Love Actually (2003) – A Charming Christmas Modern Classic

Love Actually has become a classic for Christmas that tells stories of love and kindness and all such things, which are so representational of, as were they following a Kantian principle, this marvelous time of year. It is written and directed by a very inspired Richard Curtis.

Considering the actors who accepted to participate in the project, almost all is said: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Collin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley… and many others, who did not doubt is saying yes to collaborate in what has become the last modern Christmas classic to date.

And the thing is that movies, irrespective if their theme, can actually turn out well when they have a good screenplay as foundation, even Christmas movies.

Premise

It follows the lives of eight very different couples dealing with their love lives, in various loosely and interrelated tales, all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.

About the Movie

‘Love Actually’ grabs our attention with its “good vibes” and, of course, the great performances and its feel-good moments, many of them memorable in a movie written and created around grand scenes. A deluxe English production that does not hold back on budget nor on means and that, for once, does not delve in psychological intimacies.

The film is well carried out, and knows how to navigate between comedy and drama in a truly impressive way, and to top it off counts on a great soundtrack managing to take the pop culture and adapt it effectively to the era.

Could we use an updated version? Most definitely, but it must be done just as well.

Richard Curtis shines more in the editing than in the cinematography, seeming more intent on creating out of this work a wonderful choral piece than on showing off his mastery: he allows the actors to shine, and it is they who at the end of the day provide this movie with that warmth and humanity that makes us fall for it.

The stories unfold around the central idea (love) and are laced together very smartly (a classic, in this narrative style), very close to the other masterpiece of that era, Magnolia, although thematically they are very distant, they both have the acrobatic ability of conveying several stories.

The Controversy

A few years back, and following the publication of an article in a famous magazine listing various pernicious movies with no morals, ‘Love Actually’ was included on that list. This created an uproar to which their was a counter-reaction of the movie’s fans.

We will not delve further into said controversy, as it is pointless. e consider this a marvelous movie, that is balanced, endearing and assists year after year to get into the Christmas spirit.

We do not consider it pernicious, nor unjust, nor that it harbors ill-intention. Its good vibes can be boiled down into one sentence: It is a movie about faith in humanity, in love and in humor.

This is a fun movie, tender to the core, and perhaps not apt for the cynics.

In Conclusion

This is a film that has enamored so many, and that is a constant at this time of year on TV screens round the world. It is wonderfully produced, its actors are exceptional and it has a magnificent rhythmic and scenic sense with its memorable scenes.

Trailer

Cast

Hugh Grant / The Prime Minister	Liam Neeson / Daniel	Alan Rickman / Harry
Emma Thompson / Karen	Bill Nighy / Billy Mack	Laura Linney / Sarah
Colin Firth / Jamie Bennett	Martine McCutcheon / Natalie	Keira Knightley / Juliet
Andrew Lincoln / Mark	Rowan Atkinson / Rufus

See full credits >>