Drumroll please...

Rating: 3/10 (24 February 2004)

Another example of how a great cast does not equal a great film. There was a lot wrong with this film, and I think the flaws were overlooked by the (apparent) majority that praised it. This may have to do with the "spirit of the season" in which many people saw this mess. I saw it after Christmas, and I was ready to enjoy, if not love, this film based on the gushing reviews I'd heard and read, but was bewildered and confused by the end. Had everyone else seen a different movie? Was I heartless? Has Liam Neeson done ANYthing worthwhile in the last 5 years? Emma Thompson is excellent, of course, and the rest of the cast is passable to good, but there's never any real connection between any of the characters (I felt). Bottom line: like many Christmas movies before it, Love Actually doesn't stand up without the joy of the season in the air.