So bad it's enough to make you angry

Rating: 1/10 (17 December 2014)

Greetings viewers. Welcome to the saccharine world of Richard Curtis where, just like ALL his other cinematic concoctions, love conquers all and life is fulfilled - as long as you happen to live in a fantasy version of London where a) it's always summer b) you live in (the incredibly expensive) St. John's Wood/Maida Vale area, c) ethnic minorities are non-existent, d) everyone has a middle class job in law, the arts or publishing, e) children never cry - they are just massively cute all the time, f) you have wealthy parents rattling around in a huge house by the sea, g) you have a kooky sister and an eccentric uncle for comedy relief and h) you are a less handsome but not unattractive ginger version of Hugh Grant. Curtis' storytelling template never waivers from the success of FOUR WEDDINGS and NOTTING HILL and this derivative bilge is the 21st century equivalent of "All Americans still think London is foggy, lit by gas lamps and transported by horse and carriage." Oh, and don't forget - if you need a passage of time let's have a montage set to a bland love song that takes place in a single location. The writer's claim that no adjustments are made to suit US cinema-going sensibilities is plainly untrue. One of the most truly awful, shamelessly manufactured examples of cinematic product I've ever had the misfortune to witness.