You Do Know This Movie's a Parody, Right?

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2006)

I've read comment after comment for this movie, and I can't believe that people don't get it. I saw this movie in the movies back when it came out, and found myself laughing hysterically. I wasn't laughing because the movie was sweet, but because Richard Curtis has served up a ridiculous parody of these types of movies. The funny thing is that nobody gets it. Every story, however, parodies the idea of love as something that is superficial and based on looks, rather than something that is deep and lasting. There is not a single moment in any of the multiple story lines that offers a sentimental reason for characters to be together. In particular, I thought 1) the storyline where the British guy goes to America and the American women immediately fall all over themselves for him and 2) the storyline where the Prime Minister's girlfriend is called "fat" and "plump" over and over again by everyone that knows her were not meant to be taken literally. This movie is not about love and is not a popcorn movie! I just can't believe that so many people missed how subversive and twisted this movie really is. What an incredible and subtle send up of love by Curtis that so few people really got what this movie was about!