True confessions: Tom and I are not really big watchers of Christmas movies. That said, there are two that we watch most years at some point in December: Love Actually and The Holiday.
Film Title: Love Actually. Copyright: © 2003 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Last Sunday night, it was time for our annual viewing of Love Actually.
[A not-so-brief aside before I get into the meat of this post: I cannot help myself . . . I cry EVERY year when Emma Thompson opens that Joni Mitchell CD. Every. Year. I also yell ‘don’t answer it’ when Laura Linney’s phone rings – twice – during the bedroom scene with Karl. But I also silently seethe that Karl didn’t just talk to her about what was happening.]
Okay. Now that’s off my chest . . .
On Sunday, as I listened to the opening voiceover of Hugh-Grant-as-Prime-Minister, speaking while the scene zooms in on actual people welcoming each other at the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport, it occurred to me how truly appropriate that particular speech is . . . even now. All these years after the movie was released.
It seems to me that the “sneaky feeling” the Prime Minister character is referring to in that lovely speech . . . is a lot like the “sneaky feeling” we get when we’re looking for hope.
Love actually is all around us. (So is hope.)
Keep your eyes peeled.
“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”
– Voice of The Prime Minister, opening words of Love, Actually
Come.
Fill your cup.
My moving movie of the holidays that I watch every year (at some time) is It’s A Wonderful Life. Much the same feelings… a little town that discovers when it was not looking… that they actually do take care of each other. I cry every time I watch it… and whenever I hear a bell or a chime I ponder an angel somewhere getting their wings. Hope and love… and Jimmy Stewart… makes for a lovely holiday! XO
Love Actually is the only Christmas movie I watch (okay, maybe a Charlie Brown Christmas, too). I love the interplay of stories, cheer for Sam racing through the airport, despise Alan Rickman’s character, and wait for Emma Thompson to ask, “There was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus?” Several years ago I read about rumors of a sequel, which I would love to see. It would hopefully show Emma Thompson happy in her life without Alan Rickman, maybe assisted in some way by Rowan Atkinson.
Spotify helpfully played me the Love Actually soundtrack on Sunday … I guess it just knew I needed to hear it. Of course the soundtrack doesn’t include that opening speech, and yeah, I need those words, too. That movie is so iconic … some of us really were expecting to have lobsters in the nativity play we saw at church on Sunday morning.
Love Actually is my favorite Christmas movie and I usually watch it MORE than once each season. The opening is heartfelt and touching. And I’m totally with you on Emma Thompson’s moment with that CD. Her reaction in the privacy of their bedroom is SO spot on and my heart breaks for her every time I watch it. My favorite storyline of the movie is Colin Firth’s, though. The proposal is the best movie proposal ever!
I love Love Actually in spite of myself — Hugh Grant’s speech might be the best part of it. But then I will never not love the whole bit from Christmas caroling to find Natalie through the kiss. Of which the car ride with the octopus maybe the highlight. “Eight is a lot of legs, David.”
Well this post is perfect timing, because guess what Molly and I were watching last night? I decided she’s finally old enough to handle the more mature elements, and the added benefit is that she’ll finally understand all the Love Actually references I make all the time.
I do love Love Actually although inmho it is s not aging well (stalking, infidelity, fat shaming, women are highly objectified and doormat-ish). However, for me all that is balanced out by Bill Nighy and Rowan Atkinson.
This is my favorite, and usually only, movie for Christmas. Sometimes I watch It’s A Wonderful Life. My husband and I watched LA every year without fail. I always cry during the opening scenes at Heathrow with the opening narration. Always. It is so touching to see all those real people showing so much love for other people. The joyous expressions are priceless. Maybe that’s because I am always looking for hope. I always want to slap Laura Linney, what a dimwit. As someone who has done years of caretaking, I can say that’s taking caretaking a bit far I always think that part of the movie is jumping the shark! Who would give up making love to that guy for a phone call from someone in care? I am girding my loins to try and watch it this year by myself, but I have been listening to your fabulous playlist on Spotify and mostly crying my way through that. Not saying this for sympathy, but extreme grief is a process I am only beginning to understand. Thanks for the playlist and the opening monologue. Both remind me of good times. XO
I actually was just flipping channels a few weeks ago and caught Love Actually twice. I had to stop and watch it. I also like The Holiday.
Seriously love this movie! Handkerchief at the ready! And that first scene makes me smile so widely you can feel your heart squish!
We rarely watch movies but we have a DVD of Love Actually. It’s the ultimate. I am kind of a sucker for It’s a Wonderful Life. I just can’t help it.
Huh. I’ve never heard of The Holiday before! I wouldn’t watch Love Actually for a while BECAUSE of that Emma Thompson scene… or I’d conveniently go to the bathroom or something… I just couldn’t bear it. I’ve toughened up over the years, but still make sure the tissue box is full.
Ok. I am not really much of a movie buff. I have always preferred books or live music. Now and then I watch a movie with my husband and lately I’ve seen some children’s movies with the grands. You may have convinced me to watch Love Actually. Love and hope.