Love is everywhere (Even in the "Evil American Empire")

Rating: 6/10 (29 July 2005)

"Love Actually" is a fun, witty, and clever film that hits its target more than it misses, and as a comedy, that is enough to make it exceptional.
The film starts with the extraordinary statement by Hugh Grant that cell phone calls from the 9/11 planes show how much love is in the world.
Well, citing terrified calls from people being murdered as an example of the fullness of love, certainly shows the European perspective is a sunny one.
Throughout the film though, it is the love-lorn Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) that repeatedly tests our suspension of disbelief, such as when he fixates on a lowly poddy-mouthed secretary, and conducts a personal door to door search for her on Christmas Eve.
The film is generally upbeat, although we eventually discover that "love actually" peters out in middle age to be replaced by deception and dejection. This is quickly swept under the carpet though since all of the young people end up happy.
The "stand up and cheer" moment in the film comes fairly early on, when the Prime Minister confronts the slimy-American President (is that superfluous?) in a press conference.
The happy moment for all Europeans is not dimmed by the fact that the P.M. was incapable of any disagreement with the President until the latter moved in on his biscuit-and-tea Bimbo. Still, if you feel politically impotent I guess you take your licks where you can get them.
American's can take heart from the fact that their women (particularly ones with comic-book accents) are apparently useful as sex-toys for starved British men, which certainly redefines the "special relationship".
In summary, the film is funny, moves quickly, and lets you hate America if you're in the mood.