NEWS
"Love Actually" is actually several interwoven tales of love, lust and loneliness, held up by a superb cast and simultaneously let down by rather subpar organization.
Fumbling toward relationship bliss are: England's new bachelor prime minister (Hugh Grant) and his perky secretary Natalie (Martine McCutcheon); Jamie, a writer (Colin Firth) who falls in love with his Portuguese housekeeper after discovering his wife's adultery; a lonely and preoccupied Sarah (Laura Linney) harboring a two-year crush on her Clark Kent-esque co-worker, Karl (Rodrigo Santoro); and an 11-year-old boy named Sam (Thomas Sangster) with an agonizing crush on the "coolest girl in school."
If you are lost already, keep in mind that there are more stories told than just these four, involving more adultery, sex, humor and lustful nuances than even director Richard Curtis is used to.
Curtis, who wrote "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill," is not a stranger to romantic comedy or the aloof charm of Grant, his frequent leading man.
The problem encountered in "Love Actually" arises when there are so many plotlines to follow that it becomes difficult to tie them up at the end.
The strongest relationship, between fresh-faced Sam and his stepfather Daniel (Liam Neeson), is heartwarming but slightly unbelievable.
Recovering from the recent death of his mother, Sam comes off as unnaturally wise beyond his years as he comfortably questions Daniel about his love life.
But it is hard to imagine any 11-year-old so candidly discussing the prospect of his stepfather dating again.