A little bit of something for everyone, especially romantics, is found in this hilarious comedy. I’m just an old softie, but I greatly enjoyed the storyline about platonic love that features Bill Nighy as a boozy, burnt out rock star. It’s an anthology film with each story turning up in the other and they’re all lovely.
Both Christmas and love are in the air in jolly old England. The film covers various stories of love. Aging rocker Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) is promoting his latest single, a Christmas variation on the Trogg’s Love is all Around, and playing havoc on his long suffering manager Joe (Gregor Fisher).
Juliet (Kiera Knightley) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) have just been married with Mark (Andrew Lincoln) serving as best man and also taping the wedding. However, Mark has more than a passing interest in the newly married bride. One of the guests at the wedding was writer Jamie (Colin Firth) who discovers that his girlfriend didn’t attend it with him because she was screwing his brother.
He goes on holiday to France to drown his sorrows and meets Portuguese housekeeper Aurelia (Lucia Moniz), but neither speak each other’s language though love is an international tongue. Harry (Alan Rickman) and Karen’s (Emma Thompson) marriage has fallen into a rut and Harry is eying his lovely new secretary and buying her an expensive necklace from jewelry salesman Rufus (Rowan Atkinson). Karen’s brother David (Hugh Grant) has just been elected prime minister, but is clicking with his staff member Natalie (Martine McCutcheon).
However a visit by the President of the United States (Billy Bob Thornton) finds David jealous of the president’s flirting with Natalie. Daniel (Liam Neeson) is a recent widower (ironically) who finds him raising his stepson Sam (Thomas Sangster) alone, with both longing for love. Sarah (Laura Linney) has a secret love for Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) but feels responsible for her mentally ill brother.
Colin (Kris Marshall) plans to go to the States where his British accent will woo the ladies… of Milwaukee. John (Martin Freeman) and Judy (Joanna Page) are sex scene stand-ins, but find they have more in common than they imagined as they perform seemingly salacious poses for the film.
So much is going on in Love Actually that it would’ve been easy for the film to fall into complete chaos. The film deals with a multitude of romantic storylines, some ending in love fulfilled and others unrequited. Director Richard Curtis, who makes his directorial debut here after an Oscar nominated screenwriting career, peppers these tales with a talented cast.
However all the pieces and performances fit like a glove. Occasionally saccharine? Sure, however sweet always tastes great. Not every story ends with a happy bit though. I do like it when it goes happily but I’m warmed by Jamie and Aurelia, David and Natalie, and even John and Judy. I equally love laughing along at the mad antics of Billy Mack. I’m in love with the film, old softie me.
Love Actually is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (2.39:1). Special features include a commentary from director Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, and Thomas Sangster. The remainder of the special features is presented in standard definition unless noted.
First up is 37 minutes of deleted scenes with introductions by Curtis. The 10 minute “The Storytellers” talks about the production and interviews the cast and crew. The 8 minute “Music of Love Actually” has Curtis introducing soundtrack cuts from the film. His intros are in standard definition, but the cuts from the film are in high definition.
Finally there is the 3 minute music video “The Trouble with Love Is” by Kelly Clarkson, but the real treasure is the 4 minute “Christmas is all Around” music video by Billy Mack (aka Bill Nighy).
Love Actually is a film to fall in love with. I thoroughly loved catching up with it again and the Blu-ray looks… lovely. I’m especially delighted with the Billy Mack’s music video, but the whole disc is a love fest. Hope you haven’t gotten a cavity reading this love letter to the film.
Love Actually [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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