Open Hearts, Merry Christmas

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2008)

This movie is incredible, with a heart as big as Cinemascope. All the characters are constantly opening themselves up (sometimes in spite of themselves) to the possibilities and heartbreak of actual love. In doing so, they also open up those around them for better and sometimes for worse, to show compassion and passion for those around them. It is a wonderful fable, with great music, acting, comedy and pathos. Great cameos, also, from surprising folks like Claudia Schiffer (a Christmas angel if there ever was one) and Rowan Atkinson. The last act of this movie always leaves me a puddle on the floor, and when the Beach Boys start singing, well, it's almost too much. This movie is more than about romantic love, in fact the movie itself is a tremendous gesture of generosity. The first time I watched this movie, on first release I really liked it, then the more I saw it the deeper it got for me. Now, one of my favorite movies, obviously.