Video Reviews: 'Love Actually,' 'Stuck On You'

'Love Actually' (R) There's no other way of putting it -- "Love Actually" is actually a great romantic comedy. Driven by charming performances, witty dialogue and wonderful messages of love and hope, the film is a breath of fresh air within the increasingly stale romantic comedy genre.

The directorial debut of "Four Wedding and a Funeral," "Notting Hill" and "Bridget Jones' Diary" screenwriter Richard Curtis, "Love, Actually" simultaneously follows the story of eight decidedly different couples whose paths eventually intertwine on Christmas Eve.

Among them is the prime minister of Britain (Hugh Grant), who's having trouble suppressing his feelings for his personal assistant (Martine McCutcheon); a recent widower (Liam Neeson) whose life is rejuvenated by his son's innocence, and a longtime couple (Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman) whose marriage is teetering on the edge. At the center of their stories is an over-the-hill rock star (Bill Nighy) that attempts to save his career by recording a Christmas-themed single.

Curtis, who also wrote the screenplay, manages a fine balance with all of the subplots with "Love Actually," and puts a unique spin on romance -- with the finest example coming in the form of a couple who make acquaintances as a pair of nude stand-ins for a film's sex scenes.

The acting ensemble -- which was one of the best put on film last year -- also includes Colin Firth, Keira Knightley and Laura Linney. And while no one actor tries to one-up the other, Nighy steals the show as the haggard, Keith Richards-type rocker -- a role that joyfully recalls his turn as an aging singer in the under-appreciated 1998 British comedy "Still Crazy." He's a scream.

DVD Features: Commentary by Curtis, Grant, Nighy and actor Thomas Sangster; deleted scenes with commentary; the music of the film with introductions by Curtis; a music video and more. (Universal Studios Home Video)

Stuck On You' (PG-13) Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear make for one dynamically funny duo in "Stuck on You," a decidedly tamer comedy effort from gross-out comedy maestros Peter and Bobby Farrelly ("Dumb and Dumber," "There's Something About Mary").

Damon and Kinnear star as Bob and Walt Tenor, conjoined twin brothers who share the same liver. Born and bred in Massachusetts, they've always stuck together despite different interests. But their relationship is suddenly put to the test when Walt wants to pursue his acting dream in Hollywood. And while everybody accepts them for who they are back home, the brothers now must break through the barriers once again -- even if it's in the oddest of places in the country.

While the Farrellys have been known to push limits of gross-out humor, they've never deliberately set out to make fun of anybody in their films (except for the "normal" people that have it coming to them) -- and that's the case again with "Stuck on You." Because of their deft touch, they've delivered a sweet, sensitive and insanely funny comedy.

If there's been a common thread in their movies, it's always been about the acceptance of everybody for their so-called "differences" without patronizing them. It's so wonderfully refreshing to see the sort of kind interaction they create between their characters, without having to make a joke at their expense. Basically, they celebrate who we all are as individuals, albeit in the most preposterous of situations.

Keep your eyes out for some wonderfully unexpected cameos in "Stuck on You" -- it makes the film all the funnier.

DVD Features: Commentary by the Farrelly brothers; deleted and extended scenes; blooper reel; behind-the-scenes featurettes and more. (20Th Century Fox Home Entertainment).

Big Fish' (PG-13) Director Tim Burton snags a great catch in "Big Fish" a wonderfully magical tale about Will Bloom (Billy Crudup), a disenfranchised man who tries to come to terms with his dying father, Ed Bloom (Albert Finney), after years of estrangement because of his distaste for his dad's tall tales.

Burton delivers another quirky classic with "Big Fish," employing a vast array of colorful characters and a fantastical fairytale world that only Burton can come up with. And, taking full advantage of John August's smart, funny and poignant script (based on Daniel Wallace's novel), the acting ensemble in "Big Fish" delivers big.

Ewan McGregor is delightful as the young version of Ed Bloom and Jessica Lange is solid as usual as the adult version of Bloom matriarch, Sandra. Lange's clone, the vastly underrated Alison Lohman ("Matchstick Men"), appropriately plays the younger version of Sandra. Danny DeVito also appears as a circus ringleader.

There's no question Burton ("Batman," "Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood," "Sleepy Hollow") is an acquired taste, so it's likely that the film will resonate most with his diehard fans. Still, there's no question that this is one of Burton's most mainstream efforts to date.

DVD Features: Commentary by Burton, production featurettes, a featurette that examines the dynamic between fathers and sons, a Burton quiz and more. (Columbia Tri-Star Home Entertainment).