Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
I like Richard Curtis. He’s one of the few guys who works in the romantic comedy field who I don’t detest on a knee-jerk level, and his work on BLACKADDER is among the very best TV comedy writing anywhere, ever, by anyone. I still think NOTTING HILL stands as one of the few really honest and affecting films of its type in recent memory. As a result, I’m very interested in LOVE, ACTUALLY, which marks his first time directing one of his scripts.
So what did today’s scooper think of the film?
Harry
Last night I was roped into attending a test screening for the new Hugh Grant, Colin Firth film "Love, Actually", and having nothing better to do, decided to give it a go. It was made clear that the copy shown was a "work-in-progress" and that the film/sound quality and music choices may be vastly altered when the film goes on general release. Coming in at the 2 and a quarter hour mark, there are bound to be some cuts too.
"Love, Actually" follows the interlinking relationships of 10 or so couples (though some of the storylines may be cut to speed the film along), primarily based in London, in the month leading up to Christmas. The ensemble of characters includes the aging rockstar making a comeback (with a truly cringe-making song) and his manager (Gregor Fisher), the newly-wedded couple (Keira Knightley), the prime-minister (Hugh Grant), the novelist (Colin Firth), the boss of Fairtrade Coffee (Alan Rickman) and his wife (Emma Thompson), the cater-waiter (Kris Marshall from My Family), the artist (Andrew Lincoln), member of the prime-minister's staff (Martine McCutcheon), the American President (Billy Bob Thornton), a newly widowed Liam Neeson and stepson, and a rather interesting couple, one half of which UK viewers will recognise from The Office (Martin Freeman). There are also guest appearances by Ant and Dec, Denise Richards and Rowan Atkinson.
The storylines are somewhat predictable and as a romantic comedy it's not hard to spot which couples are going to end up together, though there are some serious issues tackled as well (though these may end up on the cutting room floor). The film marks Richard Curtis' directorial debut and it's a feel-good romp around London in the style we've come to expect from Richard. If you were a fan of Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sliding Doors, there's a good chance you'll like this film.
Despite the predictable plot lines, this is an enjoyable film, with surprisingly good performances from Martine McCutcheon (better known as Tiffany in UK soap opera Eastenders) and Liam Neeson. The script is well written and delivered well. An overly slushy beginning may put off some viewers with it's reference to September 11th (a cheap point), and some people may be shocked at the level of nudity (though this will most likely be toned down in the final version). All in all it is a nice little, non-taxing comedy that will probably do well in the UK (though the lack of big US stars may make it difficult to sell in the States). Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson are, of course, outstanding and Hugh Grant not too annoying. Suspension of belief is only required in a couple of places (the British Prime Minister speaking out against the President at a press conference is a bit far-fetched, and you're left waiting for a punchline that never comes when Kris Marshall lands in Wisconsin looking for fine American booty), but, all-in-all, not bad. It should be interesting to see how the film is marketed and when it is released. With it's Christmas countdown storyline it's probably looking at a November/December release which will put it up against the Matrix Revolutions and Return of The King, so may turn out to be the girlie antidote to an action-packed couple of months (but don't rule out blubbing in ROTK).
Later days.
FAK
Thanks. Can’t believe we have to wait for December to see this one. Hopefully, it’ll be worth the anticipation.
"Moriarty" out.
