At the Movies – Love Actually

love actuallyLast week many readers were pleasantly surprised to learn about my favorite (and evidently a bit under the radar) Christmas classic, The Bishop’s Wife. This week’s feature is a more contemporary selection that I’m sure many, if not most of you, have seen. But you never know, I might be introducing a reader to a film that is sure to become one of their new holiday favorites.

Love Actually is a feel-good romantic comedy with a blockbuster cast of stars including Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Keira Knightley and Alan Rickman. Richard Curtis, in his directorial debut, was the screenwriter for such previous successes as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones’s Diary and this movie continues in much the same vein. Although some reviewers felt that the multiple story lines left little opportunity for real character development, I think the film provided ample insight in to the many aspects of love and its exuberant and heartwarming appeal is perfect for the holidays. I also loved the range of characters from Bill Nighy’s hysterical rock star has-been to Liam Neeson’s poignant Daniel, a recently widowed man left alone to raise his 11-year-old stepson. The stories are varied as is the emotional range –  you will find yourself laughing, tearing and cheering at different moments throughout this wonderful film.

love actually

Love Actually also has a terrific soundtrack including a wide range of songs and artists from the Beach Boys’ God Only Knows to Wyclef Jean’s Take Me as I Am to young Olivia Olson’s fabulous cover of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You, below!!

If you have never seen Love Actually, then I must insist you hightail it to your local video store or put it at the top of your Netflix account – you can thank me later. And if you’ve seen it before, let this serve as a reminder to watch it again for a little holiday lift (just not with the kids – it’s rated R).

33 thoughts on “At the Movies – Love Actually

  1. LOVE that you chose to write about this movie…and the sound track! One of my faves!!! And, not a cliche Holiday movie/soundtrack….which is why I own this one! Great choice, happy weekend!

  2. Thank you for reminding me about this movie! It’s wonderful. . .who can ever get enough of Emma Thompson. . .I even watched the ending AGAIN of Nanny McPhee the other night and hey, I’m a grandmother!

  3. This movie has a lot of heart and reminds us of all the different types of love that can bring both joy and sorrow into our life.

  4. I know I already told you via Twitter – but I’m getting more and more excited to watch the movie tonight! Stinks that I have to wait until the verrrry end for my fav part – singing along to “all I want for Christmas is youuuu”. So cliche but that song makes me light up :)
    Have a fantastic weekend!
    xxoo
    Molly

    • Hi Molly! Yes, I’m getting excited as well – haven’t seen it since last year – and you can always listen to the song on the blog post – my daughter and I were listening to it on speaker via my iPhone in the car :-)

  5. So funny you wrote about this movie…as I was just reading it’s one of the all time favorite holiday flicks. I, personally, ADORE IT and was thinking this weekend it would be fun to watch again. I don’t usually do that – watch movies more than once, but this one I’ve seen at least 5 times.

    merry weekend!
    elizabeth

    • Hi Elizabeth – oh too funny – well it’s popular for good reason! I’m hoping to watch it this weekend – and I’m the opposite – there are many movies I’ve seen upwards of 10 times!

  6. Dang, and I was all excited to cozy up to “The Beautiful Truth” about the naturopathic doctor, Dr.Max Gerson–nerdy and boring, I know ;). Something tells me this might be more suited for the night as laughter is indeed, the best medicine ;)

    Andrea

    • Hi Andrea – although the work of Max Gerson is interesting, this will certainly be more effective in infusing a bit of holiday spirit!

      • Ha, ok. L,A was not available on Netflix Instant sooooo, season 1 of Hoarders grabbed my interest and I had a Hoardfest ;) Then I promptly woke up to organizing mania this morning after *gasp* somewhat identifying with a few of the people on the show! Okokok, it’s just one measly closet and my crafting area in the basement that needed attention but after watching it I felt compelled to purge away before it could ever get out of control!

        • Hi Andrea – so annoying when something you want to watch isn’t on instant streaming but I read somewhere that they are going to be heading more in that direction – hope it’s true!! Good luck with your organizing – I’m way behind in that category!

  7. Looooove this movie and soundtrack. Definitely my favorite — I so look forward to watching it each year, at least a few times over :)

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thank you so so much for all of your generous comments — you are such a kind person! I cannot thank you enough for all of the support with this new Christmas series. xx

    • Hi Sarah – yes, can’t wait for my first viewing this season! Always delighted to stop by – your visions are a total treat!

  8. I share your love of The Bishop’s Wife. It’s my favourite Christmas movie too. When Dudley takes Julia’s hand in the restaurant, looks into her green eyes and says, “The only people who grow old were born old to begin with. You were born young. You will remain so.”…. I just melt.

    • Oh I know – I caught the tail end of it this afternoon on TCM and I was all teary. So glad to find a kindred spirit!

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