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Love Actually

Here is the usual romantic film plotline: boy meets girl, girl likes boy, boy is not sure of his feelings so he steps back, girl leaves boy, boy realizes he loves girl, girl goes back to boy. Predictable? Yes. Good Movie? Yes.

Not since the days of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, has a romantic comedy been quite as entertaining or quite as original. Written and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually seems to rebel from typical, cookie-cutter-style romance and steps out on a whole new platform.

From a broken-hearted divorcee to a broken-down musician hoping to resurrect his diminishing career, Love Actually tells the story of extremely different characters all while impressively and subtly intertwining their lives. Hugh Grant (Bridget Jones's Diary), whose knack for the bumbling Brit, is again delightful as he plays the new British Prime Minister who begins to fall for his assistant. While this unfolds, Liam Neeson (Schindler's List) plays a widower who helps his stepson win the heart of the girl of his dreams. Add an astonishing array of love stories and this film is a refreshing love story with lighthearted comedy.

After writing such films as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, Curtis does not seem to conform to Hollywood's take on romance. Curtis wrote Love Actually, but it is the first film he steps behind the camera to give viewers a perspective on the film he created. Curtis made an arduous task look effortless as he put together a film revolving around roughly 20 lives. Every story is told with heart and is an enjoyable experience that makes it a perfect date movie.

This film is creatively devised and leaves you entertained. The many plotlines do not lead to confusion because the originality of each character sticks with you after the film is over. If you are looking for a romantic film that has a stable script and characters with depth, Love Actually will take you back to those cinematic days where love stories had a valuable meaning and a creative script.

Written by: Emily Assad

Reviewers Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 8.60
Reader's Votes: 15

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