I watch this film EVERY Christmas. I LOVE it. Mostly because I have always had a thing for Andrew Lincoln (when I first saw my husband I thought there was a distinct resemblance) but also because it’s just so happily-ever-after and optimistic isn’t it?
Alan Rickman is a legend, as is Bill Nighy: “Thank You, Ant Or Dec….” and I find myself rooting for Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister the whole way though. Because you know, it’s a very realistic depiction of a Prime Minister. And also I really want he and Tiffany from Eastenders to get married and have babies.
And even though it made me never ever want to find a Joni Mitchell album under the tree (I would very much like to receive a statement necklace fragranced with Pot Pourri instead) I did think Emma Thompson was rather brilliant.
Richard Curtis officially made festive fairytale flavoured syrup for the soul.
Turns out Love Actually was released in 2003?! who knew?! By my calculations I’ve seen it at least 10 times and I’m looking forward to curling up on the sofa, mulled wine in hand and jigging along to Girls Aloud for my 11th helping.
For someone who doesn’t actually watch a lot of telly I do find myself in front of it for a large portion of time during December. Christmas day would no longer be the same without the special Downton Abbey episode (This year I am sorely tempted to wear a tiara to dinner) and I’m DETERMINED to begin watching a new series before the new year as kindly recommended by you lovely lot on Rock My Style a few months ago.
(We’ve already enjoyed every series so far of “The Blacklist” and are currently watching “Stalker” which is worth it for actress Maggie Q’s many killer ways to wear a silk blouse alone)
What will you be tuning in for this Christmas?
Please feel free to share your thoughts and phrases from Love Actually in the comments box below, for my, as well as your own, frivolous entertainment.
Apparently it’s not airing on terrestrial TV this month, Bah Humbug.
Good job I have it on DVD then.
Eastenders!! Nothing makes me feeling more festive than Christmas Special Eastenders!!
Marine, I haven’t watched Eastenders since Tiffany was it it! I used to love her and Grant!
I’m with you Charlotte on the Love Actually watching – it completely gets me in the festive spirit. How much do you melt with Andrew Lincoln turns up with those boards!
Will probably watch on Christmas Eve to feel all loved up and festive. It’s the one and only Christmas film I’ll watch (other than Die Hard!).
I know!!!! he is a bit of a wally (in terms of the character he plays) but he’s just so cute!
My husband is obsessed with love actually it is his favourite film ever! He owns three copies on DVD it was even mentioned in the best man speech at our wedding!
Every time it’s on TV we have to watch it, I used to like it but now it’s some kind of torture devise.
He even has a bit of a cry at the end….
Now you might think I would be a bit worried but he has an all or nothing personality, if he loves something he REALLY loves it, which is fine by me 🙂
I have to say I do love the sound track
Stacey I LOVE this! I wish James loved it (he doesn’t, AT ALL!) x
Ahh Love Actually. Defo one of my Chrimbo favourites. However the Andrew Lincoln bit with his boards makes me feel a bit uncomfortable – as sweet as it is, it’s his best mate’s wife! However as it’s just a film and not real-life I’ll let him off x
Lauren, totally echo this! What is he playing at?! x
I totally agree, Lauren! I love all the other storylines but that one always annoys me because I feel like we’re *meant* to think that it’s okay that he told Keira K even though, by doing so, he’s putting her in an awful position. Being ‘in love’ doesn’t make it okay to act like an arse!
Couldn’t agree more!! Plus the bit with the wedding video showed insane stalker tendancies!!
Ah Love Actually is the best! I always force the boy to watch it after we’ve put the tree up. I’ve usually had a few glasses of mulled wine by then so always cry at the Joni Mitchell scene. Emma Thompson is amazing.
Also at this bit…
“You learned English?”
“Just incases”. Every. Time.
My christmas film viewing schedule kicks up a notch when I get home to my parents. My Dad and I always watch Miracle on 34th Street the day I arrive home, and then on Christmas Eve we always watch Santa Clause The Movie (with Dudley Moore) which is my all time favourite. This is usually watched still in pjs, but with prosecco on hand. They are two of my favourite traditions, and now I can get really excited about him because my Dad had an op yesterday which we’ve all been nervous about, but it went fine and soon we will all be home for Christmas! So thanks for the very apt timing of the post Charlotte, I now feel on top of the world and giddy with excitement! Merry Christmas 🙂 x
“Just incases” – you’re so right, one of the best lines ever!
Sian what lovely news about your Dad, similarly my Dad had another one of his 6th month tests on Monday and it was 100% clear (he was diagnosed with quite aggressive Prostate cancer two years ago)
Just incases! I forgot about that……Love x
Oh Charlotte that’s brilliant. Thank goodness for the wonderful doctors and nurses we have in this country. X
My husband and I used to have a tradition of having a harry potter marathon on new years day but don’t suppose there is much chance of that now with our 8 month old little boy!! X
Maybe during nap time…?
Love Actually is the best. I usually start having the urge to put it on around October but try and hold out until the first weekend of December.
My favourite quotes are definitely ‘Ant or Dec’ and I’m seconding Sian on the ‘just in cases’. We always debate our favourite storyline and I think mine is Colin Firth, but I also APPLAUD Emma Thompson because the bed straightening scene kills me every year.
The closer to Christmas we get the more intense the films get. ‘Whilst you were sleeping’ is the one me and my mum watch, then Home Alone for Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day. Also we always watch the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special. It never stops being funny.
What is Whilst You Were Sleeping? is that scary? My husband always watched Home Alone 🙂 x
Noooo it’s a christmas love story! It is old school Sandra Bullock and is just the loveliest story you can imagine. I urge you to watch it!
Erm, possibly not the place to share the fact that I’ve never seen Love Actually. It’s A Wonderful Life and Elf are the two films that get me feeling all Christmassy!
Miranda! You must bloody watch it!
Although I must confess….I’ve never seen It’s a Wonderful Life.
I also switched off Elf about a 3rd of the way through because it gave me the creeps (!) Pah ha ha, isn’t it funny what all different tastes we have! x
I think there must be something wrong with me as I can’t stand Love Actually! It just makes me cringe. Am I the only one?! For me, at Christmas, it has to be Elf or Home Alone! I also love the downton Christmas especial (apparently George clooney is guest starting this year!!) Another fav is Call the Midwife! I can’t get enough of that! Xx
George Clooney?! in that case the Tiara is DEFINITELY coming out. x
I love Love Actually so much – I can almost talk along with it now. I love the way there are some sad storylines mixed in to stop it being too schmaltzy. Emma Thompson is brilliant, I also have a huge soft spot for Andrew Lincoln, I love Bill Nighy, Hugh Grant’s PM dance to Jump is brilliant. Basically it’s my favourite film and I’m OK with that.
We have been watching Blacklist too but have now finished series 1 and need to wait for series 2 to appear on Sky boxsets. Also big fans of the Walking Dead and Homeland (which is so good at the moment!). Had thought about watching Stalker but I was a bit worried it would give me nightmares…
So glad I’m not the only one who has to vet tv shows for their nightmare-inducing potential!!
Hmmm. Stalker is probably the only series I’ve had to hide behind a cushion. There are a few nail biting moments x
Ahhh… every time – so many emotions and its all so overwhelming! I cry as soon as I see Emma Tompson in it now – HOW can he do that to her?? And the bit when she pulls it all together to be a good mum for the school concert when she is breaking inside… Ouch…I just cried a bit even remembering her shakey brave voice.
2003 though really? Well I’m not surprised its extra emotional – that was the year we got married and I must have gone to see it at the cinema 10 weeks pregnant – no wonder I was overwhelmed. My husbands first book arrives in 2 sleeps but the dream ever since that cinema trip has been the writing desk in the hut by the lake… one day he will have it (we talk about it often) but for now a puddle outside the shed will have to do!
This is actually my plan for tonight! Husband is away all week with work so, as he hates it, I plan to sit in front of the fire and watch this tonight once the kiddies are in bed. I’ll be getting the paper and ribbons out and doing some festive wrapping at the same time. I do still love to watch santa claus the movie only for nostalgia purposes as my sister and I watched it every christmas eve. Do love a good Christmas film xx
We are totally watching love actually on fri night! We both love it which is pretty handy cos I insist on watching it every year too! Have the soundtrack in the car and everything ha! I love the bit in Tiffany’s house where the pm is at the front door and she comes charging down shouting expletives about where her hair straighteners! Classy haha!! There are so many good bits! Just wish Alan rickman wasn’t a silly boy! Also love while you were sleeping and any tv Christmas specials! Especially comedy ones! Yay for Christmas! (Boo for having to work Xmas day!) x
I love Love Actually, it is now becoming a Christmas classic for me. This year, because my husband is studying and skint, he made me an advent calendar which he filled with little sweeties, and either a sweet note about something he’ll do for me that day (yesterday was warm the car up for me!) or a DVD for us to watch – tonight its Home Alone and I’m SO excited!! He kicked the advent calendar off with Love Actually and I had forgotten just how good it is!! I cry every time @ the Emma Thompson/Alan Rickman storyline (I love Emma Thompson) and I just love the Martin Freeman/Joanna Page (Stacey from G&S) storyline…so cute even with all the sex/porn references!!
“Here comes Colin Frizzle and he’s got a big kn*b!!!” – makes me laugh every time 🙂
Oh dear Charlotte – and everyone else on here aparently – we usually have very similar tastes however I cannot agree with you on Love Actually.
I did enjoy it when I originally watched it back in 2003 when I was only 21. I then had a long gap between watching and when I returned to it I was pretty startled by the main messages of the film – especially the way it portrays women. The most shocking one for me is quite how many times Matine Mccutcheon’s character is described as chubby or chunky, basically fat. Martine Mccutcheon is far from fat and I find it hard to believe that they were allowed to keep referring to her weight in this movie. It’s not a great message to be sending out that a woman of a healthy weight should be so worried about being chunky.
Most of the many story lines demonstrate that what British men want are hot chicks who fetch them tea, put up with their dalliances, and either don’t speak much or don’t speak English at all!
There have been a few articles written about this that sum it up much better than I can – http://www.salon.com/2012/12/19/love_actually_the_worst_christmas_movie_ever/?utm_source=huffpost_women&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_article http://jezebel.com/i-rewatched-love-actually-and-am-here-to-ruin-it-for-al-1485136388
I’m afraid I am done with Love Actually – I’ll be sticking with Elf this year!
Hi Bryony! I found your comment really interesting, because I interpret the scenario very differently (I’m not saying you are wrong of course, and it will be interesting for me to watch it again with your thoughts in mind)
Martine’s character/the actress is absolutely beautiful and not in any way chunky (!) I think she’s got a great body, for me it was more about the comedy of it in that her ex boyfriend (?) said she was (who was clearly a div) and yet…the Prime Minister clearly didn’t think the same. I think his PA makes a comment too but I assumed that was just depicting jealousy and spite because as I said, she’s a complete curvaceous beaut and not everyone has to be incredibly slim to be the hottest chick.
I hope that makes sense! x
Absolutely fair enough Charlotte. It isn’t just the PM, PA story line and the weight thing that bothers me – I just can’t really think of one story line in the film that really depicts women in a very positive light – they are all pretty sad characters waiting to be rescued by or paid some attention by men. If this film was made in the 1950’s I could understand it but I think it’s a bit of a sad reflection for this day and age. Just not for me .
I agree with you Bryony! It’s weird because I’ve always felt a bit ‘meh’ about that film but couldn’t quite put my finger on why.
I’m with you on this Charlotte – it’s used as a comic device throughout because it’s clearly not true! Plus it is supposed to be a light hearted Christmas comedy, its not a serious comment on the roles of women in today’s society. I think that’s an entirely different post tbh!
Again fair enough Annie – I just don’t see why there isn’t really a single strong female character portrayed in this film….. While I understand it is supposed to be lighthearted comedy I don’t understand why this has to leave women looking so pathetic – I just don’t find that all that amusing…..
Ooh I am normally right there on defending the positive portrayal of women…normally totally riles me… but this film does appeal to me in a Christmas soppy mess. But aren’t ALL the characters hopeless and a bit pathetic? I don’t think its just the women in need of a man – the men are all just as broken and its all fixed by LOVE! (love heart, love heart, smiley face, big christmas tree emojis inserted here)
It is certainly lacking in giving a positive portrayal of ‘Single-Actually and quite happy thank you’ though! …but non of the men I can think of from memory are strong characters. I might watch it through again with a note pad… I’m interested to see now – I’d never even thought about that before Bryony
Awh I’m really enjoying this post! Enjoy Love Actually – but oh so cheesy! I have to admit to the fact that every Saturday night since 29th November my husband and I have sat watching Christmas films on the sofa, in front of the fire with a mulled wine in hand. So far we have watched The Snowman, two versions of A Christmas Carol and a documentary about how Dickens created Christmas. When not watching Christmas films we have Nat King Cole, Roger Whitaker and various other Christmas playlists on the go! For us it truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Xo
“8 is a lot of legs, David”
bahahahaha
best quote ever
Pah haha hahahha
I love love Downton Abbey – I watched the first series and then didn’t watch it properly until last year. I’m now thoroughly caught up and can’t wait to see the christmas special (is the George Clooney thing actually happening?!).
I also love Home Alone although, have to say, I find most of it pretty cringe to watch now – it’s fun to have on in the background when doing Christmassy things though!
Basically I’m a MASSIVE period drama fan and those always put me massively in the christmas mood – although I haven’t heard of any being produced this year, boo! Fingers crossed there’s one.
Has to be ELF!
I got soooooo angry when Sky stole (bought) the rights to it last year – so angry in fact that Santa popped a copy in my stocking, so I never had to worry about missing it ever again! haha!
xx
Got to be Elf! I plan to re-enact a great deal of it when I go to New York! Haha. Not a particular fan of Love Actually, for a lot of the reasons Bryony outlined and also because I just think it’s a bit schmaltzy! And Hugh Grant – ugh.
Also love Home Alone “Keep the change you filthy animal!” Can’t wait to watch it this weekend!
Lynsey, I am actually not a fan of Hugh Grant generally, the whole floppy haired thing gets on my nerves….but he’s ok as the PM 🙂
This entire post is almost identical to the conversation with my friends last weekend at our annual Christmas get together. A real feel good film until we realised how long it has been out and ended up feeling a bit old. We also had the debate on the keira knightly storyline, of is it sweet or wrong. I love it and am still going with sweet! Also never seen it’s a wonderful life, and I love while you were sleeping but never think of it to watch at Christmas. There’s my weekend sorted! X
Wow 2003!! I remember going on a date to see this and then to pizza hut. now i get to curl up ever year and watch it in my cosy pjs with my lovely hubby! It just fills you with warm fuzzies and who doesn’t love a bit of that at xmas! apart from the kid, he annoyed me but we can over look that!
to quote emma thompson in this film, “true love lasts a lifetime”
Tis the season for love!!!
Big fan of Love Actually although I’ve not watched it this year yet!! I have it on DVD so there’s time…
I have a bit of a Christmas DVD collection and have already watched: Elf, The Grinch, Miracle on 24th St, Home Alone (1 and 2). I’ve still to watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and Santa Claus the Movie. I recorded Polar Express off the telly the other night – I love this film.
The Snowman always makes me feel Christmassy – I love it. I have the DVD of that and Father Christmas (another bloomin’ year) haha.
Telly wise I watched Gavin & Stacey Christmas special (er recorded and saved on our TIVO from last year!).
I find work getting in the way of watching Christmas films, wrapping presents and eating a lot of chocolate hmph! Not long to go….
Lynn, Hmmm, I can feel a film watching, wrapping and chocolate orange scoffing marathon coming on…I feel I might do this tomorrow evening once Mabel is in bed! x
I too have a lot of love for Love Actually! I first saw it at the cinema with about 20 new-found friends during my first term of university, which brings back amazing memories in itself, but it’s also one of the few films that I find to be easily watchable over and over again and yet still brings out so many emotions. Love the Andrew Lincoln scene, love the octopus sitting between Martine and Hugh in the car, love when the PM’s assistant man(?!) sings ‘when the snow lay rrrrrround about’, love ‘just in cases’, love how Emma Thompson is so happy to see Hugh at the play, love ‘Ant or Dec’, love the relationship between Liam Neeson and his boy and much more! Phew, sorry. Prior to Love Actually my fave was Santa Claus: the Movie, and I also very much enjoyed The Polar Express. I need to watch It’s a Wonderful Life before the hubby disowns me xx
I love, Love Actually. Unfortunately along with almost every other Christmas/Romantic film it is on the hubby won’t watch list. I might have to watch it at 2am when he’s asleep.
My favourite Christmas movie (although i’m not sure it really counts as a Christmas movie) is Meet Me in St Louis. I HAVE to watch it every year around this time. It’s such a wonderful, heart warming film and Judy Garland is brilliant in it. We also have to watch the Snowman on Christmas Eve and Miracle on 34th Street on Christmas Day. The only other Christmas film I really love is Santa Claus the Movie. I always wanted one of Santa’s magical flying Reindeer! Oh I forgot Elf! I do love Elf too! 🙂
For me it isn’t Christmas without Love Actually, in fact this year I had to do a quick amazon prime order of it for £3 because I think my copy is locked in a storage unit!
Last year I surprised Mr R with a trip to see ‘It’s a wonderful life’ @ The Royal Academy of Arts before cocktails at the hotel we stayed in on the night of our wedding. It was magical (if a bit weird to be sitting in a room wearing headphones!).
We are hooked to Stalker too – although sometimes I watch through my spread fingers! Eek. Dylan Mc has a fond place in my heart from his role in Miracle on 34th St! Merry christmas Charlotte & all @ Rockmystyle xxx
watching it now actually, I have the Christmas lurgy and it is making me feel better!
Me too, no matter how many times I’ve watched it I still cry during that scene. What did we do pre 2003 without Love Actually?
I LOVE The Holiday…as a long time singleton I could feel the pain of Kate Winslet’s character…and with the heart warming views of a rose tinted British Christmas with the L.A sunshine and the lovely character played by Jack Black it’s my go to Christmas movie.
That and the fact I went on a girlie weekend in Copenhagen one December and we stayed in one night sat under blankets eating cheese and crackers, dranking wine in the glow of fairy lights with snow outside watching The Holiday…a great Christmas memory!
For me this Christmas will be my first one as a wife…my hollywood happy ending!
Caroline your comment made me shed a tear! What a lovely Christmas story 🙂
“Stateside, I am Prince William without the weird family.” Best line ever!
I watch Love Actually every year, at least once, without fail. Also Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone.
Thank God for someone else who loves Love Actually as much as I do. Is it just me or does the beginning when Hugh Grant is speaking make anyone else tear up?! Nope? Just me then! Xxx
Bing Crosby’s ‘Holiday Inn’ and Patrick Stewart’s ‘Christmas Carol’.
Oh, and deffo ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
#oldschool
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