Made me feel great...actually (Love Actually (DVD))

Member Name: rikkihitch1979

Product:	Love Actually (DVD)
Date:	09/10/08 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, touching; you will empathise with the characters

Disadvantages: More minutes in the film please

Love Actually was one of those films I went to see with the girlfriend; dragged out to watch yet another girly film. Now I am not a typical mans-man, but romantic-comedy is one step too far on the fem-omter. So off I went ready for a good sleep; only to be awoken by the wittiest, sharpest, and on occasion the one of the more emotional scripts I have ever connected with.

Based around what is effectively a snapshot few months in 10+ people's lives, Love Actually seeks to (chronologically; this is no romantic pulp fiction thank-god) tie a number of different 'love' stories together, through some fantastically well fashioned, if not at times, slightly tenuously linked characters. The script is enhanced by the amazingly notable and well-cast list of actors appearing in the film. Bar one or two, the actors are British, or hail originally from these isles anyway. The believability of the characters and the empathy which you can build with each and every one of the main players enhances the watchers' experience no end.

I outlined the word 'Love' above, as if to point to the fact that this is not your typical love-story - boy meets girl, they fall in love, woop-di-doo, everyone is happy (what's the point in that exactly?). The film caters for all, including the more, shall we say, solitary souls out there. I mean surely everyone has someone they 'love' right? It might be the obvious partner in your life, but the film - for once - doesn't cast out the less lucky in love by gushing relentless romance at the viewer for two hours. 'Love' comes in all shapes and forms in the film, and never is it better outlined by my fave character, failed musician Billy Mack (Bill Nighy). Mack contributes from minute one, providing an achingly funny first scene cover of the Wet-Wet-Wet classic 'Love is all around'. To paraphrase one of the later lines in the film to watch out for; it is the sheer crassness of the extra syllable squeezed into the new song title (find out for yourself!) that enhances the already belly-achingly funny classic rendition that Mack offers. Other endearing characters are Prime Minister David (Grant), who surely does the best man-jig ever put to film; 'Bad' Harry; a seemingly devoted father of two, who we discover is sorely tempted to take things further with his ever flirtatious secretary. We also see what is unfortunately, little more than a cameo 5 minutes from Rowan Atkinson as the annoyingly cheesy and sincere shop attendant, inadvertently providing a perfect obstacle to Bad Harry's secret Christmas buying exploits.

There are many more characters to indulge yourself in; notably look out for the quite touching (at times) relationship between Juliet and Mark, who is best friend to Peter, who happens to be Juliet's fiancée, and as we see later, husband. The interplay and story between these characters in particular is at once funny, touching and importantly, identifiably real to the watcher. That it has to be said, is the real beauty of this film - you will find someone with whom you identify. It's a feel good piece of work, it leaves me feeling normal whenever I watch it and in today's challenging world, its nice to feel normal and although you're identifying with what is only after all a brilliantly scripted piece of fiction, you do get the idea that it is inspired through very personal observations and I presume on occasion, exploits. The writer; Richard Curtis, has produced what can only be summarised as a most heart-warmingly, lovingly crafted, suited to most, work of art.

Some will claim it's cheesy, or its perhaps too mainstream; its not arty enough - whatever. The bottom-line with this film is that it will make you feel good, it will make you smile, it IS entertaining and sharp. It will never be a purists film (sorry but yawn-yawn film purists). Watch, and perhaps just manage to feel good about those relationship failures of any kind that you may have been unfortunate to encounter. Fabulous entertainment with a smile......and maybe a tear?

Summary: Heart warming, real 'Love'