Written And Directed by Richard Curtis
Billy Mack (to Joe): "It's a terrible, terrible mistake, Chubs, but you turn out to be the fucking love of my life. And to be honest, despite all my complaining, we have had a wonderful life."
I've got to admit that I've only ever watched this film at least twice in my life and it's a movie that in recent years seems to have something of a divisive reputation. Some really love it and a lot of people really hate it. I think I'm more in the like side of things.
Richard Curtis might have quite a reputation with romantic comedies but this one might be one of the most varied one of all. Instead of one love story during the Christmas period, why not several of them? Albeit, some of them are better handled than others if we're being completely honest here.
First off all, there was the decision to cast Hugh Grant as an affable PM named David. His love story involved a maid named Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) and it's a rather moving enough story that's the most fairytale of them all. It oddly worked better than expected.
David's sister, Karen (Emma Thompson) on the other hand wasn't having the best romance this Christmas. In fact it seemed like her marriage to Harry (Alan Rickman) was on the rocks thanks to him being foolish with his secretary Mia (Heike Makatsch). It also didn't help that a Joni Mitchell CD isn't the best way to show your wife you love them.
Then there's the love triangle between newlyweds Juliet (Keira Knightly) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and the latter's best friend, Mark (Andrew Lincoln). It's complete with a rather cringe love declaration that's rightfully rejected to boot. Saying that, it's pretty damn memorable scene to watch.
As for the other stories, there's a grieving father and stepson duo named Daniel (Liam Neeson) and Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster). It's the airport with Sam being in love with his classmate, Joanna (Olivia Olson). Oh and Daniel got a date with Carol (Claudia Schiffer). As you do during the holidays.
Going through the other stories, there's an affecting love between writer Jamie (Colin Firth) and Portuguese housekeeper Aurélia (Lucia Motiz) and a cute one between two stand ins named John (Martin Freeman) and Judy (Joanna Page).
The remaining stories engaged enough. There was Sarah (Laura Linney) and Karl (Rodrigo Santoro), which was slightly complicated by the corner's mentally brother, Michael while Colin (Kris Marshall) and Tony (Abdul Sallis) had some with American girls. The most amusing story though was at the expense of washed up singer Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) and his manager Joe (Gregor Fisher) with the former trying to revive his career with a Christmas cover version.
- At the time, I did find it odd that we got no gay themed love stories but apparently there was a lesbian one that got cut for timing. We lost out on Anne Reid and Frances de la Tour.
- Other actors/celebrities who popped up in this movie included Rowan Atkinson, Elisha Cuthbert, Billy Bob Thornton, Ant &Dec, Jo Whiley, Shannon Elizabeth, Denise Richards and Michael Parkinson to name but a few.
- Standout music: Bill Nighy's Christmas Is All Around, Sugababes Too Lost In You and Girls Aloud Jump. It's a movie with a great soundtrack.
- Chronology: Christmas time in London with an epilogue set a month later.
You know, I really do like Love Actually. Yes, as a Christmas live story movie it could be a little bit more diverse and it certainly would if we were getting it today. Saying that, it's moving, funny and romantic in all the right places and I'm glad it exists as a movie.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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