Paul McCartney called it the greatest song he ever heard and that he still cries when he hears it today. I cry myself at the airport scene with that in the background.
The film's script changed quite a bit during filming. Most notably, Rowan Atkinson was actually supposed to make an appearance in every single storyline where he would help the couple get together, and then the final scene would show him walking away and vanishing into thin air, implying that he was some kind of Christmas angel. But it ended up getting cut down to just two scenes, where he seems to just be a random troll for laughs.
I much prefer it this way tbh. I don't think the film needed a supernatural element, especially considering how many of the storylines are fairly relatable or at least somewhat realistic.
The sad thing that, when Emma Thompson was with Kenneth Branaugh, he cheated on her with Helena Bonham Carter. She didn't need to act to know what it was like to be cheated on.
I love this movie. A lot of people just love to hate this movie. I tend to find the sentiments very endearing, not creepy. The theme of the movie has to do largely with unrequited love, which is restrained, not blatant, though Colin was the exception. Sure, people will maybe go over the line in just wanting to express their love, but they don't burst into another person's house to do it; it's a battle to push it back and try to hope for its mitigation over time. It was funny how you lapsed into that Brooklyn accent in describing Handsome Guy. Every time I see him, I marvel at how handsome he is, and I like girls. Go ahead...rewind and watch those scenes again...you know you want to!!! Just kidding! Don't throw that!!! Very refreshing to see how you found the cute in this movie because there's a lot of it. People will see what they want to see and dismiss what they don't want to see. Enjoyed it. :)
@@OGBReacts Playing devil's advocate, because I really love this movie, It is cheesy, and there isn't a lot of plot or character development, some of the relationships are more physical than "real", a lot of it is unrealistic and/or glorified, and there's stories that might be more accurate to say a character is infatuated which isn't love. I think these arguments while are valid are also very cynical. This movie is cute, and it's unabashed love, for love in all* it's forms, puppy love, parental love, broken love, lust, romantic love, new love, old love, friendship/found family as love. It's hard to really break into all of that in depth, so I let all those cynics dissuade me. I would say it would have been nice to have had one queer couple get an actually storyline/vignette, I think there's a few photos/clips at the beginning/end credits. It's especially glaring in 2022, it might have been a little forward in 2003, but not very much.
@@wfly81 WIthout a doubt, mine is Kiera Knightley and the best friend who loves her. It moves me every single time I see it, especially the scene where she watches the wedding video and realizes he loves her.
It's unclear how familiar you were with Joni Mitchell, so just in case: she was a pop music superstar in the '60s, and when this film was made had just put out a new album which included a new version of her song Both Sides Now, after decades of smoking had made her voice unrecognizably husky (which also actually fits the song's subject matter a lot better, as it's supposed to be someone reflecting on their eventful life). The original version is played when Karen first brings up her love of Joni, and the new version after she gets the CD instead of the necklace.
This has got to be one of my favourite Christmas films. The cast is *chefs kiss* and everything is great! Loved that you reacted and hope you enjoyed it! 😁❤️. My favourite couples have to be David and Natalie and Jamie and Aurelia 🥰 Fun fact: Hugh Grant didn’t originally want to do the dance sequence but the director convinced him to do it. It’s one of my fav scene 😂.
OGB! You're the only reactor who made me appreciate Colin's trip to Milwaukee. Heretofore, Colin, with this uncute British accent, had the least intriguing vignette for me; but your unbound appreciation for it just clicked and changed my mind. The change of attitude may be for this viewing only, but if I get disenchanted with the Milwaukee part again, I'll watch your reaction to "L,A" again!
This was the directorial debut of Richard Curtis, who wrote the screenplay. Prior to this, he was best known for his tv work as the main writer of the British comedy series 'Blackadder' with Rowan Atkinson (along with other British comedic actors like Hugh Laurie of 'House' and Stephen Fry). He also wrote 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' and 'Notting Hill' (both starring Hugh Grant aka David the British Prime Minister in this film.). Both of those films are amazing and funny as well. Curtis has written and directed other really good films...'About Time' with Rachel McAdams & Domnhall Gleeson (General Hux in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy), 'Pirate Radio', and the movie-musical 'Yesterday' which imagines a world where the Beatles never existed. The pop music that is in the film is very organic to it, as Curtis is a pop music lover and writes to music. So, when a song shows up...it is deliberate by his writing. Yep, Andrew Lincoln was Rick Grimes...and he is actually English. Karl and Sarah (Rodrigo Santoro and Laura Linney) were both going through breakups during the filming and became quite good friends because of it. They just helped each other through the heartbreak. Jaime (Colin Firth) has a real life love story that was very similar to that of his character. Colin's wife is Italian and they live in Italy when he isn't working, and when they first got together, they barely spoke each other's languages. In 2017, Curtis wrote a "sequel" for Red Nose Day supporting children's charities in Britain. 'Red Nose Day Actually' had many of the cast return and was 15 minute visit with the characters to see where they were. It is next to impossible to find...but if you can, it's fun.
Unfortunately, Alan Rickman had already passed away by the time the sequel was made, which also caused Emma Thompson to decline being in it. Which is actually quite fitting, as it probably would have had to give a definitive answer on whether their marriage survived, when the ambiguous ending works so well.
To be even more impressed, watch the deleted scenes; some of them are truly delightful and I’m disappointed that they cut them from the theatrical production. Especially some extra scenes involving the young boy (Sam) but some other ones too. If we viewers can watch extra long videos like Lord of the Rings, surely we could last long enough to watch the full length of this one.
That was the sweetest episode in this movie, and how can anyone not like Colin Firth? He's like a human puppy dog, adorable. And his assistant??? I just melt every time I see that episode.
I really like this movie. Some of the stories are more comedic; some more dramatic. Most end happily, but not all. It's sometimes messy, but that's life. I find the Jamie/Aurelia story to be especially affecting.
The scene where Emma Thompson is crying and finding comfort in the Joni Mitchell CD which was also what made her realize that he husband was having an affair is just so powerful to me. I think Rowan Atkinson is meant to be an angel in this movie. He delays Alan Rickman from making the wrong decision for as long as he can, and he distracts airport security so the little boy can get to the girl he has a crush on. He's obviously trying to influence and push people in the right direction.
I just simply love this movie. For all its faults, and the weird things in its narratives, it's simply uplifting. And, to quell my own ... problems, with some of its aspects, I find it's best to consider it something to be inspired *with*, rather than inspired *by* and emulated. What strikes me most, and, frankly, enthralls me most in this movie, is that the sweetest resolutions comes to those who take a risk, who purposely decide to go through with something rather than go with the flow - it's no surprise that what I find the best romance of the movie - Jamie & Aurelia - is the one where both individual made a conscious step to improve themselves in order to better relate and understand the other ... quite *literally* in their cases. ( ... I'll be honest, they could have made an entire romance film with Jamie and Aurelia and I'd have watched that.) ... well, that and it happens in France, and I'm chauvinistic and territorial :D (The crowd-gathering scene in the Portugese quartier of Marseille is hilarious) In any case, glad you loved it!
I'm sitting over here sobbing as you watch this because this movie is so beautiful! One of the greatest Christmas movies (and overall romantic movies) of all time. :) Love that you watched this!
This is one of my favorite Christmas movies.... I absolutely fell in love with this movie when I first watched it . I am really happy that you enjoyed this movie as much as you did . It's not quite "It's A Wonderful Life" but not every movie needs to be to Love it . Thank you again so much for your reactions and commentary here ; the work and fun you add to your channel mean more than you know .
You’re too kind 🥺♥️ Thank you so very much for your sweetness and kindness I appreciate it a lot I try my best with everything and I’m so glad people enjoy my content ♥️
@@OGBReacts I hope you give "Merry Friggin Christmas" with Robin Williams a reaction.... I know you like his movies very much and this one does not disappoint . If you have already seen it... never mind . I caught it recently and Love it so much.
Yes, Mark is played by Rick from The Walking Dead. Which makes it pretty funny that one of his cards at the end has a mummified corpse. Others you might recognize: Laura Linney (Sarah) was Hannah in The Truman Show, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Peter) was Baron Mordo in Dr. Strange, Keira Knightly (Juliet) was Padme's body double in The Phantom Menace (and some other stuff you seemed to recognize her from, though it's hard to say exactly what), and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Sam) was Jojen Reed in Game of Thrones.
This came out when I was thirteen and I remember watching it over and over again I loved it so much. It was just extremely funny and heartbreaking I never saw anything problematic about it
Ok, New York Mom, has got to be a returning character. If there's a love scene in the film I think we all need to here what New York Mom thinks about it. Pure gold!
there was a lesbian story line that got cut- the female principal of the kid's school has a wife with cancer- it's included with the deleted scenes on the dvd
Hi there, I just wanted to say that I have experienced my own share of criticism and self-doubt. What you’re doing with your channel means a great deal, for yourself but also for people who will never explicitly share their voices. I don’t really know you, but I’ve appreciated your joy and insight as you react to a variety of different media content, ultimately with a goal for empathy and joy. Anyone who is willing to put themselves out there for such a reaction is worthy to be commended. I trust that I’m not alone in commending you in a humble applause for what you’re doing. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I want to say that I have enjoyed and appreciated your various reactions. Just keep being true to yourself and your desires for reactions to various media. Don’t be pressured by commenters or other outside sources, etc. My voice is a small one in the mix, but it’s a humble attempt to share my appreciation and continued support. Keep doing what you feel is right and best! Best wishes to you from here on out!
🥺♥️ This is truly so kind of you Thank you so much for taking the time to type this all out and for saying all of this It truly means a lot to me and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Thank you. I love what I do because I just want to make everybody happy and smile and laugh; that’s my goal. If I can do that, I’ve accomplished my goal for the day. Thank you for watching.
You seemed to get the wrong idea about the end of Mark and Juliet's story. It's supposed to be that he just had to get his feelings off his chest so he could move on and find happiness with someone else.
🤣 🤣 🤣... Honey, 'The New York Mom' was perfection 🥰 I always feel awkward during a lot of those kind of scenes. Half the time I'm just thinking stuff like "What are doing with your hands???" or "That's just not natural!"
Watched the film with your full reaction for the first time. I could have done without the Mark and Juliet creepy story, yet a pretty great film overall. Great reaction!!!
I watched this last night before bed so to wake up and see you react to it is perfect. I watch this movie every Christmas. The soundtrack of the time was great too. Hope you have a great Christmas. 😘 From Ireland, 🇮🇪
This was a fantastic reaction. I'm really pleased you loved it, it's one of my favourite 20 movies of all time, and my second favourite Christmas movie.
I actually don’t celebrate Christmas because of my religious beliefs, but regardless, this is my Christmas movie lol. I’m so glad you had such a good time watching it! ☺️💖
You should maybe if you enjoy this..I do . Find the short "Red Nose Day Actually" that follows up with some of the characters years later... I really enjoyed it as a meta "short" sequel.
I am LOVING the Actually trivia in these comments. Adore this film. Here’s a stupid sequel sketch I made ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AfCoUtmsIMU.html
In the past I kind of almost OD'd on watching this movie in my C'mas films line up every year after it got to Tv. But, due to that I've seen it SO much that I just can't watch it any more. I did enjoy your reactions to it lol. After seeing it as often as I have as time went on, I really wish they had left out- The Frizzle dude who has his American sex dreams come true; the Porn stand In's segment; and the Laura Linney- Brother all too dependent on being in touch w/ his sister storyline. I get she cares about her brother but it always frustrated me that she wouldn't just cut the damn cell off at times. Esp. in the throws of trying to be intimate with the hottie Latin guy she's been in love with for years and FINALLY gets to have him!! Sorry but for your own sanity, you gotta have space for yourself and take care of your needs all the way around. I'm speaking as someone who's been a caregiver off and on for decades. Anyways, I've always enjoyed most UK films esp. if they romances. This movie just had so many very well known actors in it, which was a huge bonus. ☺
Some people have a problem with this movie, but those people are not me! I love it so much! (I'm still so angry on behalf of Emma Thompson's character...ugh. Apparently she channeled her feelings about her RL boyfriend, Kenneth Branagh, cheating on her with Helena Bonham Carter!!)
I didn’t necessarily have issues with this movie, but there were just points that were a bit off, like Mark and Juliet towards the end of their story. I just felt it was a sudden shift for Juliet to like him despite there not being any notes of it beforehand yknow? But that was the only thing. Other than that, I thought everything else was pretty good! And it was hilarious, so.
@@OGBReacts I can agree with that for sure. Although when I first saw it it seemed *so* romantic, it hasn't aged very well...but we did get a very enduring meme out of it!
@@deathwitheponine Andrew Lincoln himself recently said he finds it creepy, like Mark is deliberately trying to emotionally manipulate her into sleeping with him.
@@Rmlohner Yeah, see a few comments up. Also they are in it for such a small amount of time that their storyline is easily forgotten. I'm able to enjoy the rest of the movie, but some people are not. People really come for every bit of this movie when the holidays roll around, not just the obvious bits like Mark and Juliet*, which annoys me. It's just a movie, and not everyone is perfect. *Proving my point lol
While Alan Rickman's character, Harry, was written to be a dickhead, I'm pretty sure Andrew Lincoln's super douchey Mark wasn't supposed to be. Not really any LGBTQ+ representation as the Billy Mack/Joe relationship is supposed to be interpreted as platonic, but then I don't think there were many mainstream rom-coms with LGBTQ+ main characters from the early 2000s. Or now, for that matter.
Yeah definitely not a lot of those films back then 🤪 I really did think that Mark’s character was supposed to love the guy, not the girl, but that was just my own wishlist gay thinking so 🤣
