Love, Actually

[Reginald Tresilian]

I woke up on my day off, and it was 46 degrees. And HBO was showing "Love Actually."

I try to be strict about not watching Christmas movies too early, but I'm not made of stone, people.

[JoeKv99]

It's a wonderful movie. And all but impossible to turn off when you run across it on cable.

[Wynbish]

They know you are not made of stone. To them, you are perfect. And their wasted heart will love you. And prey on that weakness.

[tazber]

Love it, actually.

I never really considered it a Christmas movie, but I guess it is.

I'll watch it anytime though.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Yeah, it actually has very little to do with Christmas. But I still like to be sure to catch it during the holidays.

Wynbish,

[PalJoey]

It's a wonderful movie.

[JoeKv99]

It trods that perfect path of being quite Christmassy but not an actual "Christmas" movie.

And there is something about Emma Thompson saying " There was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus? "

[Gothampc]

Emma Thompson in the gift opening/bedroom scene is some of the most brilliant acting ever put on screen. Even though the script for this scene is poorly constructed, Emma still commits to it and makes it work.

[Reginald Tresilian]

So many moments:

Alan Rickman saying "yes" repeatedly to Laura Linney.
Emma Thompson trying to stop crying.
Hugh Grant dancing.
The scene in the Milwaukee bar.
When the bodyguard sings "Good King Wenceslaus" (probably my favorite single moment).

[Gothampc]

"The scene in the Milwaukee bar."

Starring Miss January Jones, lately of Mad Men

[DottieD'Luscia]

One of my favorite movies! The proposal scene in Portuguese gets me every time.

[Wynbish]

I loved the awkward conversation between Martin Freeman and Joanna Page's characters. How he warmed up his hands for her.

And Liam crying to Emma. Gah!

Bill Nighy is wonderful in it.

[Reginald Tresilian]

I think I want to be Aurelia's sister for Halloween.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Watching Bill Nighy is like listening to a great jazz performer.

[JoeKv99]

Great performances all around.

[JoeKv99]

America, watch out, here comes Colin Frissell!
... And he's got a big knob!

[Wynbish]

What about Billy Bob as the seedy President?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Terrifying.

[StockardFan]

Now I want to go rent it! I love that movie!

[Reginald Tresilian]

Stock, if you have HBO it might be available on demand.

[JoeKv99]

Billy Bob as George W. Bush, please.

[StockardFan]

Unfortunately we canceled HBO.

[EricMontreal22]

My only issue with this (great) movie, is that it seems to have instigated Gary Marshall into thinking he can do similar movies. He can't.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Emma Thompson is truly heartbreaking in this movie... I think she was robbed of an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actress for her performance.

[Mister Matt]

And what about the music?!?! One of the greatest film scores EVER. It's a shame the score was never commercially released on CD, but it is...out there. And it is glorious.

[Gothampc]

Emma's talent makes a poorly written scene work. An example of an excellent actor overcoming bad material.

***spoiler alert***

Emma's expecting the piece of jewelry that she saw her husband buy. She opens one present and then poof she realizes her husband bought the jewelry for another woman? Did I miss the scene where Alan Rickman tells her "This is the only present you are getting this Christmas and I have no other surprises for you, even though we have only opened one present on Christmas Eve!" The scene really should have been at the end of Christmas when we as an audience realize there's no possible way Emma's getting another present.