Love Actually
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Love Actually | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Richard Curtis |
| Produced by | Tim Bevan Liza Chasin Eric Fellner Debra Hayward Duncan Kenworthy |
| Written by | Richard Curtis |
| Starring | Bill Nighy Gregor Fisher Lúcia Moniz Colin Firth Sienna Guillory Liam Neeson Emma Thompson Kris Marshall Heike Makatsch Martin Freeman Joanna Page Chiwetel Ejiofor Andrew Lincoln Keira Knightley Hugh Grant Thomas Sangster Martine McCutcheon Laura Linney Rodrigo Santoro Rowan Atkinson |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 6 November 2003 |
| Running time | 135 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Love Actually is a romantic comedy first released in cinemas in October and November 2003. The film was the directorial debut of successful English screen-writer Richard Curtis and features an ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Lúcia Moniz, Rodrigo Santoro, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, Martin Freeman, Emma Thompson, Andrew Lincoln, Laura Linney, Rowan Atkinson, Thomas Sangster, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Heike Makatsch and Olivia Olson.
The film's British premiere took place in Leicester Square in London on 16 November 2003. There, Curtis described his film as a "roaring rampage of romance" – a reference to the Quentin Tarantino movie Kill Bill released around the same time, which had been referred to as "a roaring rampage of revenge".
In response to critics, Curtis said at the premiere, "I'd rather make a film that most of the audience liked and some critics didn't, than a film that critics loved and nobody wanted to watch."
As of July 2005, Love Actually had achieved a US gross box office of over $59 million and a world box office of just under $245 million. In the UK it grossed £36,238,777.
Contents |
[edit] Taglines
- It's all about love...actually.
- Love, actually, is all around.
- Very romantic. Very comedy.
- In cinemas soon, actually.
- The Ultimate Romantic Comedy
[edit] Plot
The film weaves a number of love stories together, linking many characters together in the process. Below are summaries of each vignette, with crossovers pointed out appropriately. The film begins five weeks before Christmas.
[edit] Billy Mack
Billy Mack (Bill Nighy), an aging rock and roll legend, with the help of his longtime, overweight manager Joe (Gregor Fisher), records a Christmas single based on The Troggs' classic hit "Love is All Around". (The same song was also used in Curtis's breakthrough film, Four Weddings and a Funeral, there performed by Wet Wet Wet). Billy 'promotes' his new single throughout the film despite his honest admission that it is a "festering turd of a record." During his publicity tour, Billy promises to perform the song naked on television should the single become number one. Billy's single manages to top the charts and become the Christmas number one single. Instead of celebrating his victory at glamorous parties (most notably one hosted by Sir Elton John, to which he is invited and briefly visits), he returns to Joe's flat to celebrate. He explains that Christmas is a time to be with the people you love, and Joe is essentially Billy's family. In the end, Billy suggests celebrating Christmas by getting drunk and watching porn. He does end up performing naked on TV, albeit with boots and a strategically placed guitar.
[edit] Juliet, Peter and Mark
Juliet (Keira Knightley) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) have a lovely wedding. Mark (Andrew Lincoln), best man and Peter's best friend, makes a personal tape of the ceremony and reception. When the official wedding video turns out to be dreadful, Juliet contacts Mark in the hopes of getting a copy of his footage, despite the fact that he has always been cold to her. The video turns out to consist entirely of close-ups of her, at which point she realises that Mark is in love with her. Mark confesses that his coldness toward her is "a self preservation thing". Later, Mark shows up at Juliet's door pretending to be a carol singer via a portable CD player, and uses a series of signs to convey his true feelings towards Juliet because "at Christmas you tell the truth" and "to me you are perfect". Following the confession, Juliet runs after Mark to give him a kiss, provoking his realisation that his obsession has run "enough now". She returns to her husband whom she genuinely loves so that Mark can move on with his life.
[edit] Jamie and Aurélia
Jamie (Colin Firth), a writer, first appears at Juliet and Peter's wedding (see above). Jamie's girlfriend has decided to miss the wedding due to illness, but, it turns out when Jamie returns home, was actually having an affair with his brother. Following this revelation, Jamie retires to the solitude of a French cottage to immerse himself in his writing. Here he meets housekeeper Aurélia (Lúcia Moniz), who speaks only Portuguese. Despite the language barrier they manage to communicate with each other. Their love grows and their parting is quite sad when Jamie returns to England for Christmas. Subsequently Jamie takes a course in Portuguese. On Christmas Eve, Jamie decides to ditch celebrations with his family to fly to Portugal and propose to her in his recently-learned Portuguese. She accepts with her recently-learned English. In the final scene she jokes that if Jamie had told her that his friends were so handsome, she might have chosen a different Englishman.
[edit] Harry, Karen and Mia
Harry (Alan Rickman) is the manager of a design agency. Mia (Heike Makatsch) is his secretary who is clearly attracted to him. Harry's nascent mid-life crisis means he welcomes, tentatively, her attentions, eventually purchasing an expensive necklace for her (from jewelry salesman Rufus, played by Rowan Atkinson) for Christmas. Meanwhile, his wife Karen (Emma Thompson) is quite busy preparing for Christmas: dealing with her brother, Prime Minister David (Hugh Grant), her children's school Nativity play, and helping her friend Daniel (Liam Neeson) cope with the death of his wife. Karen comes across the expensive necklace in Harry's coat pocket and happily assumes it is a surprise Christmas gift for her. When the gifts are given Karen chooses to open a box that she assumes is the necklace, but is actually a CD (Joni Mitchell, to "continue [Karen's] emotional education"). This comes as a huge shock to Karen and we see her break down alone in her bedroom before composing herself to attend the children's Nativity play with her husband. Following the play, Karen confronts Harry, who admits that he has been a "classic fool". The movie ends with Karen and the kids picking up Harry at an airport terminal suggesting that, though the two are not on steady terms, they intend to give their marriage a chance.
[edit] David and Natalie
Recently-elected Prime Minister David (Hugh Grant) is young, handsome, and single. Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) is part of the catering staff and regularly serves his tea and biscuits. Something seems to click between them, but neither pursue the attraction, save some light flirting. When the President of the United States (Billy Bob Thornton) pays a visit, his conservative attitude and refusal to change any policies leave the British advisors stymied. It is only after David walks in to find the President attempting to seduce Natalie, however, that he stands up for Britain, listing Britain's good qualities (the comedy factor is that he lists such things as Harry Potter and David Beckham's left and right feet) essentially embarrassing the President in a nationally-televised UK press conference by saying in reference to the US that "a friend who bullies us is no longer a friend." Concerned that his affections for Natalie are affecting his political judgment, David asks for her to be "redistributed". A bit later in the film while looking through a sampling of Christmas cards, David comes across a card signed "I'm actually yours, Your Natalie". Encouraged by this David sets out to find her. After much doorbell ringing, including a ring at Mia's doorstep, David eventually finds Natalie at her family's home. In exchange for some time with Natalie, David offers to drive them to the local school for the Nativity play (the same one that David's sister and niece and nephew are attending). The two watch the show from backstage, share a kiss, and are eventually exposed to the audience of the play when a curtain is raised during the big finale. At the airport in the final scene, Natalie leaps into David's arms when he returns from a trip.
[edit] Daniel, Sam and Joanna
Daniel (Liam Neeson) has just lost his wife Joanna to a protracted illness, leaving him and stepson Sam (Thomas Sangster) to fend for themselves. Daniel must deal with his sudden responsibility, as well as the evident end of his love life ("That was a done deal long ago", he says to Sam, "unless, of course, Claudia Schiffer calls, in which case I want you out of the house straight away, you wee motherless mongrel."). Sam, too, is especially forlorn about something, and eventually reveals that he is in love with an amazing girl singer from his school, also named Joanna (Olivia Olson), who, he assumes, doesn't know he exists. With Daniel's encouragement, Sam decides to become a drummer to impress Joanna, eventually acting as drummer for Joanna's performance of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" at the school Nativity play (also attended by many other aforementioned characters). Unfortunately, Sam fails to make his meaning clear, and he and Daniel must chase Joanna to the airport where her family is heading back to the United States. Thanks to another passenger heading through airport security (jewelry clerk Rufus, played by Rowan Atkinson), as well as the gate staff being distracted by watching Billy Mack's naked performance, Sam is able to sneak through to confess his love to Joanna. Meanwhile, just before Daniel and Sam's hasty departure from the Nativity play for the airport, Daniel bumps into another parent, Carol (played by none other than Claudia Schiffer). Sparks immediately fly and, in the closing airport terminal scene, as Sam awaits Joanna's return from the States, Daniel and Carol are there, hand in hand.
[edit] Sarah and Karl
Sarah (Laura Linney) first appears at the wedding of Juliet and Peter, sitting next to Jamie (Colin Firth). Her true storyline does not emerge, however, until we meet Karl (the Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro) who, along with Sarah, works at Harry's design agency. Sarah has been not-so-secretly obsessing over Karl for the duration of her employment. Harry implores her to say something to Karl since it's Christmas and indeed Karl already knows. Unfortunately for all concerned, Sarah has a mentally-ill brother who contacts her mobile phone incessantly. Sarah feels responsible for her brother and constantly puts her life on hold to support him. Sarah's chance at making love with Karl comes following her company's Christmas party (hosted at an art gallery run by Mark), but she abandons the opportunity for her brother's sake. Their final scene shows him saying "Merry Christmas" to her as he leaves the office (although it is clear he wants to say more), and her breaking down in tears before picking up the phone to call her brother.
[edit] Colin
Colin Frissell (Kris Marshall), after several horrible blunders in his attempts to woo various English women, including Mia and the caterer at Juliet and Peter's wedding, informs his friend Tony (Abdul Salis) that he will head to America and find love in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His rationale for crossing the Atlantic to find love is because, in his estimation, the United States are filled to the brim with gorgeous women who will fall head over heels for him because of his "cute British accent" ("Over there, I'm Prince William... without the weird family.") In a bizarre turn of events, the first place he travels to after landing (a normal, everyday American bar) contains three stunningly attractive women (Ivana Milicevic, January Jones and Elisha Cuthbert) who, after falling for his accent, invite him to stay at their home, specifically in their bed. In the final airport terminal scene, he returns to England from his magical trip to Wisconsin with one girl for himself, Harriet (Shannon Elizabeth) and one for a very surprised Tony, Carla (Denise Richards).
[edit] Jack and Judy
Jack (Martin Freeman) and Judy (Joanna Page) work as stand-ins for the bedroom scenes in what appears to be an extremely raunchy, but high-budget, adult film. Tony (Colin's friend) is part of the film crew, and passes them directions as to the activities they should simulate so that lighting checks and such can be completed. Despite their blatantly sexual actions, and frequent nudity, they are very nervous and shy around each other. The two carefully and cautiously pursue a relationship, even seeing the Nativity play at the local school together (as stated before, many characters attend this play). In the ending airport terminal scene, it is revealed that Jack and Judy are engaged. Due to censorship, these two characters are not found on the movie and DVD release in Asia.
[edit] Cast and characters
[edit] Main characters
- Hugh Grant - David (The Prime Minister)
- Martine McCutcheon - Natalie
- Colin Firth - Jamie Bennett
- Lúcia Moniz - Aurélia
- Alan Rickman - Harry
- Emma Thompson - Karen
- Liam Neeson - Daniel
- Keira Knightley - Juliet
- Chiwetel Ejiofor - Peter
- Andrew Lincoln - Mark
- Laura Linney - Sarah
- Rodrigo Santoro - Karl
- Bill Nighy - Billy Mack
- Gregor Fisher - Joe
- Kris Marshall - Colin
- Heike Makatsch - Mia
- Martin Freeman - Jack
- Joanna Page - Judy
- Olivia Olson - Joanna
- Thomas Sangster - Sam
[edit] Special appearances
- Rowan Atkinson - Rufus (jewelry salesman)
- Billy Bob Thornton - The US President
- Claudia Schiffer - Carol
- Ant & Dec - As themselves
- Jo Whiley - As herself on the Prime Minister's radio
- Michael Parkinson - As himself
- Lynden David Hall - Singer at the wedding of Juliet and Peter
[edit] The Americans
- Ivana Miličević - Stacey ("American Dreamgirl")
- January Jones - Jeannie ("American Angel")
- Elisha Cuthbert - Carol-Anne ("American Goddess")
- Shannon Elizabeth - Harriet (the "sexy" one)
- Denise Richards - Carla (the "real friendly" one), Harriet's sister
[edit] Other characters
- Nina Sosanya - Annie
- Rory MacGregor - Engineer
- Sienna Guillory - Jamie's Girlfriend
- Lulu Popplewell - Daisy
- Frank Moorey - Terence
- Jill Freud - Pat
- Tim Hatwell - Vicar
- Dan Fredenburgh - Jamie's bad brother
- Julia Davis - Nancy
- Abdul Salis - Tony
- Helen Murton - Funeral priest
- Edward Hardwicke - Sam's grandfather
- Caroline John - Sam's grandmother
- Junior Simpson - Wedding DJ
- Brian Bovell - Radio Watford DJ
- Marcus Brigstocke - Mikey, DJ interviewer
- Wyllie Longmore - Jeremy
- Helder Costa - Mr. Barros (Aurelia's Father)
- Carla Vasconcelos - Sophia Barros (Aurelia's Sister)
[edit] Cameo
- Jeanne Moreau - Woman waiting taxi at Marseille Airport Terminal
- Ruby Turner - Joanna Anderson's mum and one of the backing singers at the school play.
[edit] Uncredited Actors
The following actors are not listed as part of the official cast list in the film credits since the scenes they filmed were deleted from the final cut because their stories were not central to the main plot. Their scenes can be viewed as part of the deleted scenes on in the Love Actually DVD.
- Anne Reid - Headmistress
- Frances de la Tour - Geraldine, the Headmistress' partner
[edit] Trivia
A Bollywood film, Salaam E Ishq: A Tribute To Love was inspired from the concept, though the different storylines are markedly "Indianised".
[edit] Awards
Bill Nighy won a BAFTA Award for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role" in 2004. The film received nominations in other categories as well.
The film was nominated for the Alexander Korda Award for "Best British Film" and Emma Thompson was nominated for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role".
Love Actually was nominated for a 2004 Golden Globe Award for "Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical" and Richard Curtis was nominated for "Best Screenplay."
[edit] Soundtrack
The soundtrack album for Love Actually has achieved some chart success reaching the top 40 of the US Billboard 200 in 2004 and number 2 on the soundtrack album chart. It also has achieved gold record status in Australia and Mexico. The film's orchestral score was composed, orchestrated, and conducted by Craig Armstrong.
The track listing for the soundtrack is:
- The Trouble With Love Is - Kelly Clarkson
- Here With Me - Dido
- Sweetest Goodbye/Sunday Morning - Maroon 5
- Turn Me On - Norah Jones
- Take Me As I Am - Wyclef Jean & Sharissa
- Songbird - Eva Cassidy
- Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
- Jump (For My Love) - Girls Aloud (cover of Pointer Sisters)
- Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
- All You Need Is Love - Lynden David Hall
- God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
- I'll See It Through - Texas
- Too Lost In You - Sugababes
- Glasgow Love Theme - Craig Armstrong
- White Christmas* - Otis Redding
- Christmas is All Around* - Bill Nighy - Bonus Track
- All I Want for Christmas Is You* - Olivia Olson - Bonus Track
* Bonus tracks.
All I Want for Christmas Is You, sung by Olivia Olson, was originally written and recorded by Mariah Carey. Although never released as a single, Olivia Olson's cover has become surprisingly popular as one of the most requested Christmas songs in America, featured on The Today Show and on CNN.
Although it was not included on the soundtrack album, the Paul Anka song Puppy Love performed by S Club Juniors is heard in the film as well as Bye Bye Baby by the Bay City Rollers. The film contains the Pointer Sisters' version of Jump, while the soundtrack features a cover by Girls Aloud.
[edit] External links
