love is everywhere...?

Rating: Null/10 (9 December 2003)

Well yes, it was heart-warming, made you feel those tingles... like those christmas films supposedly should, but you all know, deep-down inside, that that counts for nothing in terms of a good film. But this is where britain always falls down, so interested in having something bigger and better than those yanks. Having a film which can be advertised purely on how many big names are in it is ominous from the outset. What about the plot? the character development? the intricacies which Curtis tries to envelop us into just don't work for me. I'm not saying I hated it inconsolably, I probably could watch it again, it was ok for a film. However, in true british style, i'm afraid i'm going to be cynical and nit-pick. There was no substance, no real dimensions to it, the only thing that held me to actually caring about the characters was hoping to see colin firth get wet again, or maybe just to see hugh grant get just a little bit naked. It was like watching a documentary on love, or the Christmas spirit, it just didn't appeal to me as something which could contend in the film world. And as for the soundtrack - since when did films become about having songs which threaten diminishing the actual film and becoming better known/liked? I'll agree that the soundtrack is good,very good, but I'm finding myself more inclined to spend money on that than on the film, which should just never happen.
But, having said that, I probably have been too harsh - it was a funny film, heart-warmingly so. I even got those tingles more than once, I even wanted to sit there and burst into tears/song, i never quite knew which one. I would recommend this if you just want a film you can sit down to with your friends or your partner, if you want that kind of Christmas film that will make you want to spread the love...but if, like me, you're more of a cynical at heart, then pleeease, just rent out It's a Winderful Life, which isn't happy and merry, I find it deeply dark, or go and see Dead End, a much better movie for christmas!