Richard Curtis Movies

Produced for HBO, the Capraesque romantic comedy The Girl in the Café stars Bill Nighy as Lawrence, a mild and unprepossessing British civil servant assigned to his country's delegation at the G8 Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland. Although he'd resigned himself to a life of lonely bachelorhood, Lawrence finds himself drawn to Gina (Kelly MacDonald), a odd, outspoken young woman whom he has met in a café. On a whim, the shy Lawrence invites the decidedly un-shy Gina to accompany him to Reykjavik. The burgeoning relationship between these two seemingly mismatched souls is counterpointed by the political jockeying at the conference, where the avowed purpose of G8 -- to adopt the all-important Millennium Development Goals as a means of reducing world poverty -- is obscured by egomania, xenophobia, and foot-dragging. Ultimately, the time comes when both Lawrence and Gina must make crucial decisions, with not only their own future but also the future of humankind in the balance. Written by Richard Curtis of Four Weddings and a Funeral fame, The Girl in the Café first aired on June 25, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This heart-warming made-for-television holiday comedy drama from Great Britain tells the tale of a recently unemployed art dealer whose every Christmas wish comes true after he finds a genie bottled up in a tarnished old lamp. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

First telecast in Britain on January 1, 1992, the 30-minute comedy special The Trouble With Bean once again stars Rowan Atkinson as the brainless, incredibly accident-prone title character. This time, Bean cuts a disastrous swath through three short, interrelated sketches. In the first, our hero, late for his dental appointment, tries to get dressed while driving his car. In the second, Bean ends up administering anesthetic to the hapless dentist (Richard Wilson). And in the final sketch, Bean returns to the park, where he tangles with a pesky fly and a remote-control toy boat. "The Trouble with Mr. Bean" made its American TV bow on April 30, 1992, and has since been released in such video compilations as The Terrible Tales of Mr. Bean and The Complete Mr. Bean, Vol. 1. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

British comedian Rowan Atkinson, best known to American audiences for his character Mr. Bean, stars in this collection of comic sketches, performed before a live audience of enthusiastic fans. Highlights include "Someone Called Jones," "Pink Tights and Props," and "The Invisible Man"; Angus Deayton joins Atkinson for several bits. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Rowan Atkinson stars as the incredibly clueless, accident-prone title character in this first of 13 half-hour Mr. Bean specials. The action is divided into three segments: In "The Exam," Mr. Bean hasn't got the answers; in "The Beach," he tries to change his trunks without removing his trousers; and in "The Church," he just can't seem to stay awake. Mr. Bean was the winner of the 1990 Golden Rose of Montreaux award (one hopes that Bean didn't collect the prize!). The special first aired in Britain on January 1, 1990, and in the United States on April 2, 1992; it can be found on several video compilations, notably The Amazing Adventures of Mr. Bean and The Complete Mr. Bean, Vol. 1. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Again hoping to avoid WWI combat duty, Captain Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) destroys the orders for "Operation Insanity" and eats the messenger pigeon. Alas, the bird was a particular favorite of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett (Stephen Fry). As a result, Edmund, aka the "Flanders pigeon murderer," faces a court-martial and firing squad. "Plan B: Corporal Punishment" first aired on October 5, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As part of his never-ending efforts to avoid the German ground troops during WWI, Captain Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) signs up with the Royal Air Corps. Crashing behind enemy lines, Edmund is captured by the enemy, forcing Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Lord Flashheart (Rik Mayall) to race to his rescue -- if only they can outmaneuver Baron Von Richtoven (Adrian Edmondson). "Plan D: Private Plane" made its British broadcast debut on October 19, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Assigned to the British secret service, Blackadder goes undercover at an army hospital to ferret out a German spy. Among the suspects is shapely Nurse Mary (Miranda Richardson), with whom Edmund immediately falls in lust. And what about Brigadier Smith (Bill Wallis), who speaks with a pronounced Teutonic accent? "Plan E: General Hospital" first aired on October 26, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Blackadder gang reteamed to perform this 15-minute sketch on the 1988 @BBC Comic Relief telethon. The year is 1648: King Charles I (Stephen Fry) is sentenced to death by Oliver Cromwell (Warren Clarke). It is up to Charles' loyal subjects (indeed, his only subjects) Sir Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) and Baldrick (Tony Robinson) to ride to the rescue. First telecast on February 5, 1988, "The Cavalier Years" has since been released to home video. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The curtain fell on the satirical British sitcom Black Adder the Third with the episode titled "Duel and Duality." Accused of deflowering the two favorite nieces of "famous soldier" the Duke of Wellington (Stephen Fry), the Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) is challenged to a duel. Ever anxious to curry favor, Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) offers to take the Prince's place on the field of honor -- and then arranges for his Scottish cousin McAdder to take Edmund's place. "Duel and Duality" was first broadcast on October 22, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) agrees to act as patron for the "fat dictionary" being written by Dr. Samuel Johnson (Robbie Coltrane). Unfortunately, the boneheaded Baldrick (Tony Richardson) accidentally uses Dr. Johnson's manuscript for firewood. Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) is faced with the daunting task of recopying the dictionary -- within a 48-hour period. Other characters crucial to the action are a trio of "romantic junkie poets" named Shelley, Byron, and Coleridge. "Ink and Incapability" originally aired on September 24, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide