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To not understand how it’s only TODAY that I’ve ever watched Love Actually

185 replies

Careergoals · 01/12/2024 18:52

And it was bloody lovely!

I genuinely don’t know how I’ve never seen this despite being 51. In my defence I’m not much of a film lover by DD had heard about it and decided to put it on.

So many big names in it, it was fab.

My heart actually broke for Emma Thompsons character though, what a shit of a man. Wonder if he did sleep with that woman.

OP posts:
OTannenbaumOTannenbaum · 02/12/2024 10:50

I like it. It came out when I was 14 and I watched it in the cinema so I have those nice memories associated with it! Feeling all christmassy as a teen.

RedHelenB · 02/12/2024 09:34

Somethingsnappy · 02/12/2024 09:33

Lots of people mention the fat shaming thing, and it surprises me because that wasn't my take on it. The way I saw it was that the woman who said that about MM's character was a bit jealous of her, so said something about her to attempt to be derogatory and dismissive. It was very obvious that she was not really 'chubby' and also looked very beautiful. That was my interpretation of it anyway.

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This.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 02/12/2024 09:34

Tooty78 · 01/12/2024 19:37

I love Love Actually, (but I still haven't seen The Holiday)

The Holiday is perfect Christmas schmaltz.

Somethingsnappy · 02/12/2024 09:33

Spirallingdownwards · 02/12/2024 07:45

Fat shaming someone who isn't even fat and condoning stalking aren't really my thing.

Lots of people mention the fat shaming thing, and it surprises me because that wasn't my take on it. The way I saw it was that the woman who said that about MM's character was a bit jealous of her, so said something about her to attempt to be derogatory and dismissive. It was very obvious that she was not really 'chubby' and also looked very beautiful. That was my interpretation of it anyway.

DrFoxtrot · 02/12/2024 09:21

I like it for the soundtrack and early 2000's nostalgia. It's definitely not up there in my list of favourite Christmas films but I'll watch it if it's on.

BogRollBOGOF · 02/12/2024 09:08

I like Love Actually. It's light entertainment and was made in a lighter, more optomistic age where everything wasn't hyper-analysed into bland, griege acceptability. Yes it takes me back to the excitement of being in my early 20s with so many opportunities ahead.

The context of the Martine McCutcheon weight comments was that they came from the media, and she could struggle with getting roles from being woman shaped, not size zero in the culture of the time. The role was created for her. The audience knows that she isn't fat. The context has got lost in time.

The only deep thing in the film is Emma Thompson's acting. Not everything has to be deep.

At least in 2003 there was a broad range of film genres and it didn't cost an arm and a leg to go to the cinema. You could afford to go and see something a bit different or a bit iffy and chalk it up to experience.

UnrelatedTo · 02/12/2024 09:06

Funkyslippers · 02/12/2024 09:01

I hate the film. But calling Mia a tramp FarmGirl78? I suppose that is in keeping with the tone of the film though. But she didn't exactly have to force the husband to be unfaithful did she?

In fairness (like the majority of the female characters), she’s a cardboard cut-out whose only significant scenes involve her (1) displaying her crotch to Alan Rickman, and (2) putting on the necklace he gave her in her scanties, so you could probably omit her name from the credit as just call her ‘Vixen#1’ or ‘Office Trollop’.

Funkyslippers · 02/12/2024 09:01

I hate the film. But calling Mia a tramp FarmGirl78? I suppose that is in keeping with the tone of the film though. But she didn't exactly have to force the husband to be unfaithful did she?

mondaytosunday · 02/12/2024 08:39

My DD and I watch it every year - a must see at Christmas. We obviously love it! I'm 62, DD is 19.

NavyOrca · 02/12/2024 08:31

FarmGirl78 · 02/12/2024 00:02

There's another clue too. You see Mia the tramp with the bad fringe of evil-ness in her bedroom earlier on, with a neatly made bed. And then the next time it's her putting the necklace on and admiring it in the mirror. And the bedsheets in the background are unmade and crumpled. Dirty Harry has been round with her present to get some leg over, crumpled the bedsheets and then gone home to Emma Thompson for their family time.

That fringe has a lot to answer for. It's 21 years ago and I still shudder and take an instant dislike to anyone with that fringe.

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Urgh, Mia…

NavyOrca · 02/12/2024 08:30

Here comes Colin Frissell…. AND HE’S GOT A BIG KNOOOOOOOOOB

Namechangefordaughterevasion · 02/12/2024 08:28

I like Love Actually. It's light entertainment not an instructional video on how to be a good person.

However, Elf is the ultimate Christmas movie.

BackOnTheAntibiotics · 02/12/2024 08:27

The Holiday is appalling. Putting Jack Black in that role is an act of insanity for a start but in it's entirely, it is mawkish drivel.

BackOnTheAntibiotics · 02/12/2024 08:26

GinToBegin · 01/12/2024 20:50

Isn’t it Love, Actually where the perfectly healthy-sized Martine McCutcheon Is referred to as fat/chubby/whatever? And Andrew Lincoln’s stalker behaviour somehow being unbearably cute? Fuck that.

I absolutely loathe Love, Actually. I find it insufferably smug, white, straight and middle-class. I can see why people enjoy it, but it’s not for me. I’ll stick to Muppet Christmas Carol and all the Netflix festive crap.

LA is filled with weirdness like this but repeatedly calling Martine McCutcheon fat, chubby and with huge thighs is the most overtly awful bit.

I do wonder what the inside of Richard Curtis' head is like. Most of the women are in a reduced form in this film.

duckduckgooseduckagain · 02/12/2024 08:22

I too watched it for the first time recently. I usually only watch dark films where at least a few people are murdered/haunted/eaten by sharks but my friends have been telling me to watch something a bit more cheerful so I started with this. What stood out for me was the snarky comments about Natalie's weight and when Colin Firth's character went to Aurelia's home to propose to her and her overweight sister came to the door - it was like fat people cannot be proposed to!! Perhaps I noticed all this because I am currently carrying a few extra stone. Going to go back to the dark side.

Semiramide · 02/12/2024 08:22

Chuzzle · 01/12/2024 19:38

This. It's horrendous. BUT if you watch Die Hard immediately afterwards you get to see Alan Rickman (SPOILER ALERT) falling to his death and that almost makes up for his dreadful treatment of Emma Thompson.

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What an excellent idea!!

My heart actually broke for Emma Thompsons character though

The only bits worth watching are the ones featured Emma T.

Breaks my heart, Every Single Time...

UnrelatedTo · 02/12/2024 08:20

SD1978 · 02/12/2024 07:54

@Careergoals - it's universally despised on here! I'm well aware of all the holes that can be poked in it- like most of these kind of movies- personally I'm happy for the vacuous watch and not getting into the 'issues' deeply- glad you enjoyed it- I love a crummy Christmas movie!

I adore vacuous romcoms, but this is a nasty, lazy, misogynist vacuous romcom.

IcedPurple · 02/12/2024 08:18

ThisAquaCrow · 01/12/2024 23:49

Colin Firth seemed fairly upset by his wife shagging his brother.

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Yes, but that was merely an intro for the main storyline. Which was him shagging the help who didn't even speak his language.

Mama2many73 · 02/12/2024 08:12

CaptainCallisto · 02/12/2024 07:41

Careful of the icy patch!

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YES YES YES!

The line of the film!! Love that someone else has seen it! Most people haven't! 😁
You've made me smile today!

Funkyslippers · 02/12/2024 08:07

Violetparis · 02/12/2024 07:34

Hate the Joanna Page toplesss scenes, so uneccesary. I know it was a different time but they really jar in this film.

Yeah that storyline is awful

ChristmasFluff · 02/12/2024 08:03

I bloody hate romcoms, can't stand Bridget Jones or basically any of them. But for some reason I love Love Actually and The Holiday.

Maybe it;s because I'm a massive lover of Christmas in general? But I don't think so - loads of Christmas romcoms I hate. I hasten to add I have seen lots of romcoms due to being a good friend (and having wine available) and not through my own choice!

SD1978 · 02/12/2024 07:54

@Careergoals - it's universally despised on here! I'm well aware of all the holes that can be poked in it- like most of these kind of movies- personally I'm happy for the vacuous watch and not getting into the 'issues' deeply- glad you enjoyed it- I love a crummy Christmas movie!

BadLad · 02/12/2024 07:53

Ant or Dec

Spirallingdownwards · 02/12/2024 07:45

Fat shaming someone who isn't even fat and condoning stalking aren't really my thing.

CaptainCallisto · 02/12/2024 07:41

Mama2many73 · 01/12/2024 23:01

Never seen it , I'm 53.
Never seen the holiday.

I love Muppet Christmas carol, but my favourite is a Muppets family Christmas, where the muppets, fragile rock and sesame street characters all end up at Fozzy bear!s mums house for Christmas!

Careful of the icy patch!