Love Actually - short review

[Patman]

It starts out good, gets a little dour (reality and baggage does have a way with putting the kibosh on our attraction to another person), and it ends up unevenly.

There are probably 3 too many subplots in this film. I think I enjoyed the Colin Firth subplot the most, followed by the Liam Neeson subplot. I do think some of the subplots are there only for the comedic value, and don't add as much in the way of really driving the stories forward in a substantial way. But, that being sad, its heart is in the right place for most of the film, so I'd recommend, though it's not a home run.

I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.

[Daytripper]

Totally agree with your review. Although I liked the Emma Thompson subplot the most. Albeit it was a rather short one. But the most effective IMO. I could have done without the two actors subplot (doing whatever movie they were filming, porn?). And the Laura Linney subplot bugged me for some reason. Just didn't like her character. And last, although I thought the movie was sweet, it had just a little too much sap for me. I still think "Notting Hill" is the writer's best work to date.

Oh yeah, it's per screen average this weekend was much much more than I expected. About $11,500 (the "Matrix Revolutions" has $14, 300).

[tofu]

I liked the movie. It was a little emotionally manipulative but I can think of worse things to see. I liked the Liam Neeson and Hugh Grant plots the best. I think its only problem is that there are just too many people to keep track of.

Oh and the Colin Frizzle subplot had me :lol:

[superdeluxe]

Originally posted by Daytripper

Oh yeah, it's per screen average this weekend was much much more than I expected. About $11,500 (the "Matrix Revolutions" has $14, 300).

Its because its getting good WOM.

Its rating very high among women, has a rating of 7.9/10 at IMDB.com and is rating a A- with about 550 ratings at yahoo.movies

[Mark McLeod]

My review is up!

http://www.moviecontests.com/reviews/loveactually2.html

[Deftones]

Originally posted by Daytripper

Oh yeah, it's per screen average this weekend was much much more than I expected. About $11,500 (the "Matrix Revolutions" has $14, 300).

I saw that when I went to see Matrix Revolutions. There was a long ass line for this flick, and no line for Matrix. Go figure.

[DamDavila]

I thought this might just be "solid gold crap", but I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Lots of laughs and lots of sweet moments (especially with the young boy in love). I actually wouldn't mind seeing this one again.

Oh, and going with this Matrix thing, I do admit I haven't seen that yet, but I was looking forward to seeing this, so take from that what you will...

[tinlunlau]

how did Mr. bean...eh-hem...Rowan Atkinson do?

[superdeluxe]

HE was key in several parts :-)

[Daytripper]

Originally posted by superdeluxe
HE was key in several parts :-)

I wouldn't say he was "key". And he was only in two very brief scenes. But funny as usual.

[superdeluxe]

Well I would say that he was key...If you know what I am talking about (His last appearance)

[javanut]

I liked this but didn't love it. Was actually expecting it to pack more of an emotional punch, but all in all, i thought it was good. Bill Nyhe [sp?] was - as all the reviews say - excellent.

[Matt969]

saw this last weekend and loved it. i agree though that they could've cut out one or two of the love stories.

[B.A.]

The wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. **** out of *****. The cast was great, particularly Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley. I love Laura Linney, but I didn't care for her storyline at all - it was just...bleh. Liam Neeson was good, but his storyline w/ the step-son was just dumb - though I didn't mind seeing Claudia Schiffer towards the end.

Colin Firth and the Portuguese girl were great together, as were Hugh and Martine. Those were my two favorite stories. Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman were solid as always. Keira Knightley's storyline was the best when her husband's best friend came to the door w/ the signs - I thought that was really neat. The body doubles were funny w/ their casual conversations while shooting/practicing scenes. The Colin sub-plot was only worthwhile because I was able to see January Jones on the screen for a couple of minutes. :D

Great flick - highly recommended. :up:

[retihsuhnt]

I saw this last week, among 300 women and I was only 1 of 4 guys in the theater. It was scary, there was an older woman behind me that said, "I didnt know that they celebrated Christmas in England." I cant make that stuff up, some people are just complete IDIOTS.

I can honestly say that this is somewhere in my Top 5 movies of this year, most likely #3 right now. I actually appreciated how the stories played out in this film compared to the crap that is LA Shortcuts.

I am not a Hugh Grant fan (its hard to admit, that everyonce and a while he is part of a good movie), but I do recommend this movie. Its easily one of the year's best.

[payjo]

I like this movie. i think it's a nice little date movie.

[Giantrobo]

So is the Rock star guy in the promos the same guy who played "Victor" in "Underworld"?


I like this guy :up:

[Patman]

Yes, Bill Nighy played Viktor in "Underworld", and Billy Mack in "Love Actually".

[Giantrobo]

Thanks...

[mariakitty]

I am relaly looking forward to this movie, and hopefully my husband won't mind either because of your review. :) I am particularly looking forward to seeing Martine McCutcheon - former "Tiffany" from EastEnders.

[bothanspy]

Just a few things I loved about this movie


1. Emma Thomspon's can deliver so matter-of-fact-lyabout things that are incredibly emotional. (What would you do in this situation? When would you cut loose?)

2. The fact that the porn stand-ins were shy about kissing

3. How incredibly beautiful and stunning Keira Knightley looked in the first 20 minutes of this movie

4. Liam Neeson just being the coolest actor out there

5. The fact that not all the stories have happy endings

[Michael Corvin]

I thought this was an excellent film. A couple of the plots were unnecessary though and could have been shaved for time. Mostly the two porn characters. Their interaction with the other characters was minimal and could have shaved 10-15 minutes of the movie. Same with the Laura Linney plot. But, that being said it was a movie about showing ALL the different types of love and relationships. It did a good job at that.

My favorite hands down was Liam Neeson's plot. He did an excellent job. Then the Colin Firth overcoming a language barrier for love. And then Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister was great as well. The comical ones were still touching(and funny) at the end, the whole washed up singer Billy Mack, and the young guy who came to the US to get laid. That set up some great cameos starting with 24's Elisha Cuthbert, and ending with 2 other famous(don't want to give too much away) smokin' hot babes.

My only question is, where was Alan Rickman's character coming from at the airport? Why were they even there?

[Iron Chef]

Originally posted by Michael Corvin
My only question is, where was Alan Rickman's character coming from at the airport? Why were they even there?

I was wondering that myself.

[Patman]

It was simply a confluence of events.

[retihsuhnt]

Originally posted by Michael Corvin
A couple of the plots were unnecessary though and could have been shaved for time. Mostly the two porn characters. Their interaction with the other characters was minimal and could have shaved 10-15 minutes of the movie.

That would have ruined the entire movie. They were the main piece to the whole puzzle. Yes they had very small parts, but you could not have tied everyone together without their "story."

And whats wrong with the time of the movie? Its a little over two (2) hours and was great fun. I feel cheated when I sit through a movie that is 90 minutes. A movie is supposed to be two (2) hours, if I wanted to watch television programming I could have stayed home.

[kidrockshorty]

Martine McCutcheon needs to recieve more and bigger parts! <3

[Gilgamesh1082]

I saw this at the sneak preview about 3-4 weeks ago and loved it. The only reason I went and saw it in the first place is so I could watch Keira Knightly. :D I ended up enjoying it all, and was shocked to see Elisha Cuthbert in it.

And when my friends and I saw it, we were the only 3 guys there that didn't have dates. :(

[retihsuhnt]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kidrockshorty
[B]Martine McCutcheon needs to recieve more and bigger parts! <3

<i>Removed</i>

You could always buy her concert DVD (of muscial numbers) or her three (3) CDs. All are available through Amazon's UK store.

[clarkkent]

Just saw this tonight. I couldn't stop laughing. Bill Nighty should get an academy award for his part. When he dead-panned that PSA for drugs I laughed so hard I almost started crying. That and the scene when the kid is playing the drums and the girl points at him, then points at everyone else, was probably the best reaction shot Ive ever seen. His face just said it all.

[bsktballDude1]

I really enjoyed this movie and will be probably see it again closer to Christmas. I had pretty high expectations as I am a big fan of esemble casts with British actors and since Love Actually has both I was hoping for one treat of a movie. And once I found out the stunningly beautiful Keira Knightley was in it I couldn't miss it.

It definitely was one treat of a movie, and it kind does make you happy watching the movie and while leaving after its over. All the story lines were quite well done with nice edting and acting all around. Liam Neeson's story with his step-son, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman's betrayal story, and Keira Knightley's story with her husband's best friend was also quite touching. Bill Nighy was freaking hilarious as was the guy going to Wisconsin to score some chicks and have to mention Rowan Atkinson only in a little bit, but still very funny.

And every other story I didn't mention I liked too, great, great movie. ***1/2 out of ****

[jfoobar]

My wife and I saw this last night. It was very funny and quite enjoyable, but just a bit too implausible to be great.

[EvilConradBain]

I enjoyed it and the woman who played Hugh Grant's love interest was beautiful as was the Portuguese woman. Not great but very entertaining.