Cady's Take:

The "central romance," if there can be considered to be one, is between the British Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) and a shapely assistant, Natalie (former U.K. soap star Martine McCutcheon). Other couplings involve writer Jamie (Colin Firth) and his Portuguese maid, Aurelia (Lucina Moniz); widower Daniel (Liam Neeson) with his absolutely adorable stepson; the PM's sister, Karen (Emma Thomspon), and her husband, Harry (Alan Rickman); and Harry's subordinate, Susan (Laura Linney), and a younger co-worker, Carl (Rodrigo Santoro). These are just to name a few…

Curtis has populated his cast with actors who genuinely embrace their characters. No one actor stands out as everyone involved is equally terrific. You’d never know “Love Actually” marks Curtis’ debut as a director. Floating above it all is Bill Nighy as a gone-to-seed, aging rocker hoping that his awful Christmas single will spur a comeback. Nighy’s character is hilariously acidic, every time he was on the screen I was laughing out loud.

“Love Actually” is utterly charming, irresistible, and all those other accolades usually launched at a cute, fluffy, romantic comedy. What can I say- Loved it, Loved it, Loved it! This film will leave you with a smile on your face and an almost irresistible urge to hug somebody. If you can wait, watch this with your sweetheart right before Christmas…if you can wait!

Love Actually is actually great. In the vein of “Four Weddings and a Funeral” Hugh Grant stars in another charming romantic comedy with a quirky ensemble of characters. Almost all of us can relate to each of these characters in one way or another as they struggle to find love. Of course the comparison to “Four Weddings” is easy, since both movies star Hugh Grant, are written by Richard Curtis, and feature that song “Love is All Around” – “Love Actually” has changed how I will react to that song forever.

It would be difficult to discuss all of the plot lines here so I will mention a few of my favorites and hope they entice you to rent “Love Actually” this weekend – tonight if possible. Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister of Britain falls in love with the adorable office worker Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). Emma Thompson as Grant’s sister Karen, and her maybe cheating, maybe not cheating husband Harry (Alan Rickman). Widowed Daniel (Liam Neeson) and his young stepson played by Thomas Sangston. This story in particular is touching and charming and Sangston will simply blow you away. I cannot forget the moving force of the movie: Bill Nighy as Billy Mack. Mack is an aging rock star who is remaking his “Love Is All Around” for the Christmas season (the movie leads us through the five weeks leading up to Christmas) and goes on something of a promotional tour to make the song Britain’s #1 holiday seller.

There may be too many story lines to qualify “Love Actually” as perfect, or tightly woven, however the sheer charm of the performances and the wonderful way the characters and their relationships are intertwined puts “Love Actually” pretty close to the top of my Favorite Romantic Comedy list.