All the Wonderful Things About Love Actually

As part of the new content on Flavour of the Film, I’m writing pieces that celebrate all the wonderful things about different films and television shows. There can be a lot of negativity and time spent finding faults with cinema and TV, but I want to bring to light all of the brilliant elements instead! To start, I’m choosing one of my favourite Christmas films. This is my last post of 2024, so let’s sign the year off with a high, starting with my Love Actually review!

*NOTE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS*

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Contents

Natalie's Christmas card to the PM.
All images sourced from IMDb.

Love Actually Review

There are so many likeable things about Love Actually. It’s one of my favourite Christmas movies; an annual watch to say the least. 

As mentioned in my Christmas movie bingo post, I introduced this film to a couple of very important people to me – both from the U.S. – whilst spending the holiday season in Japan. It remains a collection of very special memories.

Sure, there are a few elements of this film that aren’t fantastic. The early 2000s mentality around certain things is very prevalent (Martine McCutcheon is STUNNING, just for the record). There are precisely three lines in this movie that frustrate me greatly.

Nevertheless, this post is dedicated to celebrating the great things about Love Actually! A different kind of Love Actually review, if you will. Let’s jump in.

Aurelia telling Jamie how leaving him is the saddest part of her day.
Love blossoming. Image sourced from IMDb.

Shining Moments

Richard Curtis’ Love Actually (2003) is a collection of intertwining story threads, each following the life of a Londoner during the lead up to Christmas. Every central character is connected to another in some way, making this film feel much more intimate in its setting.

Quite the achievement when you consider just how densely populated London is. Central London in particular, as that’s the main setting for the film.

Note: these characters mostly appear to be of a similar socio-economic background, so there isn’t much variation in that sense.

Nevertheless, this is a Christmas movie and I always say you should never take a Christmas film too seriously. The main goal for a festive film is joy and only joy.

John getting excited about Judy's declaration of wanting him for Christmas.
John and Judy post-first date. Image sourced from IMDb.

One of my favourite things about Love Actually is how it depicts the varying versions of love that are experienced in this world. True love in particular.

Sure, there are tropes in the mix. I won’t shy away from that in my Love Actually review. It seems to me that they are in there to help better shine a light on the truer love connections. I will forever say it: unconditional love exists in this world. 

I discuss this more in my Forrest Gump inspired chocolates post because it’s a perfect example of unconditional love in a romantic sense. Love Actually demonstrates notes of unconditional love in a few of the plot threads. 

Namely Sam’s love for Joanna and Daniel’s fatherly love for Sam. More on this later, friends.

Daniel and Sam in deep conversation for the first time since the loss of Sam's mother/Daniel's wife.
Daniel and Sam reconnecting. Image sourced from IMDb.

The opening and closing sequences of this film feel like bookends: they are connected and sandwich the relevant stories.

The main message of the entire film – which is ultimately highlighted in both the opening and closing monologues – is that love is everywhere if you only open yourself to it.

No matter what is going on in this world, you will still be able to see love in all its glorious forms. Love is the only thing that matters in life, so this particular message is always a nice reminder as each Christmas season rolls around.

Daniel on the left and a black and white projected photo of his late wife on the left behind him.
Daniel and his Joanna. Image sourced from IMDb.

There are a number of clever shot choices that are worth mentioning in this part of my Love Actually review.

Love Actually is popular for many reasons; the interconnecting structure of its multi-thread story, the romance, the humour, the characters, the music.

It’s not necessarily known for its technical aspects… and yet… 

A couple of the specific shot decisions that I appreciate include the ones during Daniel’s speech. Just as he finishes speaking and the Bay City Rollers boom through the speakers, the frame changes to show Daniel on the left and the projected (notably black and white) images of his late wife on the right, fading behind him.

Simple but emotionally charged and powerful as a result. 

I also appreciate the shots of Jamie (played by Colin Firth) opening the doors of his French villa. The dust covers inside indicate that a decent length of time has passed since he was last there, lending to the idea that his airing out the space symbolises the concept of releasing the past and welcoming better things.

Joanna’s big reveal is done well, too. It’s not until the end of the film that we actually see her – lit up by a single spotlight like an angel.

The PM dancing to the radio following his speech.
Dancing PM. Image sourced from IMDb.

Love Actually is full of shining moments.

The PM’s dancing scene is up there with some of the most memorable. It’s one of the most well-known scenes in the entire film.

Let’s take a closer look and celebrate more of them.

Jamie writing by the lake.
Jamie in France. Image sourced from IMDb.

Charming Characters

Following the opening monologue, the film carries out a sequence of brief introductions of the characters leading the main plot threads. These introductions are succinct but prominent: they display the beginnings of what we later see are the turning points of these characters’ lives.

We are introduced to a couple of characters who have already experienced major life events – namely Daniel and David – but whose lives are still shifting in a distinct way.

My favourite introduction to a character is Natalie’s opening scene. Classic. Imagine swearing that much in front of the Prime Minister.

Karen hugging one of her children.
Karen the mother. Image sourced from IMDb.

Thankfully, Love Actually is made up of a pretty great cast of characters (and fantastic talent playing them).

So many likeable people which makes a much better viewing experience in this context. Christmas films should bring joy and only joy!

Despite her storyline – and the fact that she says all three of the lines that frustrate me the most (as mentioned earlier) – Karen (played by Emma Thompson) is a great character. She’s fun, she’s smart, she’s funny. Karen is one of those characters that is hard not to like. Even with the wacky haircut.

Early 2000s hair… oof.

Billy Mack (played by Bill Nighy) is the rough and ready aging rockstar who is all brash honesty and crass conversation with a secretly huge heart. Bill Nighy is brilliant in everything that he does but Love Actually is one of his most memorable – in all the right ways.

Sam smiling while drumming.
Happy Sam. Image sourced from IMDb.

My most favourite character is Sam.

Little Sam! Played wonderfully by Thomas Brodie Sangster, Sam steals the entire show. He’s pure of heart and nothing more. His entire storyline is driven by his love for Joanna and he grows more confident in himself as a result.

The way his face changes from a smile to a frown during the All I Want for Christmas performance when Joanna points to him while she sings beautifully before pointing to the crowd. Unforgettable.

Daniel’s eagerness to continue strengthening his bond with Sam is heartwarming. He never once tells Sam what he can or can’t do. He is simply there for him and cheers him on in all his endeavours. Even when it means encouraging him to run through airport security.

When Sam calls Daniel “Dad” for the first time, my heart melts. Sam’s love for Joanna ultimately brings him and Daniel closer. Love brings love. *wipes tear from cheek*

Natalie and the PM kissing on stage.
It’s about time. Image sourced from IMDb.

Despite the encounter she had with the President, Natalie is a woman who knows she should be treated well.

She’s more than just a love interest for the Prime Minister – she helps him see what’s really important. Her unwelcome encounter with the President is what triggers the PM to stand up for his country in the form of an eloquent and impressive speech.

Rufus taking a long time to gift wrap the necklace.
Rufus gift wrapping. Image sourced from IMDb.

One particular character that needs recognition is Rufus (the jeweller played by Rowan Atkinson).

He’s such an interesting element in the story. 

Though he appears less frequently than many of the other characters, his existence in the story mirrors that of a guardian angel…

He takes a long time to gift wrap the gold necklace as if to make sure Harry (played by Alan Rickman) wouldn’t be able to go through with the purchase. He then conveniently forgets his boarding pass which allows distraction for Sam to run through and reach Joanna before she departs for America.

Sounds more and more like a guardian angel figure to me.

Aurelia accepting Jamie's proposal.
When you know, you know. Image sourced from IMDb.

Depictions of Love

Back to love. This is a Love Actually review, friends. It’s the focal point of the entire film. As I mentioned earlier in the post, the movie depicts love in varying ways.

Both the tropes and the true connections. Let’s fall deeper…

Daniel and Sam having a heart to heart.
Contemplating and DMCs. Image sourced from IMDb.

Familial bonds are prominent, especially with characters like Karen and Daniel.

Karen’s love for her children is obvious, going to lengths to make them feel supported and loved. Even though she refers to her son as “horrid” in one scene, it’s clear that her love for her kids is infinite through the interest she takes in them; the making of their Nativity costumes, and her participation in their Nativity preview. 

Just to name a few key moments.

Daniel does whatever he can to make Sam feel supported in his dreams, especially after the loss of his Mum. Despite not being his biological father, Daniel is every bit a father to Sam. It’s lovely to watch as an audience member.

Sarah (played by Laura Linney) puts her brother before anyone else… including herself. I have strong feelings about her storyline, particularly regarding the romantic side of it. I won’t get into it because you can probably guess what I would say. Can you hear me sighing?

Sam declaring his love for Joanna.
Just in time. Image sourced from IMDb.

Love Actually is filled with romance, as is expected from a festive romcom.

Sam and Joanna represent the innocence of young love – the purity of a love that is unconditional. Unconditional because it exists against all odds: age, nationality, “coolness” rank. 

Daniel’s love for his late wife is prominent throughout, despite his jokes. He displays raw emotion whilst navigating the rippling waves of grief, simultaneously strengthening his bond with his step-son.

David fights his love for Natalie for pretty much the entire movie. His knowledge of what he “should do” fights what his heart wants repeatedly until eventually, his heart wins out. As the heart should! Love is love.

John and Judy being asked to carry out the task of the next scene test.
Scene prep. Image sourced from IMDb.

Martin Freeman told Graham Norton on his red couch that his scenes with Joanna Page were never supposed to be “sexy”.

Fair enough. 

What I love about their characters, John and Judy, is that they are both seemingly shy, yet find a friend in one another – and ultimately love – in one of the most unconventional situations. 

Another friendship that strengthens over the duration of the film is that of Billy and Joe’s. Even having been invited to spend Christmas Eve with the biggest names in the industry following his record hitting Christmas number one, Billy realises all he really wants is to be with his lifelong friend. It’s pure.

Jamie and Aurelia are another example of a true connection – this time showing how time is just a construct and that love overrules all. When you know, you know. It’s true. They are also the perfect example of how language needn’t be a barrier.

Peter and Juliet during their wedding ceremony.
Newly married. Image sourced from IMDb.

There are more depictions of love, of course. Love Actually is a pretty big movie in terms of population.

Juliet and Peter (played by Kiera Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor) who get married right at the beginning of the movie is an obvious one. 

Then there’s Colin (played by Kris Marshall). Ah, Colin. He’s proof of why you should always follow your heart and trust yourself!

Central London with Christmas trees etc.
Festive London in the early 2000s. Image sourced from IMDb.

Festive Fun

Love Actually isn’t just a romcom, it’s a Christmas romcom. This Love Actually review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t celebrate the festive features of this movie.

Regular establishing shots show an increasingly festive Central London, which feels more and more Christmassy as the film progresses. This is helped by the weekly countdown to Christmas, too.

Probably the most festive sequence is the school’s Nativity performance in the final act. The added characters like the lobsters and octopus really give it some extra zest – and humour in the form of one of the three kings wearing Spider-Man face paint. 

There’s also Ant & Dec’s interview with Billy. Blue as his competition for Christmas number one still makes me feel nostalgic. That boy band contributed to what I have dubbed “the sound of my childhood”.

Ant & Dec are British national treasures, too. 

Billy and Joe hugging on Christmas Eve.
Billy and Joe hugging it out. Image sourced from IMDb.

Love Actually Review Round-up

There’s a lot to love about Love Actually

It’s festive, it’s romantic, it’s endearing. 

The music score is wonderful, too. Props to Craig Armstrong for creating such a memorable collection of musical pieces.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this post: Love Actually is an annual watch each Christmas. 

It reminds us that love really is all around.

Thank you for reading my Love Actually review! I hope it has entertained you and maybe even shone a light on some of the film’s elements that maybe you hadn’t noticed or considered.

Merry Christmas, friends. I hope this time of year brings you so much love and joy. See you in 2025 x

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