This is a Marmite movie if ever there was one. I hate Marmite, but I loved this film!

Rating: 8/10 (23 July 2018)

Having read through a lot of the reviews here, it seems plain that this film really is a case of "love it or loathe it".
And I love it.
Having said that, I also find myself agreeing with everything BAD that has been said about it, as well as everything good. And that's a very bizarre and unusual thing, is it not?
I can't disagree with any of the criticisms. It is poorly written and directed. The plot is thin, and consists entirely of unfunny set-pieces and subplots. The humour is crass, obvious, unoriginal, and desperate. The main character is limp and insipid. The main villain is over the top. All the characters are two-dimensional. Phillip Seymour Hoffman looks smelly and in need of a good scrub (one reviewer pointed this out about him in several of his films and I have to agree).
And I also agree wholeheartedly with the praise. The soundtrack is awesome. The entire film is great fun. All the characters are likeable, apart from the villains - who are enjoyable to hate. The overall story (or situation, if "story" is too strong a word) seems unusual and original. The cast is stellar, including some fun cameos. It is nicely photographed with fun, colourful costumes and good production design. There are some nicely choreographed "dance" numbers with the ensemble cast. And the last portion of the film, from when the boat begins to sink, is surprisingly DRAMATIC, ACTION-PACKED, EXCITING, MOVING, and SATISFYING.
As another reviewer pointed out, it's worth watching the whole film, just for the ending.
The only part of the critical "noise" that I must disagree with is the complaint that the ending is "copied" from Titanic. Those critics failed to recognise a homage when they saw it. And it was so well done that they should have simply enjoyed it anyway!
But boy, it sure seemed to make all the haters angry!
Personally I'm happy to be a lover rather than a hater, at least as far as this particular film is concerned. It's no great masterpiece. It isn't even a great addition to the Richard Curtis catalogue, being inarguably one of his lesser works. But it is uplifting, enjoyable, feel-good fun, if you are in the right mood, and not feeling too demanding or hyper-critical. I've watched it twice now, and will doubtless watch it again.