If this movie doesn't put you in the mood, nothing will

Rating: Null/10 (15 November 2004)

The creators of "Notting Hill", "About A Boy", & "Four Weddings & a Funeral" sure know their formula. The first step is to hire Hugh Grant and the rest pretty much takes care of it self. This time around we have eight different stories taking place, some of them are intertwined, and all about conquering love and relationships. Hugh Grant plays the newly elected Prime Minister, who falls in love with the girl brings his biscuits. Emma thompson and Alan Rickman are a married couple struggling to keep the tingle. Colin Firth is a writer who falls for an Italian servant. What is it about servants? Laura Linney wants to have a relationship with her co-worker but her family struggles get in the way. The cutest story is about an 11 year-old boy who falls in love with a classmate and with the help of his widowed dad, he does whatever he can to impress her. There are three other stories going on, but the funniest has to be Bill Nighy as an aging has been rock star trying to make a comeback by remaking one of his hit songs. He is hilarious as he curses his way to the top of the charts.
The casting is great, the soundtrack is terrific, and despite some corniness, this film is extremely well written. The film takes place leading up to Christmas, but I wouldn't classify this as a Christmas movie. It's a romantic comedy that is set around Christmas that'll put you in a good mood any time of the year. (****)