Love Actually

Love Actually
Watched: January 24th 2011

Confession: I hate chick flicks. I despise the goopy-droopy crap they expect us to believe can actually happen. This film however, delighted me ridiculously. A uniquely written script somewhere between Crash and the play Almost, Maine, Love Actually is a heart-warming Christmas tale of finding, losing, and exploring love. I think the reason I was able to handle the high-fructose moments was because they were beautifully balanced with a witty script as well as painfully real and sometimes gut-wrenching moments. The cast certainly contributed to the lovely experience this film was. Emma Thompson was substantially brilliant in her role as an endearing, hilarious mother who is forced to consider her life when her husband, the ever smarmy Alan Rickman, is seduced by his swanky secretary. Her wonderful comedic timing and genuine struggle to maintain control when things fall apart makes her's one of the most memorable roles in the film. Mixed in is a has-been, crude rock and roll star, an adorable porno couple, a newly wed couple whose best man has a little secret of his own, a workaholic family woman unable to commit to a love connection, a language barrier, a prime minister with an inconvenient crush, and my personal favorite a young boy and his father attempting to build a relationship with each other while tackling "the total agony" of first love. Whether you're into all the sticky-sweet-valentines-day-mushy-gushy stuff, or if you prefer your love with a kick of unfortunate realism, Love Actually has something for everyone--and not to mention a really great soundtrack. A perfect feel-good film and instant Christmas classic for grown-ups.