| LOVE ACTUALLY |
 2003 - UKDirector:
Richard Curtis - Reviewed by Rachel
But try not to think about that when you go see Love Actually, and ohhhhh yeeesssss, you will go see Love Actually. As will everyone in Christendom, I predict. Love Actually opens with Hugh Grant providing a contemplative voice over, pondering the power of love and concluding that it is, actually, all around. We then delve into ten charming love stories played out by a dozen sort-of-related characters—all culminating on Christmas Eve. The love stories portrayed are not confined to the standard boy-meets-girl fairy tale. They cover platonic, married, unrequited, childhood, and sibling varieties as well. In the end, Hugh will convince even your own cold, dead heart that love is all around. Grant plays a young and newly elected Prime Minister who falls head over teakettle for his tea lady, who may have a mild case of Tourette's Syndrome. Emma Thompson is Grant’s sister, who consoles recent widower Liam Neeson while dealing with a husband (Alan Rickman) who’s flirting with disaster. Watch out for Neeson’s tiny stepson (played by Hugh Grant’s real-life cousin, Thomas Sangster). Your eyes will bug out like Volkswagens when he first opens his mouth to speak. But this is merely a whiff of the whole picture. The characters are too numerous to name and explain and there are many comic gems to discover. Unlike the troubled Le Divorce, Love Actually uses all the actors to their full potential. It is, actually, funny. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll swear it was better than CATS. Love Actually is a succinct, well-executed success. It was kind of amazing to watch so many stories be told so fluidly and so well—with none left dangling. Equal time is given to each plot thread in soap-opera fashion. Though here, each vignette is either touching or hilarious, often both. I could not spot any boring or unnecessary scenes. The connection between the characters is there, but is not the main point. Don’t look for karma-like significance in their relationships. They are just people who are tightly or loosely related through friendships, jobs, and family. Although sometimes a little over the romantic top, this film does its job and does it well. I’m giving Love Actually a full pie if only because it was top-rate entertainment. The writing, the humor, and the excellent use of surprise cameos make it a real crowd pleaser. Not the most significant work of art or anything... not going to change the face of filmmaking, etc.... but a good reason to go to the movies and that’s what it’s all about. P.S. My husband was dragged to this film sulking and groaning. He ended up liking it a lot and he wants you all to know that there were some naked boobs. P.P.S. I love Colin Firth. I love Colin Firth. Love the Firth. Gotta have the Firth. |
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A few years ago I read a New Yorker article decrying the rampant misuse of the word "actually." Now, of course, I can’t remember what the grammatical logic was, but the memory of that essay makes me hyperaware of the word to this day. This is especially bothersome when watching British television or film, because the British are HUGE fans of "actually." They use it all the time! They butter their bread with it. They salt their salad with it. It knows no rest or peace.
