Love Actually *** (2003, Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Laura Linney, Rowan Atkinson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy) – Classic Movie Review 369

The British Prime Minister romancing his Downing Street tea lady? Yes actually!

Clever writer-director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings) looks – with great affection and optimism – at the state of love in Britain in 2003, and comes up with nine bittersweet interlinked romantic stories. They’re all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.

Hugh Grant has the best deal as the Prime Minister in love with Downing Street tea girl McCutcheon, followed by Colin Firth as a lovesick guy falling for his Portuguese housekeeper on the rebound, and a lusty Alan Rickman who is upsetting his wife Emma Thompson with his roving eye. Best of all, Bill Nighy is brilliant as an old rocker chasing after the Christmas number one.

Curtis’s multi-story rom-com is a huge, crowd-pleasing hit with lots of big laughs, magic charm and sparkle. But also at 135 minutes it’s too long, as well as too sentimental and often patchy. The storylines for Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Laura Linney and Rowan Atkinson (as Rufus the jewellery salesman) are exceptionally dreary.

However, with so many funny gags and welcome faces, it’s overall a warm, funny and appealing experience.

Curtis has a director’s cameo as a trombone player. Billy Bob Thornton plays the American President. Frances de la Tour and Anne Reid suffered the ignominy of having their scenes deleted.

(C) Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Film Review 369 derekwinnert.com