For A Romantic, British, Holiday Comedy
It's Pretty Good, Actually

The idea of a romantic comedy at Christmas seems natural, because (as seems to be the refrain throughout the new film Love Actually) if you can't tell someone how you feel about them at Christmas, when can you? So it seems odd that this so-called romantic comedy shows more pain than pleasure among those who fall in love.

Written and directed by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones's Diary, and television's "Black Adder"), Love Actually showcases Curtis talent. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, it shows the power and helplessness felt by those in love.

The best thing this movie has going for it is an excellent all-star cast. There are a number of separate stories happening at once, in the weeks preceding Christmas, and though the audience doesn't spend a large amount of time with any one character, they are all gems.

Highlighting the film are Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) a former rock star who is making a Christmas single in an effort to reclaim some glory; Jamie (Colin Firth), a writer who leaves a ruined relationship and escapes to France to be alone; Sarah (Laura Linney), a woman in love with her office co-worker, but unable to tell him; Daniel (Liam Neeson), a widower who must bridge the silence with his stepson, Sam; Mark (Andrew Lincoln), a best man in love with the beautiful bride (Keira Knightley) at his friend's wedding; Karen (Emma Thompson), a wife faced with her husband's infidelity; and Hugh Grant as the newly-elected Prime Minister of England who has fallen in love with his assistant.

There are also a multitude of surprise cameos by British and American film stars. While everyone in the cast is wonderful, Grant stands out for his comedic but vulnerable portrayal as the Prime Minister. Also, Linney delivers one of her best performances in a character that is sadly restricted by her personal issues but still capable of moments of tender beauty.

The numerous stories slowly weave together. As it begins, each story seems unconnected. But soon we learn that Karen is friends with Daniel, wife of Sarah's boss, Harry (Alan Rickman), and sister to the Prime Minister. As the film proceeds, the circle is drawn tighter, and this character turns out to be friends with that one, who is madly in love with some other one. It's like an M.C. Escher print that locks together several smaller pieces to form one grand design.

The humor in Love Actually is wonderfully dry and subtle at times, brash at others. Those who don't appreciate British humor may not appreciate the liberal use of off-color language, sexual innuendo, and frontal nudity. Regardless, there are many wonderfully funny moments in the film that highlight Curtis' writing flair. Some of the moments are witty and offbeat, but others are downright absurd (in a good way).

The drawback to the film is that some of the stories never quite gel with the others or never achieve the necessary closure. A small story about a man and woman who work as stand-ins in the porn industry is humorous in its awkwardness, but there's no connection with the other characters and so it becomes less important. Likewise, the story with Harry and Mia (Heike Makatsch) never gets properly resolved. A lot is alluded to, but the audience must make up its own mind about what did or didn't happen.

Ultimately, though, this story of love manages to work past all of the heartbreak and humiliation and show how finding love can be a wonderful and uplifting thing. Of course, it should come as no surprise that most of the matches don't end up together until late in the movie.

MY RATING: 7 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 135 min.