AIBU to think Love Actually was written for a bet

[Baileyscheesecake]

I've just watched Love Actually for the first time. (Yes I know I'm behind the times - it was released in 2003). Just from watching the trailer when it was released it never appealed to me but after someone on mumsnet said it was her fav film and she watches it every Christmas I thought I'd give it a chance.

I can't believe how atrocious it is and my only conclusion is that Richard Curtis wrote it as a bet to prove that he could write and direct a film with the weakest storylines and poorest drawn characters imaginable and still get a best selling film: held together only by fantastic cinematography, feel good music and talented actors.

Even the part brilliantly played by Bill Nighy points to the truth - he releases a crap song just for the Christmas market which he himself admits is terrible and it incredulously gets to number one based on hype, marketing and the terrible taste of the general public. Was Richard Curtis laughing behind our backs all the way to the bank?

Aww Wizzard I want to go for a coffee and chat with you now.

As to the film, never took to it.

Battleax - I think the keeping totally quiet thing is because it's christmas and she has to get through that before confronting him.

Oh and the porn couple. Bleurgh.

i loathe it...

except the bill nighy character who sees through the charade of his christmas number 1

as for the AP/ET bit..really ...feel good ? err no...

That kid. FFS Yes vomit inducing. Although it was sad to see Liam Neeson playing a widower considering what happened years later.

I love it. It’s dreadful but I really do love it.

The Andrew Lincoln/Keira Knightley storyline has always wound me up though. I was about 14/15 when the film was released and just couldn’t get beyond 17 year old Keira Knightley being married in the film. I know it’s acting but really, there were no realistically aged actresses? And whoever wrote the “i’m quite pretty?!” line for her should be taken out and shot. In the kneecaps.

The written for a bet idea seems credible to me, as it is drivel.

She appears to have based her accent on Nancy from Oliver

Yes! I could never quite work out who she reminded me of but it's definitely "Ya do laaaarve me dontcha Bill?!" Nancy.

I've never understood the love for this film. As if hot Andrew Lincoln wouldn't already have a much more stunning woman on the go.

Oh yes, watching Liam Neeson play a widower now, is so poignant.

It is a rubbish film with a brilliant cast but my DC and I still enjoy watching it every Christmas. DH just sits there huffing and puffing about what a load of tripe it is and all he gets is "Oh be quiet"

It is nonsense but I like the ET and AR storyline . I think she acted her Joni Mitchell cd off lol I have / had a thing about AR too bless him R.I.P Alan
Also I love Colin Firth and he was still Mr Darcy ...ish in this
The rest of it was crap tbh but no worse than a lot of films.

Battleax - I think the keeping totally quiet thing is because it's christmas and she has to get through that before confronting him.

I just wish she'd covertly spit in his drink or starch his boxers or something.

I don't know why I care, though. I can't stand the film.

Most of his films are like this, so probably not! ( unless he did them all for a bet)

It's enjoyable crap.

I always spot a spelling mistake in the subtitles near the end in Colin Firths storyline, but that's a thing I do - I can't unsee it now

It's a romantic, feel good film. It came out when I was 9 month pregnant and it was Christmas so being an emotional romantic at the best of times, I lapped it up.

Whenever I hear people say they watch it with their DC I cringe. The porn scene fgs?????

The first scene on the link was brilliant and not used,
such a shame as I find it heartbreaking. Good old frances De La Tour

www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cut+scenes+from+love+actually

It's wonderful. It's a cheesy load of old bollocks and most of the storylines are verging on the totally unbelievable (with the exception of the Emma Thomson/Alan Rickman story) but it's a lovely way to spend a couple of hours when you are full of sherry and Quality Street and all is well with your world.

Ditto The Holiday. That has replaced LA as our go-to Christmas film in recent years.

Oh I'd never seen that.

Two middle aged women, audience aren't going to be interested in them.

I love.. Love Actually.....

however I'm pretty sure not everyone likes the same thing on any platform in life

Christmas must watch? There is only one for me and that's 'It's a Wonderful Life' every time.

It is dreadful and packed with appalling misogyny. It really changed the way I saw all Richard Curtis films. I'd quite liked the fluff before but it really brought home to me that he completely hates women.

I have complete disbelief in Martine McCutcheon and Hugh Grant. She appears to have based her accent on Nancy from Oliver

I think that actually is her accent. I've never heard her speak any other way.

I agree. It is an atrocious film with no redeeming qualities. Look at some of the little storylines individually (as has been done many times on here) and some of them are very inappropriate and questionable.