Raises some serious issues...

Rating: Null/10 (7 March 2004)

... about how much cr*p the film-going public will take. Ask any Londoner about how marvelously this film reflects life in the English capital in the run up to Christmas. I think the answer would be pretty synonymous - it doesn't, not remotely. Richard Curtis has once again delivered a sugar-coated tapestry of fairy-tale lives, as perceived through his blinkered view of London. I love London, but I could hardly declare it a city of love. It is cold, unfriendly and often depressing. Not only that, but for most of its inhabitants Christmas is probably one of the most stressful times of the year. I understand that movies often twist reality to provide enjoyable escapism, but 'loveactually' pushes the boat more than a little too far. Rather than humourously deal with the negative elements of the city, he ignores them completely. Instead, as usual, he focuses on his merry band of rich, happy, middle-class toffs. And selecting some of the actors most associated with 'classical' dramas? Well, it does little to suggest that this is a genuine slice of 'Landan' life. The film itself? Well, the above elements can't help but hinder the enjoyment of anyone below the middle classes. That aside, it's the same characters, the same jokes and the same leading man. Gift wrap it with 'Four Weddings' and 'Notting Hill' and you could sell them as a trilogy. Let's hope this is the last installment in the series. I giggled a few times and I was mildly entertained, but essentially this type of nonsense has to come to an end. Recommended viewing for fans of the afore mentioned two films.