Actually One of the Best of the Year

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2003)

Love Actually" actually has the credentials to be judged as the supreme romantic comedy of the year. The film follows an ensemble of lovestruck characters in a five-week period before the Christmas holidays. It combines the ingenious character-filled interrelated subplots of "Magnolia" with the exhilarating joyous connotations of "Four Weddings and a Funeral". Moreover, the irony of the situation is that too much love actually leads to 4 weddings and in some cases can lead to an unexpected funeral in an unexplained magnolia occurrence. Screenwriter Richard Curtis' freshman directorial effort deserves a Curtis curtain call. Ok! Let's go back to our cupid players. Hugh Grant grants us another superb bland performance as the crafty Prime Minister who falls for one of his assistants. Alan Rickman, the famous "Die Hard" villain Hans Gruber, executes a towering performance as the editor who is tempted to an infidel act by his sexually obsessed secretary. Emma Thompson was also wonderful here as Rickman's endearing wife. Colin Firth, of "Bridget Jones' Diary" fame, was "write" on as a secluded writer who falls for his Portuguese aide. Liam Neeson's performance as a widowed stepfather who strongly bonds with his 10 year old stepson is in my "Meezer's List" as one of the best supporting performances of the year. However, I am not saying "nighty nighty" yet to the superb acting of "Love Actually" because I must commend Bill Nighy's work as an aging musician who executes the scene-stealing performances of the film. "Love Actually" is a cinematic classic film act to act. You actually have to see this one! ***** Excellent