Of truncated title, British accent, Christmas magic and other things

Rating: Null/10 (11 December 2003)

Minor spoilers
The title of the movie, in full, is Love Actually Is All Around, which tells it all. It's an amalgamation of many stories, with a common theme, love. Of this type of movies (I don't think it's big enough to be called a genre), the one I like best is Playing By Heart (1998) which, by comparison, has a little bit more to offer in stories, characters and coherence, as well as a brilliant coup in the end that ties everything together neatly. Love Actually is nevertheless an enjoyable movie, particularly in the holiday season. Also, a movie with British accents is always a refreshing experience, even though it is not a Shakespeare, Shaw or Wilde adaptation.

For me, the movie starts with a powerful vampire (I just saw Underworld a week ago). Bill Nighy, considered by many as the best of the lot in this movie, is however not the whole show. What I would like to do is to rank the stories/relationships in the movie by purely personal preference.
1. The love story in which language barrier is demolished
The relationship between Jamie (Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) is one of beauty in simplicity. The play with the language barrier is quite clever. Firth, who played a marvellous Jack in The Importance of Being Ernest, is all sincerity and gentleness here. Don't know how they discovered Moniz, but her exquisite charm is quite irresistible. Together, they make the most beautiful pair (visually and romantically) in this movie, and get my gold.
2. Friendship is love, and love is friendship
The silver I award to a pair of business partners who, unknowingly until the sparkle of Christmas magic, has become life-long, loyal friends. The ambitious title of the movie simply cannot be fulfilled without a couple of old guys having a few beers on Christmas eve in front of a TV set watching.whatever (the movie says porno, but an NFL or European Cup game will do just as well). Must not forget to mention the outstanding performance of Bill Nighy.
3. The `self-preservation' silent, unspoken love
This is a bit of a dark horse choice for bronze, but I do find Mark's (Andrew Lincoln) silent devotion to Juliet (Keira Knightley) rather affecting. Maybe it is because of the scene at Christmas Eve, his one and only attempt, in a somewhat clumsy but at the same time cute way, to express his love to lovely Juliet.
4. Father and stepson
Had this been father and son, this would have much less impact. Unrelated by blood and probably starting as total strangers, Daniel (Liam Neeson) and Sam (Thomas Sangster) develop a bond and relationship that grew initially out of a mutual love they shared, and then a mutual love they lost. Funny rather than tear-jerking, warm rather than sympathy-courting, the relationship between this pair is nevertheless touching in many ways. Acting is great: Neeson, yes; but the boy!!
5. Middle life crisis
The story of Harry (Alan Rickman) and Karen (Emma Thompson) is probably played out every single minute around the world, through a couple of centuries. What makes it stand out here is superb acting, sensitive treatment and a forgiving spirit befitting the Yuletide season.
6. Prime minister's fling
`Youth must have its fling' is favourite G&S lyrics, used in both The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance. The Prime Minister in Love Actually, however, despite Hugh Grant's youthful look, does not exactly fit the description of `youth'. Fling he must have, anyway, with housemaid Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). Besides being way overdone since Pretty Woman, the reason why this Cinderella story doesn't sell me is that McCutcheon I do not find particularly appealing. Given a very similar situation, I would prefer Jennifer Lopez in Maid in Manhattan any day.
7. The inexplicable obstacle
The story of shy Sarah (Laura Linney) and almost-as-shy Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) would have ranked much, much higher, especially after that magical dance that many of us will relate to, with treasured personal references. It's as if the scriptwriters can't bear the idea of having all the stories end happily, even when Christmas is all around. Otherwise, how on earth can it be explained that a sister's devotion to an emotionally handicapped brother can come between such a beautiful love affair. It's an insult to the two characters, as well as to the audience.
8. The love god in the wild, wild west
Colin (Kris Marshall) the love god's is a farce that this movie can do with or without. In Christmas spirit, I'd say we keep it.
Finally, I would just like to mention that there is a great deal of references in this movie, particular to the music of the 60's and 70's, from the unabashed used of `Both Sides Now' to the subtle mention of `Alone Again, Naturally'. It's a pity that they don't actually play this ballad by Gilbert O'Sullivan, one of the most beautiful songs ever written.