Actually fantastic. No, really.

Rating: 10/10 (21 November 2003)

What a perfectly wonderful British film, as well-rounded and comfortable as a good cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon. No, really, I mean it. I'm in a "loving relationship" and came out of this film really satisfied with the diverse way it handles different types of love -- family, unrequited, good old-fashioned seduction -- as well as the completely new take it manages to bring to the good old fashioned chick flick. Some cutting comments and amusing witticisms, many fairly subtle and definitely a treat to observe - I'll be going back a second time to pick up on the sub-sub-threads I missed. The ending is particularly clever as it brings all the mini-plots together, and although there is little backstory on the characters themselves, the situations are well-described (for example, instead of just people looking soulful, actually using a 'language barrier' to show feelings that the characters couldn't say to each other -- particularly clever, in my opinion).
Overall, it's a fantastic film for anyone in love or who has been, and although it has a bittersweet ending, you leave satisfied that it could be -- and indeed is, in many ways -- very true. The timing of the release in England couldn't be better, and we've had a good old laugh at the cardboard stereotypical Americans time and again during this film - no wonder the IMDB reviews aren't brilliant.
An excellent opportunity to see almost a Who's Who of British comedy all in one place.