A so-so Richard Curtis romantic comedy knockoff...

This one is pretty obviously influenced by Richard Curtis' movies, notably Love Actually (directed and written), Four Weddings and a Funeral (written), Bridget Jones (co-writer)...

As we watched it, my wife played a game of guessing what A-lister/ B+-lister would play the respective roles if it was a better Richard Curtis movie.

Here we have Rose Byrne playing the role that would normally be reserved for Kiera Knightly, Simon Baker playing the Patrick Dempsey role, Anna Faris playing the Laura Linney role... You could see an alternate version of Stephen Merchant's doofus role being played by a smarmy and self-aware Bill Nighy.

The only throwoff was there was no obvious Hugh Grant comparison although Rafe Spall's awkward stammering sex shop scene comes close. I'd be more inclined to see this as a Simon Pegg role.

Stephen Merchant's scenes were funny and the charades scene was laugh out loud funny but otherwise it was sort of bland. Josh was such an insipid character that my wife and I couldn't see ANYONE considering this guy as romance material.

Also, is it me or are British comedies becoming more 'Americanized', i.e. relying on grossout/ shock humour versus the more dry and wordplay inspired comedy typical of British humour?