Love Actually suffers a bit from pre-release overexposure on public radio: we've already heard a lot of the good parts. And it relies, just a bit, on the humor of "isn't it funny when Brits use four letter words?"

But the good news is that there are some genuine moments, as when Sarah (Laura Linney) dances a silent micro-frenzy of sexual celebration, or when Aurelia (Lúcia Moniz) reveals her secret to Jamie (Colin Firth, in a good performance that out-stumbles Hugh Grant). It's a little frustrating that these two stories don't have a chance to develop more fully, as they must make way for the other six (somewhat linked) love stories that are to be told in 135 minutes—that works out to 17 minutes per tale.

Laura Linney has the most interesting part to work with, for she has more than just one or two levels to play, while Heike Makatch as the lusty-for-the-boss secretary Mia has the best costuming.

The other high-profile players get their licks in quickly and efficiently, but we've seen them do more nuanced and complicated work elsewhere.

posted: 9:37:27 PM