Love Actually...a Christmas Holiday English Chick Flick

I purchased the DVD of this movie because it's a great English Romantic Comedy.
The movie is from the filmakers who brought you Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary.

It stars many of the U.K.'s finest thespians (Hugh Grant, Bill Nigh, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightly,& Rowan "Mr. Bean" Atkinson and even a few from across the pond (Laura Linney & Billy Bob Thorton.)

The movie follows several peoples lives during the frantic six weeks prior to the Christmas Holidays. Each persons story is different and this movie covers all the bases from Unrequited love, loss of love (death), to rekindled affections and everything in between.

The characters in this story are very different from one another and the differences between them makes for some great comedic opportunities. It's a great look at how the sexes view love and relationships in completely different ways.

Bill Nigh (Davy Jones from Pirates of the Carribbean) is a middle aged, very outspoken, straight shooting, over the hill, washed up, rock star who's glory days are long gone. His characters relationship to his Scottish Manager is a bit unorthodox and very amusing.

This is by far an excellent film but I doubt most men would appreciate it. It's a great Chick Flick and a good feel good holiday movie.

For you guys.....Shannon Elizabeth and Denise Richards have small roles as the token American eye candy.

Best Seen Again and Again

Love Actually is one of my favorite films. I didn't say it was the best film ever made--it is simply one of my favorite ones. I have to say that it is better appreciated after viewing it several times. The multiple stories, jokes, great one-liners, embarrassed looks, complex character relationships, and small moments become clearer on a second or third viewing. After the first viewing, you are left a little dizzy, but smiling and warm, as Richard Curtis (writer and director) intended. But,it would be impossible to see this film once and catch all the jokes, glances, and small bits that make it a rich concoction that truly is more than fluff. Mr. Curtis did not practice restraint in his writing or direction. He was a baker who probably tired to put too much into one cake--but it is such a lovely too much. The plot lines can be viewed as a layer cake. The sweet chocolate icing on the cake is the tale of Colin, and ordinary English bloke, who flies off to Milwaukee to find the promised land of sexy American girls who have wild sex with any male with an English accent. His success is absurb, delightful, and a dream come true that even my feminist soul could not deny him. The cake has several layers. In one the posh prime minister (played by Hugh Grant with an expertise that leaves no fingerprints)and his lower class tea lady (Martina McCutheon) with an amazing fluency in profanity; a widowed step-father supporting an 11 year boy through the adventures and pains of first love; and love-betray writer who finds fall in love with his Portuguese maid with whom he has no shared spoken language. These sweet layers are balanced by the more bitter tales. One involves permanent damage of bored husband's betrayal played with devastating subtlety by Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. Another is just a heartbreaking story about things not meant between two fragile people where the relationship appears to hold so much promise A couple of other plot lines provide the nuts and the fruit in the cake and everyone is connected through friendship, work, family, or the geography of a London neighborhood.

Of course it is all too much, too sweet at times, too complicated, and too confusing. But, so is life and love and how much poorer we would all be without being reminded of that. So, lay your skepticism (although not your sense of humor)aside for a while and watch the stories go by. Then, later, pull out your DVD to watch again as Hugh Grant surrender his stiff upper lip to sing Good King Wenceslas to three little girls on Christmas Eve and dance down the steps at number 10 to Jump! Or see hear once more Emma Thompson's simple, resigned "Home" near the end to remind you how fragile all that silly happiness really is and that love sometimes takes the form of seeing things through. Love Actually is all the good parts in one Christmas candy box. Perhaps it is a bit overwhelming when first opened. But, you can it out again and the stories will always make you laugh, hurt, and smile. It is a funny, dear, and lovely film. I find it very silly to like it so very, very much. But, I am very glad I do.

DVD Love Actually

A charming treatise on romance and relationships is an all-star ensemble comedy that tells 10 separate but intertwining London love stories, leading up to a spirited climax on Christmas Eve. One of the threads follows the newly installed Prime Minister, who, on his first day in 10 Downing Street, falls in love with the luminous girl who brings him his tea.

Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Rowan Atkinson, January Jones, Elisha Cuthbert, Denise Richards, Rodrigo Santoro, Billy Bob Thornton

A feel good holiday movie!!

I love this movie...a typical Brit production by Richard Curtis - best known for Notting Hill, Bridget Jones and Four Weddings..with a bunch of the UK Regulars....Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson and Keira Knightly among others; as well as a worthy cast of newcomers, many of whom are familiar to the British market having come from top shows such as EastEnders and The Office.
It follows the distinct and unique relationships of 8 couples, in the run up to the holidays. The stories are cute, funny, romantic, bittersweet and sometimes sad...but it all pulls together for a truely feel good movie! We see a young boy as he develops his first crush, long term marrieds - Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman as their relationship is threatened by possible infidelity or unfulfilled love as Mark played by Andrew Lincoln falls for Keira Knightly, to no avail....but a secret kiss helps his pain!
It has the sweetest ending that works so well for a feel good ending as opposed to too much sugar. Add to this a great soundtrack and superb acting and you have a great watch for the holiday season!

Excellent title, definitely describes the movie!

Wonderful British comedy, full of romance and laughs, following the lives of many different people in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Amazing, brilliant cast includes Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman, plus an amazing array of talented character actors and a couple of cameos!! A must-see film, one of my favorites!!!