LOVE ACTUALLY

LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)

Featuring: Hugh Grant plus too many famous people to mention...

Director: Richard Curtis (who also wrote the script)

Since it is almost Christmas, this year I decided to take a look at this off-beat British comedy. Back in the day, Leonard Maltin had the following to say about this movie:
"It seems as if every Brit from the prime minister to a fading rock star to a widower is falling in love..." Hence, the title which actually refers to the lyrics of the theme song "Love Is All Around Us".

It is impossible to give a summary of the plot here (just look at the picture below) as there are actually something like ten loosely connected yet fully independent story-lines, all taking place during the last few days before Christmas. However, in the end I found it all very charming and heart-warming with an amazing sound-track to boot. This is just the thing to watch with all those near and dear to you this time of year.

I rate it at a very merry 4 out of 5 stars. Cheers until next year!!

 

VOICE FROM THE STONE (2017)

Featuring: Emilia Clarke; Marton Csokas; Edward Dring

Director: Eric D. Howell

Based on the 1996 novel by Silvino Raffio this 2017 movie is also set in Tuscany, Italy during the 1950's. Verena (Emilia Clarke) is a nurse hired to aid a young boy (Edward Dring) who'd gone mute upon the recent death of his mother. Convinced that he can hear his late mother's voice in the walls of the ancient villa they all live in, the boy gradually draws his new carer into his own mysteriously silent world.

The mood is sombre and the pace is slow but the story is fascinating with a nice sting in the tail. As usual Emilia Clarke's performance is first rate but it is Edward Dring's wonderful depiction of the deeply troubled Jacob that really steals the show.

I rate it at a respectable 3 out of 5 stars.

 Edward Dring with Emilia Clarke

 

GIFTED (2017)

Featuring: Chris Evans; McKenna Grace; Olivia Spencer

Director: Marc Webb

Big gifts often come in small packages. Although that rings true for the central character in this movie the actual question it asks is this: What is "real" family.

Mary (Mckenna Grace) is a seven year old maths prodigy who has been in the loving care of her uncle Frank (Chris Evans) since she was a mere baby. That was shortly after her mother, his sister and also a maths genius, committed suicide. But then her estranged grandmother appears on the scene to stake her own claim on the little girl.

In an interview with Marc Webb who directed huge blockbusters like the Spider-Man movies, said that he really wanted to make a movie like this for some time now. And with stars like Chris Evans (Captain America) and Octavia Spencer (The Help) it is a winning combination - not even to mention the mega talented little Mckenna Grace. You have to have a heart of stone if you do not pick a tear for this one. 

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

  Olivia Spencer, Mckenna Grace and Chris Evans

Trailer: