Better than advertised.

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2003)

I am a "gut feeling" person on movies. Therefore viewing the trailers and TV ads for "Love Actually" didn't quite resonate with this self-proclaimed pessimist. But like George Constanza, the title kept singing out to me: "By...Mennen." ("Seinfeld" fans will know what I'm talking about.) Forgive me as I digress, but after the week I had, I needed some fluff to get my spirits up. This movie absolutely did the trick.
I like movies with pace. However, multiple storylines can sometimes slow things down. "Love Actually" kept paced with each plot point and there were no "throw-away" scenes. (ATTENTION: PLOT POINTS REVEALED!!)I would like to have seen some resolution between Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman's characters. Confronting infidelity is always tough. And Laura Linney's romance needed to play out more of the awkwardness that can develop from a failed office fling. But overall, I could take something, albeit light and airy, from each story.
As stated previously, I am a pessimist. But a movie like this makes me hopeful that people can find that special someone even if it is in an unconventional way. This movie was worth the eight bucks, I'll probably see it again, and I will definitely buy the DVD. Have an open mind and see the movie for what it is: an escapist's dream.
Metrosexuals unite!! (Yes, I am a heterosexual male who loved a chick flick!)