| Overall Grade: |
B+ |
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| Story: |
A- |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
B- |
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| Visuals: |
B+ |
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Almost Golden
by Adam (movies profile)
Jan 24, 2008
60
of
71 people found this review helpful
Love Actually is an endearing, touching, and sometimes painful exercise in the many shapes and forms that love takes set to a holiday theme. The plot concerns ten different stories that are loosely connected. These individual tales range from finding love in places never expected to the inner agony and turmoil caused by unrequited love. Richard Curtis has attempted to carefully craft and weave these multiple stories into one memorable holiday movie. For the most part, he has successful.
There is so much content to talk about in Love Actually that it is hard for me to know where to start. As far as the stories themselves go, some are obviously more enjoyable than others. My favorite concerned Bill Nighy's aging rock and roll star who knows full well that his new song is complete rubbish. His sarcasm and wit continues throughout the movie along with the hilarious tale. Other stories are quite intriquing but do not get enough exposition time to bring them to a satisfying conclusion. Laura Linney's relationship with her mentally ill brother is one of the most complex tales but is not given the time it deserves. I also had this same feeling when watching Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman's marriage failing. In my opinion, they could have cut out the worthless tale of the young Brit going to America and given these other stories much more time to address the serious situations that they are trying to discuss.
The cast is simply first-rate throughout the entire film including a small cameo for Rowan Atkinson as a jewelry salesman that had me on the floor laughing. Liam Neeson gives one of the most moving performances as a recent widower, but I could not help feeling that his relationship with his stepson was a little unnatural along with the kid's very mature feelings. The images of London are simply breathtaking throughout the film and were one of my favorite parts. The movie carried a strange, magical feel to it that is hard to explain but was enjoyable none the less.
I might as well mention that this is definitely an adult film even though it could come across as a feel good, family picture. One story involving two nude stand-ins for a movie is clever and amusing, but the nudity simply detracts from the overall atmosphere. I similarly felt uncomfortable with the anti-American feeling involving Billy Bob Thorton's portrayal of the President of the United States. Setting these several reservations aside however, I believe that most audiences will be thoroughly pleased with Love Actually. |
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