Exuberant, Actually

Rating: 10/10 (17 November 2003)

This movie is exactly what we need at the holiday season. Something fun and funny that touches the heart in a non sappy kind of way. "Love, Actually" is the intertwining of 9 seperate love stories. At Juliet and Peter's wedding (Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor) Pete's best friend realizes he should have told Juliet he loved her. Daniel (Liam Neeson) and his step son are trying to figure out a way for his step son to win the heart of a classmate. The Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) is starting to fancy his secretary, Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). His sister, Karen (Emma Thompson) is finding out that her husband (Alan Rickman) is having a fling with his secretary. His employee, Sarah (Laura Linney) is trying to get something going with a fellow co-worker. Jaime (Colin Firth) is trying to write a novel while falling in love with his house keeper. And lastly, Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) is an aging rock star trying to get his Christmas cover song to the top of the pop charts. There are a couple of subplot stories as well. The writer/directer Richard Curtis has exactly the kind of comic flare and heart that so little filmmakers try to capture. His brand of humor can please anyone. The star power in this movie can light a building, there's so much of it. It makes you all warm inside when you leave, hoping that the same thing can happen to you in real life. The film captures a charm that Britain is uniqely known for. Makes you want to pack your bags and head there for Christmas holiday. Every character is likable. So when they transition to other parts of the story, you're always left entertained. It's a classic movie going experience. Go see this film, it's gureenteed not to disappoint!
RATING: **** out ****