wonderful post-9/11 antidote

Rating: 9/10 (19 November 2005)

i love this film, and i see waaaaay too many, so have a basis to judge. sure, it's not perfect in every respect--few films are--but what a cast!!! i could relate to it on many levels--as a middle-aged mom, as the parent of kids 23-12, as a fan of many of the actors. Bill Nighy's performance is worth the entire viewing. i'm a reformed feminist, and anyone who can't appreciate both the subtle and overtly screwball comedy aspect perhaps has too little sense of humor. the romance between CF and his Portuguese housekeeper stretches belief, but many unusual romances do. i agree it's a great holiday film, except for the few very overt sexual aspects---totally enjoyable on an adult level, but not really right for my youngest. not only have i seen it several times, i actually bought the soundtrack CD, and that was a first.