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Annual DL Holiday We Hate the Film "Love. Actually" Thread

I'm surprised "noone" have posted this yet. Go on then, spew. Let the hate go forth.

by Anonymousreply 262December 24, 2020 9:03 PM

The fact that it was written by Richard Curtis is enough to keep me away from Curtis' latest screenplay "War Horse".

Well that and maybe that John Williams did the music, too.

The truth, actually, is the what Williams does to music Curtis does to words.

by Anonymousreply 1December 24, 2011 9:17 PM

Noone? Really?

by Anonymousreply 2December 24, 2011 9:27 PM

It's actually a pretty good movie, if you're in the right mood for the record-breaking levels of sentimentality.

I shudder to think what a bad imitation would be like, so I haven't seen that "New Year's" film.

by Anonymousreply 3December 24, 2011 9:29 PM

Actually, love (see what I did there?) I think it's a sweet film and enjoyed watching it the two or three times it has been aired here in the UK.

I'm sorry, OP, that you are so jaded and cynical - it must be a pretty miserable life you have going on there.

by Anonymousreply 4December 24, 2011 9:32 PM

Lamest bit - the 2 naked actors who fall in love.

by Anonymousreply 5December 24, 2011 9:38 PM

Well, I just can't take Laura Linney's dancing.

by Anonymousreply 6December 24, 2011 9:39 PM

I watched it yesterday, Love Actually and The Family Stone are my 2 annual Christmas movies.

by Anonymousreply 7December 24, 2011 9:42 PM

All I remember when I watched it when it first came out I hated it and LL didn't look very good in her nude scene...

by Anonymousreply 8December 24, 2011 9:52 PM

Depends on my mood. I saw it at the cinema just before Christmas when it originally came out and being full of whiskey and soda, I enjoyed it and had a warm fuzzy feeling afterwards.

However, the passage of time has done nothing to convince this film is good cinematographic entertainment, but rather chick flick material for a rainy day.

by Anonymousreply 9December 24, 2011 10:00 PM

Actually, I enjoy this film around this time of year.

by Anonymousreply 10December 24, 2011 10:02 PM

I loved Bill Nighy and the little boy, but the rest of it was mostly annoying with occasional laughs.

by Anonymousreply 11December 24, 2011 10:06 PM

Other than Kiera Knightly's horseshit, I like the movie.

by Anonymousreply 12December 24, 2011 10:07 PM

Saw it again recently. I still find it weirdly misogynistic.

by Anonymousreply 13December 24, 2011 10:10 PM

I was brilliant.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 14December 24, 2011 10:22 PM

It had some good parts. I actually thought the Hugh Grant one was funny though the porn stand-ins were a wtf. Bill Nighy, great.

by Anonymousreply 15December 24, 2011 10:23 PM

Meh. It's no "Love, Indubitably."

by Anonymousreply 16December 24, 2011 10:25 PM

It's treacly stuff but if you want something truly bad, sentimental, AND Christmas-themed, try "The Holiday".

by Anonymousreply 17December 24, 2011 10:55 PM

Love the airport opening.

by Anonymousreply 18December 25, 2011 1:10 AM

I've never gotten the "Imitation of Life"-style high hysteria for the "Emma Thompson gets a Joni Mitchell CD" scene. I was unimpressed with the movie upon its release, but that's because it seemed like poor relation to Four Weddings and a Funeral. Also, I don't like the totally one-note Hugh Grant, who's the same in each and every role he plays. (If that's not redundant.)

by Anonymousreply 19December 25, 2011 1:23 AM

I was annoyed that the lesbian story (Anne Reid and whatshername - frances de la tour) was cut out of the final print, at least its on the dvd extras (one if them is dying, naturally).

Curtis' last film "the boat that rocked" was such a bomb that it has surely killed off these gruesome films of his. It was on television here in England the other day, I did not even want to see it.

Can't imagine he got the gig to do the script on "War Horse" ....

by Anonymousreply 20December 25, 2011 5:20 AM

r20 -- Of course he got the gig to do the "War Horse" script.

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" was one of the highest grossing films in British history.

Although it is amazing that man who helped write "Black Adder" could also be the man who "Love, Actually."

And I have to say that those 9/11 airport scenes in "Love, Actually" actually wanted to make me fly a plane into a building.

But having said all that -- Curtis was extraordinarily hot in his earlier years.

by Anonymousreply 21December 25, 2011 5:36 AM

I love this movie, holiday classic.

by Anonymousreply 22December 25, 2011 5:40 AM

Its message seemed to be: "If you're a beautiful and skinny young woman, like Keira Knightley you'll be happy forever, but if you're not, like Laura Linney or Emma Thompson, you'd better get used to being unwanted."

Whether that's true of life or not it seemed deeply bizarre in a movie that was so sentimental about its male characters, who all seemed to find love no matter what shape or age they were.

by Anonymousreply 23December 25, 2011 5:44 AM

23 responses and I'm the frst one to post about how Rodrigo Santoro is virtually the only reason to watch this piece of shit? Sure, Bill Night is funny, and even Hugh Grant is amusing. But the sexism and idiocy (falling 'in love' with a woman with whom you've never had a conversation? four attractive american girls hit on one majorly fugly guy?) ruin it for me.

by Anonymousreply 24December 25, 2011 10:11 AM

It's the CRASH of romantic comedies.

by Anonymousreply 25December 25, 2011 12:24 PM

It was while watching "Love, Actually" that I realized two things. One, that Alan Rickman is NOT one of those actors that I would watch just anything he's in just to see him (I tried fast-forwarding just to his parts, but soon found that fast-forwarding through his parts was less painful than actually watching them.) Two, that Ben Elton was the real genius behind the "Blackadder" series, NOT Richard Curtis.

by Anonymousreply 26December 25, 2011 1:23 PM

I like it.

by Anonymousreply 27December 25, 2011 1:30 PM

"... though the porn stand-ins were a wtf..."

I just saw this movie for the first time the other day on ABC Family. And I just realized that Martin Freeman was listed in the credits but wasn't in the movie I saw at all. Is there a story about a porn movie within the movie? How is that connected to the other characters?

by Anonymousreply 28December 25, 2011 1:47 PM

R24, I'm totally with you on the rodrigo love boat. Hot as he'll! It's the best part. That said, I did like the movie and all it's sappiness. Sometimes I just don't need much to fulfill me...

by Anonymousreply 29December 25, 2011 1:55 PM

The little boy in it is incredibly creeping. He was more suited to THE OMEN than this, he should have been a really cute looking kid.

by Anonymousreply 30December 25, 2011 2:18 PM

I like it - but not at first in the theater - it seemed to forced. It took a 2nd and 3rd viewing to grow its charms.

Now I see it differently with the sudden passing of Liam Neeson's wife. Wouldn't wish that on anyone, but playing the widower with young children is actually his life now.

by Anonymousreply 31December 25, 2011 2:19 PM

I could not get past the first 5-10 minutes. It was horrible. When the British do corny, it is just as bad, if not worse, than a bad American film.

by Anonymousreply 32December 25, 2011 2:42 PM

r28, you just made me realize that I haven't seen the porn actors story line in years. It must have been totally axed for family viewing on the non-premium channels.

Didn't even miss it. Too bad they can't lob off the ugly guy with the American girls bit, too.

by Anonymousreply 33December 25, 2011 2:48 PM

For the absolute last time it's not a porn movie they're doing. They are stand-ins/body doubles on a big budget feature. Porn films never have stand-ins/body doubles, it's not in their budget.

by Anonymousreply 34December 25, 2011 3:19 PM

What was weird about the Emma Thompson-Alan Rickman story, aside from that weird Elf Quest woman who seduced him, was that the filmmakers felt that the right note to end it on was Emma deciding to hide her feelings and pretend everything was all right. I just thought, right, and the very next fight she has with him she's going to throw it right in his face that he spent a fortune on his piece of ass last Christmas and tried to fob her off with a crappy CD. And then next thing he's going to be shacked up with the elf maiden, who'll no doubt be knocked up with an elfling, while Emma's lawyer arranges to take half his assets.

by Anonymousreply 35December 25, 2011 3:23 PM

Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister??

Yeah, so believable.

Bill Nighy is the reason to see this film.

by Anonymousreply 36December 25, 2011 3:38 PM

I finally saw it for the first time this year, and really enjoyed it. Except for Hugh Grant, who is loathsome in everything since "Four Weddings & a Funeral." Because, as someone posted, he is one-note and untalented.

by Anonymousreply 37December 25, 2011 3:51 PM

Piece of crap. I don't get the love for it at all.

by Anonymousreply 38December 25, 2011 4:53 PM

I really liked it.

BUT...

for a feel-good holiday movie, some of the stories don't end too happily for some of the characters.

by Anonymousreply 39December 25, 2011 5:47 PM

R4, I am jaded and cynical but I actually enjoy this film for what it is: a light, frothy entertainment without deep meaning. There's typically an annual "Love, Actually" hate thread on DL, so I thought I might as well start it despite my enjoying it.

It has some actors I truly enjoy (Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson) in roles they seemed to enjoy and which they recognize are light. The kid sub plot is fine, and he's a good little actor. Hugh Grant is one note but he played that note well as the PM. His dancing bit was cute. I also thought he did an excellent twist on his one note in About a Boy. Rickman's delivery of the "something in the stationery line" is surprisingly one of the funniest bits.

The sour note for me is Laura Linney. I think she's overrated and was unsuited to this role. The so-called "porn" stand ins and her sub plot were the unnecessary and lowest points of the film. I only ever thought she was good in the John Adams mini-series where she was well cast and did an admirable job as Abigail.

by Anonymousreply 40December 25, 2011 7:47 PM

Bill Nighy alone is a reason to see this film. Just fast-forward through all the other parts; he is irresistible.

Halfway through watching the film for the first time, I told my partner that I'd really enjoyed my relationship with him, but now I'd found the man of my dreams in Bill Nighy's character and had to leave him (my partner).

by Anonymousreply 41December 25, 2011 8:11 PM

Not overly fond of Hugh Grant's acting but I loved him in 'About a Boy' which is one of my favourite comfort films. Nick Hoult of course stole the show in that film and then turned into major totty.

by Anonymousreply 42December 25, 2011 8:13 PM

Anyone who says "actually" deserves the AID

by Anonymousreply 43December 25, 2011 8:16 PM

Love the bit with Rickman and Atkinson in the store; love Thompson and Rickman in the gift giving scene; thought Kiera and Andrew with the cards at the door was very good; love Nighy; love Rodrigo; loved Hugh's bodyguard singing at the door and Hugh's face. Thought the young girl singing at the Christmas play was good.

Hated Liam and Claudia standing there with their 'Starbuck's coffee; thought Hugh's girlfriend was a joke; thought Firth falling in love with his maid was ridiculous; hated Linney's character; hated Denise Richard's cameo; Hugh = meh.

by Anonymousreply 44December 25, 2011 8:34 PM

You know it's a bad film when you don't like the always good Laura Linney.

This is the first time I have seen that beautiful Latino actor. I'm STILL waiting for him to do a good nude scene....

by Anonymousreply 45December 25, 2011 10:43 PM

Sorry, if Love, Actually doesn't have room for a gay storyline, then I don't have room for it.

by Anonymousreply 46December 25, 2011 10:50 PM

Love it and watched it again last night. There were a few too many stories. Would have been better if more time had been given to deepen some of the better story lines.

Is EVERY A-list Brit actor in this movie?

by Anonymousreply 47December 25, 2011 11:30 PM

That plot with the actors doing the porn (or non-porn) voice-overs was stolen from another movie anyway. Something with Bob Hoskins in it.

by Anonymousreply 48December 28, 2011 10:20 PM

For those of you aren't watching the SNL Lindsay Lohan potential train wreck, Love Actually is on ABC Family now.

by Anonymousreply 49March 4, 2012 3:27 AM

It's on HBO and everything on this thread is right. It is weirdly misogynistic. And how long has Liam Neeson's wife been dead and he's telling his kid he wants to have sex with Claudia Schiffer in his kid's room? And women just throw themselves at schlubby guys? And the prime minister goes after a 22 year old secretary?

by Anonymousreply 50October 29, 2012 10:38 PM

Me too R7, plus I add Bad(der) Santa to the mix.

by Anonymousreply 51October 29, 2012 10:46 PM

I fucking hate this movie with the heat of a thousand suns. The misogyny and sexism is overwhelming.Even Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson can't save this POS.

by Anonymousreply 52October 29, 2012 10:50 PM

I have never seen this movie but have enjoyed the annual threads here.

by Anonymousreply 53October 29, 2012 10:51 PM

If you expect a good movie, it sucks.

If you have the foresight to expect a nothing movie, it has some very pleasant and beautifully acted moments (Emma Thompson recovering from Alan Rickman's fucking with her mind)

by Anonymousreply 54October 29, 2012 10:52 PM

Or when Kiera Knightly is doing her duck face as she watches herself in her wedding video (doing duck face) and she says "Oh this is paaarfect" "Oh I look raaahther pretty." "Oh thank you this is jaaast lovely."

Or when the little Satanic kid runs through airport security and you're praying for someone to tase him?

by Anonymousreply 55October 29, 2012 10:54 PM

If you want sweet, funny British Christmas movie, watch Bernard and the Genie. It's about 20 years old and looks cheap by today's (and american) standards but the jokes are funny, it's entertaining and warm. Starring Alan Cumming, Lenny Henry and Rowan Atkinson.

by Anonymousreply 56October 31, 2012 5:32 AM

This wasn't "upped" for the holidays. Surprised.

by Anonymousreply 57December 30, 2012 2:51 AM

This movie is like a bowel movement that has become sentient and crawls into your mouth. The zombies on my new show are somehow less repulsive.

by Anonymousreply 58December 30, 2012 2:55 AM

What? Nobody mentioned that they liked my performance in this movie? Do you know what incredible acting talent it takes to fuck that fugly Kris Marshall?

Excuse me, I have to go call Don and tell him to send Sally home so I can beat the hell out of her.

by Anonymousreply 59December 30, 2012 3:06 AM

This excellent article perfectly sums up why it's a terrible movie.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 60December 8, 2013 2:20 AM

I read that review. Can someone get him a Midol?

I want him to review Anniston's movies and post directly to DL.

by Anonymousreply 61December 8, 2013 3:05 AM

Thanks for posting that, R60.

by Anonymousreply 62December 8, 2013 10:01 AM

Even though I can't stand romcoms I tried to watch it once, thinking, well, this was one of the cowriters of Blackadder. I'd forgotten about Blackadder series one.

by Anonymousreply 63December 8, 2013 10:13 AM

This film is schmaltzy and horrid, but I am drawn to it every time it's on.

by Anonymousreply 64December 8, 2013 11:40 PM

I like it!

by Anonymousreply 65December 8, 2013 11:43 PM

Gotta love the Atlantic, R60. Agree with every word -- except for the kid. Painful.

Can't wait to see what this guy has to say about that great "romance," "50 Shades of Gray."

by Anonymousreply 66December 9, 2013 12:24 AM

Romantic comedies are embarrassing.

by Anonymousreply 67December 9, 2013 12:51 AM

Vile, vulgar garbage. I loathed it at the time when someone made me watch the DVD.

by Anonymousreply 68December 9, 2013 12:56 AM

Ok, I'm a sap.

I enjoy it.

Of course, I also watched "The Yearling" today for a wallow.

by Anonymousreply 69December 9, 2013 1:15 AM

I like it too

by Anonymousreply 70December 9, 2013 12:02 PM

I actually did a search for it to out it in my DVR for holiday viewing. I just can't help it, I love it...

by Anonymousreply 71December 9, 2013 12:33 PM

Sangster, loved him in his Doctor Who episodes, will be some hot ginger a decade from now.

by Anonymousreply 72December 9, 2013 12:40 PM

I love it. That little girl singing always makes me weepy.

by Anonymousreply 73December 10, 2013 3:05 AM

That movie is a PABLUM APOCALYPSE.

by Anonymousreply 74December 10, 2013 6:09 AM

I hated Love Actually because there are just too many characters in that movie. It looks like they tried to squeeze as many stars as possible into the script and in the end I just didn't care for any of them.

I prefer some European movies which were obviously trying to imitate Love Actually (like Polish "Listy Do M." or Dutch "Alles is Liefde") but they actually surpassed it, mainly because there are less characters in them and you get to know them better. I especially liked "Listy Do M." aka "Letters to Santa".

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 75December 10, 2013 3:52 PM

I like it. It's a perfect Christmas movie for me - I get very sentimental and depressed. This movie goes through its own highs and lows and helps me feel balanced afterward.

My favorite line was the Emma Thomson character saying "Joni Mitchell taught your cold English wife how to feel" and then knowing what she was feeling when she opened the CD. Emma said she conjured up her feelings from when her marriage to Kenneth Brannagh was ending for that scene. I always figured she'd (the character) decided to divorce the Alan Rickman character when she was picking him up at the airport.

by Anonymousreply 76December 10, 2013 4:21 PM

The "Love, Actually" Wars are quite the thing this year, aren't they?

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by Anonymousreply 77December 14, 2013 4:46 PM

Thanks for the link, R60. That was a good read.

by Anonymousreply 78December 14, 2013 5:05 PM

[quote]Vile, vulgar garbage. I loathed it at the time when someone made me watch the DVD.

Someone MADE you watch it? Oh Dear.

by Anonymousreply 79December 14, 2013 5:23 PM

Are there any more scheduled broadcasts of L.A. before Xmas this year? How have I missed it? Viewing it (and love/hating it) is an annual holiday event for me!

by Anonymousreply 80December 16, 2013 4:23 PM

The yearling and war horse?

by Anonymousreply 81December 16, 2013 4:24 PM

I sort of like it, although I can't even begin to justify why. (Well, Emma Thompson.) But one of the things that creeped me out was Laura Linney calling her brother "darling" and "my love" all the time. WTH? Who does that??

by Anonymousreply 82December 16, 2013 4:37 PM

R82, it sounded weird because she's American and we don't talk the same way Brits do. That's one of my biggest issues with this movie. Well, that, and her constantly answering the phone especially when the lucky, undeserving bitch gets Rodrigo in her bed.

by Anonymousreply 83December 16, 2013 6:07 PM

I love/hate this film as well, but Laura Linney is the worst thing in this film. I don't like her mannered acting at all.

by Anonymousreply 84December 17, 2013 3:52 AM

Watching a DVD of this on a cold rainy afternoon in New England.

Not sure I am going to finish it. Don't care about any of these characters.

by Anonymousreply 85December 29, 2013 6:50 PM

I liked the Kiera storyline. She thinks Andrew Lincoln (pre-fixed teeth) is in love with his best friend, the groom.

by Anonymousreply 86December 29, 2013 6:56 PM

my favorite Christmas movie

by Anonymousreply 87December 29, 2013 7:25 PM

I finally watched the whole movie on Netflix. I started watching it several years ago, but this was the first time I finished it.

My God, what a piece of shit.

by Anonymousreply 88January 29, 2014 4:43 PM

It's a horrible travesty of a film.

by Anonymousreply 89January 29, 2014 4:46 PM

[quote] It's a horrible travesty of a film.

But it's got a good beat and it's easy to dance to.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 90December 23, 2014 1:48 AM

Watched it for the first time finally a couple of nights ago. My God, what a vile piece of garbage. Truly. Loathed every frame of it. Unfunny, unromantic, forced and dull. Some great actors made to look absolutely foolish and uninteresting.

by Anonymousreply 91December 23, 2014 2:08 AM

Horrid, sick making treacle. Squirmed my way through it once and don't plan to watch it again.

by Anonymousreply 92December 23, 2014 2:21 AM

Andrew Lincoln and Rodrigo Santoro are hot! I love this movie.

by Anonymousreply 93December 23, 2014 6:20 AM

Peter Noone?

by Anonymousreply 94December 23, 2014 6:33 AM

This thread is why I love DataLounge.

by Anonymousreply 95December 23, 2014 7:04 AM

[quote] This thread is why I love DataLounge.

R95, all I want for Christmas is you!

by Anonymousreply 96December 23, 2014 12:16 PM

Thanks to this thread I watched it last night. It's on Netflix streaming.

It wasn't so bad that I had to turn it off. I wanted to see all the parts talked about here. The review at R60 pretty much explains why it's a ridiculous movie.

But what the heck -- it's nice that some people on DL love it. It's what makes the world go 'round.

Rodrigo Santoro was an appealing diversion. If I was Laura Linney I would have bribed the doctor to load up the brother with Thorazine so I could have had a proper go at Rodrigo.

by Anonymousreply 97December 24, 2014 1:17 AM

I like this film but I abhor Laura Linney in all she does except the Adams series.

by Anonymousreply 98December 24, 2014 7:56 AM

Horrid little movie. That ghastly, bug eyed, child is THE WORST part of the movie. Him running past security makes me ill. I was hoping they would shoot him, preferably in his ugly face.

by Anonymousreply 99December 24, 2014 8:23 AM

Hugh Grant's opening line about people phoning their loved ones from the planes that hit the twin towers is the most grotesque and sick manipulation of a cinema audience’s feelings that I’ve ever seen since Leni von Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will.

by Anonymousreply 100December 24, 2014 8:53 AM

[quote] Hugh Grant's opening line about people phoning their loved ones from the planes that hit the twin towers is the most grotesque and sick manipulation of a cinema audience’s feelings that I’ve ever seen since Leni von Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will.

But Leni did it with less stuttering and more elan.

by Anonymousreply 101December 24, 2014 8:58 AM

[quote]Or when Kiera Knightly is doing her duck face as she watches herself in her wedding video (doing duck face) and she says "Oh this is paaarfect" "Oh I look raaahther pretty." "Oh thank you this is jaaast lovely."

Or when she giggles "You've stayed rather close, haven't you?" (re: Andrew Lincoln's camerawork) and sounds posher than the Queen.

by Anonymousreply 102December 24, 2014 9:06 AM

Hugh Grant in this actually feels a bit like a bachelor version of David Cameron.

by Anonymousreply 103December 24, 2014 9:07 AM

R103 And this was several years before anyone knew about him (when he became the Tory leader)

At the time he probably seemed vaguely like Blair but then Britain had entered Iraq and Blair's image had morphed from golden boy to mad-eyed warmonger, so maybe not.

by Anonymousreply 104December 24, 2014 9:14 AM

Sloane Ranger Keira Knightley of course marries a black man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in this oh-so-politically correct mush-fest. BBC Three or Four once had this program called "Peckham Finishing School" where 4 insufferable rah-rah girls went to stay with some chav girls in Peckham (a rough part of London) and at one point one of them says their dad would hit the roof if she ever brought a black boyfriend home.

by Anonymousreply 105December 24, 2014 9:33 AM

R105 not to mention the Prime Minister marrying some secretary from skid row. PLEASE. A bachelor would never be elected in the first place.

by Anonymousreply 106December 24, 2014 10:10 AM

[quote]A bachelor would never be elected in the first place.

Edward Heath?

by Anonymousreply 107December 24, 2014 10:18 AM

R107, was he a GAY?

by Anonymousreply 108December 24, 2014 10:25 AM

Just finished watching this as a part of my annual xmas eve tradition. All I can say is: What a bunch of Scrooges here!

Although I am second to none in my hate for this season, I always feel a little better after watching.

by Anonymousreply 109December 25, 2014 1:25 AM

R107, those were pre-"family values" days.

by Anonymousreply 110December 25, 2014 1:40 AM

R108 From Wikipedia:

[quote]John Campbell, who published a biography of Heath in 1993, devoted four pages to a discussion of the evidence concerning Heath's sexuality. Whilst acknowledging that Heath was often assumed by the public to be gay, not least because it is "nowadays ... whispered of any bachelor" he found "no positive evidence" that this was so "except for the faintest unsubstantiated rumour" (the footnote refers to a mention of a "disturbing incident" at the beginning of the Second World War in a 1972 biography by Andrew Roth). In 2007, Brian Coleman, the Conservative Party London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden, claimed that Heath, in order to protect his career, stopped cottaging for gay sex in the 1950s. Coleman claimed it was "common knowledge" among Conservatives that Heath had been given a stern warning by police when he underwent background checks for the post of Privy Councillor.[61][62] Heath's biographer Philip Ziegler writes that Coleman was able to provide “little or no evidence” to back up this statement, that no man has ever claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Heath, nor is any trace of homosexuality to be found in his papers, and that “those who knew him well” insist that he had no such inclination. He believes Heath to have been “asexual”. Charles Moore's authorised biography of Margaret Thatcher states that Bill Deedes believed that Thatcher “seem(ed) convinced” Heath was homosexual, whilst Moore believes it is “possible” that Thatcher’s reference, in interview in 1974, to Heath not having a family, was a deliberate hint that he was gay, in order to discredit him. In 2014, Jeremy Norman, owner of the chain 'Soho Gyms' and friend of Heath, claimed that Heath was "most likely gay".

by Anonymousreply 111December 25, 2014 4:30 PM

R109 I agree with you.

It's a romantic comedy. There's no deep philosophical meaning, it's just fun and one of my Christmas traditions too.

by Anonymousreply 112December 25, 2014 7:43 PM

I love it.

by Anonymousreply 113December 25, 2014 7:44 PM

Me too. Watching it has become an annual tradition in our family. Saw it this morning and now I can't get that song out of my head, "I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes….." LOL

by Anonymousreply 114December 25, 2014 8:33 PM

I thought New Year's Eve was garbage but amusing when a little drunk. Would This work the same way?

by Anonymousreply 115December 25, 2014 8:43 PM

I just saw it tonight, Christmas night, due to the DL buzz, though I haven't read the thread yet, I wanted to post thoughts as they came to me.

I thought the Brit that came to Minnesota and found 4 hots American girls must be being set-up for a robbery, not an escapade. Then later I figureed the film must have been made for a British audience with no idea what American girls are really like.

by Anonymousreply 116December 26, 2014 3:17 AM

One fun thing about seeing a 10 year-old movie for the first time, is picking out all the actors who went on to success. The sheriff from the Walking Dead was HOT as a young man!

Then their were the actors that disappeared, seamingly.

by Anonymousreply 117December 26, 2014 3:20 AM

Bill Nighy's performance made me wish I was 12 years old again. I might have enjoyed it at that age. That and "fart" jokes.

by Anonymousreply 118December 26, 2014 3:25 AM

Well, overall, I think I am grateful that I will never have to watch that again.

I did like Emma Thompson's performance. Also, Colin Firth and his GF were cute. Even if unbelievable, it IS a romantic comedy, after all. I do like the head-fake with Andrew Lincoln suggested to be pining for his best pal.

Rodriguez got better and better with each scene, which left me wanting more. It was rather stupid that these two adults might work together, like each other, each know it, and not, well, have coffee? Is that too much to ask? Here's the fix for that mess of a sub-plot - after the botched one-night stand, he pokes his head into her office, and asks her if she'd like to get coffee. Then it becomes less about sex only, but more about "I like you". That fixes the whole cluster-fuck.

Mr. Bean was good. The rest, should have been left on the cutting rioom floor. At 2h 15m it could have been cut down some place.

by Anonymousreply 119December 26, 2014 4:04 AM

Laura Linney, who I think is horrid, is at her worst in this film.

by Anonymousreply 120December 26, 2014 4:16 AM

I've never seen it, but Greg Gutfeld talks about how much he hates it at least 10 times a year. He did a whole segment about his hatred of the film on his Christmas Eve show.

by Anonymousreply 121December 26, 2014 4:25 AM

R116 What are they like?

by Anonymousreply 122December 26, 2014 11:04 AM

God, what a bunch of Scrooges you all are. It's a fluffy little feel good Christmas movie. Of course none of the stories pass the 'reality' test, but so what? Suspend disbelief just a little...you bitter old cranks. Relax and enjoy the magic of the season.

by Anonymousreply 123December 26, 2014 11:43 AM

It's a terrible movie! What else is there to say? The dreadful attempt by Colin Firth a speaking Portuguese is something he should be ashamed of for the rest of his life. He seems like a nice guy and should have said no, I cannot do it.

As for the filmmakeers, they should have stopped at Notting Hill, which was the successful version of this tripe.

by Anonymousreply 124December 26, 2014 12:29 PM

I hate this movie so much I cannot go through this thread.

by Anonymousreply 125December 26, 2014 12:31 PM

Clearly written by a man. No woman EVER would stop a make out session with a mind blowingly hot Brazilian. Also, what's the bullshit with the women being in service (maid/cleaner, secretary, assistant) positions? Is that all the writers can imagine women to be?

by Anonymousreply 126December 26, 2014 12:50 PM

Yeah, that was frustrating, R126. WTF didn't she just turn off her phone? It's not like the nutter brother wouldn't survive if she didn't pick up EVERY damned time he calls. And why would the caregivers at the hospital even allow him to call her so obsessively?

by Anonymousreply 127December 26, 2014 1:50 PM

R122, American girls do not travel in pacts on 100% hotness and collectively throw themselves as a group, sober, onto any ugly stranger of no means in the course of an evening.

As I mentioned, the entire thing is believable, if instead of bedding him, they robbed him; [italic]that[/italic], would be believable. American girls aren't all dishonest, but they are all smart. They might instead have somehow found his presumption to be so ridiculous and rude, that they found some other way to make a fool of him. But bedding him? They might as well have been Martians. It strains credibility too much.

by Anonymousreply 128December 26, 2014 4:15 PM

[R122], American girls do not travel in pacts

In Warsaw they do.

by Anonymousreply 129December 26, 2014 4:25 PM

[quote]American girls do not travel in pacts on 100% hotness and collectively throw themselves as a group, sober, onto any ugly stranger of no means in the course of an evening.

Of course I realise that in real life a group of stunners wouldn't go completely gaga over some random average English bloke just because of his accent. But I thought you were maybe suggesting American girls are unapproachable or not to be trusted.

by Anonymousreply 130December 26, 2014 4:35 PM

God I kept waiting for the robbery/joke/set-up whatever too! It simply couldn't be that Curtis would actually write that the Fuggo from the BT ads goes to some bar in Bumfuck, Minnesota and finds three goddesses with nothing better to do than screw him.

by Anonymousreply 131December 26, 2014 5:49 PM

I mean, I'm sure that whole segment was just meant to be a joke rather than a believable scenario but it wasn't actually funny.

by Anonymousreply 132December 26, 2014 5:55 PM

"the Fuggo from the BT ads goes to some bar in Bumfuck, Minnesota and finds three goddesses with nothing better to do than screw him."

Have you ever been to the less interesting parts of Minnesota in the winter? There IS nothing better to do there.

by Anonymousreply 133December 27, 2014 5:30 AM

R133 But would you find 3 beautiful women there? Or would they have gotten out and moved somewhere bigger and better as soon as they could?

by Anonymousreply 134December 27, 2014 9:53 AM

Being a traveller, it's hit or miss. You may meet gorgeous women, or you may meet really weird people (including weird women). The crazy is always sort of part of the experience, but there's nice crazy (and attractive), and the unpleasant one.

by Anonymousreply 135December 27, 2014 11:04 AM

R135 But people who go "travelling" (personally I think it's just a glorified holiday) don't usually go to Milwaukee.

by Anonymousreply 136December 28, 2014 5:11 PM

[quote] But people who go "travelling" (personally I think it's just a glorified holiday) don't usually go to Milwaukee.

There's a (contrived, of course) conversation in the film as to why Milwaukee is chosen.

by Anonymousreply 137December 28, 2014 8:08 PM

"Love, Actually" is actually a chick flick for dudes.

I mean, on what planet would the fuggo get 3 attractive women to bed? The middle-aged men all get younger women who wait on them and clean up after them ... Rickman, who is no beauty, has a much younger secretary pining after him. The whole movie is a fairy tale for middle-aged mid-life crising hetero males.

by Anonymousreply 138December 28, 2014 8:11 PM

[quote]And why would the caregivers at the hospital even allow him to call her so obsessively?

That's what I said to my friend. No way a hospital would give unfettered access of a phone to a mental patient.

by Anonymousreply 139December 28, 2014 8:13 PM

I can't watch it because I just can't imagine the bride storyline ending any other way that with Egg from This Life raping Keira Knightley and wearing her as a skin suit.

by Anonymousreply 140January 1, 2015 4:18 PM

On TBS now.

by Anonymousreply 141February 14, 2015 5:07 PM

To me it's unwatchable. But people swear by it.

by Anonymousreply 142February 14, 2015 5:23 PM

Bump

by Anonymousreply 143December 4, 2016 12:06 AM

You know you adore this film.

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by Anonymousreply 144December 4, 2016 12:08 AM

[quote]Rodriguez got better and better with each scene, which left me wanting more. It was rather stupid that these two adults might work together, like each other, each know it, and not, well, have coffee? Is that too much to ask? Here's the fix for that mess of a sub-plot - after the botched one-night stand, he pokes his head into her office, and asks her if she'd like to get coffee. Then it becomes less about sex only, but more about "I like you". That fixes the whole cluster-fuck.

This is the part that bugs me. She didn't sleep with him that one night so now they'll never be more than co-workers?

by Anonymousreply 145December 4, 2016 12:33 AM

This is the first film in which I saw Laura Linney. I despised her in it and have since.

by Anonymousreply 146December 4, 2016 12:35 AM

This is cinematic shitfest in which everything PLUS the kitchen sink was thrown into it like a bag of assorted Christmas candy. Something for everybody! A holiday classic! More Brit bang for your buck! Even my love for Bill Nighy could not redeem this pile of crap.

by Anonymousreply 147December 4, 2016 4:16 AM

I love this movie. If you haven't seen Linney in anything else, then you missed "You Can Count On Me" which is also a wonderful movie.

by Anonymousreply 148December 4, 2016 6:33 AM

I don't care what you bitches say, I love it.

by Anonymousreply 149December 4, 2016 7:21 AM

I'm not a fan of this film at all but the scene where Emma Thompson opens her Christmas present from Alan Rickman and it's a Joni Mitchell CD always get to me.

by Anonymousreply 150December 4, 2016 8:46 AM

[quote]That's what I said to my friend. No way a hospital would give unfettered access of a phone to a mental patient.

My theory is that he's physically resistant to sedatives and the staff just gives him access to the phone and day room to get him off their backs.

by Anonymousreply 151December 16, 2016 6:46 AM

It's on Bravo now!!!

by Anonymousreply 152December 18, 2016 2:33 AM

The little girl does the voice of Marceline, vampire queen, on Adventure Time. She's got a great voice.

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by Anonymousreply 153December 18, 2016 3:50 AM

Chris Matthews' favorite movie. All you need to know.

by Anonymousreply 154December 18, 2016 3:54 AM

Laura Linney is abhorrent. I don't see why she's considered such a "fine" actress. Her subplot with her ghastly brother could have been removed and detracted not at all from the film. In fact, subtraction would have been addition in this case.

by Anonymousreply 155December 18, 2016 4:15 AM

Are we really going to pretend the PM didn't fall in love because of her giant cans?

by Anonymousreply 156December 18, 2016 4:23 AM

No, we are not, R156. She was a large girl. Big through the hips, roomy.

by Anonymousreply 157December 18, 2016 4:38 AM

Wasn't the actress a nightmare in real life or am I thinking of someone else.

by Anonymousreply 158December 18, 2016 4:54 AM

Why couldn't Laura Linney tell her batshit brother she would call him back later so she could go ahead and fuck that hottie? She should be in the psych ward for that.

by Anonymousreply 159December 18, 2016 5:31 AM

Yeah, this was the first time i experienced the hotness that is Rodrigo...and now he's on Westworld, so that's a bonus. I agree about her not putting her phone into airplane mode when she had that in her bed and ready to fuck the living hell out of her.

I loved the scene with Mr. Bean and Alan Rickman (wrapping the gift at the department store)...my family and i always die and voice over that scene when we watch the movie.

It is definitely a sappy movie, but sometimes, you need a little unbelievable hope that something in your life might remotely resemble one of these (happier) plot lines.

by Anonymousreply 160December 18, 2016 6:00 AM

Claudia Schiffer, Denise Richards, prettied things up a tad.

The chicks had to counter because the boys in the film were bringing some serious pretty, upstaging them.

Andrew Lincoln, Rodrigo Santoro, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant were bringing the heat.

by Anonymousreply 161December 18, 2016 6:14 AM

They didn't do a very good job of explaining why the prime minister wasn't with the chippy who slid down the fire pole with her panties on view - is it because she was dating Mr. Darcy?

by Anonymousreply 162December 18, 2016 12:59 PM

Hillary, Actually.

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by Anonymousreply 163December 18, 2016 3:56 PM

She's cute, and a perfectly fine singer, but wasn't anyone else creeped out by a 10-year-old singing "All I want for Christmas Is You"?

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by Anonymousreply 164December 18, 2016 4:12 PM

Yes, the worst part of this move is Linney constantly answering her phone when her psycho brother calls. If I had that hotness in my bed the phone would be thrown out a window.

by Anonymousreply 165December 18, 2016 9:40 PM

Naked Martin Freeman! (The supposed humor derives from him being the one guy we don't ever fancy seeing nude).

Movie is typical Curtis: smug AND twee, a nauseating combination.

by Anonymousreply 166December 19, 2016 3:18 PM

Bump.

by Anonymousreply 167December 22, 2016 10:35 PM

Here I thought Kevin from Home Alone was THE most annoying child in movies. But Sam takes the cake. Thomas Sangster should NOT be acting period.

Children are NOT supposed to be self aware around adults. Does Curtis even have children?

Keira Knightley was absolutely dreadful in this. As was the usually reliable Emma Thompson who was horribly miscast. HER character actually made me angry at the entire movie.

by Anonymousreply 168December 22, 2016 10:50 PM

Laura Linney is by far the worst thing about this film with the possible exception of her life-wilting brother.

by Anonymousreply 169December 22, 2016 11:01 PM

Loathe it because of the awful script, not because of the fine cast. I adore Emma Thompson and Laura Libbey especially

by Anonymousreply 170December 22, 2016 11:03 PM

This is my favourite Christmas movie, it never fails to make me cry.

by Anonymousreply 171December 22, 2016 11:03 PM

It's wonderful. Totally ridiculous, but ultimately heartfelt. Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy are the MVPs... I haven't watched it this season. I should get on that

by Anonymousreply 172December 22, 2016 11:05 PM

Emma Thompson's face when she opens the gift is enough to bring me to tears.

by Anonymousreply 173December 22, 2016 11:18 PM

It pisses me off that the love interest of the Prime Minister was considered 'fat' with tree-trunk thighs and a sizable ass, etc. She was adorable just the way she was. And Andrew Lincoln was cute, too. Annoying character, but cute. Not as scary as he looks these days on TWD. I have the movie on the DVR, but I'm not sure I'll watch this year or not.

by Anonymousreply 174December 22, 2016 11:24 PM

It also introduced us to the lovely Andrew Lincoln.

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by Anonymousreply 175December 23, 2016 3:06 AM

It's an annual Christmas tradition in our house.

by Anonymousreply 176December 25, 2016 4:35 AM

I did watch it this afternoon (Christmas Eve) but I fast forwarded through the parts I don't like. Like the stupid trip to America. Yeah, all American girls are whores, we get it... And George Bush was a stupid bully. But I love the Keira Knightley & Andrew Lincoln scenes and Colin Firth.

by Anonymousreply 177December 25, 2016 6:15 AM

R164 oversexualized children are just one of Love Actually's many cringeworthy charms!

by Anonymousreply 178December 25, 2016 11:14 AM

I've never gotten the love for Atkinson. He's basically a Brit Jerry Lewis and all his stuff is predictable. Linney is both miscast and her role makes little sense--I'm guessing there may have been more to it but it wound up on the cutting room floor.

Heath is the kind of pasty-faced British Prime Minister who you always figured liked little boys.

by Anonymousreply 179December 25, 2016 12:26 PM

She was fat.

by Anonymousreply 180December 25, 2016 6:06 PM

I am the biggest prude in the world, but even I would hang up on a family member in distress if I had Rodrigo Santoro in my bed. What were you thinking, Laura Linney?

Sam caring more about his classmate crush than his recently deceased mother always pisses me off. Maybe because the girl has the same name as his mother, he is using her as a proxy - but it just strikes me as him being cold and disaffected.

I agree with everyone else above that Emma Thompson discovering the necklace, receiving the Joni Mitchell CD instead, and her ensuing crying scene is a masterclass in acting. Breaks my heart every time.

by Anonymousreply 181December 25, 2016 7:54 PM

I always thought this movie was dreadful. But if I could rewrite it to make it a little less dreadful, I would have Emma Thompson's character (who is resigned to "tolerating" her husband's wandering eye) run off with that hot Brazilian guy who was rebuffed by Laura Linney.

by Anonymousreply 182December 25, 2016 9:54 PM

Thompson's performance is twee. Twee is whimsy without wit. It is mimsy-mumsy sweetness without any kind of bite. And that's not for me. She can't really act, I'm afraid.

by Anonymousreply 183December 27, 2016 11:14 AM

I like the idea of the movie showing different snippets of people's lives in London. But some of the writing is just stupid. For example, Emma Thompson opens one present, it isn't what she thought it would be and she starts crying? How does she know that Alan Rickman didn't save the present for Christmas Day?

Laura Linney was the weakest link. And her story didn't make sense. How did an American woman get a job in London and then get her supposedly American brother into a British mental institution? They should have ditched the brother storyline and given that role to Martine McCutcheon.

by Anonymousreply 184December 27, 2016 2:37 PM

This movie made me a STAR!!

by Anonymousreply 185December 27, 2016 2:40 PM

I can't believe I've never seen this film before. It popped up on one of the premium channels I mysteriously get for free, so I watched it.

1) I understand everyone knew Liam's wife was going to die, therefore they'd had time to accept the inevitable but still... little Jojen Reed sure is over that hump rather quickly. What stood out to me was Liam corrected Claudia Schiffer when she asked if he was Sam's dad. "Stepdad," he says, right after lil Jojen called him "Dad" for the first time!

2.) The Portuguese maid looked like a drudge to me. Firth only goes Gaga for her when she strips down to her undies and tattoo. And Firth learns Portuguese while she learns English in one week!

3) I hate Kiera Knightly. She's a teeth talker. I hate teeth talkers. Keeley Hawes is also a teeth talker. I yell, "God sakes woman, put your teeth back inside your mouth! Have you no sense of decorum, letting your teeth dangle out of your lips like that?"

4) What's with all the aquatic life in the nativity play?

5) That secretary in Rickman's office. Could she BE any more of a temptress? Splitting her legs at him like that. I thought, "Sheesh, she may as well have devil's horns and carry a pitchfork!" Annnnnd....cue devil's horns (Now I can't remember -- was anyone else wearing costumes at the Christmas party?) Those bug eyes...eww.

6) I hate that Death in Paradise guy even more now, which I thought hardly possible.

7) Why did the PM's teatime girl apologize for being molested by the president?

Oh, there's more, but .... whatever

(Some of you are so mean to lil Jojen. You will feel terrible to know he grew up sickly and was killed by rampaging ice sculptures.)

by Anonymousreply 186March 3, 2017 12:04 AM

The "much-awaited" sequel will air on BBC on March 24 and two months later in the US (on NBC)

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by Anonymousreply 187March 3, 2017 12:13 AM

More to love, more to hate: someone should bump this thread for the sequel, just for old time's sake.

by Anonymousreply 188March 3, 2017 12:18 AM

Emma Thompson will not be in the remake.

by Anonymousreply 189March 3, 2017 12:24 AM

It's only going to be a short for Red Nose Day, not a movie.

by Anonymousreply 190March 3, 2017 12:25 AM

Sorry, I was wrong. Jojen is killed by rampaging skeletons, not by WWs.

by Anonymousreply 191March 3, 2017 12:39 AM

Colin frissell is the best

by Anonymousreply 192March 3, 2017 2:53 AM

So did they broadcast the short in the UK for Red Nose Day?

by Anonymousreply 193May 7, 2017 10:43 PM

[quote] American girls aren't all dishonest, but they are all smart.

Yeah, that's why none of them voted for Trump

Oh....wait....

by Anonymousreply 194May 7, 2017 10:59 PM

[quote]So did they broadcast the short in the UK for Red Nose Day?

They did. It was nice seeing the actors return but it was nonsensical and unfunny. For the US they're adding a bit with Patrick Dempsey as if that will help.

by Anonymousreply 195May 7, 2017 11:12 PM

Messa back!!

by Anonymousreply 196December 17, 2017 6:19 PM

The scene with Atkinson is just predictable sitcom drek, but that's my opinion of almost everything he's ever done. The Linney subplot is just pathetic--what's Yank doing in the plot and the schizo brother just seems like an unnecessarily melodramatic plot line. Hugh Grant as the PM doesn't work, although if you suspend that part of the character , he's ok. Nighy basically saves this by being just about the only character who can leaven sentiment with some other emotion.

by Anonymousreply 197December 17, 2017 6:44 PM

Totally agree, R197.

by Anonymousreply 198December 17, 2017 10:41 PM

My brother loves this movie.

by Anonymousreply 199December 17, 2017 11:57 PM

Its deliberately over the top. Best viewed by just going with it.

by Anonymousreply 200December 18, 2017 12:51 AM

Hate. Hate.

by Anonymousreply 201December 23, 2017 1:10 AM

FWIW, Martin Freeman and the woman are not porn actors. They're body doubles for actors in a regular-release movie with sex scenes. So, A-list actress who doesn't bare her breasts for the movies has a body double as does the A-list actor with a saggy ass. The body doubles perform sex scenes, and the scenes are intercut with the A-list actors' scenes.

by Anonymousreply 202December 23, 2017 2:01 AM

Spew.

by Anonymousreply 203December 25, 2017 2:35 AM

I like it and wish they would show it.

by Anonymousreply 204December 25, 2017 2:38 AM

I enjoy the movie, and watched it last night on the netfix.

by Anonymousreply 205December 25, 2017 2:40 AM

Who are they, R204? It’s on so often.

by Anonymousreply 206December 25, 2017 2:40 AM

[quote]Martin Freeman and the woman are not porn actors.

The woman is pre-Gavin & Stacey actress Joanna Page who played Stacey.

by Anonymousreply 207December 25, 2017 2:45 AM

It came on last week but i couldn't be bothered to watch it.

by Anonymousreply 208December 25, 2017 2:45 AM

I agree certain parts drag,but I love this movie and watch it every year religiously.

by Anonymousreply 209December 25, 2017 2:59 AM

There seems to be a marathon on CMTHD right now

by Anonymousreply 210December 25, 2017 4:32 AM

[quote]done. The Linney subplot is just pathetic--what's Yank doing in the plot

Really? So any time a Brit shows up in an American film it’s pathetic and “what’s limey doing in the plot?”

by Anonymousreply 211December 25, 2017 4:36 AM

Linney refers to her mother as "mum"when talking to her brother. So either their mother was English or they are Canadian.

by Anonymousreply 212December 25, 2017 4:41 AM

I thought the only mental institution that would deal with her brother was in London, so that's why they're there.

What was the lesbian story that got cut?! Never heard of that until now.

The directors wife went on twitter a few years ago and answered the question regarding Alan and Mia - - yes, they totally did it, no, he didn't get divorced. Did anyone else hate Emma's way contrived Pat Benatar look at the end? Come on.

Also - - I cannot work out Keira Knightley's wedding dress for the life of me. What exactly is going on there?

by Anonymousreply 213December 29, 2017 1:20 PM

Wrong. The greatest Christmas film ever is "The Ref," starring our fav, Kevin Spacey.

by Anonymousreply 214December 29, 2017 1:31 PM

[quote] What was the lesbian story that got cut?! Never heard of that until now.

There's a scene that was cut that shows up on the dvd extras. The headmistress of the kid's school was in a lesbian relationship. Anne Reid and Frances de la Tour were the lesbians.

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by Anonymousreply 215December 29, 2017 1:43 PM

Here, for the guy who couldn't figure out the wedding dress.

I have to say, the more you look at this thing, the ghastlier it becomes.

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by Anonymousreply 216December 30, 2017 6:20 AM

R216, so the dress has that cardigan-y thingy she wears during the ceremony. But then she takes it off during reception and it turns into this clubby prom dress that a Bratz doll would wear. I get it they wanted her to look HAWT, but it was a bit much, no?

by Anonymousreply 217December 30, 2017 4:10 PM

Annual bump!

by Anonymousreply 218December 18, 2018 5:40 AM

I watched a bit of it at the gym while on a treadmill a couple of week ago. It drags, doesn't it?

by Anonymousreply 219December 18, 2018 6:05 AM

I didn't hate the movie but I don't need to see it again.

by Anonymousreply 220December 18, 2018 6:35 AM

I'm watching it on TNT right now, I think they cut out the nude models from this version

by Anonymousreply 221December 18, 2018 6:37 AM

It was Laura Linney's fault she was alone, Carl was interested in her but she was too consumed with her brother.

by Anonymousreply 222December 18, 2018 6:43 AM

I was surprised they had Hugh Grant playing Emma Thompson's "big brother" when she looks older than him

by Anonymousreply 223December 18, 2018 8:30 AM

Hate it!!!

by Anonymousreply 224December 22, 2018 7:17 PM

This film hypnotizes me when I come across it while channel surfing. It’s so beautifully filmed, so lovingly manipulative, so utterly stupid.

Wait...what? A non- religious school doing a nativity scene featuring sea life and an 11 year old girl singing a sexy song in an achingly sexy voice?

A woman who appears to be a size 6 being called fat throughout her appearances in the film?

An entirely Portuguese speaking town in France?

Two people in two different countries who managed to become not fluent, but at least understandable in a foreign language in 2 weeks?

A guy whose wife just died obsessing over Claudia Schiffer, talking about having sex with Claudia Schiffer in every room in the house to his bereaved stepson, then actually hooking up with Claudia Schiffer all within the span of 5 weeks AND he knows a shortcut to Heathrow airport?

A prime minister who hasn’t the slightest idea how to use his top security clearance status to find the address of a recent employee at 10 Downing St & doesn’t have a cellphone? A former employee of 10 Downing Street who sends a romantic Christmas card to the prime minister and doesn’t put her return address on the envelope or slip her phone number in her declaration of love, suggesting he call if he’d like to get together for coffee and talk sometime?

It’s crazy. And that’s just the tip of this rom com iceberg.

I looked up reviews of this movie and found a plethora of them written in 2012, the film’s tenth anniversary. Funny ones. Angry ones. Thoughtful ones. Serious-but-cheeky-but-serious ones. There was a weeks-long review/discussion of the film between writers of the Atlantic, Think Progress and Mother Jones.

And I was amazed at the fact that professional writers were engaged in such discussion of a holiday rom com. Because since then, the obscene, animated voodoo doll that is Donald Trump sailed down that fake gold escalator and into the lives of everyone in the entire world and has destroyed the world that used to exist. The pre-Trump universe I see through the eyes of those writers looks impossibly sunny and carefree.

I wish I could go back to that 2012 world, when we knew we’d be ok and we’d talk a whole lot about a silly movie.

by Anonymousreply 225March 22, 2019 4:52 PM

[quote] A woman who appears to be a size 6 being called fat throughout her appearances in the film?

She was fat. Perhaps not by current American or even Brit standards, but she was.

by Anonymousreply 226March 22, 2019 4:59 PM

Yeah, she was a whale

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by Anonymousreply 227March 22, 2019 5:24 PM

Yule bump

by Anonymousreply 228December 12, 2019 11:40 PM

Love this movie

by Anonymousreply 229December 13, 2019 12:27 AM

We hates it!

by Anonymousreply 230December 18, 2019 7:57 AM

it was on many worst picture of the year lists.

deservedly so.

hideous from the first second....

by Anonymousreply 231December 18, 2019 8:44 AM

It’s on my cable network now. These kind of movies have a lifespan of about 20 years and then culture moves on. So it’s due to fall off the radar in 2 years. The next generation won’t be able to tolerate the hairstyles, clothes, lingo, music.

by Anonymousreply 232February 2, 2020 4:24 AM

Which one is your cable network, R232?

by Anonymousreply 233February 2, 2020 4:27 AM

It just ended.

by Anonymousreply 234February 2, 2020 4:29 AM

Horrifically bad. Laura Linney played a woman who could have had that gorgeous man but was tied to the phone. If I had a chance with that guy phone would have been tossed out a window. Colin goes to Milwaukee and happens to meet some unusually pretty women, for a working class neighborhood, and Harriet, the "sexy one" has a horrific Southern accent. In Milwaukee?

by Anonymousreply 235February 2, 2020 4:51 AM

Hot Guy Karl was spared ...he found out immediately that Linney woman was an enabling nutcase, probably as nutty as her brother in personal relationships. Anyone with a brother like that could block Bro’s number from taking calls and then unblocking when she calls him ONCE a day.

by Anonymousreply 236February 2, 2020 3:31 PM

[quote]And George Bush was a stupid bully.

I don’t think the American president they were trying to evoke in this film was Bush.

by Anonymousreply 237February 3, 2020 12:53 PM

I love this movie, watch it every time it comes on

by Anonymousreply 238February 3, 2020 1:20 PM

Thomas Brodie Sangster, who played Liam Neeson's stepson in this movie, is now all grown up, a chavvy-looking twink:

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by Anonymousreply 239October 22, 2020 5:43 PM

[quote] Neeson's stepson in this movie, is now all grown up, a chavvy-looking twink:

Yeah, and Tom’s blossomed into a top shag, and all. He looks like a fucking Caravaggio going to work on a cock, I can tell ya first-hand. Gorge soft little hands, too.

Who would have thought it, of the speccy runt I rode my bike about with when we were nippers. Just goes to show, don’t it?

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by Anonymousreply 240October 22, 2020 8:09 PM

R227 Martine was so gorge back then. And Tiff was always a friend to us. So R226, bite your tongue, slut!

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by Anonymousreply 241October 23, 2020 11:21 PM

It's that time of year again, bitches. Hate away!

by Anonymousreply 242December 19, 2020 8:12 PM

I hate it. It’s cringey, EXCEPT for the Emma Thompson character finding out her husband is having an affair. She was really good.

by Anonymousreply 243December 19, 2020 8:23 PM

Even the one-note Hugh Grant as the PM and the chavtastic Martine McCutcheon as the PM's squeeze are a step up from the real-life PM and his fucktoy that the UK currently has.

by Anonymousreply 244December 19, 2020 8:35 PM

The script would never get greenlighted (greenlit?) in today's #metoo world. Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman all play men who either flirt with or have an affair with a much younger woman who works for them.

by Anonymousreply 245December 19, 2020 8:38 PM

Oh god, it’s on AMC ....

by Anonymousreply 246December 22, 2020 11:19 PM

Did someone already point out that Thomas Sangster is US Champion Benny in The Queen's Gambit?

by Anonymousreply 247December 22, 2020 11:38 PM

Thomas Sangster is in a million fucking tv shows.

by Anonymousreply 248December 22, 2020 11:44 PM

Yes, but that was #1 in the last two or three weeks.

by Anonymousreply 249December 23, 2020 12:18 AM

[quote]I don’t think the American president they were trying to evoke in this film was Bush.

It was. This film came out the year the Iraq war began and many people were really angry at Tony Blair for going along with the Americans on it. It was wish fulfillment to have Hugh's British PM call Billy Bob's American President out.

I keep seeing on this thread (and in the Atlantic article) comments about how awful it is that older men are romancing younger women. The whole point of age of consent laws is that once you reach the age, you are allowed to make your own decisions as to who you sleep with, and there's no law that says there can only be a maximum of, say, 7 years between partners if they're both over age. People are complaining about misogyny in the film (which I would agree with in many respects) but it also seems kinda sexist to act like women can't be in control of their own sexual destiny just because they're younger than their desired partner. People who call this out are doing so on their own personal morals (which is totally fine for you personally if that's what you think), but are acting like it's a rule set in stone that age gap relationships are inherently a problem. It's not.

Where the problem really is in the portrayal, is that as Prime Minister there is a huge ethical issue with Hugh Grant romancing Martine McCutcheon, as this can create the idea in the head of his secretary that if she doesn't reciprocate she could lose her job. And that's a problem whether she's 22, 32 or 68.

Anyway, I think this movie is terrible. I don't mind a feel good, light hearted movie, but something about this one veers into being annoying to me rather than endearing.

by Anonymousreply 250December 23, 2020 1:43 AM

Can’t believe Kiera Knightly was 18 at the time of filming.

by Anonymousreply 251December 23, 2020 1:54 AM

I never thought about that but you must be right R251. It was only a year after Bend it Like Beckham after all.

by Anonymousreply 252December 23, 2020 1:56 AM

I love this insane diagram outlining the character relationships, which of you made this??

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by Anonymousreply 253December 24, 2020 4:17 PM

Why did Harriet from Milwaukee have a fairly broad Southern accent? Is that a Brit's idea of a generic accent?

by Anonymousreply 254December 24, 2020 4:56 PM

I just like Hugh Grant.

by Anonymousreply 255December 24, 2020 5:49 PM

[quote]It’s cringey, EXCEPT for the Emma Thompson character finding out her husband is having an affair.

By finding out that he's given the woman he's fucking an expensive bracelet, while he's only given his wife a crappy old cassette. And she reacts by asking him like a little girl asking her daddy if he still loves her. I guess it does take a really talented actress to pull off a scene on that level of unreality.

by Anonymousreply 256December 24, 2020 5:52 PM

I watched this video this morning.

It’s the only part of the film that I like.

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by Anonymousreply 257December 24, 2020 5:56 PM

I tried watching this a couple of years ago after hearing about the hype. Ugh - I couldn’t get past 20 minutes. The moment that various guests at a wedding starting pulling out instruments and spontaneously began playing “All You Need Is Love” my stomach starting churning.

“...but let’s throw a bunch of f-bombs in the movie to keep it edgy!” -the director, probably

by Anonymousreply 258December 24, 2020 6:33 PM

[quote] Why did Harriet from Milwaukee have a fairly broad Southern accent?

Wasn’t one of the girls supposed to be from Texas?

by Anonymousreply 259December 24, 2020 7:01 PM

R256 Women put up with a LOT just to avoid being alone. It’s sad. I’d say her reaction is pretty realistic.

by Anonymousreply 260December 24, 2020 7:42 PM

[quote] By finding out that he's given the woman he's fucking an expensive bracelet

Did they actually consummate? It’s been a long time since I’ve watched it and seem to recall he was inching towards doing so.

by Anonymousreply 261December 24, 2020 8:30 PM

R261 I was going to ask that. I think it’s implied - you see a rumpled bed, but I wondered what everyone else thought.

by Anonymousreply 262December 24, 2020 9:03 PM
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