Love Actually

This feel-good holiday classic was written and directed by Richard Curtis ("Notting Hill") who realized that all of the phone calls during 9/11 were to express love to family and friends, not to settle anything petty. This led him to develop his screenplay and give us this much-loved film about eight couples and what constitutes love among them.

His roster includes:

• Bill Nighy ("The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel") won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Billy Mack, a wacked-out pop star who promises to perform nude if his fans come through. Every scene with him is brilliant.
• Gregor Fisher ("The Merchant of Venice") is Joe, Billy Mack's frantic manager.
• Liam Neeson ("Non-Stop") is Daniel, a bereaved widower who now has to worry about his little son's heart (the kid is lovesick).
• Thomas Brodie-Sangster ("The Maze Runner") is Sam, that motherless little boy with heart trouble.
• Keira Knightley ("Bend it Like Beckham") Juliet is a giddy bride who wants to see the pictures their wedding photographer took of the happy event.
• Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Kinky Boots") is Peter, the happy groom.
• Andrew Lincoln ("The Walking Dead") is Mark, their unhappy photographer with a wrenching secret.
• Emma Thompson ("Sense and Sensibility") Karen has been happily married to Harry for a long time. She has never had any reason for doubts.
• Alan Rickman ("Truly, Madly, Deeply") Harry has been married for more than seven years, but the seven-year-itch has started to trouble him.
• Hugh Grant ("Notting Hill") The Prime Minister has a visit from the American President to worry about.
• Martine McCutchen (Lots of TV) Natalie serves the tea at #10 Downing Street.
• Billy Bob Thornton ("The Judge") is President of the United States.

I could go on and on because there are so many enchanting stories. Be warned though, one of the couples are actors in porno films. Actually they are so "ho-hum" about it, we feel that way, too. This lovely mess defies description so take a look at the trailer.

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Here is a small but wonderful sample:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi362021145
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