Richard Curtis writer of the landmark British comedies Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill has penned and made his directorial debut with Love Actually.
Once again we’re in romantic comedy territory with a strong ensemble cast of Britain’s best. Several established genre actors including Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson are supported by a host of newer faces most notably Martin Freeman, Andrew Lincoln and Keira Knightley.
Performance wise no one does anything more than is to be expected, besides the odd standout moment, but surprisingly it’s enough. However it’s the fact that they are apparently doing it for the love of the British film industry, as opposed to their bank balance, that elevates the film.
Love Actually is packed with incident leaving it a little light on substance, but it’ll have enough charm to please most audiences. In general it promotes a positive message and as it doesn’t focus solely upon romantic situations, but upon a variety of life-relationships, it avoids feeling overly sentimental.
I’m loath to say it, purely as I’m male, but I enjoyed Love Actually. It’s heart warming and funny. It’s also the only film, besides the hysterical American Pie: The Wedding that I can recall having laughed at, throughout, in 2003. And that’s got to be good for the soul.
3.5 stars out of 5
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