So there's been 'Four Weddings', 'Notting Hill', 'Bridget Jones', 'About a boy' (did I forget any) and now... 'Love Actually', a compilation of quirky love stories revolving round every A-list brit Richard Curtis' casting department could get there hands on, plus a few B-list cameos thrown in for good measure from across the pond. This movie, it has to be said, is without a doubt the weakest of the brit flick bunch. With more absurdity than a row of traffic cones clumped down the middle of a B-road, 'Love Actually' seems somewhat overly pumped up on sugar rather than genuinely being a larged up classy slice of its lovey dovey genre. This results in two extremes, girls and women alike, being completely blinded into adoring the film, and us men being forced to use sick bags at almost every available opportunity. The film is also very sloppily directed, with a lot of opportunities missed because of its directors complete lack of experience. However, despite my best efforts to convince myself the film is nothing more than a degradation of a once proud period in British film making, I just can't help but admit how much fun it was to see such a ensemble of British acting talent all under the same roof. Even with a weak script and messy direction, 'Love Actually' can't help but be watchable, and without a doubt, every female of the species will be cueing up to buy it on the day of its VHS/DVD release. So even if I felt every guy on the planet would support the opinion that this film is just a hollow ball of gooey slush, the fact remains that the other half of the population feel gooey slush is the best thing since 'Pride and Prejudice'. I'd give it two, the girls would give it four, so it seems a compromise would be in order.

3/5