Love Actually (2003) - 🤯📼First Time Film Club📼🤯 - First Time Watching/Movie Reaction & Review 

One reason to have such a strong recognizable cast for ensemble pieces like this is so that you immediately know which storyline you're in. If everyone was an unknown attractive 20 something, it would be easy to lose track.

In the original script, Rowan Atkinson is a guardian angel. When you know that, his scenes make total sense.

This movie had a particular impact for me when I saw it in the theater shortly before christmas when I went to see it alone, just a few months after my own wife had died, and saw Liam Neeson in the same situation. It never helps that her birthday was on christmas. For all of its flaws, it's a favorite of mine.

For me, the best relationship in this movie is Daniel and Sam, especially when Sam finally calls Daniel "Dad" before they head to the airport. Jamie and Aurelia come in second because both of them actually put in the work to get together. He learns Portuguese for her and she learns English for him.

Just for extra fun, Rowan Atkinson's role was actually a longer story arc. He was playing an angel, just add supernatural powers to this already overloaded story, who was trying to help the various people sort out their lives. But the director and editor saw that there was simply too much going on and trimmed his appearances down to just two as an incidental and unnamed character.

Before she played Aurelia, Lucia Moniz represented Portugal in the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest

"Don't buy drugs. Become a pop star, and they give you them for free!" A bit of trivia you may not know: Emma Thompson's crying scene in the bedroom was real. In an interview at a later time she discussed how she was still grieving he ex-husband Kenneth Branagh's infidelity with Helena Bonham Carter when this movie was filmed. All that raw emotion came out in this scene. Also, everyone absolutely killed it in this movie and its all so believable.

The opening wedding with the musicians was inspired by one of Jim Henson's memorials (they did one in NYC and London), where the puppeteers had Muppets with them and broke out with "Just One Person", I believe, Henson's favorite Muppet song.

I love your reactions and understand your POV. But I loved this movie. Not because it was real, but because it was funny.

So I've been watching this video while making thumbprint cookies for the holidays and I nearly dropped some of the dough because I couldn't stop laughing when I hear the "I'm gonna need to be high" in regards to having to watch the Hallmark Channel movies. My mom loves watching them so when she does when I'm around I make a beeline for the booze. Lol I honestly think that The Holiday did a better job at balancing different storylines than this movie did. Granted there was only two different storylines being told for the most part, it got to dig into the the obstacles of the 4 main characters a little more which really fleshes them out so that you actually care more by the end.

I must confess that one of my favorite storylines is the Colin Frissell (Kris Marshall) one, simply because of the sheer audacity of it. The movie is very aware that that sequence of events would never in a million years play out that way, but just says "fuck it" and has them play out that way anyway. It's bold, and I like it.

Emily is a national treasure & needs to be protected at all costs!!!

I want to see Emily watch hallmark Christmas movies.

“That’s what I would do” and “I’m gon need to get so high” are the best quotes of this reaction 😂😂😂

Andrew Lincolns character said enough, enough now at the end. He was done with it too. So he agreed with you as well

What "a Christmas story " is to children back in the day this Christmas movie is to adults

I guess you don't get it. It's a movie about ALL ASPECTS of love.......from disappointments to heartbreaks....to fulfilled hopes...etc.

When Emma Thompson's character opens her present and realizes it's a Joni Mitchell disc, Alan Rickman's character explains his present with the line "...to continue your emotional education" refering to their previous conversation in which she said Joni Mitchell was the woman who thought her how to feel. He doesn't realize that comment hits her much more deeply as that's a moment she's experiencing something (probably) very new and badly emotional to her. Her reaction to that line and Emma Thompson's re-acting to that line (also the rest of the scene, sure) is acting perfection to me. I love the writers seemlessly squeezed such a powerful line in there.

This is on my list of favorite Christmas movies. It does have a lot of stories going on but I think they weave them well. I don't like all the stories either. The stalker story is the worst.the cheating story is sad but well done. The stories I really enjoy are the rock star, the Prime Minister, and father/son. Bill Nighy is so funny. He realizes he has one true friend who stuck with him through years in a business where people come and go. Hugh Grant is a charming awkward Prime Minister. It seems to me that it is supposed to be ridiculous that people call her fat. Our modern cultures are obsessed with skinny. Regular healthy women are often called fat. Tge story with Szm is not about young love. That is just a catalyst for a story about father/son love. It is a step family. They got along but didn't seem real close. Then the woman who connected them is gone and they have to build their own relationship.

In this very special episode of Just SUMM, we learned (a) Why Matt married Em, (b) why Matt will NEVER, EVER, EVER, STRAY, and (c) that a cat can actually have a VERY DEEP DISTURBING look of concern on its face for a loved one.😂

I think it’s just quintessential British, we enjoy this the way Americans enjoy Hallmark movies ok if it’s not your cup of tea but as a Brit it definitely hits different for most of us

I think this movie is one of the best examples of managing "many story lines and characters" type of movies. Many other romantic comedies tried to copy this later on after the success of Love Actually but didn't even come close and there are very few good examples to this in other genres too. If Emily really thinks this movie really can't handle it and the storylines/characters are paper thin (and I respect her opinion) I suggest she never even considers watching other movies with the same trope because she'll definitely be much more disappointed.

Seeing Emily watch this lovely movie, which expectedly is more like a horror movie to her, was extra fun. I still love this movie a lot.

Emma Thompson ex cheating husband was not the director of "love actually". She divorced her first husband (an actor, director and producer) in 1995 and later they played in a Harry Potter movie together, but didn't share any scenes.

The part with the writer and the Portuguese housekeeper makes me ask, “when she gets driven to the border to go home she’s crossing into Spain to drive at least 5-8 more hours to cross the border into Portugal? Portugal and France do not border eachother.

Bill Nighy and Rowan Atkinson are the best parts of this movie.

If we're talking Hugh Grant films, I'd strongly recommend 'About a Boy' which has a great story and one of Hugh's best roles.

Olivia Olson (Joanna) was the voice of Vanessa on "Phineas and Ferb" and Marceline on "Adventure Time."

So if you really love Christmas, come on and watch this reaction...

The thing I love the most about this movie, is that in the commentary the director gloats about having made another movie where he forced Love is All Around on the audience.

"This movie is f*cking stupid." Me: ... **clicks Like button** correct

I see people complaining about movies that they don't understand, that they get lost... I can perfectly keep track of all the stories in movies like this. I love this movie, but, the good thing about we, people, is that we have different opinions. I love your reaction but don't agree with your opinion. Che😊ers!!

If you want a good romantic comedy, watch one of the originals, and still the best one: It Happened One Night, with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

The lobster is now a very good stand-up comedian.

I saw this at the movies, With my at the time gf... and her parents........ I'm still scratching my head.....

23:20 "Go HOME you f****ng weirdo". Hahaha. My thoughs exactly. That whole (Keira Knightley) storyline really does not hold today. Keira did great. She was only 17 filming this...

24:47 Hugh Grant's face!! LMFAO!!!

I still think Moonstruck will be a rare rom-com winner for Emily.

a therapist did a reaction to the boom box/card scene- he said 'RUN!'

I had to pause for several minutes at 14:22. I haven't laughed that hard in ages.

Liam Neeson's son is also the voice of Ferb on Phineas and Ferb. One of the best romantic comedies ever! It is a Christmas movie and I usually watch it every year.

That's fair Emily but I don't agree. I never lost track & have never had a problem with the multiple different characters & storylines. As a 🇬🇧 it's this & "The Holiday" every Xmas for rom-coms. Love Actually is held in high esteem for many who rewatch it every Xmas especially in the UK, I'd probably give it 8.5 out of 10 for enjoyment. The incredible performance of a broken hearted Emma Thompson is often referred to as a really brave & powerful scene. Writer Richard Curtis has said he would definitely take out the fat shaming of Martine McCutcheon today though & Martine looks incredibly different now in her 40s. One difference between the British & American version is the Song by Sugababes, "Too Lost In You" was replaced by Kelly Clarkson, "The Trouble With Love Is" in the American version. Both Laura Linney (Sarah) & Rodrigo Santoro (Karl) both bonded during the shoot due to both being dumped from their significant others around the same time which Laura has said helped their performance & allowed both to lean emotionally on each other with support. Laura revealed this on an edition of The Graham Norton Show.

I thought that was a funny, cute Christmas movie. And then I watched it with you two!! LOL. Emm you don't have to like a movie to make an awesome reaction video, exhibit A.

My friends and I were massively into '24' in 2003, so seeing Elisha Cuthbert walk through that door was a big 'Holy crap!' moment back then!

Same, Emily, same!

I've been repeatedly called fat and I weigh 110 lbs. I know I'm not, but I want to know what their ideal is because they don't even meet this elusive standard.

They make short sequel to this few years ago for Red Nose charity called Red Nose, Actually showing what has happened to the several of the characters.

I actually cackled when I saw what you're watching - sorry, Emily! 😂

@19:12 - that was the greatest

Natalie said THREE Hallmark Christmas specials and audible yelled NOOO at the TV! That's just unfair! Especially when all those specials are exactly the same story!

This video has too many thumbs down. This reaction was awesome and hilarious! I'd love to see you react to more romantic comedies. Emily, I needed this laughs today. Thank you! 💚And Pippin was just so sweet! Give him all the scratches for me, please. (:

You know what this channel needs......a month of romantic comedies. The sleeziest, cheesiest, smoochiest movies known to mankind.

Ok, i know I'm 2 weeks late on this but, most people don't understand that 1) It is INTENTIONALLY over the top/cheesy/cringey. & 2) The film itself IS NOT saying that Natalie is fat. It's a commentary on how a lot of women (too many) judge how other women look, especially when it comes to weight. The whole 'if you're bigger than *this*, then you're fat' crowd, that absolutely exist. Unfortunately, there this an overabundance of women in the world who love nothing more than putting/tearing other women down. The Prime Minister's aide is supposed to be the example of that.

I love a lot of rom-coms, but I'm with you on this one, Emily. There are pieces that work, but overall it just doesn't add up to a good movie for me.

Here's some suggestions,1: Grabbers, irish horror comedy 2: Hunt for the wilderpeople, comedy from New Zealand starring Sam Neill(dr grant from jurassic park), i think you would like them.

Great reaction, AGAIN, to a great movie!!! 😁😁😁 But I get your points, about being too thin, I do. I love it how you laugh so much. Try watching the American movie: "Valentine's Day", it has the same tone, many relationships, etc... I don't remember which one came out first, but I think the 2nd one was a deliberate copy of the 1st one's idea. Rowan Atkinson was my highlight, in the two scenes he acted.

Another nice one. In keeping with the holiday season, you guys should check out Prancer, with Sam Elliott and Abe Vigoda. It’s a seriously underrated classic.

There isn’t an overall story it’s about individual stories

I just adore this movie!

Sling Blade, watch it some dayyyyyyyyyyy

If you want to see more of Emma Thompson (wink), I highly recommend the 1989 rom-com "The Tall Guy"! It stars Emma Thompson and Jeff Goldblum, and Rowan Atkinson also has a funny part in it.

That kids name is Thomas Brodie Sangster and he was actually 13 years old in this movie, He also had the lead role in a film called Entrusted when he was about 13 or 14 were he plays an eleven year old boy in world war2. A very interesting film were you could se his real actingskills. I would like you to react on that movie please. Some years later 2014, he played Newt in the triology Maze Runner. Still look the same but taller, lol. Very cute. React on Maze Runner too if you want.

The article (well tweet that was part of a larger interview) from Emma Freud is kibd of fascinatng and, of course, spot on. Richard Curtis is a very certain type of Englishman - privately educated at an all boys school, posh but not aristocratic, erudite, and with his heart generally in the right place - who therefore has a *massive* blind spot whe it comes to interacting with women. But he writes this movie as almost as if he was still at school rather than in his 40s/50s. A lot of people thought this was weird _at the time_ and it has famously aged like milk. But it has enough really good lines (and Curtis has always been able to write those) and comedic acting talent to make it fun, and the sketch show nature of the myriad stories means that there's always another belter along in a second, even while you're cringing yourself inside out at Kiera and Egg, body shaming, the Yank wank fantasy, the PMs ra-ra podium statement to President Billy Bob etc. There's *a lot* wrong with it, but it's still fun and rewatchable.

Sorry can't agree this film is a classic for me and Christmas doeesnt start until i've seen it. What i love about it is that it shows that love doesn't always have a happy ending. Some is comical, some is romantic and some very random. But some are sad and unrequited.

Appreciate your discussion-it's okay to share how you really feel about the content...and as always, Pippin is a delightful bonus participant :)

I wouldn't roast you for your opinions and most of the criticism this film gets is totally valid. On the other hand, it takes me back to a certain time in my life where I was going through a lot of difficulties and films were a huge comfort/distraction to me so this has sentimental value. And the soundtrack is great too.

Finally someone loves Collin as much as me ❤ everyone else who reacts to this thinks he’s creepy and doesn’t see the humor

21:54 I'm dying!😂😂😂👊

For all the great performances, one stood out above the rest - and THAT was Billy Mack!! ✌🏼💨🥂💣 (As for those Hallmark films..? I'd recommend 3-4 grams of Laughing Gas, per film!) 😎

Matt needs a medal 😂

I think I've seen 5 British romcoms from the 1990s and early 2000s. I love this movie, but it's my number 5. Still a solid 7 out of 10 though. I do prefer: Four Weddings And A Funeral Bernard & The Genie (television movie, maybe not really a romcom, but at least it IS a Christmas comedy) Notting Hill Bridget Jones' Diary

love your reaction to this movie - so good =)

When I saw this in the theater, it was a weekday matinee and the only people in the theater were me, my friend, and a couple of little old ladies. The little old ladies walked out during the nudity.

Love that at 29:20 both Emily and Pippin have the exact same expression!

You did very very well emily, this one takes a little bit but you're a trooper.

Some Hallmark Christmas Movie suggestions (these are fun movies): Crown for Christmas, Marry Me at Christmas and Journey Back to Christmas. Some other good movies: Christmas Under Wraps, A Timeless Christmas and Good Morning Christmas.

Anyway if you laughed so much this is something.

As for my opinion of the movie. I loved it, actually.

I'm generally not into rom-coms, but British ones do have a knack for not being completely sappy and that you can watch even if you're single (..."About A Boy", "Bridget Jones...", "Notting Hill"). This one's great.

I'm defending the Peter Juliet Mark storyline. When the movie first came out I loved it and completely understood every storyline and didn't really get too into them, but over the years more and more people keep coming out bashing the movie and specifically the story between Mark and Juliet. There's no real background to how or when they met, but I'm assuming that when they did Peter made his move first, Mark is a good friend (there are movies and shows where one character is in love with someone who is already in a relationship and they work to break up the couple and swoop in to pick up the pieces, this is not that story), he doesn't do anything to try and break them up maybe at most he hopes they don't work out so he can have a chance, but as time goes on he sees them getting closer and falling more in love, his own feelings are not going away so all he can do is keep his distance and let them be which results in everyone thinking he doesn't like Juliet and he probably would of gone his whole life not telling anyone about his feelings, but as we see Juliet finds out (it's also not that creepy, he didn't have a shrine with mementos taken from her, a lock of hair, or pictures that were taken from outside while she's changing or anything like that). Mark showing up with the cue cards was not him trying to win Juliet over, she knows how he feels so he was just ripping off the band-aid and coming clean with his feelings, it was more for himself than anything so he can get over her and move on( I see this a lot in romance anime where a character doesn't confess their feelings for fear of rejection, but they know they can't live that way and go through with it even when the answer is no and they're heartbroken they recover and feel better and are able to move on), her kiss was just a peck on the lips, at best it was a pity kiss. Looking back maybe the story could of been tweaked a bit to be more understanding only because so many people have misunderstood it.

Emily, I like a good RomCom, but nobody should be forced to endure three Hallmark movies. It's very clear in the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Only one hour is currently allowed and frankly I doubt that would stand to a challenge.

Might already be on the list but I'm going out on a limb and saying Bad Santa.....

3 Hallmark Christmas films could be the Peter Falk Trilogy. A Town Without Christmas, Finding John Christmas, When Angels Come to Town. Peter plays the "same" character in all three.

☹️. I was hoping you’d love this. Can’t win them all I guess

Emma Thompson's character should have ended up with Liam Neesen's character. He even accidentally called Claudia Schiffer's character, Carol, by Thompson's character's name, Karen.

Apparently the rock's favorite film! Lol

VIOLENT NIGHT or Black Christmas (1970s version)!!!!!!!!

That must be what swallowing fire feels like, right, Emily? 😂😂😂😂

Little info: The guy who played Carl also played Xerxes in 300

I am SHOCKED that AMC aired this film with a TV-PG rating, even though THAT Martin Freeman subplot was largely (but not entirely) cut. Also, the Billy Bob and Hugh story was pretty funny!

Martine McCutcheon who played Natalie is a former soap actress she played Tiffany in EastEnders

Along with Die Hard, this is my Christmas movie. That being said, I still retain a brain and common sense. I have zero issue with anyone disliking it. That's just fair. I will say that part of why I love it so much and watch it every year is that it offers so many stories, so I also skip right over the Alan Rickman/secretary stuff and the creepy stalker guy. The movie has enough fun stuff that you can pick and choose... make of that what you will. 😀

- "that was ALWAYS allowed" ... I see you Rick & Morty reference... I see you! :D - welcome to the movie that I THINK birthed "All I Want For Christmas..." - I hate that this movie tried to get "grounded" with Laura Linney story, and that she DIDN'T end up with her guy. BOO! - I don't think you're gonna get roasted. There are some folx that feel the movie didn't age well, and some that still love it, and some that are ok with feeling BOTH :D

This is why there isn’t any such thing as “innocent” flirting folks. _Especially_ if you’re married. Remember: laughing with, confiding in, flirting, are all things that helped lay the foundation of the relationship you’re already in. Falling in love is easy. Too easy by half. Staying in love, well, that takes work. Boundaries people. Have some. For the sake of those things you vowed to uphold.

Christmas With The Kranks

This movie is a guilty pleasure of mine, but I fully acknowledge it's kind of crappy. Love is a great thing, y'know? Love you guys!

Love this one.

Fantastic Movie- the English do comedy so well.

14:15 This part fkn broke me XD I'm so stoked I wasn't drinking anything at the time

There was a followup to this movie for Red Nose Day and most of the cast returned for the video. We get sort of an update on the characters. Obviously the the little kids being much older. The video I think is over 15 minutes long.