Ambitious attempt above-averagely achieved (aaaaa)

Rating: 7/10 (6 December 2003)

The only thing I am not happy about is the cut of John and Judy censored footage! Why did they do that in Asian release! Because of those bed scenes? I feel that I was cheated. I love the movie, I enjoyed every moment so I want to enjoy ALL its moment. Now, I am patiently waiting for the director's cut DVD. When will it be out? Anyway, I am not sure if R. Curtis has carefully calculated everything or not, undoubtedly it's a 100% "money collecting" commercial movie, one ticket for 10 love stories played by so many world-renowned actors, what do you ask more for?
Good stuff for Christmas especially when so many Brit soldiers are still in Iraq. Hugh Grant's words to BB Thornton, "We may be a small country but a great one." are truly the thought of most Brits in unity to both Tony Blair and GW Bush! More love stories, more and more to the Brit troops. At this time of the year, they need over-sweetened nectar plus positive messages like, "Love actually is all around (you and I)."
What a huge tank of top-notch actors not only from the UK, but also portuguese speaking countries like Portugal (Lúcia Moniz) and Brazil (Rodrigo Santoro), USA (Laura Linney) and astronomical-figured German model. Amongst all the male actors, Santoro should be the sexiest even without taking his clothes off, the Latin virility is filling the air... hmm... unforgettable. Colin Firth's part can be cut away, it's not really attached to the main line. Why such a development? Poor Firth, he has to struggle with the Portuguese. Actually this language is not for the mouth development of the Brits. Perhaps Curtis finds that Firth's wife is an Italian, and Italian is so similar to Portuguese so he think this tall guy should be the one for Jamie because he listens to the language everyday at home!
I don't exactly remember many of the actresses in the film but Laura Linney for her episode should be the one of the greatest love amongst all the subplots. I gather that nowadays not many sisters would sacrifice her time, love, even career to take care of a mentally-challenged brother.
Curtis can make lots of sequels:
1) Alan Rickman should give a clear account of his dubious office affair with his secretary. E Thompson is seeing him at the airport with the children and so what? (Another Kramer vs Kramer)
2) How about Linney and Santoro? Many possibilities. Married? Living together and taking care of Michael? Killed Michael (so it can turn to be a thriller)?
3) Neeson and Schiffer's new life.
4) See 3) N and S's boys' come-of-age movie
5) Chiwetel Ejiofor, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln triangular relationship, add some racial elements... (clash of civilization)
Good discovery of the kid-actor Thomas Sangster, the never-met-before cousin of H Grant (an unimaginably enormously big family the Grants and Sangsters have, I believe). He steals many parts.
Entertaining and lovely. Wanna something to warm your heart this Christmas, go see it, won't regret. Love actually is all around us.