Love Actually - Special Christmas Edition [DVD] [2003]

 

 

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I've just read through all of the reviews on here and so many people have started theirs with the words "I don't normally like romantic comedies" or "I don't like Hugh Grant films". Then why are they watching it?

Too many people are watching this expecting too much. It's a film, not a documentary. In the words of Colin Firth, "It's not bloody Shakespeare".

Yes, Hugh Grant plays his standard character, (bumbling Englishman who you just want to give a slap), but that's what he plays. You don't find him doing a Tarantino do you?

Richard Curtis did a radio interview a few months ago and was asked what his plans for fuure projects was and he said that there were only so many ways he could get Hugh to mumble. He gets the joke, Hugh Grant is a parody of Hugh Grant.

Yes, Richard Curtis overdoes the sugar sweetness by a huge bucketload. That's what he does with his movies, split personalities. With Blackadder you got Curtis the cynic, with movies you get Curtis the incurable romantic.

People have said that the characters were unbelievable, that you don't find all these types of people in London. Go to the middle of London, it's full of them. Curtis has captured middle class England perfectly. It just might not be so recognizable to all of us at around the minimum wage mark.

I think a lot of people who have given this bad reviews really haven't watched it properly, hell most of them didn't even get the names and events right. Personally I think it is a great film to watch when you want to be uplifted, if you can't keep up with more than one storyline then go buy the Teletubbies. If you want a film that shows Britain for the majority then watch Shaun of the Dead, if you want Britain at its worst then watch Scum.

If you want to see Britain at the same level as Richrd Curtis see it then watch this, he says that a lot of characters and events in his films can be traced back to people and events he sees around him.

The cast in this are mostly wonderful:

Hugh Grant - Plays Hugh Grant in a wide selection of ties

Colin Firth - Can do comedy and emotion with equal ease, but can't help jumping in water.

Liam Neeson - Can't go wrong with Liam (Except Star Wars but that was beyond Liams control). Only he could have pulled of the funeral scene with as well as he did.

Bill Nighy - Pure comic genius, hard to remember seeing this that he is a dramatic actor, in this he is hilarious.

Alan Rickman - Again, how can he do wrong?

Rowan Atkinson - Another great Curtis regular, and one of Britains all time best actors. Should be given bigger parts but makes up for it in performance.

Thomas Sangster - Young but shows potential for future acting.

Emma Thompson - One of the most emotional scenes of the film, listening to CD alone in bedroom.

Martine McCutcheon - Wasn't expecting much from a TV actress but was surprised. Seeing Hugh Grant kissing her was just plain wrong though. Like a dirty old man.

Keira Knightley - Pre-Pirates and still finding her way in movies, wasn't in the film enough to develop completely.

Laura Linney - Wonderful performance, you could feel her pain at having to choose between family and love.

Lucia Moniz - Wonderful, shy and quiet at first, sweet,cute and adorable at end. Also Portugese Eurovision Song Contest entrant in the 90's but don't hold it against her.

Listen to the cast commentary with Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy and Thomas Sangster. It's almost as good as the film itself.

This film isn't for everyone but then what film is there in the world that EVERYONE loves?

Love Actually is a festive and funny watch and I was undoubtedly entertained for 129 minutes. From being in a relatively low mood due to the sheer coldness of the winter, I was uplifted immensely due to the Christmas tunes, happy couples and comic elements in the film. I loved that many different relationships were followed and despite the large amount of them, I was still able to emphasise with some of the storylines. The film depicted the love and warmth desired during Christmas and triggered my excitement for this month even more! Some scenes even created slight jealousy; a surprise gospel choir at a Christmas wedding is simply genius! The optimism from particular characters was delightful, and Hugh Grant's portrayal of the Prime Minister was not only hilarious but also slightly idealistic - David Cameron watch this space! Also, the realism of events (like the airport scenes) was also inspiring and hopeful, keeping the film on level ground, maybe a Christmas fairytale ending is possible after all! The brief appearances from loved faces such as Ant and Dec and Rowan Atkinson were very humorous and added light-heartedness when characters were experiencing heartbreak. Liam Neeson's relationship with his step-son was emotional and delicate, motivating families grieving through loss of loved ones to keep smiling. The film is also brought back to life through the realisation that broken relationships are existent, due to Alan Rickman's sleazy adultery. It seems fair to say that almost every relationship, be it of pain or happiness is depicted in this film and if you want to get in the Christmas mood, or simply just want to be cheered up, then Love Actually is definitely for you.

To quote just 3 other reviewers this film is "can't really fault it" "just gorgeous" "classic nonsense".

A heart warming, laugh-out-loud, tear jerker (it's got it all!), this movie never fails to cheer me up!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good Film - Light
A light film can be watched many times. Pretty much standard rom-com as expected from any film with Hugh Grant in.

Published 1 month ago by caz

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Quick delivery, good quality. Made for a perfect Christmas experience. Many thanks! It's a great film which I recommend anyone watch at Christmas time.

Published 1 month ago by EdinburghGirl

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite movies
This movie has the feel good factor. I would have liked to show it to my Mum and my young nephew and niece but for the scenes where they are filming a porn movie, which I thought... Read more

Published 1 month ago by C. Stuart-monteith

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a lover
I am surprised that there is such a diversity of opinion on this film. Personally I love this film and it would be included in my best films ever that I would want my children to... Read more

Published 1 month ago by whitbylad

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favourite RomCom bar none
I wouldn't like to say how many times, I have watched this movie. It comes out at least a couple of times a year (including Christmas). Read more

Published 1 month ago by supercountrycat

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Christmas films ever, and one of the best generally.
I truly love this film. I watch it multiple times every year - especially at christmas, which is the time frame the film is set in. Read more

Published 2 months ago by cheese

5.0 out of 5 stars KATH
WHEN I SAW THE PRICE I WAS LIKE SHOULD I BUY THIS? BUT IT TURNED OUT THE RESULTS WERE GREAT; REALLY GOOD COSSY UP FILM TO WATCH :D

Published 2 months ago by KATH

5.0 out of 5 stars good condition
very pleased with condition of dvds. I love the film and was pleased with the quick deivery. I shall really enjoy watching this.

Published 4 months ago by Mrs. M. R. Fairbairn

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for Christmas!
I usually watch this film at Christmas - but find it a great 'pick me up' at any time of year - one of those really great 'feelgood' films. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Preston Girl

5.0 out of 5 stars You cant beat this
This is a film with one big heart. It makes you care about the characters involved & you want them all to enjoy their Christmas festival. Read more

Published 7 months ago by filmlover

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