Another controversial Christmas topic: Love Actually

[Sugardimples]

Love Actually is one of my favorite movies. And I am an adult who enjoys movies geared towards adults. Not all movies are for children.

 

[rszdtrvl]

It's a very British movie; and it just wouldn't be what it is without the raunchier parts. British humour does tend to be a bit more earthy than Americans are sometimes comfortable with, but it makes for very funny situations.

True 'dat!

 

[Schminston-Mo]

I really enjoy it too. It is sweet, silly, and mushy and that is what I sometimes need in a movie!

I did not know until reading that link that my dreamy Walking Dead Rick and my dreamy pining for a woman he can't have cue card guy were the same dreamy guy!

 

[sunshinehighway]

I watch it at least once a year, but I don't really consider it a "Christmas" movie. It certainly has its weak points for me--I'm not a fan of Hugh Grant or Keira Knightley, and her wedding dress at the beginning is just horrific--but I adore the scene of the little boy at the end running through the airport. My little brother looked exactly like that when he was a boy, so that kid in the movie will always have a special place in my heart.

He's in Game of Thrones now. At least I'm pretty sure that's him

 

[nugov2]

He's in Game of Thrones now. At least I'm pretty sure that's him

It is him. He looks almost exactly the same as he did in Love Actually.

 

[puffkin]

He's in Game of Thrones now. At least I'm pretty sure that's him

Yes, that's him.

 

[disney4us2002]

I know I saw it because when it came out I really liked Hugh Grant and I sort of remember there were various storylines that eventually interconnected but clearly I don't remember many details because I do not remember any awkward naked scenes. Guess I'll have to try to find it and watch it again. I didn't vote since none of the choices applied.

 

[NotUrsula]

He's in Game of Thrones now. At least I'm pretty sure that's him

Thomas Sangster (also sometimes billed as Thomas Brodie-Sangster.) He was also in the Nanny McPhee films, as were Emma Thompson.and Colin Firth.

He is 24 now, and Olivia Olson, who played his crush, Joanna, is 22. They both perform voices for Disney Channel's Phineas and Ferb (Sangster is the voice of Ferb, while Olson is the voice of Vanessa Doofenschmirtz) Olson recently said that while they have been acting in the same show since 2008, they still have not seen one another since the wrap of Love, Actually. They each dub in their lines in studios near their homes, Sangster in London, and Olson in Los Angeles.

 

[KristaTX]

I find it intriguing that folks are complaining about the nude body double scenes, but have zero complaints about seeing Laura Linney's (Sarah's) breasts in her scene with Rodrigo Santoro (Karl) or the slow motion undressing of Lucia Moniz (Aurelia) into her underwear on the dock before she jumps in the water after Colin Firth's (Jamie's) manuscript. You know why these were included? Because nudity happens in real life -

I'm sure that for many people on here (like me), the issue probably doesn't have to do with nudity itself, but with the industry (porn) that the two people are involved in and the somewhat graphic nature of the scenes.

 

[LexiC123]

One of my favorite movies, Christmas or otherwise. The last scene at the airport, with God Only Knows playing, makes me cry. Every. Single. Time.

I also like to watch it when I'm sick. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[mtemm]

I'm sure that for many people on here (like me), the issue probably doesn't have to do with nudity itself, but with the industry (porn) that the two people are involved in and the somewhat graphic nature of the scenes.

they weren't working in porn. they were standins for a movie similar to say, Eyes Wide Shut (to quote Martin Freeman).

 

[MomofKatie]

I like the movie very much, but don't really think of it as a "Christmas Movie"- more like a movie that happens to take place around Christmastime. I certainly don't have it in my top 5 Christmas movies list. I watch it year round.

I have seen it so many times on TV that I had forgotten about the body double couple scenes. Most of the times it comes on TV, those scenes are either cut altogether or shown with a lot of blurring. The storyline doesn't bother me at all- as others have posted, Laura Linney's character is topless, and several characters appear in nothing but skimpy underwear, but those scenes don't seem to be mentioned at all.

I wouldn't watch this movie with kids or young teens because it is a film for adults. Kids wouldn't understand or appreciate this film- in fact, most kids would think it terribly dull. I wouldn't have a problem watching the full, non TV version with my 16 year old DD- I think she is old enough now to really enjoy it.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I was going to vote "liked it" . I wondered how a movie about Julia Roberts having more or less a midlife crisis could be considered a Christmas movie.

I looked it up on IMDB... yea, I have not seen Love Actually, I saw Eat Pray Love.

 

[robinb]

I just finished watching this movie and a big thumbs up . I really liked it but I didn't understand the ending with everyone coming home in the airport. I guess I'll have to see it again.

 

[Bektasmic]

I just finished watching this movie and a big thumbs up . I really liked it but I didn't understand the ending with everyone coming home in the airport. I guess I'll have to see it again.

If I remember correctly, it's what inspired the movie-the writers were watching all these different ppl in an airport reuniting and sparked an idea of what love actually is and it's many different versions.

 

[puffkin]

If I remember correctly, it's what inspired the movie-the writers were watching all these different ppl in an airport reuniting and sparked an idea of what love actually is and it's many different versions.

It also makes a bit more sense on future viewings to see how the different characters are connected.

 

[robinb]

I didn't help that I watched the movie over 3 nights either!I'll pay more attention when I see it again . I still don't know how all the characters fit together.

 

[NotUrsula]

I didn't help that I watched the movie over 3 nights either!I'll pay more attention when I see it again . I still don't know how all the characters fit together.

The majority of them are linked either by the wedding at the beginning, or by the events of the school play, as in one way or another they are connected to either the wedding or to families of children at the school. The exception is the singer Billy Mack.

Examples:

Sarah (Laura Linney's character), is friends with Jamie (Colin Firth) and attends the wedding with him. However, she works for Harry (Alan Rickman) who is one of the school parents.

Colin (the guy who goes to Minnesota) works for the wedding caterer, and tries hitting on Mia (also a guest, and also Harry's new secretary. She lives next-door to Natalie.) When he decides to go to America, he confides in his friend Tony, who is an assistant on the film set where John (Martin Freeman) is a body double. John's nephew is also in the school play.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I adore Hugh Grant (he's so goofy!) and I never miss a chance to see him dance! I just mentioned to DH last night that I wanted to watch Love Actually again when we get home (we're in VA right now and live in FL). He just shrugged his shoulders and said OK. He's so accommodating!

Queen Colleen

 

[Sparkly]

Thanks to this thread, we're about to watch it again