Truly not my genre, the romantic comedy, but to every rule there are exceptions....

Before this, Richard Curtis has written such classics as Blackadder, Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill (the latter being the *other* exception to the above mentioned rule, by the way). Love Actually, his directing debut, is the one that really defies all prejudice. Supported by a truly great cast including, besides the unavoidable Hugh Grant, such names as Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, Rowan Atkinson and many more.

To my knowledge, this may be the only rom-com that is also a 'mosaic' movie. The plot contains a variety of characters all struggling with their own problems, ranging from a newly instated Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) clumsily in love with a member of his staff, to "the bad granddad of Rock 'n' Roll" (an enormously funny Bill Nighy) trying to score one last time with a very bad, christmas-adapted version of golden oldie 'Love is all around'. As required in 'mosaics', all characters are somehow related and all plot lines come together in the end, which is very much feel-good, true to rom-com lore - although not everything ends happily ever after, just like in real life.

This unlikely mix of genres works incredibly well. Very funny, but with a lot more depth than 'Four Weddings' and topped off with a great soundtrack, this movie leaves you with a bittersweet, very warm, christmassy feeling, no matter how cynical you are about such things. I am. And I loved it.

A word of friendly advice: Best watched in the company of loved ones or best friends, with lots of hot beverages, dark and nasty weather outside and kerchiefs for the not-so-stoic at hand.

Go see!