Love Actually (Richard Curtis, 2003)

Love Actually is such a sweet film. I’m not even ashamed to say that I like it, it makes me feel fuzzy and warm, and most of all, festive. It seemed like the best film to watch on Christmas Eve, particularly this year when I hadn’t really started to feel Christmas-y yet…

Love Actually undoubtedly has an all star cast, starring Alan Rickman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Claudia Schiffer, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Joanna Page, Keira Knightley, Marcus Brigstocke, Martin Freeman, Martine McCutcheon, Rowan Atkinson and Bill Nighy, to name just a few… Bill Nighy and Richard Curtis seem to be a very good team, particularly when it comes to romantic comedy, having worked together on ‘About Time‘, which came out earlier this year. They also did a Doctor Who episode together, which got me excited; Richard Curtis wrote ‘Vincent and the Doctor’, in which Bill Nighy played the part of a sweet art gallery curator with a ‘cool’ bowtie.

Love Actually is such a nice film. It’s definitely my favourite romantic comedy, because Christmas is usually the only time I choose to watch romantic comedies… I like the fact there are so many cute stories within the film…
My favourite is that of Jamie and Aurélia, who meet when Jamie retreats to a quiet cottage in France for Christmas, so he can focus on his writing and escape his failed relationship. While there, he falls for his Portuguese speaking housekeeper, Aurélia. Despite the language barrier, the subtitles show that they both have similar thoughts and get on well. When Jamie returns to England, he immediately takes up Portuguese classes, and eventually travels to ask Aurélia to marry him, in Portuguese. She replies ‘yes’, as she has been learning English for the same reason.

Another story I like is that of David and Natalie, although it is not as relatable as Jamie and Aurélia’s situation… After all, we’re not all prime minister. David and Natalie meet in 10 Downing Street, where Natalie works as a member of David’s household staff. They inevitably fall in love, but David pushes her away, as they are ‘not allowed’ to be in love. However, David realises he can’t fight it anymore after he finds a Christmas card from Natalie, and goes to her house in ‘the dodgy end of Wandsworth’. He takes her to the nativity that her family are on their way to see, and their budding relationship is eventually exposed when the curtain is raised on the two of them kissing backstage.

Love Actually is one of those films which ends and you’re left thinking ‘awh that was cute!’ …then a few minutes later you’re suddenly thinking ‘why does nothing this cute ever happen to me?’ But for now, I’m enjoying the cuteness of it, and forcing myself to be excited about Christmas… Merry Christmas Eve!

About Time (Richard Curtis, 2013)

Last weekend I got bullied into going to see ‘About Time’ at the cinema with my friend. He’s a hopeless romantic, this film was right up his street. However, romantic comedies are not the type of film I usually go for; I don’t see the point in spending two hours of your life watching a painfully predictable film, and paying seven pounds for the priviledge.

Having said that, ‘About Time’ was sweet, and not overly cringe-y. It was directed by Richard Curtis, and starred Bill Nighy, both of whom are well known for their work in romantic comedies. One criticism is that it also starred Rachel McAdams… She’s a brilliant actress, but she was in a very similar film, The Time Traveller’s Wife, not so long ago. Most of her roles portray her in a very similar way every time. It would be good to see her take a different role for once.

I also feel there should be a mention for some of the main characters, who had wonderfully ginger hair…

It was a typically sweet Richard Curtis film, but that’s exactly what people were expecting… A shy but attractive man, a quirky and beautiful girl, a few complications and a life lesson, all wrapped up with a happy ending.

Despite it’s predictability, however, it was a nice enough film. It left everyone with a happy feeling, and their use of music added to the feel-good mood. While I don’t think it’s going to be a classic, highly regarded film, it’s still a cute film for a quiet evening in.