Posted: 11/24/2003

Love, Actually

(2003)

by Wayne Case

I’m a big fan of the work of Brit Richard Curtis who wrote the original scripts for Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994), Notting Hill (1999), and now, Love Actually (2003). All three of these contemporary British romantic comedy/dramas are delightful, witty, warm and wonderful. Nobody writes this sort of film better than Mr.Curtis, and here, for the first time, he directs. That he does so with equal expertise comes as no surprise to me.

Hugh Grant stars in all three of the above-mentioned films, plus he co-stars in both Bridget Jones films. Although I find Grant annoying upon occasion, I always like him when he works with Curtis. This is no exception and I’ve never found him more likable and exhibiting fewer annoying mannerisms. (Curtis shares writing credit also on Bridget Jones’s Diary - 2001, and wrote the script for the sequel now in production and called Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason - 2004.)

In it’s fast paced 2 1/4 hour running time, this romantic ensemble comedy/drama tells close to a dozen separate, but intertwining, stories of love in present day London (with a brief side trip to France). The story opens a few weeks before Christmas and reaches its climax on Christmas Eve when the characters converge. The credits for Love Actually identify Mary Selway & Fiona Weir as responsible for casting. I have no way of knowing how much input they had, but the individuals that assembled this group of actors deserves an Oscar for their efforts. Just listing those here I especially liked is a daunting task, but everyone on the following list is wonderful and deserves special praise.

In no particular order, here goes:

(1) Bill Nighy (I Capture The Castle - 2003) deserves a supporting actor Oscar nomination for this wonderful performance as aging rocker Billy Mack.

(2) Making a welcome return after taking a break, Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson (Primary Colors - 1998) deserves a supporting actress nomination this time out. She takes full advantage of a great opportunity to show her amazing range as sister to Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister & wife to Alan Rickman’s straying husband.

(3) Colin Firth (Another Country - 1984, Apartment Zero - 1988, and Bridget Jones’s Diary - 2001) continues to charm as he finds a new love, Aurelia (Portuguese actress Lucia Moniz) at just the right, unexpected moment.

(4) Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List - 1993) convinces as a recent widow and stepfather to ten year old Sam.

(5) Thomas Sangster amazes as Sam. He is a cousin of Hugh Grant and deserves to find himself cast as a relative of Hugh and many others in future films.

(6) Oscar nominee Laura Linney (You Can Count On Me - 2000 & television mini series Tales Of The City - 1993, 1998, 2001) is the only American cast in a major role among the mostly British cast. She’s up to the task and has one of the best moments in the film when she expresses her unbridled joy.

(7) The reason for Ms. Linney’s understandable enthusiasm is Rodrigo Santoro as Carl, one of her co-workers. I first noticed Santoro in Behind The Sun (2001), an excellent film from his native Brazil directed by Walter Salles. Expect him in future English language films since he’s already had a small part in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle - 2003 & the 2003 television feature adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ The Roman Spring Of Mrs. Stone.

(8) Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Thing - 2003) is effective as bridegroom Peter.

(9) Keira Knightley (Bend It Like Beckham - 2003, Pirates Of The Caribbean - 2003) is his new bride, Juliet and…

(10) Andrew Lincoln is Mark, best man at their wedding. In this plot thread, Mark is secretly in love with Juliet. Only eighteen years old now, Knightley has had quite a year and is absolutely lovely here. After seeing her three 2003 films, it’s no surprise to me that she currently has four major new films in pre-production! I especially liked Andrew Lincoln, who reminds me of American actor, Mark Feuerstein, probably best known for his nice work in American television series Ally Mcbeal, Caroline In The City & Good Morning Miami.

(11) Martine McCutcheon is Natalie, Prime Minister Hugh Grant’s assistant and love interest. Although new to me, she is well know in England, primarily as a television soap star and, more recently, as a best selling singer. She is a pretty young woman who reminded me a bit of Monica Lewinsky, perhaps because of a plot point dealing with an American President. This American President is vividly rendered by…

(12) Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade - 1996).

(13) Kris Marshall, new to me, decides that a trip to Milwaukee is just what he needs to improve his sex life. He’s right about that and his journey leads to amusing cameo encounters with several hot, new young American beauties including Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie - 1999 & 2001) & Elisha Cuthbert, best known as “Kim” in the terrific television series named 24. This plot thread also leads to a bit by one of my picks for future success, Denise Richards (Wild Things - 1998).

(14) German born and new to me, Heike Makatsch makes a strong impression as Mia, Alan Rickman’s secretary. Her experience in several European films is apparent and she should attract the attention of American casting directors with her distinctive striking appearance and performance here.

(15) Rowan Atkinson, best known as the character he created and used in several films and on television called Bean or Mr. Bean, is very funny in his cameo as a fussy jewelery salesperson. Actually, I liked everyone else in the cast also!

Technical components are all of the same high quality as the writing, directing, casting & acting. The use of music, much of it previously recorded and popular, is exceptional. The song, “Love is All Around”, is a particular favorite of mine. It is sung by Bill Nighy near the start of the film and got me in the proper mood right away.

Love Actually is the kind of film that makes me glad I’m obsessed with movies!

Wayne Case is our senior staff writer in Los Angeles.

Got a problem? E-mail us at filmmonthly@gmail.com