A marvelous cast in a very funny movie

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2004)

Although a little difficult to follow in spots, Love Actually has a
great deal going for it: Grant, Neeson, Firth, Rickman, Nighy, Thompson, Knightley, Linney, Rowan Atkeson and a number of lesser
known players all of whom acquit themselves quite well. In other words, this is an ensemble movie, something the British do easily and we Americans do poorly. Each of the love stories has its wonderful moments and the comedy is (almost) believable. Best bit: The British Prime Minister (Grant) cutting the American President (Billy Bob Thornton) down to size after the President makes an unwelcome pass at the PM's unacknowledged love. After Iraq, I can only imagine what kind of applause that must have gained in British film houses.