Love Actually

[Katilee]

I searched for an old thread an couldn't find one on this film...I hope I am not starting something that has been done already.

Anyway, I just saw this film this past weekend and was curious what everyone here thought about it. I liked it as a whole, but didn't think it was as good as all the hype surrounding it. I hate when something gets built up in your mind and then a good film ends up being a letdown. Anyway, I digress... The one part I didn't like was the porn standins - that storyline really didn't add anything to the film, in my opinion. Anyone agree, disagree?

[Philmster]

I, had the misfortune of being dragged to this film.

I thought it, was, on a whole very boring. The only real plus sides I can say it had was; Bill Nighy as a Pop Star, totally redeemed himself from Unerworld, Liam Neeson great as usual and Alan Rickman, not as good as the other two, but still good.

The jokes, you could see them a mile away, and everything about it could be predicted with 10 minutes, which was the time in which they established the main characters.

Overall, a poor showing, from a vastly over-rated filmmaker, in my opinon.

[blibblobblib]

Went to see this last week, got to go to one of those premieres to see it. Over-all i quite enjoyed it, but im pretty cynical so the extremely high levels of chedder ruined it for me. Over all the film has a positive message and its only purpose is to make you feel good whlist watching it at Christmas.

Its a collection of different yet, slowly connecting stories that show all the different aspects of love. We have New love, Old Love, Lost Love, Un-requited Love, Secret Love, Young Love, family love and forbidden love. The film explores all of these very well, although the acting is so hammed up with some classic cheesy lines that, if you anything like me, youll be laughing your heads off rather than cooing at the screen. Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson (sp?) and Laura Linney are the most entertaining and engaging in this film, getting their chracters across most realistically.

The final outcome though is a movie that leaves you feeling good....if not slightly nautious. Its an entertaining, slightly amusing, feel good, UBER cheesy christmas film.

I liked it :) :) :) out of :) :) :) :) :)

[Kong]

Kong saw this about a little over a month ago and thought that it was the worst movie he's seen all year. (Keep in mind that Kong saw crap like Dumb and Dumberer, and From Justin to Kelly: A Tale of Two American Idols)

It was unfunny, poorly written, and INSULTING!

There is no character development much less any character arc. Most of the stories could have been good, but were instead sacrificed in favor of cheesey sentimentality and sap. The cast was so good; it was painful to see all those great actors wasted in such drivel. This is about as bad as a movie can get. Nothing is more frustrating to watch than a movie with a good cast and lots of potential both of which get completely squandered in syrupy pap. This movie is like being force fed spoonfuls of sugar for 2 hours and 15 minutes. The first couple spoonfuls are sweet and tasty, but it doesn't take long before you just want puke all over the place.

Awful, awful, awful!!!

[Henry The Kid]

It was sugary, definitely, and they spent too much time with the really bad stories, but I will confess I have an unhealthy affection for Hugh Grant. I can't not like the guy, no matter what he does, in movies or with prostitutes. Certainly no modern classic, but I would call it quite a few steps above awful.

[Ezikiel]

I just came back from seeing it and thought it was very funny and very well made, I loved all the characters, especially the Bill Nighy character Billy Mack, he was very funny. Alan Rickman was my second favorite, I love him in everything I see. I really enjoyed all of it and totally disagree with EVERYTHING Kong has said. I give it a 8/10.

[Kong]

Did anyone else dislike the film's way of attacking the U.S.? As anyone who has read Kong posts concerning political of social issues will know, Kong isn't a big fan of U.S. policies and politics and Kong often enjoys it when films take stabs at those sorts of problems, but Richard Curtis's style of romantic comedy political commentary was downright insulting and uncouth.

Why make such a big scene of the U.S. President being a bully and a womanizer? Please! That joke is so old and tired that even Saturday Night Live has quite airing it, and worst of all, Curtis has filmed it as if it's subtle and witty!

That's not Kong's major problem though. What Kong thought was in bad taste was the way that he used the deaths of thousands of Americans who died due to the 9-11 terrorist attacks as a shameless gimmick to garner audience sympathy only to then spit in the face of the viewers by suggesting that all American women are mindless sluts.

Was anyone else annoyed by this? There must be someone else out there who thought it was tasteless.

[Henry The Kid]

Did anyone else dislike the film's way of attacking the U.S.? As anyone who has read Kong posts concerning political of social issues will know, Kong isn't a big fan of U.S. policies and politics and Kong often enjoys it when films take stabs at those sorts of problems, but Richard Curtis's style of romantic comedy political commentary was downright insulting and uncouth.

Why make such a big scene of the U.S. President being a bully and a womanizer? Please! That joke is so old and tired that even Saturday Night Live has quite airing it, and worst of all, Curtis has filmed it as if it's subtle and witty!

That's not Kong's major problem though. What Kong thought was in bad taste was the way that he used the deaths of thousands of Americans who died due to the 9-11 terrorist attacks as a shameless gimmick to garner audience sympathy only to then spit in the face of the viewers by suggesting that all American women are mindless sluts.

Was anyone else annoyed by this? There must be someone else out there who thought it was tasteless.

I definitely picked up on some strong anti-American sentiment in the movie. It did get rather annoying at parts, but my expectations for the film were quite low, so it's not really surprising that I enjoyed more than I should have.

[LordSlaytan]

You, my friend, are a professional pessimist. :)

[jrs]

Awful, awful, awful!!!



:yup:

[Ezikiel]

:yup:
This film is far from being awful.

[susan]

well, again, i haven't posted here in a while, but i did not find this film annoying at all

i saw this at one of the sneak previews

and if anything the pm and the president of the us both were made out to be womanizers...(sp) ..that's what the whole conversation was about anyway..i honestly took it as a joke which i believe it was meant to be

i found this movie amazing, wonderful, etc....the ensemble cast was marvelous (especially the story of the author (colin firth) and the portugese maid which was my favorite...

i came away from this film with a warm fuzzy feeling..it was one of the better romantic comedies in a long time with true to life situations...

at least that's how i felt

[Philmster]

:yup:
I second that ;)

[Sexy Celebrity]

What the hell is this movie even about? Falling in love around Christmas? Having sex? That kind of thing?

[Philmster]

Love is all-around, it follows the lives of 10 (I think) people falling in and out of love, its meant to be funny.

[Garrett]

Romantic comedy has never been one of my favorite genres, but this one looked pretty good. I plan on seeing it sometime.

[Kong]

and if anything the pm and the president of the us both were made out to be womanizers...(sp) ..that's what the whole conversation was about anyway..i honestly took it as a joke which i believe it was meant to be

You thought the Prime Minister was made out to be a womanizer? Did you fall asleep? He was quite clearly shown to care for that one girl, and he never made any kind of passes at any other women during the entire movie.

[susan]

You thought the Prime Minister was made out to be a womanizer? Did you fall asleep? He was quite clearly shown to care for that one girl, and he never made any kind of passes at any other women during the entire movie.

he was introduced to her in the beginning of the film as well as the other women on the staff and was attracted to her, it's true...

what i meant was that the president and the pm did want the same woman, but it was clearly laid out in that conversation who would take control of the situation...

the speech was cleverly done...

maybe i chose too strong a word...

[thevandal]

Has anyone seen Love Actually??? it is sooooo good, it makes you feel all warm inside! i love it!! and it's got Elisha Cuthbert in it!!! HOW HOT! :D

[blibblobblib]

Has anyone seen Love Actually??? it is sooooo good, it makes you feel all warm inside! i love it!! and it's got Elisha Cuthbert in it!!! HOW HOT! :D

Ummm, If you look upwards through this post youll see that quite a lot of people have seen Love Actually....and quite a lot of poeple didn't like it :yup:

[Kikuchiyo]

Bill Nighy and Gregor Fisher are the best actors and characters in it.

The girl in the scenes with Martin Freeman (the 2 actors similating sex) was in school with me.

[Aniko]

I watched Love Actually movie last week on DVD...and for the most part I liked it, but there were parts I hated also.

I loved...

The story of Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. I think it was perfect showin a couple who've been married for 13-15 years and are seeing difficulties. Not that I agree with how those difficulties were shown (come on filmmakers...there are other difficulties in marriage other than a wandering eye...how about dealing with teenagers differently or parents on their last years and what to do about their situation, for petes sake)...but still it was shown that a loving couple has their problems. The scene where Emma goes into the bedroom and breaksdown...but tries to control herself...just wrentched my heart (been there, done that). Unfortunately, I wish who ever made this film took the same time and sensitively to finish their story.

The only other story that I really loved was of Keira Knightley (Juile), Chiwetel Ejiofor (her newlywed husband Peter) and Andrew Lincoln (Mark, Peter's best freind). I loved the scene when she watched her wedding video that Mark made...and towards the end when Mark goes to her with his words written out on poster board. T'was the sweetest thing I'd seen in a romantic comedy this past year. :bawling:


However I hated....
The story of the Dweeb who flies to Wisconsin...and into the first bar and is picked up by a few beautiful bimbos. Yes, I can see were Kong and others would be insulted. I HATED this storyline...what a waste of time that could have been spent on strengthening other characters...Oh...and the same goes for the porno couple!. If the entire movie were tongue in cheek or an 'Austin Powers'/ 'Animal House' type of movie, it wouldn't have bothered me as much...but it did here.

Also...The Hugh Grant storyline. Very cheesy. And, I hated the the president acting...ala Clinton. I could have done without Hugh Grant's entire storyline (and I usually love him).

I think I've vented enough. :modest:

[blibblobblib]

The story of Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. I think it was perfect showin a couple who've been married for 13-15 years and are seeing difficulties. Not that I agree with how those difficulties weres shown (come on filmakers...there are other difficulties in marriage than a wandering eye...how about dealing with teenagers or parents on their last years and what to do aboyt their situation, for petes sake)...but still it was shown that a loving couple has their problems. The scene where Emma goes into the bedroom and breaksdown...but tries to control herself just wretched my heart (been there, done that)...unfortunately I wish who ever made this film took the same time and sensitively to finish their story.

As much as i have come to hate this film over the last few months, i was really moved by this scene. Emma Thomspon is abosloutly brilliant in it. When i first watched it as she walks into the bedroom i was like "please dont cry, dont cry!" Very Sad. he only other story in it that i thoguht was quite moving was the Laura Linneys with her diabled brother. Quite sad. Apart from the nice footage at the airports at the beginning and the end and the parts ive mentioned. I really dont like this film anymore. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay too cheesy for me :yup:

[Caitlyn]

I finally got around to watching this and should have remembered Kong’s earlier comment about it being insulting… between Billy Bob as President… the Cigar Monica look alike… and the Wisconsin sluts… I wasn’t sure what to be insulted by the most… and the only characters who were interesting at all to me were Firth and the maid, Liam and his step-son, and Emma Thompson… I normally love Rickman but somehow he just fell short of the mark for me with the exception of the one scene where he told his employee she should ask the guy she had been mooning over out for a drink… the porno couple who turned shy when they had their clothes on were just plain silly and the guy headed to American with a backpack full of condoms was ridiculous… Nighy as the washed up rock star was funny at first but they over did him and could have used some of the time spent on him in developing a few of the other characters, imo.

Final rating - :sick:

[Hauberinia]

Boy, talk about seeing hidden meanings... :rolleyes: I watched this film just recently and liked it much more than I thought I would (because of the hype... I usually hate movies that are hyped as being so good). I didn't catch any "American bashing", at least not more than I did any "American loving" (think about the little boy who had the crush on the little American singer and in the end got the girl, as well as the fact that they did show the "plain" American girls in the bar as being outrageously pretty). Loosen up on the paranoia people!

[7thson]

To all those who say that this film is insulting: I think it was supposed to be. So therefore it accomplished something at least. For the most part I found it refreshingly original, but original doesnt always mean good. I give it a little above average.... a B+ on the grade scale for me.

[Ash_Lee]

I've made my feelings about this film pretty clear elsewhere, so I shall keep this short.
For me, this film almost felt like a showcase for British talent, what with so many famous faces (famous only in Britain for some) and it would've been so much better if the film concentrated on just a few of these stories, like the Hugh Grant one, Alan Rickman and Liam Neeson. Oh, and Bill Nighy. In fact, the only moment in the whole film that made me laugh out loud was when he was with Ant and Dec and he gave his message on drugs.
Still, I was disappointed. 4 Weddings is still my favourite :D

[Edwin]

I searched for an old thread an couldn't find one on this film...I hope I am not starting something that has been done already.

Anyway, I just saw this film this past weekend and was curious what everyone here thought about it. I liked it as a whole, but didn't think it was as good as all the hype surrounding it. I hate when something gets built up in your mind and then a good film ends up being a letdown. Anyway, I digress... The one part I didn't like was the porn standins - that storyline really didn't add anything to the film, in my opinion. Anyone agree, disagree?

I thought Love Actually was one of the best romantic comedies I've ever seen. And I don't see many. Every character in the multiple storylines was interesting, 3-dimensional, not shallow. My favorite was with Hugh Grant as the Priime Minister head over heels in love with one of his servants. The film was just a pleasant, enjoyable and funny tapestry that proves love comes in all shapes and sizes.

[loopie]

It was clever how they put all the stories together, but I understand, I guess, if someone didn't like it. Overall, I enjoyed it, though I agree with the whole porn scene being a little distasteful. I don't really mind the America-bashing... I mean, how many times have the Americans bashed the Brits in films? Probably more than they've bashed us.

[Sexy Celebrity]

Tried watching it and couldn't get into it.

[The Sarge]

I just came back from seeing it and thought it was very funny and very well made, I loved all the characters, especially the Bill Nighy character Billy Mack, he was very funny. Alan Rickman was my second favorite, I love him in everything I see. I really enjoyed all of it and totally disagree with EVERYTHING Kong has said. I give it a 8/10.

TOTAL agreement with you mate... im a 34yr old bloke who loves films with things blowing up in them. And lots of shooting. And preferably a helicopter crash.

And i can safeley say i loved this film.
I even got a wobbly bottom lip!


(but the reason behind that is a different story)

Anyways, liked it, bought it. Along with 'About A Boy'.

[SamsoniteDelilah]

I thought this film was very charming. I thought it would have been a little better with a few fewer stories and more depth to the ones it chose to focus in on, but it was a great "feel good" movie. I felt good, anyway.