Love Actually

A terminally precious jumble of interconnected stories--some little dramas, some little comedies--about love, flirtation, courtship, and heartbreak (all of which will pay off just in time for a lovely London Christmas), Love Actually is a pandering, populist movie. To wit: Hugh Grant, playing the fumblingly charming, unmarried prime minister of England, is embarrassed when caught shaking his booty to The Pointer Sisters' "Jump (For My Love)" because he's falling for the girl who brings him his tea (Martine McCutcheon). The film offers no real surprises except in how and when it reveals the inevitable correlations between each anecdotal yarn--none of which could ever stand on its own. And yet, you'd have to be a terrible grump to not like Love Actually (at least a little): directed by Richard Curtis--screenwriter for Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary--the film is a maddeningly endearing storybook of fluffy fairytales for grownups, and its great cast (including Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, and Liam Neeson) makes even the most weightless episodes hit their marks with Cupid-like precision. A strong optional purchase. [Note: Available in both widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by director Richard Curtis and costars Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, and Thomas Sangster; 37 minutes of deleted scenes with onscreen intros by Curtis; “The Music of Love Actually” featuring Curtis discussing several of the film's musical selections; the music video “The Trouble with Love” by American Idol-winner Kelly Clarkson, and DVD-ROM features. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven film.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Nov. 10, 2009—Universal, 135 min., R, $26.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2003's Love Actually sports a decent transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras include audio commentary (by director Richard Curtis and costars Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, and Thomas Sangster), deleted scenes with onscreen intros by Curtis (37 min.), “The Music of Love Actually” featuring Curtis discussing several of the film's musical selections (19 min.), “The Storytellers” recap of characters and storylines (10 min.), the music videos “The Trouble with Love” by Kelly Clarkson and “Christmas is All Around” by Billy Mack, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a so-so seasonal rom-com.]