Love Actually

Audiences can start celebrating a little early as the comedy Love essentially weaves its spell over moviegoers. Writer / director Richard Curtis' rom-com can truthfully, honestly, and without delay be labeled 'the rom-com of the year.' In a year practically lacking in romantic comedies, that isn't precisely a tricky title to make a claim. Nonetheless Love basically is totally charming, impossible to resist, and all those alternative accolades generally launched at a lovable, fluffy, comedy, so it merits the label - and not by default. It does not take a genius to work out screenwriter-turned-director Richard Curtis has a deep affinity for love stories. It also doesn't take a genius to decern the screenwriter of 4 Marriages and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary feels totally comfortable working with romantic leading men Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.

With a cast as big as this one, perhaps it is a matter of making at least a little zone of comfort from which Curtis could direct his first film. Or perhaps it is that ladies like to see Grant and Firth in romantic roles and Curtis takes pleasure in giving audiences what they desire. Love basically stars a wonderful ensemble of Brit actors and one lonesome American ( Laura Linney ). The complex love lives of reputedly random couples are inspected with both tenderness and humor. Curtis made so many fascinating storylines in the film, each similarly worthy of mention, that he is put this reviewer in a sticky situation.

Every personality is deserving of attention but unless you are ready to read a 3-page review, a simply outline of the diverse romantic liaisons is about the best I can offer. One of the key eventualities involves the just elected Prime Minister who is caught by surprise by his instant attraction to a pretty member of his staff. Prior to starting with the inescapable comparisons to a past U.S. President, it is important to grasp the PM is a bachelor, and a particularly deferential, self-possessed one at that.

And talking of past U.S. Presidents, there's a walk on appearance by Billy Bob Thornton as America's Cic, complete with the requisite raging libido. There's also a writer who learns the global language of love after his major other unceremoniously dumps him, 2 picture substitutes who discover one another while performing exposed, an attractive bride who learns her new husband's best pal would like to like her, a shy office employee who pines away for a hunky but shy work mate, a pop who teaches his young child to always follow his heart, a married couple going through the heartbreak of an office affair, a decrepit rock star unafraid to communicate his mind and act like a fool to sell records, and a decisive bachelor who believes the only real way to meet girls is to go to America and charm all of the beautiful supermodels with his UK accent.

Nobody actor stands out as everybody concerned is similarly superb. You would never know Love really marks Curtis' debut as a director. Working from his very own script, Curtis has made a joyous, entertaining date motion picture that'll leave you with a grin on your face and a virtually impossible to resist urge to squeeze someone.