Rating: 
Summary: Love, Sex, and Swearing Actually
Review: I can almost guarantee that LOVE ACTUALLY is not the movie you think it is. Although the creators also brought us FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, NOTTING HILL, and BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY, you still may be a little shocked by the material showcased in their latest flick. The film is comprised of numerous short stories that are all connected to each other at various degrees. Hugh Grant is featured in his short as the new English Prime Minister who has fallen in love with his assistant. Liam Neeson plays a widower who must come to terms with his young stepson, a child actor you will definitely see again. Alan Rickman portrays a married man who is seduced by one of his co-workers. You get the picture. Each story shows love in a different light. Unfortunately, although this is a very funny and moving movie, I felt like the film should have concentrated more on some of the key stories and left out some of the others. For example, three older ladies in the theatre I attended got up and walked out. Their complaint was valid. There is one story that deals with an actor and actress in the porn industry too shy to ask each other out on a date. Funny stuff, but there is excessive nudity and sexual situations to back up the plot. Most of which is unnecessary. However, they were the only three that complained. Everyone else who left the theatre said that the film was "very good" to "excellent." I guess it depends on your own standards. I enjoyed the film, but would have liked to see some of the stories extended a bit. Also, for being on the poster, Rowan Atkinson only gets to showcase his comedic talent for roughly five minutes.
Rating: 
Summary: Ridiculous
Review: This movie insulted the intelligence of everyone in attendance. The theme of it was the less you know someone, the more likely you are to fall madly in love with them. Hugh Grant's character, the prime minister of England, fell in love with a woman upon simply seeing her. That is Hollywood crap. The child that plays Liam Neeson's son is the most articulate character in the movie, and speaks clearly about his love for another 10 year old, which, if you've ever been in the presence of a 10 year old, is a bit less than realistic. I thought this movie was a spoof on romantic comedies, as I couldn't believe that even Hollywood would come up with such a far fetched tale. Don't waste your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Flashes of Brilliance and Flashers Actually
Review: Like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones Diary and About a Boy all rolled into one film.
Moments in this movie are wonderful and charming. There is a lot of nudity and it undermines the film, that is why it loses a star in the rating. It is beyond most R rated films in both language and nudity.
It is a series of storylines about new relationships that in many cases are good enough to have stood alone and some that should have been cut from the movie altogether.
What works is the overall concept and if you can get past all the nudity (mind you, if you are a fan of nudity there wont be nearly enough for you here) you have a funny and moving look at relationships.
The story of the father (Liam Neeson) and son is outstanding; Hugh Grant's Prime Minister story is charming; Colin Firth's story is nice; the story of a singer and his manager is funny and Emma Thompson breaks your heart. The musical score is great.
Aside from the fact that you should not see it with your kids or your Mum, it's quite good actually.
Rating: 
Summary: Great British humor
Review: If you love Four Weddings and a Funeral, Nottin Hill, and British humor on the big screen, you will love this new movie. The writing is clever and there's plenty of dialog. The characters are interwoven and it takes a bit of time to figure out how each person is connected. That's half the fun. Hugh Grant is delicious as the new prime minister of England. And look for a great cameo by Billy Bob Thornton as the rakish United States President. Liam Neesom has a marvelous role as a grieving step father. He mixes well with his small step son who is having love problems of his own. A witty script and great acting lead to a memorable moment at the theater. Don't miss this one if you want an entertaining evening at the movies!
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff; Very Funny
Review: My wife and I saw this at a preview last night and both loved it. Since there are a lot of different stories going in, with characters crossing paths and interconnected in different ways, it took a few minutes to sort them all out. Once we did, though, it was worth it. Most of the stories deal with some sort of romantic love (first love, lost love, unrequited love, etc.), but a few dealt with familial love or long-term friendship-type love. Because of this, it sometimes felt uneven (Porky's crossed with You Can Count On Me), but on the whole was one of the funnier movies I've seen this year. There were many moments that stuck with me on the ride home--I keep wanting to share them in this review, but they would spoil the surprises. Also, loads of great performances from people I've never seen before--the kid who plays Liam Neeson's son Sam; the woman who plays Colin Firth's housekeeper Aurelia; the woman who plays Natalie, the Prime Minister's assistant; all were standouts in a very funny movie.
Rating:
Summary: Should be a 5 except for one inappropriate scene
Review: Just saw the sneak preview here in Houston and Colin Firth was a 10, as usual. There just wasn't enough of him and there was way too much of Hugh Grant. This was a warm-hearted, hilariously funny film. The one exception which made me rate it at a 4 is an unfortunate scene, and totally unneeded, in which Hugh Grant's character, the Prime Minister, calls the U. S. President a bully and appears to challenge or stand up to him. Obviously the English don't think their leaders are capable of making good judgements on their own. They must think they can be influenced or bought. I feel sorry for them if this is truly their opinion. This scene had nothing to do with the story or storylines of any of the 8 or 10 interwoven lives involved in this love story. It was obviously out of place and just as obviously politically motivated. I was very sorry to see this lovely story with such a lovely theme stoop to such low political levels. It was very unfortunate. Just as we were proud to stand up for Britain during WWII, I would hope they are proud to stand by us in our time of need. This scene was especially inappropriate as the beginning of the film uses the calls made by the victims of 911 as an example of love and then Richard Curtis includes this hateful scene. It ruined the film for me and I was sad to see it, because the rest of the film was great. Of course, any film with Colin Firth in it is always worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: READ ME IF YOU WANT A MOVIE THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
Review: Words cannot describe all of the utterly charming aspects to this movie. It is neither frivilous or vacous, but it is mature and funny! I am preordering this item today, even though I just saw the first showing at my mall. This is the kind of movie you get involved in. This is the kind of movie you don't want to end. This is a truley timless piece. So, from this rave review, i guess you can guess I really enjoyed it and think YOU will too. I promise!
Rating:
Summary: An amazing movie
Review: I've already seen this movie twice, even before it's actually been released. It is such an amazing feel good movie, with a terrific cast and a touching story line. Everyone I know who has seen it, has loved it. It's good for so many ages, and because there are so many different situations in the movie, almost everyone can relate to one of them. You'll come out of the movie knowing love is one of the most amazing emotions one can experience. So, again, an amazing movie. (!!!!!)
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Christmas film for adults
Review: My daughter has a very very small part in this film, so we were luck enough to be invited to the cast and crew screening in London. I did love this film. It made me cry, laugh out loud and I left the Theatre with a smile all over my face. The film has 8 intertwined stories, which all come to this fantastic ending, that makes you feel good about the world. There is a fare amount of nudity, all of which is of a sexual nature, Although this is very funny I just thought it a little out of place compared with the rest of the film. The shame is because of this, it will be a good few years before my daughter can see the film she appeared in (she's only 7). Not every one of the stories has an unrealistic happy ending, this makes it more believable and leaves you wondering what happens to the characters next. I do recommend people who believe Christmas to be special to see this film. It's a perfect Christmas film for adults.
Rating:
Summary: Good stars in a stale tale
Review: Humorously enough, the movie was exactly the kind of product described by the washed up rock star character who'd butchered his classic oldie (turning it into a holiday song) to try to get just a little more money out of the system: a golden turd. While the audience I was with got a lot of chuckles out of this story, the whole thing felt really cobbled together and insubstantial. It's a shame because there really were so many great actors in this movie - and yet none of them seemed to have any more than just cameo bits. It just felt like such a "product" - with nudity for pleasure and little kiddies dancing and singing for sentiment. On the other hand, there's not much terribly wrong with being pleasant and meaningless, despite the fact that you will doubtfully forget you ever saw this movie about five minutes after you walk out of the theater. Too bad - writer/director Richard Bean had such originality with "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Maybe he, like the rock star character he created, is hoping that a hit will help him hook a chippie so he can have a happy holiday. It'll make a good rental. (FYI: I read the other reviews before I went to a preview yesterday in Seattle and I'm convinced they were written by movie studio hacks.)
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