Very good, actually...

Rating: 8/10 (19 October 2006)

If you want a good romantic comedy, you can always count on Richard Curtis. Having written Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones'Diary (and sequel), he's the man responsible for Love Actually, which he also directed.
The film takes place a few weeks before Christmas, and tells the stories of people looking for love. Among these we find Hugh Grant's (priceless) Prime Minister, who develops feelings ("Oh no, this is so inappropriate") for his new secretary Natalie (Martine McCutcheon); his sister Karen (Emma Thompson), trying to save her marriage with Harry (Alan Rickman, constantly looking as if he's about to announce you're terminally ill); widower Daniel (Liam Neeson), dealing with his son's love problems; one of Harry's employees (Laura Linney), who's too shy to confess she's in love with a colleague.
These characters (and several others) meet throughout the film, with unexpected, hilarious and touching results. As in Four Weddings, Curtis artfully keeps the tone between affecting (the Neeson segment) and gut-burstingly funny (if you don't laugh watching Grant's dance routine, then there's something wrong). All this is largely due to an amazing ensemble cast, comprised of top class thespians from both sides of the Atlantic (Billy Bob Thornton is quite enjoyable as the President of the United States). Standouts include Curtis-regular Grant (the scene where he mocks Margaret Thatcher is comedy gold) and Bill Nighy, who deservedly won a BAFTA award for his portrayal of disgraced (and deliciously sweary) singer and former drug addict Billy Mack. Also notable: Martin Freeman (The Office) playing a porn actor and a cameo by Rowan Atkinson (ace).
Overall a funny and well made film, although I must say I could have lived without a couple of episodes (one featuring Colin Firth, the other about a sex-obsessed guy going to America). But if you liked Four Weddings, Notting Hill and the rest, chances you'll like this too are very big.
As Billy Mack says, love is all around...