It's funny how a film can grow on you. When I first saw "Love Actually," I gave it a three star review. I was still working part time as a theatre projectionist at the time, and over the weeks I found myself drawn to the projection port, taking in the film over and over again and picking up on things I missed when I first saw it.

"Love Actually" tells the story of the romantic ups and downs of various people, all of which have a partial relationship to the other. The newly elected prime minister has a thing for his assistant. His sister suspects her husband is cheating on her. Her friend has just lost his wife and is getting back out in the world. His stepson is in love with a girl from school. Another friend has just broken up with his girlfriend. And of course there's Billy Mack, a one time rock and roll legend reduced to redoing "Love is all around" as "Christmas is all around" in an attempt to have a comeback hit. These main characters, and those around them, come together to form the greatest romantic comedy since "Annie Hall." The script, by director Curtis (who also wrote "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill") manages to give each character a realism rarely found in films. The film is full of great lines, funny but honest and believable. The cast is superb, with Bill Nighy and Emma Thompson standing out. How neither was nominated for an Oscar is one of the great un justices in Hollywood history. At least the British Academy got it right. The scene where Thompson first suspects her husband is cheating on her is heartbreaking, as she goes from joy to sadness to devastation in a span of seconds. Add Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Rowan Atkinson, Kiera Knightley and Billy Bob Thornton as the Clintonesque President of the United States to the players already named and you've got an assembled cast to rival that of "JFK." But don't take my word for it. Joining me this week is another man well in touch with his manhood (we are often the butt of our friends jokes because we love this film), Dana Gouldreault:

Love Actually... by Dana Gouldreault Love Actually is a rare film that grabbed me right from the very first scene and never let go. Hugh Grant's narrative over the backdrop of people arriving at Hethro airport, well...it just said so much in such a very short amount of time. For a place where most people only recall with dread, the airport scene quickly showed us that love is indeed everywhere and ultimately where you'd least expect to find it. As each group of "love interests" were introduced to us, I found each and every character immediately interesting and I was anxious to see their individual stories. How they were all going to intertwine, I had no idea and didn't really concern myself about that, I just went along for the nicely paced ride and enjoyed every bit of it, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying but complete;y entertained no matter the situation. Richard Curtis has made his masterpiece. I've gotta imagine that the title for this film, as great as it is, might have been called "Love: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" So many personifications of love are dealt with and Curtis hits a homerun with every one of them. From the goofy Brit in search of American sex, to the tortured love of sister and brother and my favorite couple of the film, the ex-heroin addict singer and his fat, ugly manager, who turns out to be the love of his life. The humor in this film hits home as hard as the drama in it does and that is something not found too often in movies that proclaim to be romatic comedies. The foul language and the assorted sex scenes are noted in so many reviews...negative reviews of this film, and I can't help but feel sorry for the tight-assed prudes that can sit there and miss the entire point of the movie. And that is that LOVE is a feeling that is at times awkward, mysterious, hurtful, thrilling, depressing and one that none of us can do without. Simulated sex in the nude? Sure, at first glance it made me a bit uncomfortable, but...when you watch the scene(s) unfold, you realize the beauty of it, in that the two people involved are more uncomfortable than we are and only wish that they were elsewhere, talking to each other with their clothes on. Indeed, when they finally do meet outside her parents home, a simple little kiss from her sends this guy into orbit, much more so than he ever showed while being with her BUCK NAKED. Love is EVERYTHING and this movie shows it in every imaginable incarnation. And it is at times hysterical when doing so. Watching Hugh Grant's character, the Prime Minister no less, go door to door in search of his foul-mouthed former secretary, it's an absolute joy to watch. I could go on and on about the others in this film and why LOVE ACTUALLY is a must see film... "But for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - To me, it's perfect."

As the film takes place around the Christmas season, I highly recommend it for a home video viewing.

Speaking of a great cast, next week I take a look at Steven Spielberg's EPIC comedy, "1941"

Well, that's it. Have a great week. See ya!