I just saw this a couple of days ago (yes I'm slow on this) but i must say it was a load of poop.

Whilst being superficially entertaining it was just absurd really. How can anyone accept Hugh Grant as PM? What was with that utterly ridiculous sub-story with the loser who went to the US to get laid? That bar scene when in the US was about the worst sceene ina mainstream movie since all the scenes in Graffiti Bridge. I kept waiting for him to wake up and it was just a dream

They left half of the stories hanging in the air, especially the one about the woman with the crazy brother.

I know, I know that this is a chick-flick but that's no excuse. I dont mind a bit of romance and I liked the directors previous films but this one was really no good. The best part, and the one that kept the film together, was the story about the ageing rocker and his crappy Xmas song.

What do you guys think?

I liked it, too... ...And while I kept expecting the loser Englishman to wake up from the dream, I thought the absurdity of the entire situation just solidified in my mind that the entire movie was basically absurd takes on love and relationships...except for the husband who cheated on his wife, that had a bit too much realism compared to the rest of the film...

I agree it succeeded in being entertaining in parts but I think the story was a dogs breakfast. It was all over the place like a mad womans piss

It tried to be like a funny Short Cuts but couldn't pull it off imho.

Byron said:

Did he actually cheat in the end?

I thought he was going to before being caught out?

bkw said:

Well, perhaps he didn't...I just assumed he did because they didn't have him trying to convince her that he didn't...

By the way, totally agree...Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister was HORRID casting...

Byron said:

See what I mean about the loose threads of the plot?

Byron said:

see that was the thing - he didn't because he realised he LOVED his wife

I didn't care for it. I remember being at the theater and continually checking my watch. I thought I would like it because I like all the other movies by that team but this one had issues.

bkw said:

I don't mind loose threads in movies...I'm not that huge a fan of having everything explained to me, would rather have something to think about after leaving the theatre.

Natisse said:

Yes, i got this bit. He was only attracted to the workmate cos she was young and beautiful. She was stroking his ego and it got to the point where he was probably going to cheat but got pulled up just in time.

Byron said:

I do too when that is intentional i.e like Donnie Darkho etc. I just think in this film that didn't know how to end it properly.

bkw said:

But...did he take the jewerly back then??...Or did he give it to his coworker, and if so, wouldn't that pretty much guarantee "something" took place??...I just got the feeling that his reaction was one of "Oh damn....you caught me"....

bkw said:

exactly each storyline was made to make you think about a different aspect and side to love

I thought it was very clever, actually, and I couldn't stop laughing the whole way through

Byron said:

I figure he definately gave it to her but whether that meant anything actually physically happened is unknown (although it is fair to say that he had at the least "mentally" cheated). I thought the reaction of his wife played by Emma Thompson was typically good acting by her.


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[Edited 10/5/04 20:51pm]

Liam Neeson's young kid creeped me out the most. He got over his mother's death so easily when his pre-teen love interest showed up. "I need to skip the funeral because I want to hang out with my hottie." WTF is up with that, anyway?

bkw said:

Oh, god, I thought it was superb acting on Emma Thompson's part...

I still hold onto the view that he did indeed cheat, which is why he reacted the way he did when she mentioned having discovered the jewerly and thinking it was for her...and why they're divorced (or at least separated) at the very end...The only thing that hints at him not sleeping with the coworker was that they didn't show it...but everything else seems to point to the fact that he did.

VoicesCarry said:

Yeah, I didnt like that story at all. A 10 year old that lost their mother would not react like that unless he hated her. I think he is a psychopath

VoicesCarry said:

lol..Good point...And actually, I thought the whole storyline with the kid was unnecessary, at least the way they played it up.

You know, I saw this movie while on the plane to Australia...a 14 1/2 hour trip, thank you!!... Probably anything I'd watch under those circumstances would have been enjoyable..

Byron said:

Did they definately seperate? I know he was coming back at the airport. Maybe he just took a break?

Emma Thompson is always great.

Byron said:

Even Graffiti Bridge?....

I hated it too. I thought it was really superficial.

applekisses said:

I liked it!

applekisses said:

I think it was supposed to be superficial...

Byron said:

Well...I mean in the way a lot of the characters were portrayed and written about. Par example...the secretary that was considered "fat" She was not fat in the least and if they were going to make statement about it (which they obviously were trying to do since Grant's character was falling in love with her for "her") they should have hired a true Big Beautiful Woman to fill that role...now THAT would have made a statement.

applekisses said:

Yeah, i never got that "fat" thing they were going on about. God help us all if she is considered fat!

I loved it though Hugh Grant wasn't very good in it but other characters made the film enjoyable. The most hilariuous was the old rockstar, he was so good

bkw said: