Yes, it�s a romantic comedy. Yes, it�s very pleasurable to watch. Yes, it left me tingly afterwards, actually seeking out cheesy love songs on the radio on the way home.

No, I will not recommend this as a Date Movie. Established couples, probably, but not new and/or budding male-female lovebirds.

Heed the R rating. I didn�t realize until afterwards, thinking it was a romantic comedy that families could enjoy. Nada. It�s actually kinda dirty, with one of the sub-stories � one that could easily be cut entirely and not a thing would be missing from the movie, plus it would be five to ten minutes shorter for the better � is about two stand-ins for naked movie stars in a sex scene.

That, plus the foul language of the movie left me wondering why the filmmakers couldn�t have just tried to keep it cleaner a tad, go for PG-13 and bring in a bigger audience with a movie that�s not quite as uncomfortable. I was actually glad to see it alone, thus not as awkward as it would have been with a date.

It�s a Hugh Grant movie, so you know what to expect (Notting Hill, Bridget Jones�s Diary), and I was looking forward to that. What can I say? I love romantic comedies, even when I see them alone, which is depressingly frequent. I don�t think of it as a �chick flick,� per se. I prefer to refer to it as a Christmas Movie with Love-ish plotlines.

Love Actually is a marvelous ensemble cast, full of life and lively personality among 10 different love stories. It�s actually easier than you�d think to keep up with them all, a mix of puppy love, love beyond international barriers, lost love, unrequited love, cutesy love, et al.

It�s mostly good-humored, charming and wacky. The middle drags for a bit, between the hilarious and offbeat intros to all the characters and their situations, and the sweet ending. Just get through the �serious� and �no, don�t do that!� scenes and you�ll survive happy.

Still, we needed more of Hugh Grant and his flirtation with adorably fluffy and rosy Natalie (played by the future Mrs. Jeff, Martine McCutcheon), his coffee-bringer. (I have no idea what her title was, but that�s the gist of the job. Well, coffee-and-scone bringer is more accurate). It�s particularly attention grabbing, Grant dropped off at 10 Downing Street as the movie begins, his first day as Prime Minister of England. Yep, you read that correctly. An interesting tidbit, among all the stars across the pond whom we�re seeing for the first time, McCutcheon is incredibly famous across the pond, with a successful musical career and several awards for a role on BBC TV.

Similarly accolades have been afforded L�cia Moniz (Collin Firth's love interest), a famous actress in Portugal, not to mention successful musician.

There�s nothing rubbish about Billy Mack (Bill Nighy), the washed-up rocker who steals the movie while on a promotion tour for his �turd of a record� Christmas album.

A few notable cameos bring smiles, too, such as Billy Bob Thornton as the philandering U.S. president, and sexpots Denise Richards, Elisha Cuthbert ("24), Shannon Elizabeth and January Jones (American Wedding) as American girls who love British guys.

Unfortunately, I must present more negativity. The movie is just the latest to apply the "If it feels good, do it" mantra to life. Maybe we can amend this folks, mkay? Such as, "If it feels good, and is within certain boundaries, do it."

For instance, Mark (Andrew Lincoln) is infatuated with his best friend's new wife (Kiera Knightley - Pirates of the Caribbean), and feels the need to act on it. Um, dude, that's not kosher. It's okay to have the hots for your pal's girl - heck, who's not in love with Jenny? (oops, was that out loud?) - but you just enjoy the friendship and wish them best.

How depressing is it, also, when a 10-year-old asks, �What�s worse than the total agony of being in love?� considering that I�m 28 and never been?! Ack.

I�m not in love with the movie, actually, but depending on your sensitivities it might be a worthwhile departure from �serious� Oscar fare, action movies and kiddie flicks that are filling the theaters next door.