So I just saw the movie "Love Actually." It's been out for quite a few years, but I'd never seen it and my friend owns it and it seemed like a good Christmas movie to watch. (yes, Tina, I know you're the only one who reads this, but I am still going to refer to you as "my friend" as if there are other people who visit this blog). Knowing it is one of "my friend's" favorite movies, I am sorry to say that I was rather disappointed with the film.
My main issue here is that I expected something...more loveable...out of it. Regarding the film's theme that "love actually is all around," it does an okay job, I guess. There are countless types of love and the gazillion plotlines certainly proved that love really is everywhere in its various forms. I think I would rather have done away with the infatuation/sex plotlines (Stupid Guy who goes to Wisconsin, Alan Rickman and The Weird Girl, Keira Knightley and Her Husband's Best Friend) and focused more on the deeper stuff (Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson, basically.) Everything else was kind of typical Rom Com fluff: little boy "in love" with little girl and developing a relationship with his stepdad at the same time, rejected Colin Firth finding love in an unexpected place, Prime Minister Grant falling for his cute-as-a-button secretary...even the porn stars falling for each other was predictable and boring. The only relationship with any sort of depth was the one between Laura Linney and her brother; she realized that although she may have been obsessed with Paulo and was finally getting her chance with him, being involved with him might compromise the attention she devotes to her brother and that was not something she was willing to concede.
Kudos go to Colin Firth's brother for having the balls to show up at the family Christmas party, to Bill Nighy for stealing the show, and for the most original take on the Nativity story I have ever enjoyed. I also must say that I really appreciated Emma Thompson's handling of the whole Weird Girl situation. She was understandably upset but also very poised and in control and wasn't afraid to get it out in the open and work it through. That is closer to what love is really all about and I guess I didn't feel there was quite enough of that in this movie.
3 comments:
I love the opening paragraph. I am sorry you didn't enjoy the movie as much as I do. I think it's the classic expectations problem. When someone tells you a movie is good, you expect a lot from it, and it's hard for a movie to live up to your expectations. Movies are much more enjoyable when you expect nothing from them.
Too true. My expectations were admittedly high, due to my friend's high praise. I didn't hate the movie; I appreciate it for what it was and there were some truly funny moments. I just expected more.
Good news - Tina's not the only one who reads your blog! Hopefully I'm welcome... :-)
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