A dashing film about many variations of Love...

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2003)

I saw this movie at an Advance Screening last night, and couldn't have been more delighted.
Honestly. This film is funny, touching, comforting, goofy, poignant and full of "Yeah, I've been there" moments. It tells the tale of numerous characters and their experiences of love. It is set up as batch of (slightly intermingling) short films. Each tale is part cliche, but all have really brilliant moments and delightful (often-surprising) twists.
Granted, with so many characters, many could be called flat - except that this cast (overall) is so talented and so truly magnificent that they breathe a real life into these characters! Emma Thompson was my favorite. I hate spoilers and so will not explain, but she handles her whole arch magnificently. Alan Rickman is subtle and wonderful, and I can't think of an actor who can say so much with a silent mouth! Colin Firth is darling, though underused I felt. Hugh Grant is comical but does very well. I wasn't thrilled with Laura Linney, but I've never really liked her style of acting. And as for the rest of the cast, really they were all so delightful! There were actors whose names I didn't know before this film, but will be keeping an eye out for. And some known actors who just prove how great they really are. This script is fast and the stories terse, but all the actors seem to get it and the whole things is just wonderful.
The emotional flow of the film just has me spinning. So positive, but not all sugar! Also, the shots (for those looking for more) were sometimes so clever or so beautiful I caught myself gasping.
The music is very well used and very reminiscent of "Bridget Jones' Diary" in method. The comedy is a British style, but I don't think it'll isolate an American audience (even despite one scene where our "President" doesn't come off well...to say the least). What else can I say..?
I really enjoyed this film. I felt for nearly every character. I thought the cinematography was clever without drawing too much attention to itself. I thought it was slightly risky without being offensive, which didn't bother me because this film isn't about controversy - it's about love. It's just such a good intentioned film. So good for Christmas or even if you're just having a bad week. I liked so much about this film, but my favorite element of it were those, "Yeah, I've been there moments." Those film moments were you remember being in exactly that place, emotionally. There were a lot of those in the film. Those "I did it" moments, those "I can't believe this is happening!" moments, those "My heart is going to burst moments" is both ways each of these phrases can be taken.
This film is just the definition of "Good." I really hope cynical critics don't attack it for this. I hope they can allow a film to be without malice. Some films should be this good. Let others be dark and isolating. This film absolutely embraces. It's good. Really and honestly good.