, Rufus, the jewelry department salesman, was supposed to be an angel and would have disappeared after passing Daniel in the airport near the end of the film, which would have done a better job in clearing up his involvement in both Harry's and Daniel's son's relationships but as it stands it works out fine.
Overall, critics may complain about Love Actually's uniquely over-the-top nature and its ability to be so overtly clichŽd even for its own good but, in actuality, often love is like that sometimes - it is never as spontaneous or original as we would want it to be but it retains its charm and effective none the less, which goes hand-in-hand with this film and enduring message. Despite creating a distinctively potent and dazzling directorial debut, there are several aspects to the film that failed to pan out properly for Richard Curtis. For example, though come-back rocker Billy Mack does tie all the loose coalition of storylines together and ultimately lends help to the charming, if not overtly clichŽd, ending involving Daniel's son and the love of his life at the airport, his own storyline on the other hand feels flat and uninteresting. Either his character should have been expanded or simply pushed more into the background as a mere side character instead of what is given to us here. John and Judy, the couple that meets on the set for a stimulated love scene for a motion picture, are two other supporting characters that could have been left out of the film entirely as they contribute nothing to the story at all. It is fantastic to see that Curtis wants to demonstrate love lost and found in a variety of situations but there is a point when so much becomes too much and you eventually have to cut something loose to balance the feature out again, something Curtis fails to do here. But these are comparatively minor slip-ups, as unnecessary and inconvenient to the overall storyline as they may be, and hardly leave a lasting affect on the film's clear-cut purpose and contemplative message that love is truly all we need in this world to be happy. True, the sole intention of this film was that of romantic comedy but it does not hurt to pay closer attention to the events that unfold within this feature and perhaps gain a clear understanding of a situation in our own complicated love life, one we may not have obtained else where. Love actually is all around us - all we have to do is open our eyes and see it for ourselves.
13 Blech
I am a big fan of chick flicks; they aren't necessarily films that I buy and watch on my own time, but if one's on TV I'll watch certain parts of it or the whole thing. I think that they're just nice, feel-good movies to watch. I enjoyed this movie when I first saw it, though I thought it was very flawed. Then, not too long after I got home, these flaws kept digging into me and finally I realized exactly how crappy of a movie it really was.
I'm going to echo what other people are saying about the September 11 thing. Umm, here's the thing... this movie isn't American, it's English. You can't claim this tragedy for yourselves. No matter how much empathy you feel for the USA, it's just not the same. If the film had been set in America, showing how love went on in America after 9-11, that would have been a lot more appropriate.
I'm going to echo what everyone else said and say that most of the storylines absolutely sucked; they were vapid and had very little character/relationship development. The only storylines that I cared about, like Emma Thompson's and Laura Linney's, were very inconclusive. The storylines that did have happy conclusions were ones that I really didn't care about at all.
I have a MAJOR problem with the blatant America-bashing in this movie as well. Did no one else seem to care that the Prime Minister of England broke his alliance with the USA because the American President was macking on a SINGLE woman, who just happened to coincidentally be the PM's love interest? WTF? And the English people are HAPPY about it! So in celebration of his selfish and rash decision to which for some reason no one seems to object, Hugh Grant dances. Great. Also, he was the most unbelievable PM I've ever seen.
Oh, and this is the one that really made me mad... the English guy who goes to America to meet hot American chicks and shacks up with some hot co-eds. Where does he go? Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you cannot tell from my location info, I am from WI. If you walk into a bar here, even in Milwaukee, you are not likely to find sexy southern chicks who invite you to room with them. You ARE likely to find drunk middle-aged men watching a Packers game. I saw this movie with my friend, and we all thought that the kid was dreaming it up. Imagine our surprise when we found out that we were actually supposed to believe that could happen. Um, yeah, right.
The other stories were just dumb. How many dashing to different countries/airport scenes can one movie take? Just one is unbelievable enough. Frankly, I don't care about any of the stories, aside from those two. And those two were unresolved. Absolutely wonderful. They should take those two stories and make movies about them... cut out the rest of this tripe. Even those storylines had major problems. Like Alan Rickman's secretary. She's presented as a slut that you're just supposed to hate. Great character development right there!
I've been to England and whatever country I saw in that movie did not seem like it. The only thing they had going was the lingo (which, IMO they seemed to lay on thick just for us, the American audience who is like "Hehehe, they said "blimey"! I love English people!) and the accents. It's a shame, because I really like London and would really have liked to love this movie. I tried, I really did.
Really, they would have been better off focusing on two or three stories. Sixteen is entirely too much. Each story felt detached; I can't even remember the characters' names. Also, I did not appreciate the cheat shots at America. From what I've seen of reviews at this site, even non-Americans were offended.
14 If nightmarish levels of smug cutesiness are your thing....
This film is awful. It's every wretched tic that writer/director Richard Curtis has picked up over the years rolled humorlessly and artlessly into one package. The film looks and feels like a department store advertisement. And note how almost every character has the same voice, and that that voice is in fact that of Hugh Grant's character Charlie from _4 weddings_ (Compare Curtis here with David Kelley who wrote every character on _Ally McBeal_ with the same Ally-voice). Horrible. Seriously, often film-makers with considerable gifts eventually make the franken-film in which they confirm every critical doubt about their talent- this is Curtis's, "Shadows and Fog" is Woody Allen's, "Storytelling" is Solondz's, and so on. Romantic Comedy is a genre that is dear to many of us, for excellent reasons. LA, however, marks the arrival of self-important bombast to the genre - it's the _Pearl Harbor_ or _Armageddon_ ("the ultimate") of rom coms - and is cause for despair (both about the people who made it and the people who profess to like it).
So... here's a movie that a lot of people are going to watch as a "date" movie. One of you is almost certainly going to react allergically to the thing, whereas the other might be able to stand it (don't ask me how), and they're going to be ticked off at the allergically reacting one's carping (e.g., anyone with experience of Curtis's earlier works will find themselves involuntarily slipping into _Black Adder_ hyperbole: "I would rather eat a pile of pig manure with a caviar spoon than watch another second....."). Oh yes, love will be all around that night. Do yourself a favor and watch instead any of the many Jane Austen flicks out there if you need a "giddy round of couples" fix.
15 Actually Awful
I enjoyed the other movies by these talented filmmakers. Noting Hill--Great. Four Weddings and a Funeral--brilliant! I am very sorry, however, that I was so high on those films that I went ahead and bought the DVD without first screening the movie on cable. There are TOO MANY characters and storylines. This means no character is given ANY depth. It's awful, cliche, and sickeningly sweet. The "bad" girl secretary is actually wearing devil horns as part of a costume in one scene--sheesh, how juvenile and obvious can you get? Are these the same minds that created the other brilliant, touching, biting movies that I loved? If so, then all I can say is that they were so busy trying to push "agendas" that they forgot how to tell a story well. Characters are left at loose ends or given ridiculously forced cheerful endings to their stories. Just awful. Waste of time and there's some really nasty attitudes toward America too. I want my money back.
16 don't we all want a happy ending?
Many interesting stories, mostly fluffy but heartwarming tales, blend together in a loosely interwoven tale. The cast is impressive both in number of people in the film and in the quality of actors (Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, just to name a few) and the film is a mad dash sort of romantic comedy careening toward the Christmas climax. The story follows possibly eight couples who are trying to get together, falling in love, just discovering their true feelings, making their true feelings known, giving in to their feelings or saying "to heck with convention", and going above and beyond the call of duty for love. It touches in a shallow, but not wholly unsatisfying, way the various trials and triumphs of different types of love and does so in an entertaining way. The fact that the characters here could be as well developed as they are (given their sheer numbers) is remarkable and laudatory. Still there is something a bit saccharine about the whole thing, but the viewer will probably forgive because the director is new at directing, because it is a sort of heartwarming and cute story, and because the performances are all good. Besides, it was a Christmastime release and everyone wants a happy ending.
17 A Good Adult Romantic Comedy
Love Actually is one of the better romantic comedies to come out in recent years. The concept of interlocking love stories is relatively fresh, though not totally unique. In this case it is will done, and Richard Curtis deserves credit for working in platonic love (i.e., between friends) and love ending as well as stories of new and unrequited love. The film moves along quickly and has enough light moments that it will be entertaining to both male and female viewers, though it has segments that are definately not appropriate for children.
Love, Actually is anchored by a stellar cast of true actors such as Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson. Both Thompson and Bill Nighy should have gotten Oscar nominations for two very different roles - Thomson as the wife losing her husband's love, Nighy as a has-been rock star who can't keep his mouth from getting him in trouble. The cast is deep and clearly was having a good time shooting the film. Frankly, I am not a Hugh Grant fan and I still liked both the film and the character that he played.
The DVD has several special features worth watching, starting with a commentary with several of the stars and the director. If you listen to it you will find out that Rowan Atkinson was supposed to play the angel of love in the film, but that his role was reduced. This probably made the film more coherent, but that doesn't alter the fact that his scenes are some of the funniest in the movie. The deleted scenes, while understandably not in the film, are also worth perusing.
The only negative thing I have to say about this film is that it originated the strange idea that Wisconsin is America's romance capital, with one of the characters travelling there on the theory that American girls will find his British accent irresistable (this idea also pops up in The Prince and Me for some reason). The problem is that he walks into a bar with Anheusuer Busch advertising all over the place, which is blasphemy in the land of Miller beer. This is a quibbling detail, but will be amusing to the Cheeseheads out there.
Overall, the film is entertaining and accessable accross gender lines, and will be worth the money and time spent for an adult audience.
18 So much potential, so much left on the table...
The cast, headed by Hugh Grant, was so promising that 5-10 minutes into the movie you figure the movie must have cost an arm and a leg to produce...
Though funny at many points, the movie starts to get diluted very early in the game, with so many different plots, that you start "missing" characters until they come back much later into the movie. The biggest problem with this plethora of plots is that most of them are resolved quite poorly, or left unclear. Barely a couple of the stories kept me engaged all the way through, specially since so many of them had such a weird ending.
As much expectation as we had for this chick flick, it turned out to be quite dissapointing. Save yourself the time and rent some other Hugh Grant movie. As for this one, definitely not his best or a good movie worth checking out.
19 Possibly the best romantic comedy for husbands and wives
I saw this movie in the theater with my wife on Valentine's Day back in 2004 and bought it on DVD for her (and me) on Valentine's Day 2005. Like most heterosexual men I am NOT a huge fan of romantic comedies. I think most of these films are "chick flicks" that aren't worth the waste of time to see. Love Actually is so funny and heartfelt with great characters that I actually WANT to see it again and again. Too bad all "chick flicks" can't be like this.
As for the several people who wrote negative reviews about the brief moments of nudity in this film ... this film is CLEARLY meant for an adult audience and is rated R. What kind of R-rated adult romantic comedy doesn't have a few curse words and quick flashes of breasts? The only romantic comedies I've seen that didn't were rated PG or PG-13 ... and those are exactly the kind of "chick flicks" I hate. I'm not saying this movie needed the boobshots or the harsh language ... the film probably would have worked just as well without it. I will say that the language and the moments of nudity help make this film a bit more "honest" in terms of its view of adult relationships.
20 Great cast - poor in the area of nudity and language
The language was horrible and the nudity was unacceptable. These two components totally distracted from the dialogue and connections that could've been made with the characters. I'm ordering an "edited version" from another company so I can actually enjoy the acting and solid story line.
21 In-your-face left-wing propaganda -- and pure schlock
All you need to know about this movie: Liam Neeson's character finds out that his 10- or 11-year-old son is in love. What does the father say? "So what's her name? Or is it a he?"
In other words, political correctness run amok.
Forget the blatant left-wing digs at the "bully" American president -- this pic feels like a full-blown advertisement for interracial relationships. You won't see a photo about this on the box, but one of the many absurd plot lines concerns the poor pathetic white man pining over the beautiful white woman whom his black friend has married. And of course the movie ends with Denise Richardson kissing a black guy and exclaiming how "hot" he is.
The whole things feels like a heavy-handed and even patronizing attempt to boost the self-esteem of black folks...
And while we're add it, why don't we do the same for fat chicks:
Hugh Grant falls for a girl with a large bottom -- fat girls around the world can now feel better about themselves.
Right... this movie tries hard to be uplifting, but in the end it is simply insufferable.
Nowhere near as good as "About a Boy" -- easily Hugh Grant's best film -- or even "Notting Hill."
Pass on this load of hooey.
22 Jump For Love!!
when i saw this film, first things that popped in to my mind are The Terminal and the album U2 All That You Can Leave Behind. the film started in the airport's arrival area and the tone, in an instant, was establish. the message of the whole movie was communicated and the simple yet complex concept of love was explained in the first 2-3 minutes of the film. though this would not be eligible for a criterion release, i have learned to like this film for its direct approach. no gravy-like or cotton candy coating. this film is a compilation of the simple truths and realistic presentations of love---- happy, thrilling, unpredictable and sometimes sad. visually, the film contains high and low points. the plot, not really as magnificent as Shakespeare, but this is all i need... a nice break...
audio and OST (which i purchased separately) are commendable.. while video may need a little improvement but nevertheless at par and i consider above average in presenting this vivid aspect of one of the two strongest emotion (anger being the other one).
this dvd is not in my priority list for purchase this season but boy i was glad to have it. thanks to the edited korean release info i was absolutely forced to get the R1 instead... nice companion for xmas..
23 Just a little too silly really.
I am usually a fan of the work of Mr Curtis but this film feels like an explotation of a rather tired working theme.
It has elements of all the other films and trys to encapsulate "Modern Britain" rather cheesily, with Hugh Grant as a Tony Blair style PM. Unfortunately he comes across as more the average bumbling, Biology Teacher and his developing romance with his Cockney Char Lady is just a touch too "Eliza Dolittle", the Char Lady is played just a little too corsely aswell; the "F" word is not a comedic tool.
There are some strong perfomances here though, Emma Thompson is truly cracking. The scene when she secretly uncovers her husbands betrayal of her is poignant, painful and exquisitely pitched. Andrew Lincoln, (Fans will remember him as "Egg" in the brilliant "This Life" on BBC TV) pining away for the love of his best friends wife is astonishingly engaging in his portrayal of the pain of the unrequited love, it's a shame Kira Knightely lets him down by being so utterly wet and ineffective, no real disply of anything other than cliched, embarassed, twittering, midle class women.
Liam Neesom is of course brilliant and Colin Firth is a classic as the tortured grieving man. There is a lot to like about this film but it just trys too hard to captilise on Curtis's past success and the strengths of it's good actors; it gives the poorer performers more to do than they can handle or convey too.
As a result there is too much going on and the film doesn't really seem to know if it want's to explore a little more serious drama or build up the comedy segments (incidently I think it's time British films stopped assuming that adding a few quiant British expletives is all that is needed to raise the roof in America - it's old news to our America cousins!).
This is a pleasent enough and hopeful film but it's a bit of a mess and ever such a tad cliched.
The romantic view of rainy, cosy, London is very grating in it's "Mary Poppins" approach too.
24 The actors deserve the five stars... (plot/subplot so...so)
I enjoyed this film. It has hilarious moments... but also some sad ones... (none gratuitous, mind...) and is very well balanced...
I thought I would not like it..., mainly because of some critics in amazon... so I must beware next time... (the same happened incidentally with "Gosford Park"... wich I also enjoyed despite the criticisms...).
Do not want to sound patronizing... (I may be grouchy but do not like snobs...) but it seems audiences does not like large casts and interloping/twined plots/subplots... and THAT probably is silly because that's the way LIFE is... EVEN IF IT FEELS CONFUSED SOMETIMES... SO WHAT?... the actors are superb and believable all through it.
RECOMMENDED TO BE JUDGED BY YOURSELVES...
25 pure entertainment
i've watched this film multiple times and loaned it to friends who have watched it multiple times. one reviewer dissected the movie and seemed anoyed by the racial overtones. poor soul. if he only new that in most of the rest of the world people judge each other on character and personality not the color of their skin. get this film and you won't regret it. i think it's one of the best romantic comedys ever made.
26 In-your-face left-wing propaganda
All you need to know about this movie: Liam Neeson's character finds out that his 10- or 11-year-old son is in love. What does the father say? "So what's her name? Or is it a he?"
In other words, political correctness run amok.
Forget the blatant left-wing digs at the "bully" American president -- this pic feels like a full-blown advertisement for interracial relationships. You won't see a photo about this on the box, but one of the many absurd plot lines concerns the poor pathetic white man pining over the beautiful white woman whom his black friend has married. And of course the movie ends with Denise Richardson kissing a black guy and exclaiming how "hot" he is.
The whole things feels like a heavy-handed and even patronizing attempt to boost the self-esteem of black folks...
And while we're add it, why don't we do the same for fat chicks:
Hugh Grant falls for a girl with a large bottom -- fat girls around the world can now feel better about themselves.
Right... this movie tries hard to be uplifting, but in the end it is simply insufferable.
Nowhere near as good as "About a Boy" -- easily Hugh Grant's best film -- or even "Notting Hill."
Pass on this load of hooey.
27 Is this supposed to be Romantic Comedy?
Having heard the raves about this film, I purchased it. I wish I had rented instead. The acting is fine. I have always admired, and still do, most of the actors in this movie; and I have now been introduced to a few good actors I was not familiar with. However, I was depressed for hours after watching this film. Only 6 out of the 10 scenarios have happy endings. And of those 6, I only found two of them at all funny. I guess they were trying to add some realism; but I was very distressed over 1. the woman who will give up her entire life to look after her mentally ill brother, 2. the non-remorseful cheating husband who will likely continue to cheat and continue to make his wife's life hell since she doesn't feel she can divorce him at the moment for the sake of keeping their sham marriage in tact for the two kids (He even tells his wife "I am so in love with her; I am a classic fool," when referring to the secretary - what a disgusting husband.), 3. the man in love with his best friend's wife, and 4. the "dude" that goes to America and immediately finds the fantasy women he is looking for.
I am giving this review 3 stars because of the two scenarios I did like: the come-back of the aging rock star and the writer who falls in love with his temporary housekeeper. Those two stories were well-done. I did not feel connected with or amused by anything surrounding the Prime Minister or the widower and his step-son. And although the acting of the two film stand-ins was fine, I felt like that scenario was thrown in just for a bit of nudity.
If I watch this movie again, I will likely only watch the two scenarios I like and fastforward through the rest. I recommend you rent this one to see if you like it first, before buying. To me, this was not Romantic Comedy, as 40% of it was tragic and only 20% at all funny.
28 Thankfully abandoning the same old formula
I hate romatic comedies. Absolutely hate them. I simply cannot stand the same old "boy meets girl under unusual circumstances, a misunderstanding breaks them up, and they reunite at the end". I was therefore pleasantly surprised with Love Actually. Because there are so many narratives going on, there was no time to apply the familiar formula to everyone, so it is (more or less) abandoned entirely. Which is exactly why it makes a good (if guilt-inducingly fluffy) film.
29 Clever, touching, funny and romantic.
This is a very nice romantic film, it has just the right proportion of laughter and seriousness. And for this kind of movie it is surprisingly without being really sad. It really shows love in its various dimensions and kinds, far cry from silly "and they lived happily ever after" seen so much in romantic comedies. And does so with great acting by top notch actors. Hugh Grant being cast as the British Prime Minister is one of my favorites, I think he fits the role perfectly with all the subtle allusions to the cabinet current at the time the movie was shot. I also love Alan Rickman's performance and his characteristic way of speaking. Emma Thompson is also great playing his wife, her acting skills especially admirable in the scenes where she conveys deep feelings without saying a thing.
Also some of the less known actors make great performance, like Abdul Silas playing Tony, the down-to-earth friend of the guy who went to Wisconsin looking for love (BTW Richard Curtis surely did not see Dogma beforehand). It turns out it was Abdul's first movie.
I really like to watch "Love Actually" to lift my spirits a bit. Not necessarily around Christmas. And I would recommend it to anyone - both couples (it can be a very nice part of a romantic evening at home) and singles.
30 Which is actually love?
When I first watched this movie I thought it was just more tripe from the Hollywood movie machine. But, after watching it again, I developed my own theory about film: Some of the relationships presented are truly love and others are something else - infatuation, lust, selfishness, etc. Love is a sincere gift of self - YOU watch this movie and decide - which is love and which is not.
31 Great Movie
This movie always brings tears to my eyes. It's sometimes confusing, funny and sexy.
32 Great Movie!
I didn't know if I would like this movie, so I rented it first. And I was very surprised at how cute and heart-warming the movie was. It is very funny in many parts. The movie follows several story lines and then comes all together at the end. After renting this movie, I asked for it for Christmas. This is a great movie about love and relationships. I highly recommend this movie to people who like romantic comedies!
33 "Sex and the City" written by the Disney folks
Let me preface this by saying that it would be impossible to put Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson all in the same film and not have it be entertaining. That said, "Love Actually" suffers from excess romantic contrivance and from having crucial character development hit the cutting room floor.
Romantic sappiness is just plain funny and ridiculous to observe. "Love" doesn't take maximum advantage of that angle as "Four Weddings and A Funeral" did, and this film suffers as result. Still, there are genuinely funny moments, but their impact is blunted by the Gordian Knot of storylines.
The women are limited to idealized stereotypes. This is clearly a film driven by the romantic urgency of the male characters. Only Emma Thompson hints at characterization depth, but it appears that key elements of that story line got cut, so we don't see really her as anything but every-mom faced with aging and pilandering. The potential for Laura Linney's character is never realized.
This film is worth investing a pleasant evening in, but "Love Actually" desperately needed a consult with the "Sex and the City" writers. It turns out to be less than the sum of its parts.
34 What's not to like?
I can't tell you exactly what's so good about this film--it just IS! It's funny, heart-warming, sweet, romantic, and all the rest. It just makes you feel good! Forget the reviewers talking about it being P.C., of left-wing, or whatever! It's just a great, entertaining film that most people will love!
35 Love everyone can relate to!
I loved this movie because it had all kinds of different romantic situations, because everyone connects to everyone else in some way or another. I also love how it seems all the great British actors of today were gathered together for one film, such as Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson--just to name a few--even if the Prime Minister (played by Hugh Grant) does take a few stabs at Americans. I can overlook that.
I found the nudity scenes to be a bit much, but like another reviewer point out, it shows that you can find love even in the most awkward of situations. Each situation of love seems to be something someone can relate to. There's the man who loves his wife, but is tempted by the secretary at his office and his wife finds out; the man who is in mourning after the death of his beloved wife, and there's his stepson who is suffereing from that wonderful thing called unrequited love. Then there's, what breaks my heart the most, the love that can never be due to certain circumstances. The movie is wonderful and can even be enjoyed with your spouse! To the women out there, your guy will assume this is a complete chick flick but my husband fell completely in love with this movie!
I was a little disappointed with the bonus material. There's a Kelly Clarkson music video "The Trouble With Love", which is good because I really like the song. There are deleted scenes, which are a bit drawn out because there isn't a menu to pick a scene and each deleted scene started out with an introduction from the writer and director, Richard Curtis. There's also another feature, The Music of Love Actually, which lost my interest pretty quickly. There's also a feature commentary with a few of the actors and, of course, Richard Curtis. I have yet to watch that, but those are usually pretty enjoyable. I'm a sucker for making-of featurettes, and I was disappointed there wasn't one.
I give the movie 5 stars and the bonus material 3 stars.
36 A few comments about the DVD version
I liked the movie enough to buy it, so there's no need for me to comment on the film itself. The DVD is what annoys me. I hate that there are previews on the disc, and I really hate that I can't go straight to the menu, I have to fast forward through these previews. That is my biggest complaint.
The other thing that I really don't like is the menu graphic -- just a heart. What a terribly boring choice. A good movie, but an awful DVD.
37 Despite my misgivings, I really liked it
I've heard some bad stuff about this movie. The couples aren't given that much screen time etc. But I was surprised, when I sat & watched it, with the wind howling outside, and found myself really enjoying it, and laughing along.
Apart from each couple's separate storylines, the movie is also a spot-the-celebrity kinda thing, and there's some surprising cameos in there. Some of the more recognisable cast include: Bill Nighy, Gregor Fisher, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Kris Marshall, Martin Freeman, Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Laura Linney, Junior Simpson, Alan Rickman, Ant McPartlin, Declan Donnelly, Billy Bob Thornton (playing an almost spot-on US president!), Michael Parkinson, Rowan Atkinson, Elisha Cuthbert, Claudia Schiffer (for her one-minute cameo, she received a reported £200,000), Nancy Sorrell, Shannon Elizabeth, and Denise Richards.
My favourite character in all of this was Martin Freeman for definite. I'd only seen him before in the UK show, The Office, but he actually looked really cute in this! His hair was a bit messed up, and he got his kit off! It's amazing, cos he's filming what looks like a very bad porn movie, and they're faking all the positions etc, and him & the girl get together by the end of the movie! The girl also appears topless, which is no doubt to make the guys watch it. Martin is terrific in this movie though.
I got quite soppy at the wedding scene with a very blonde and very skinny (b*tch) Keira Knightley. That scene was so romantic and I think I went all gooey inside!
The whole scenes between Colin Firth and Lœcia Moniz, are hilarious! There's quite a few subtitles, but they're so funny! The lake that Lœcia and Colin are "swimming" in was actually only 18-inches deep and they had to kneel around and pretend to be in deeper water. It was also over-run by mosquitoes and Colin Firth was badly bitten and his elbow swelled up to the size of an avocado, requiring medical attention. This scene is the funniest:
[Aurelia jumps into the lake with hardly any clothes on to save Jamie's book]
Jamie: Oh God, she's in. And now she'll think I'm a total spaz if I don't go in too.
[takes off his sweater]
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] [...]. It's cold.
[Jamie falls in]
Jamie: [...]. It's freezing! [...]
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] This stuff better be good.
Jamie: It's not worth it you know, this isn't bloody Shakespeare.
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] I don't want to drown saving some [...] my grandmother could have written.
Jamie: Just stop, stop.
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] What kind of idiot doesn't make copies?
Jamie: I really must do copies.
[beat]
Jamie: You know, there'd better not be eels in here. I can't stand eels.
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] Try not to disturb the eels.
Jamie: [screams in shock because of the eels] Oh God, what the hell is that?
Hugh Grant plays virtually the same character he did in Bridget Jones (except he's the prime minister), including calling Margaret Thatcher a "saucy minx", and making some little jokes about the person before him, having a scary wife, and horrible children.
When David arrives at No. 10 Downing Street, his tie changes 11 times between shots when meeting Natalie. Apparently, Hugh Grant had changed his tie after a post-lunch nap and no one noticed at first. They decided to "play with it" and went all out and changed the tie 11 times just for the heck of it.
I've seen quite a few reviews, that complain about the ending, but so what if the ending is left hanging? It's the exact same way as life, nothing ever ends perfectly, nor are all the loose ends tied up.
What could be done with this movie, is make little spin-offs, and see what happened with all the characters. Of course, then they'd probably be a pile of trash. But there are some of the characters I would like to follow up.
Despite the greatness of the movie, it does have its flaws. Why are almost all the women servants or assistants and almost all of the men more powerful (bosses, prime ministers, authors etc)? Women serve lots of coffee in this film! And the more ambition they tend to show (sexual or work-wise), the more villainous they seem. This movie has a very old-fashioned view of the sexes. Why are there no gay couples? With so many couples present, it could have been easily done.
I doubt many guys would like to see this movie, and would probably moan right the way through - and not in the way you would like, believe me! This is an outright girly movie, something to spend time cuddled up to your duvet/cuddly toy, with hot chocolate, or having a girly afternoon with your mates. Make your guy watch on the promise of something else later.
38 A Must Buy!
The story lines were incredible and it's a movie that gives hope. The cast line-up was also great! Definitely something to watch over and over again.
39 A feel-good flick for fat girls
Hugh Grant falls for a girl with a large bottom -- fat girls around the world can now feel better about themselves.
Right... this movie tries hard to be uplifting, but in the end it is simply insufferable.
Nowhere near as good as "About a Boy" -- easily Hugh Grant's best film -- or even "Notting Hill."
Pass on this load of hooey.
40 Lovely Love Actually
When I first saw this movie I was very much positivly surprised. It is a fantastic and very funny coupling of 9 storys.
Hugh Grant made an excellent job as PM. In his older films I did not like him that much, but this time he completly convinced me (and that "relationship" with the American President was droll - nobody can ignore, that there`s a little bit of thruth in the real relationship between the actual PM and the actual President...)
Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson (and his boy) did a great job as usually. The story of Colin Firth (a good actor too!) was as delighting as all the other small plots. The "star" Billy Mack is the ultimate comedian touch in the movie - very much better than Rowan Atkinson!
And last but not least Keira Knightley: she is so wonderful and beautiful in that movie (She was gorgeous in POTC, but in LA she`s even better). And I liked her storyline very much with this "triangular relationship".
And for some maybe angry Americans: The USA weren`t dissed that much. It was only a small joke that Billy Bob Thornton-thing (but only a guy like him, who does not like George W., could have played THIS president). The USA still are a great country - this movie didn`t change this and the country`s credit...And do not forget: For other nations it is quite normal to be the "bad guys" in lots of movies: the arabians, the germans, the japanese...
41 A Series of Romantic Stories: Humorous, Fun and Sad
This is a unique film that is actually a series of stories about relationships. Most are about individuals starting new relationships with a variety of others such as one ending due to death, one struggling marriage, one rebounding from a broken relationship, two shy stand ins makinga film , a young man frantically searching for a physical relationship, a man in love with his best friend's girl, and a mad mature scene stealing rocker who inserts great humor during his seemingly destructive marketing of his rerecording of a former hit as a Christmas song. All the stories are in fractured bits as the movie leaps from one story to another, each one probably has 20 minutes of actual film time that you seem to see in two to four minute bursts, which seem to get longer as each reach their climax at the end. There are three sad stories, two of which seem to rebound but the saddest is a young woman played by Laura Linney who takes tremendous responsibility for her mental health impaired brother while pursuing a handsome yet seemingly socially limited co-worker who cannot contemplate her dedication for her dependent brother. There is a lot of humor interspersed throughout and my favorite story was Hugh Grant playing the Prime Minister trying to refuse the sweet and innocent but earthy charms of a lovely big boned assistant played wonderfully by Martine McCutcheon. The PM story takes a zing at America by posing the President as a creepy, dominating womanizer but since Billy Bob Thornton played it rather creepily, you don't empathize with the character. My favorite single character is the ex-bad boy rocker Billy Mack played very believably by Bill Nighy. His outrageous attempts to promote his song, while also insulting it, and making flippant remarks such as, "Kids don't buy drugs.........wait until you are a rock star and they will give them to you for free!" are delightfully fun breaks from the other stories. On the most part, the stories end happily with only one that totally crashes so it is a mostly upbeat entertaining film. The number of great actors playing in this film is stunning, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth (with an amazing proposal) Liam Nielsen, beautiful Keira Knightly (hard to believe she was the tom boy in "Bend it Like Beckham) and Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) in two wonderful cameo roles as a dry incredulously proper and proficient jewelry salesman ("In the flashest of flash"). Interspersed throughout is a great soundtrack with hits from the Pointer sisters, Nora Jones, Kelly Clarkson (soulful), Maroon 5, Otis Redding, Olivia Olson ("All I want for Christmas" is outstanding and she is 10?), Lynden David Hall (fantastic version of "All You Need is Love"), Beach Boys ("God Only Knows", which seems perfect for the ending showcasing those that end on a positive note) and the Billy Mack song "Christmas is all Around" is a hoot and is actually very entertaining and catchy although its played up as a bit of a farce. Virtually a good romantic comedy interspersed with some touching, sad and real stories but overall leaves you with hope for the few that end with a struggle and happiness for those that make it.
42 New Favorite Christmas Movie
I saw this movie last year and fell in love with it. It is a great movie for Christmas, with warm fuzzies, Christmas carols and doing things "just because its Christmas."
The movie follows a few different relationships as they progress around the Christmas holidays. First loves, newly-weds, older married couple, new loves, friendships, loves lost, and doomed loves are all in the story line. It is a little complicated at some points, jumping from character to character, but watch it a second time and you'll catch more things. I love the fact that you can watch it over and over and each time find some new angle or idea that you overlooked the first time around. There is some nudity and profanity which explains the R-rating it was given. Hence, it is not a movie for young children. The soundtrack picked out is perfect for this movie and follows beautifully with the storyline. The large array of highly talented actors and actresses makes this a top-rate movie.
What I really love about this movie is that not everyone "gets the girl" in the end. Everyone does not get their happily ever after, but this is what makes the movie more believable and more applicable to the title. "Love Actually" is all around us.
43 london actually....
oh boy, this is a doozey of a flick.
the only couple i was drawn to was that of the guy who hooks up with the portugese cleaning gal. sweet.
the rest was garbage.
44 If you can't enjoy this, well.........
A prologue: I am not into romantic comedies...at all. Having said that, let me say this: I really enjoyed this movie. A sort of three ring circus, it follows a number of relationships from unrequited love ( a man who loves a friend's wife), puppy love (an absolutely charming depiction of a schoolboy crush), lost love ( a woman who can't follow through on her attraction to the office hunk), found love ( a housekeeper who doesn't speak his language), and the love of a true friend ( A burned out rock star who discovers his real love). There's more, and done really surprisingly well given all that's going on. Hugh Grant does what is perhaps his best smaller part as the Prime Minister who realizes his love for an unlikely staffer.
I realize that this is a cliche, but this is a movie destined to become a Christmas standard. Every year you'll see it, and enjoy it.
45 It's a story people, not real life
I don't know about some of you, but I understand when I walk into a theatre that what I am seeing is a movie, not real life. This is not a documentary. The fictional characters are in obviously ridiculous, improbable, impossible situations. They are obviously all to some extent caricatures. I was no more offended by Billy Bob Thornton's philandering president than I was by the aging rock star stripping on national television.
And don't try to tell me that people don't fool around on beautiful intelligent women like Emma Thompson for "wannabes". Even in real life they do. Hugh grant fooled around on absolutely gorgeous, intelligent Elizabeth Hurley with a prostitute.
Listen up. No movie is real. Relax, suspend disbelief and laugh at it. It's a riot.
46 Mediocre and insulting
**
About the only good thing about this movie is the acting by several great actors, including Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson. That said, that's about it.
On the negative side, the story line is supposed to be that love is everywhere around us if we look. Instead, the real story line is that there are opportunities for sex everywhere and we should tell people we are attracted to we have the hots for them and then we might get some. Even the young child (age 11) in the movie talks with his lewd stepfather about crude things. The key love story between Hugh Grant and his love interest is just a straight sexual thing, but everyone uses the term "love".
Political overtones include rampant anti-Americanism (the film is set in Britain) with wild stereotypes, including America's lascivious ignorant presidents and wild hot women who hang out in bars. This is one weird movie.
The vignettes are all tied together at the end, but not really, as how they are tied together is silly and doesn't make much sense.
This movie took a really cool idea and, instead of running with it, sat on it.
**
47 Pretty Good Actually
I generally turn my nose up at romantic comedy, especially romantic comedy set around Christmastime, which this movie is. I would never have bothered to give this movie a chance had my husband not inexplicably rented it.
This movie is set in England, focusing on roughly ten people that are on the fringes of one another's lives through relation, aquaintance, or work. Each person gets their own little love story, and each love story has its own quirks. Not each one is about romantic love, but most are.
Most amusing was the aged rock star, Billy Mack (Bill Nighy), who pulls a comeback through a shoddy Christmas remake of one of his old songs. Nighy is hilarious, and he says all those things that we never say about those annoying Christmas songs we are fed each year on the radio ala Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" or George Michael's "Last Christmas".
Then we have John (Martin Freeman), and Just Judy (Joanna Page), whose love story unfolds on the set of a soft core porn movie as they get to know each other while simulating sex for an entire camera crew.
Hugh Grant is the Prime Minister in love with one of his staff, Liam Neeson is widowed stepfather to a lovesick little boy, and Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman play a couple bored with one another while his secretary tempts him.
There are more subplots. I have barely scratched the surface.
Hugh Grant was great, and as funny as he's ever been in this movie. Thomas Sangster, who played the little boy, Sam, was a show stealer and his chemistry with Liam Neeson is perfect. This kid could have had his own movie. Truly, the ensemble cast we have here all does a great job.
However, this movie seems to me a collection of subplots. Any one of these mini-stories could have been fleshed out to make a movie on its own, and you almost wish it had been because some of the little subplots were far more interesting than others.
What we get instead is an overload of love. Platonic love, romantic love, old love, new love, puppy love, Christmas love, forbidden love, love busting through the language barrier, and family love. So much love! Yay, but not yay, because while the movie is fun to watch, and the end comes together beautifully, it's still a movie with too much going on to have anything other than a main theme revolving around a lot of people. To me, this is lazy film making because the characters only have a chance for minimal development, as does each story.
This isn't to say that I wouldn't watch it again, but for me, it hasn't quite lived up to the hype either.
48 Tasteless in London
I cannot believe the same guy wrote "Four Weddings . ." Enough uncomfortable and unlikely relationships here to write a book, but none so egregious as the plot thread about the shy porn actors. Yes, every now and then we get sixty to ninety seconds of two sweet and unassuming porn actors grinding or bumping or orally gratifying while establishing a "cute" relationship which includes a sexless, nearly Victorian, romance. Yeah, sure.
Liam Neeson's character buries his wife at the start of the movie in a funeral scene unabashedly swiped from "The Big chill". Somebody should tell screenwriter Curtis that unexpected rock music works at the end of a funeral when it's unexpected and by the Stones, not planned and from the Bay City Rollers. The gone-too-soon Mom's ten-or-under boy mourns not his late mother, but his unrequited love for the class hotty. And the cute kid (who curses cutely too) is thrilled when his Dad seems interested in a new chick before Mom's body has fully cooled - a nice touch.
Hugh Grant as Prime Minister? Hah! I'll buy that when you convince me that Billy Bob Thornton could play a President. Well, actually, we are asked to believe the perennially 28-year-old Grant is PM; and Billy Bob is typecast as the pushy (Bush?) pig (Clinton?) of an American President. The whole idea, right down to the PM falling for a Monica Lewinsky look-alike, just doesn't work. Will someone kindly inform the Brits that Clinton didn't really love Lewinsky.
Speaking of informing the Brits: Please tell English comedy writers that Americans do not 'get' Rowan Atkinson, hence a scene does not automatically become funny when he turns around and faces the camera.
While I'm at it: Alan Rickman's character shows a ton of intelligence and sensitivity in trying to help Laura Linney's character land the man she loves. That's nice. But guys that thoughtful and sensitive do not leave brilliant, beautiful, and loving wives like Emma Thompson for air-headed Catherine Zeta-Jones wannabes. For Zeta-Jones they leave, not the wannabes. Make a note, if Catherine will not take the part you write it out. And while you're rewriting you can let Laura Linney keep her top on, she's too good an actress. Talk about gratuitous.
Curtis tries to tie all eight romances together at the end with one of those airport greeting scenes originally done by Saturday Night Live in 1977. It doesn't work, most of these plot threads relate just too loosely - and the porn actors are kinda free-floating. Why are they in the movie anyway?
A second star, however, because the acting is excellent - most of the stars rise above the story lines. And Thompson's character is indeed well-written as well as well-acted. Rickman is great, as is Linney, and Bill Nighy is fun as a burned out rock star. Finally, the 1/10 or so of the movie devoted to Colin Firth and Lucia Moniz (his housekeeper) is warm and funny, and could have used much more time.
Unfortunately, if you've scene the trailer you've scene about every fun scene in the flick. Avoid this one.
49 Terrible!
This film insulted my intelligence. 1) The opening lines about Sept. 11th are tasteless. Why use people who were innocently murdered to make a point in a movie's screenplay? 2) At least two of the relationships in the film consist of men in positions of authority over the women and should make any thinking person rather uncomfortable; 3) The president of the United States is portrayed pretty much as a serial rapist, not only unbelievable but extremely insulting to any thinking person; 4) The storyline about the friend with the crush on his best friend's wife who then stalks her, once again, should make any thinking person extremely uncomfortable; 5) The scene in which the coworker walks out on Laura Linney's character just because she receives a phone call from her brother is just not believable and once again quite insulting to any thinking person and 6) a child would not be able to run through an airport without being either physically stopped, or, unfortunately, maybe even worse!
50 Great film.
Great movie for a romantic. It has a great music all the way through the movie. I am not normally buing DVDs (it's cheaper to rent). But this one I bought 'cause I want to watch it again and again. I also bought the soundtrack.
I won't post any more details since you can find a lot of them in 476 reviews already posted ;-)
51 love actually is all around
This is possibly one of the greatest romantic comedys ever filmed. All the sub-plots of this film make it intreguing and entertaining. The different situations all the characters go through are hillarous, gut-wrenching, and heart warming. This movie has it all, you will laugh, cry, be in suspense, and by the end realize that love actually is all around.
52 Incredibly trite and boring
"Love Actually" is such a low-IQ movie that it actually insults the audience. It has everything that's wrong with today's movies -- a pretty-boy prime minister (no, Blair is not pretty, Huge Grant is), a modern-day cinderella, a stereotypical [...] man, a single father, an interracial couple -- and it tries too hard to be "cute." None of the stories is engaging and none of the characters really captures your heart -- unless you like to be insulted by the insolence of the filmmakers.
53 I LOVE love actually
My favorite movie of 2004. Give this one a try and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. There is something for everyone in this star-studded film. Recipe for relaxing night: this movie, one couch, two big pillows, a blanket, and your significant other.
54 Hey....It's now my most favorite film....
First off I would like to say the film is really superb. I mean you've seen teh reviews others, I'm sure, and you've heard what other's say. I do beleive everyone should see it for themselves. It's a movie that you can watch with 10 people or just yourself and the state of mind is to be pretty welcoming.
This is very different than the the director's other films like 4 Weddings and a Funeral, or Bridget Jones. Both of which I'm not a fan of. Hugh Grant is like a character which is a mix of both those guys in either film. His character is the Prime MInister of the time and is very funny. I was a bit disconcerted by the fact it was a woman that made the Prime Minister take a stand, but hey what ever floats the boat. Love can make you do many things....look at Napolean and Josephine or Antony and Cleopatra.
But what I just have to say is that it's a romantic comedy which is far from the normal sap that we see in a lot of American crap. Their's a different feel in how the romance is portrayed and expressed. Your not like....oh that's so sweet. Your laughing at their bumbling and women can feel the passion not only from the men but also from the men. An expression or a word or somethign is used just to show what they want. This is far from the ordinary chick flick, as men can relate on more than one ground with any of the male character's.
I normally don't like films or books for that matter that have more than one romance for the only reason that people can't carry it. Authors fail miserably and film makers are idiots about it. But I must say this director or producer carries it off very well in this film. You get the backgrond of everyone where their coming from, past relations and what their making of the future...and it's hilarious.
Now this last statement is for the person who was making statments about the politicasl theme. Dont' believe them, the person made it seem that the entire film was a some of kind of political statement to the world. Bull, only one scene and not that memorable. I'm an american who lived in Britain so yeah I know both histories and politics very very very well.
The movie does take a jab at America...but it's rather interesting. This woman was saying how insulting they were. In actuallity not only are they righth about the way America is expressed in the nation...this is coming from someone who doesn't know politics, though. America is classed as a bully. But in most instances Britian has it's head up American ass. But I can say this right now. But one this is for sure....America would never mess with it's alliance with Britain. Why? It loses Britain it loses Europe, in losing Europe they lose Russia, and the countries of the former USSR, then they lose the Caucas, at losing the these parts, they lose Mediterranean and massive parts of Asia. China never really liked us anyway. Then there's Africa...and since Europe has the majority of the military there....we've lost Africa and hence then we've lost the Eastern and Western Hemisphere leaving us as Americans with only South America. Why? Because we've then lost many British Caribbean Islands and french Islands, and we've lost our alliance with Canada. So for the person who feels that in some way that the film was insulting, get over it. If your an overzealous patriot, then this is definiely not for you. But if your an average person who doesn't swing politically anywhere or your a liberal who knows that a movie is just a movie then go for it...and you shouldn't even be wanting to Turn Away! The film is excellent political statement or not.
And if you can't put a political theme in a movie where can you put it. IT's like them Mississippi Burning shouldn't have been a movie made...racism exists, politics exist. Adn much like media...film is a way to express what you want and do what you want. There is no right or wrong place...you just do it. And I think the director/writer/producer's did an excellent job on what's going on!!
Anyway I think all of you wil enjoy it!Peace!
55 not just another "date" film
At first I was reluctant to see this film because it looked like a holiday "date" film. While this is a romantic comedy, it is also one of the funnier movies I have seen in a long time. Bill Nighy is certainly one of the funniest characters in the movie and his interviews with the press had me laughing so hard I was crying.
While the movie does try to cover a lot of ground in a small time period (there are 8 couples and story lines to keep track of), it does all come together in the end. What works about these various story lines is that they all have different types of loves and are at different stages in their lives. I found myself thinking "I remember when I was there" and wondering what love has in store for me in the future. Maybe, like the Bill Nighy character I will learn that I really do love some of the people that right now I find annoying.
Yes, this is a feel good movie and yes, it is a romantic comedy. However, loving is part of being human and I think that most people can identify with at least one of the many characters or storylines. If you're old enough, you will probably identify with more than one. I know that I did.
56 Love Naturally
"Love Actually" is one of those movies that catches you with its originality. Richard Curtis wrote and directed this movie as he did with "Four Weddings and A Funeral". He placed England's best known actors in it. This is a movie of love, actually, all kinds of love. The theme and the situations are funny, sad and illuminating.
Hugh Grant is a newly elected prime Minister and falls in love at first sight, may I add, with his caterer. His character is quite humorous, and Hugh plays it to the max. Billy Bob Thornton plays the POTUS and is rightly put in his place, when he comes to visit the Prime Minister .Colin Firth plays a man who falls for his maid who can't speak English -and this is quite a stretch, but we believe it. Martin Freeman and Joanna Page play actors who film pornography, and while they are uuhmm filming they talk and fall in love. Emma Thompson plays a very busy English mom who is married to Alan Rickman. They are going through the motions of a marriage until something happens that takes them up short. Bill Nighy plays, Billy Mack, the most interesting and wonderful of all characters. He is an English musician and is going for one last effort with a pop song. He sings one of his old songs with new Christmas lyrics, and it becomes a hit. He begins to realize who he really loves. Liam Neeson is a recent widower with a very precocious son who is in love with a fellow student. Liam takes his son's infatuation seriously, and he aids his son in declaring his love. Laura Linney plays an American with unrequited love for a fellow worker, but her mentally disturbed brother takes first place. Several very famous people dart in and out of this movie. I'll leave that as a surprise for you.
The cinematography is glorious. The music uplifting and supreme. The characters are many, but it is not too difficult for characters to flit in and out of each story. We are able to keep up. Sometimes I wish there were more time to develop a few of the characters.
This is a light film to be enjoyed and relished- time to laugh and time to sigh. Highly recommended. prisrob
57 Crap Actually
This is perhaps the worst film ever made...ever. No offense to Richard Curtis who has made countless enjoyable films and television series such as 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'The Vicar of Dibley' and, my favourite, 'Black Adder' but, this is pure s*@te!
Firstly, there are too many stories going on at once meaning you can never actually get into eny one of them; you have just started caring about Emma Thompson when you are thrown back into the Hugh Grant/Martine McCutcheon saga. Ang HOW ON EARTH can any Americans like this movie? Ieven find it offensive and I'm Scottish! It is so insulting to you guys it is not true, I mean the Billy Bob Thorton bit? Come on! At least you have the compensation of knowing that, that press-conference was the most unrealistic thing ever shown on the wide screen.
In conclusion, this was a BAD, BAD film full of 'little Englishness' and unrealistic storylines. Don't watch it America, your eyes deserve better!
58 "A most pleasant surprise..."
My wife rented this one night and brought it home for us to watch. My initial reaction was lukewarm, but I was in the mood for something a little different. Well, I was totally blown away by how much I loved this movie! And I'm a guy! I really liked this movie, from start to finish. And what a finish! All of these different characters and storylines, and they all wrap up so nicely in the end! I ended up really caring about all of the different plotlines, and they are about 10 of them! Well, only one I could have done without, but that still leaves 9! And, for me to care that much about 9 different storylines in a movie says something. This movie put me in such a good mood afterwards, I recommend it to anybody who has lost their faith in the power of love. I now have the DVD and I have watched it 3 more times already! What a heartwarming, "feel-good" movie! And the different emotional payoffs that occur as the movie starts to wind up are really done well. I have to give this movie a 5 star rating, it's just that good!
59 Very Pleasant Once You Sort Out The Characters
Keeping track of the storylines and characters is confusing at first. It almost has the feel that the writers brainstormed romantic or heartwarming movie plots, felt there wasn't enough meat on any one to turn into a movie and then just combined the batch of them.
One silly storyline has a goofy 20-something traveling to America because American girls go ga-ga over a British accent. Another story shows a loyal wife discovering evidence of her husband's infidelity. This one probably merited a whole movie of its own, as the wrap up on it was somewhat inconclusive. The Hugh Grant as prime minister plot was fun, but again needed to allow more development of the love interest.
Despite that, the film grows on you and by the end, you're celebrating each feel good solution. What started as a miscellaneous selection of people, does pull together and interconnect.
Other plots in this movie:
*widower reaching out to grieving son
*betrayed writer falling for his Portuguese housemaid
*rock star making a comeback
*lovelorn office worker afraid to approach co-worker
*actors developing a shy romance amid filming a porn movie
*a best man hiding a secret passion for his best friend's bride
*young boy trying to impress the most popular girl in school
That's all the plot lines I can remember now. Think of it as 10 movies in one and just go with it. Many funny and touching incidents, so once you sort it out, it's enjoyable.
60 Worth getting just for the commentary track!
I saw this film in the theater and didn't feel like I had to see it again on DVD. But then I read an interview where Colin Firth said that the movie studio had to send him an advanced copy of the commentary to make sure he wouldn't sue -- because Hugh Grant made disparaging remarks about him throughout the commentary. Sure enough, Hugh slags off his "rival" at every opportunity, snoring when Colin's scenes come on, calling him old and fat, and mocking his wardrobe. But it's all done in fun -- and Hugh makes fun of himself as well. Writer/director Richard Curtis, the little boy from the film, and the aging rock star also contribute great comments and much laughter (the other actors are seeing the film for the first time while doing the commentary). Definitely one of the most informal and charming roundtable discussions I've ever heard on a commentary track. The quite extensive deleted scenes are also worthwhile (each scene introduced by the writer/director).
61 "I'm Going to Wisconsin!!"
In the first moments of Richard Curtis' wonderfull film comedy, "Love Actually", we see the words "Love actually is all around" appear prominently on the screen. And for the next two hours and fifteen minutes, that is exactly the theme, that Mr.Curtis, the Master of British romantic comedies ("Notting Hill", "Bridget Jone's Diary", "Four Weddings and a Funeral"), goes back to, over and over again. During the course of the movie, we follow the concurrent stories of more than a half dozen different couples as they deal with romance, during the Christmas season in London. They include a young women, who is in love with her office coworker, a widower and his stepson, who is suffering from 'puppy love', an older married couple, who are on the edge of infidelity, a pair of newlyweds & a best friend, a writer and his Portugese house keeper, a young guy lusting after American girls, a couple working as stand-ins for an 'Adult Film' production, and the young British Prime Minister, who has fallen in love with his office's 'Tea Girl'. All these interactively connected stories are framed by a foul mouthed, 'over the hill', rock star and his overweight manager, who are hilariously attempting to get a crass, holiday single to #1 in the charts by Christmas Eve. Sounds like a lot? Well, yes it is. Writer/Director, Richard Curtis has stuffed a lot of plot into this film, attempting only somewhat successfully in making sure each story has a tidy ending at Heathrow Airport. Many of the plotlines are pretty corny with some implausible situations (Yeah, right...the Prime Minister of Britain is knocking on doors in the middle of the night looking for a girl!) But you know what? We don't care! The characters are so likable and they so sweep us away with the romance of the situations, that we suspend our disbelief and sit back and enjoy the movie. Curtis shows us how love can be both joyous and painful. It is a messy emotion, that needs a lot of hard work. But in the end it all seems to be worth the trouble. Love really is all around! The excellent large cast of the movie features some of the 'cream of the crop' of the British film industry. They include actors such as Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightly, Rowan Atkinson ETC. These folks plus many more are all pretty much outstanding in their performances. My personal favorite was actor, Bill Nighy's portrayle of the decrepit rock star, who's wickedly funny comments leave everyone's jaws on the floor during his publicity tour ("Hey kids! Don't buy drugs. Become a pop star and you'll get them for free!"). Finally, mention should be made of the movie's beautiful photography from Cinematographer, Michael Coulter. The film is a love letter to London in much the same way Manhattan appears in Woody Allen's movies. It is a glossy romantic look, that adds to the romance of the characters and their situations. The DVD of this film is quite well done. The picture and sound are crystal clear. The DVD is chock full of extras including over a half hours worth of deleated scenes (with introductions), that are quite interesting. Furthmore there is an excellent commentary track between Richard Curtis and some of the film's actors, which has verbal sparring, that is just as funny as anything in the movie! Its' pretty obvious, that Curtis and Actor, Hugh Grant are old friends. The good natured, but mockingly sarcastic comments, that the two made, when ever Actor, Colin Firth appeared on screen, had me laughing my head off! Definitely make sure to play that commentary track!! For an evening of wonderful romantic comedy, I highly recomend the film, "Love Actually".
62 I feel it in my toes
I never saw a trailer for Love Actually when it came out. A friend of mine gave me the DVD thinking I would like it. Looking at the cast, I figured it couldn't be bad. I then watched it. I called six friends after to tell them they have to watch this movie if they hadn't seen it. It explores all kinds of love, from make believe to young love to shattered love to the loss of love. And everything else in between.
Richard Curtis does a great job with script and the handling of his actors. The only fault I can find is that I liked these characters so much (even the ones that do stupid things) that you wish he wrote a screenplay for just each individual storyline. It is rare that I find myself wondering about what happens to characters when they are not on screen. I enjoyed these characters as real friends and I was interested in them so much I wanted to know more.
The acting is top notch. Hugh Grant is totally believable as the Prime Minister. He brings a real person charm to a role that could have been dictated by the circumstances in which he is placed. Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman, who act so often together, make there relationship so real it is palpable. Thompson and Grant have a charming little scene in which she defines the real definition of a desperate housewife. Keira Knightly is absolutely lights up the screen. She is also an actor who knows how not to give too much away. She has a perfect scene in which someone who she thinks hates her really does in fact love her. She doesn't overplay it all and actually waits longer than most actresses would have waited to show her emotions. There is another seen in which she could have gave away the ending of her storyline, but she plays it in such a way that even Grant and Curtis disagree about what happens to her character after the movie is over. Laura Linney and Colin Firth are there usually excellent selves. However, the best acting in my opinion goes to Liam Neeson. His story is the loss of the love of his life. He doesn't make it weepy but sticks to smaller things like just endlessly staring at a picture of his wife. Then, he finds that his step son is in love for the first time. He doesn't treat his son has a child having a childhood crush but really believes that his stepson is indeed in love. He has an honest relationship with his step-son, and it is their love that becomes the true love story of their relationship.
63 The Perfect Stocking Stuffer
This is the perfect Christmas gift to get any member of the group of free-loading moochers you call your friends. It's the perfect excuse to have a movie night at THEIR house, and make them ante up some wine, cheese, grapes and lots of chocolate, then hunker down for an evening of cornball romantic comedy with a difference.
Chances are, with Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Alan Rickman on show, you won't even notice that the storyline is hardly Pulitzer Prize material, but you do stand the chance of busting a seam when Hugh does his Footloose/Saturday Night Fever/Risky Business impression at Lot 10 Downing Street, and Bill Nighy makes like Robert Palmer for a video shoot of the worst ever chart topping Christmas song. There's also the incomparable Rowan Atkinson, making like Mr.Bean at appropriately inopportune moments.
In case you think it's all about the guys (it is - but one can't take sides) there's a brilliant performance by Emma Thompson, and also Laura Linney, who has the worst cell phone ring tone ever invented. Keira Knightley is more "Bend It Like Beckham" than "Pirates of the Caribbean" in this one, feigning wide open surprise a little too often. She's cute though, even if I always get her mixed up with Natalie Portman, the Amidala girl.
There are enough love stories and love disasters here to sink a luxury liner - and yes, there are "Titanic" references too. Even though the couples are for the most part separate little stories, there's a connection running through the movie that really ties them all together.
The music is great, the movie is funny, and your friends will have to entertain you at their expense - what more could you ask from a movie? Did I mention it has Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Alan Rickman?
Amanda Richards, November 17, 2004
64 Just like love...actually
I watched `Love Actually' with an eclectic group of friends last Friday night. And even though we all thought that the movie (which traces the seemingly separate love stories of several couples - and some love triangles) didn't quite gel together we all agreed that it was a true "feel good" picture and overall an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
With a simply incredible cast that toplines a number of the major British actors (Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley) the movie does occasionally seem unwieldy and top heavy. But the most common effect throughout the group of us who sat through it last week was smiles as the simple charm of the picture wins you over.
This is a hard picture to give a brief synopsis of the plot for. There is so much going on and a lot of which appears unrelated that all one can say is the film tries to convince us that love is everywhere. We have a newly elected single British Prime Minister (Hugh Grant). An author taking a working holiday in France (Colin Firth). A young bride (Keira Knightley) whose best man comes to realize he also loves (who can blame him) and a young boy who loves an American girl who is returning to the USA and a number of other stories. Stories that all come to a satisfying conclusion by the time the end credits roll.
Another notable highlight of the movie is the soundtrack and as our group tried to figure out what the connection was between all people in this movie we all decided that regardless of how well it turned out - the soundtrack was a winner. With its selection of favorites one of the group exclaimed `I think this movie has all my favorite in it.'
So, if you feel like getting into one of the best `feel good' movies of the past year (or any year) or simply want to watch an all-star cast at the top of their game then `Love Actually' needs to be on your list. It's a good reminder that entertainment comes in many different forms - just like love.
65 Destined, I believe to become Christmas- time perennial.
It has as much to do with Christams as Home Alone, The Bishop'a Wife & other holiday fare.
Here's the deal: You meet somone new during the holidays. It is the perfect 1st date movie. It's about love, but totally non-threatening. If the two of you last, it is a movie to revisit year after year. It's already in dvd to take home (complete with a 9-11 reference to date it forever).
Christmas in London. About a dozen different love stories somehow intertwined with each other. Stangely, in these times, no overtly gay love stories.
A feel good movie that can be viewed by anyone.
Lots of recognizible stars in a very large, loveable cast. The scenes of modern day London are terrific. Merry Christmas!
66 Very interesting-can be confusing
This movie is not just one movie it is many movies rolled into one. There are many characters that interact that it can be confusing.
There is Prime Minister David played by Hugh Grant who is in love with one of his attendants named Natalie.
There is David's sister Karen played by Emma Thomson who is married with two children and finds out that her husband wants to have an affair with his secretary.
There is also Daniel played by Liam Neeson who is a new widower who has the responsibility of raising his step-son Sam played by Hugh Grants real life cousin. Daniel's step-son is having problems though. He is in love with a girl at school who he thinks does not even know he is alive. He and Daniel come up with a plan that gets her to notice him at the end though.
There is also Jamie, played by Colin Firth whose wife cheated on him so he goes to France to write a book. He falls in love with a maid at his cottage that is Portuguese and goes back to London to learn Portuguese so he can ask her to marry him.
There is also Colin who strikes out a lot in London and thinks that he needs to go to the U.S. to get laid. His friend tries to dissuade him from going, but Colin eventually goes to Wisconsin where he meets several woman.
Colin's friend is a producer who is making a porno movie and the two stand ins for the main characters fall in love while doing the things needed for the movie.
There is also Juliet played by Kiera Knightly who finds out that her husband's best friend has a crush on her.
There is also a character named Bill. He is a former singer who wants to have a comeback so he performs a Christmas version of Love is all Around that sucks, but makes it to number one.
And last, but not least there is Sarah played by Laura Linney. She works in the office of Karen's husband who is in love with a man named Karl who works with her. On the night of the office Christmas party they get together, but there is one complication- her brother. He is mentally ill and calls all the time, he even calls her right before Sarah and Karl get together which stops them in their tracks.
All in all a very funny, poignant look at several lives at Christmas
67 I loved it.
Frankly surprised by all the negative comments.
Especially the calling of anyone disagreeing with Americans anti-americanism. jeez, get over yourselves.
i thought the cast was great. of course some stories resonated with me more, but I enjoyed them all. Was it corny at times? Yes, but love is quite corny at times and much more complex of course, but I didn't expect a Andre Techne-style examination of it in this comedy.
There was complexity, though in the Alan Rickman/Emma Thompson story and in Laura Linney's dealings with her brother and in Liam Neeson's, much more than I care to explain here and much more than I think the film is getting credit for here. I pumped it up a star for the detractors.
A great holiday movie, warm stories...simply lovely, actually.
68 Funny, sweet, but WAY too sappy far too often
Generally I really like the film scripts that Richard Curtis has written. This one is no exception, but in this film, his directorial debut (I think), he ups the "sappy" quotient a few notches too high.
A few examples: the musicians rising up from the pews after the wedding ceremony to add musical accompaniment to the Beatles song, Liam Neeson's kid learning the drums practically overnight to win the affections of the most popular girl in school (whose singing in the film looks more like another pop-music video than anything else), and several other hokey sentimental moments that add too much saccharine to the proceedings. On paper those moments are okay, but the way they are shot cinematically cheapens the film.
Good moments abound too, however: Emma Thompson's Christmas Eve realization that her husband Alan Rickman is unfaithful leads to an acting moment that ranks with Thompson's best work, and the sweetly romantic scene where Colin Firth clumsily proposes in another language to Lucia Moniz.
There are too many good things about this movie to write it off as a sappy piece of fluff, but there are too many sappy moments in this film that compromise the "structural integrity" of the script.
DVD bonus features are what we've come to expect nowadays: Commentary and another little feature or two.
Worth watching? Oh yes. Worth buying to watch over and over? Depends if you're diabetic and have a tolerance for sugary sappiness.
69 Strong script, stellar cast.
Richard Curtis has proven, in the past, that he has an eye and ear for the tender moments that make up the better part of humanity. In his directorial debut, he has delivered a movie shows the very best in people. In it's weakest moments, Love Actually was entertaining. In it's best, it was moving and capable of touching your soul. I really didn't see a weak performance in the bunch. I did feel the use of music was a bit overdone, particularly towards the end. Curtis delivers such fine dialogue, he should have let it carry the finale rather than pop music. All in all, Love Actually is a fantastic movie that shines because of the wonderful performances by an incredible cast that was given a great script.
70 poor excuse for "ultimate romantic comedy"
Dont't waste your money on this small film. This trite film didn't have much comedy or romance. Every vignette was very predictible, and pesdetrian. And Hugh Grant, while I like him, was in no way beleivable as Prime Minister of England.
71 Classic holiday romantic comedy
This is the movie to watch when you need a reaffirmation of the power of love. The interweaving characters and themes is well done...my favorite story is the couple who fall in love without speaking the same language.
If you don't believe in love...stay away from this movie!
72 Fabulous...A Real Story about Love
I could watch this movie over and over. It touches me in different ways each time.
73 Great chic-flick
I watched this movie on some airline flight, and I thought it was a excellent movie. It's funny, witty, invocative, whatever that means. I love Hugh Jackman (the prime minister) in this film- it's just so classic him! One of the funniest parts is the British guy who has no luck in love in England, so for the holdiays travels to America to "break the curse"- and it does to great comedic effect! Wish that would happen to me! :) I am not sure if you need this movie in your collection (hence the 4 stars) but it's definately worth a watch, unless you get depressed always seeing others finding love.
74 Disappointed Actually
After watching the previews and listening to reviews from both professionals and trusted friends I was very excited to see this movie. Unfortunately, the result did not live up to my expectations. The main problem was that there were too many plot lines. They weren't too difficult to follow, however, and that was the problem. If separated into their respective stories each plot line couldn't have taken more than 10 or 15 minutes, and you can write a decent story in that amount of time, but not a good story, and certainly not a great one.
Because of the title I was expecting the movie to leave me with the warm fuzzies, but most of them left me feeling dissatisfied. I'm a big Colin Firth fan and I was grateful that at least his story was good. That saved it from my rating the movie one star. All in all, I wish I had never seen the movie. I would have been much happier with my illusion of a good movie.
75 Stylish Stocking Stuffer
I almost rated "Love, Actually" with three stars here, for I was disappointed that the clumsily sexy Hugh Grant wasn't given more scenes in which to shine. So, if you're expecting Grant to deliver many brilliant moments such as the "I think I love you" scene (opposite Andie MacDowell) in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," think again. Having said that, I am rating this movie with four stars because it is an effusive celebration of love and life.
I remember being impatient with the release of "Love, Actually," because I had already begun to feel holiday sadness -- only magnified by a soured romance -- and I needed a love injection. Though I'd just been emotionally flatlined, I decided to check out "Love, Actually" the day before Thanksgiving. By the closing credits, I felt resuscitated and my faith in the most controversial "L" word renewed.
More than a few of the vignettes deeply moved me in the way the Neruda-inspired "Il Postino" once had, with the major theme being The Unobtainable. For example, the longing of a lonely expatriate American novelist for his Portuguese housekeeper seems doomed because of the language barrier between them; the unrequited love of a philosophical schoolboy with the wisdom of the "Peanuts" character Linus offers lessons to the boy's bereaved father; and a woman's cherishing her children's well-being helps her survive the emotional unraveling caused by her husband's infidelity with a nymphomaniac.
My only gripe about the film is that it doesn't explore love's impact on older adults and on gay and bisexual men and women. I am not risking giving away one of the storylines in commenting that it could've taken a homoerotic rather than an obsessive direction. Instead, a choice was made to focus on obsession. In fact, the mixture of hetero-only love themes with the style of overlapping vignettes reminded me of Robert Altman's "Short Cuts."
Nevertheless, "Love, Actually" has much drama and humor to offer the viewer, not to mention many visual meditations. Lest I forget about the music ...
Music captures the various moods in the film without overpowering the acting. Eclectic song selections are paired impeccably with colorful images; thus, the result feels organic rather than formulaic. Director Curtis' well-choreographed montage of love stories is set to an exquisite soundtrack. In the ebullient rendition of "All I Want for Christmas" performed in this movie, the young singer belts out the lines with such bell-like clarity, she personifies joy -- in its purest meaning.
I strongly recommend the "Love, Actually" DVD as a stocking stuffer because the Christmas holiday is central to the movie. Just remember: This movie is for adult viewing only; nudity and adult situations abound.
However, the DVD also would make an ideal Valentine's Day present or a birthday gift for your partner, widowed parent or grandparent, hairdresser, yoga instructor -- you get the idea. With the holiday season approaching again, and the angst that comes with it, I'm glad I can count on "Love, Actually" as a gift to myself.
76 Fantastic Romantic Comedy!
When I first saw Love Actually, i totally loved it. And since my first time, I watched it several times, again and again. In my opinion, it definitely is the most romantic comedy of all times. I usually watch it when I'm feeling a bit down, and I must say it is a great movie for such situations. It features several stories. You have a prime-minister's story (Hugh Grant) who's falls in love with his house-help girl. Then a story about Brittish guy, who travells to America in order to get American girls who love Brittish accent (also with Elisha Cuthbert). Then about a man who's wife cheated on him, so he went to France and met a Portuguesse girl. Then, a youun boy who's in loved with a girl from school, and his father who is mourning after his wife. Also a story about two co-workers who finally get together, but this doesn't work because she has a sick brother. Next is the story of a married couple and the man starts flirting with his secretary. There's also a story about a couple who has met during filming an erotic movie. And there is also a story about a newlyweds and a guy's friend who is in loved with his wife (Keira Knightley). And all of this stories and characters are somehow connected to others. A great movie overall. If you love romance, you'll love it.
77 "Love is all around us..."
A great film, with a great cast. Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Keira Knightley, and many other stars play people who explore the theme of love over the Christmas holiday. With some great views of the city of London from the Thames, this movie will sweep you off your feet, so to speak.
Beginning five weeks before Christmas, these characters explore love in many different ways. From the Prime Minister down through a kid who goes to America (Wisconsin, of all places!) in search of sex, all of these characters are exceptional in that they find something they are looking for. Its a very sweet comedy, though the relationships between the numerous couples are not well developed and slightly confusing. Some of the relationships are sad, such as the man who cheats on his wife, and the woman who can't commit to a relationship because of her brother's condition; but for the most part, many of them find love, such as the Prime Minster, who runs from house to house on Christmas Eve looking for the woman he loves. Most funny, however, is the aged potty-mouth rock star Billy Mack, whose song "Christmas is all around us" provides a backdrop to the whole movie (as the original words to the song were "Love is all around us").
Most hopeful, I thought, was the man who is in love with his best friend's wife, who eventually gets to tell her how he feels about her. Another relationship which made me smile was the one between the young boy and the girl from his school, and the relationship between the British expatriot author and the Portugese housekeeper.
This is a a great all-around romantic comedy, if you can keep track of all that goes on, and the relationships between certain couples.
78 Great acting but Very Antifeminist
I don't mean to be deliberately narrow-minded when I say this movie made my skin crawl. I went into the theatre excited to see Emma Thompson in a new film role and I left extremely angry at the limited roles women play in this film. They're all seen through the lens of the male and this angered me particularly.
Love portrayed in this film is not "love actually." It's still love according to Hollywood. The lovers are all beautiful physically. Their situations are idealized--even Emma Thompson's, whose husband cheats on her--and characterization is nil.
Skip this movie and watch "Sleepless in Seattle" instead.
79 "Political" Is Relative
This is a really funny, happy movie, actually.
The feelgood part of it overwhelms the accusations of political leanings. The reason "political" is being levelled at the film is one of its plots involving the British Prime Minister and the President of the United States. It couldn't be taken as a serious political gesture, because...
1. The President is played by Billy Bob Thornton.
2. That means he's more like Bill Clinton than George W. Bush.
3. If you don't believe that, the allegory is that POTUS is a womanizer. More like Clinton, or more like Bush?
4. The movie was completed before Britain joined the U.S. in Iraq.
5. Hugh Grant plays the P.M. Can anyone see Grant as Tony Blair??
Well, anyway, there are a few brilliant moments in an unfortunate sea of sentimentality. This could have been a really great, memorable film if only a smidgen more care had been invested in its writing. If you check your common sense at the door, though (let me say that again: Hugh Grant pccupies Winston Churchill's chair - capish?), it can be fun.
80 tears and fears and feeling proud....
OK, many of the negative reviews are right: Love Actually is totally manipulative. By no respectable standard is it a great movie. But it has a wonderful cast and it never made any claim to be Bergman, Fellini, or a cure for cancer in the first place.
Any movie that gives us the chance to see the great Emma Thompson react onscreen (and in close-up) to Joni Mitchell will have a long shelf life. No cast member disappoints; my personal favorite (aside from Emma and Joni) is Laura Linney.
Hugh Grant dancing to the Pointer Sisters is pretty cool, you gotta admit....!
81 Basically Charming
Love Actually presents a series of charming tales underscoring the variety and persistence of love. As the plot unfolds new love is contrasted with old love and lust with betrayal. Some scenes are taken to believable excess but most remain in the romantic come
