Love, Actually Take 2
Dec. 31st, 2014 02:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
geeklover80On Christmas, I decided to try and give Love, Actually another shot. I watched it for the first time last year on Christmas, and I didn't necessarily hate it, but I was really disappointed by it. I think part of it was all the hype and how much people go on about it. Plus, I had my own expectations since I love Four Weddings and Funeral, Notting Hill, and even the less popular The Boat That Rocked (aka Pirate Radio). But LA just didn't live up to my expectations (I have a feeling the same thing will happen when I finally see Frozen.)
But my attention wasn't 100% there the first time, so I thought I'd give it another go. Well, this time I liked it a little better. It probably won't ever be a Christmas tradition for me, but maybe if I see it a third time I'll really like it. I mean, I can see why people like it. There are a lot of moments that are really sweet and nice and some that are really hilarious. But overall, I wanted more from it.
I've seen movies like this before - with big sprawling casts and multiple storylines - but for this one I just felt like most of the stories didn't get enough attention. Like a lot of storylines would have worked much better if they were made into their own separate feature, or if some storylines were cut. Like I don't hate the Liam Neeson story, but I don't feel the movie would lack anything without it, other than a cutesy kid story. The Colin story I did intensely dislike and feel it could have been removed. I know it's supposed to be one of the pure comic relief storylines, but the jokes didn't work for me. I didn't care at all for the Colin character, nor want him to get a happy ending. And the ending of the story, where everything he predicted actually happened and the American girls really were that stupid/pathetic, was ridiculous.
Two of the stories that actually worked for me the best were two of the more depressing stories. The Laura Linney one was really sad and I could probably be that character in another universe, so I related to it a bit. And the Emma Thompson/Alan Rickman one was well developed as well. Except I didn't like the ending to it. Maybe they were trying to do a whole "In real life things don't get wrapped up neatly" thing, but I had so many questions. I have no idea if the reason he was away so long was because she kicked him out. Did she decide to give him another chance and that's why he was coming back? Or was he just visiting the kids? Was he just away on business and now they're stuck in a loveless marriage because of the kids?
I also liked the Bill Nighy one because his character was so insane and funny. And even without a lot of build-up, I liked his speech to his manager.
I came away this time liking the Andrew Lincoln/Keira Knightley story a little less than last time. This time the stalker issues were too much for me. I wish the writers felt they could get across her character discovering his feelings with something besides a stalker's video collage. It made his character come off not only as pathetic, but as a horrible friend. His best friend's getting married and he can't get over his crush long enough to film a few shots of his friend. Plus, it's another underdeveloped story, both on-screen and off. The Kiera Knightley character says they've never even spoken yet he's that torn up over her. It just didn't work for me.
Two stories I'll never like are the Hugh Grant one and the Colin Firth ones. I just still can't buy the whole these people have barely spent time together and yet I'm expected to root for them thing. I liked the Colin Firth one a little better this time because I was paying attention and though the "he's saying something and she responds with an opposite statement" thing, though that got cloying after awhile. But I hated the end to that one. Not just the rushed engagement, but that the Aurelia's character at the end makes a joke about picking the wrong Englishman and everyone laughs. Given how the Colin Firth story started with his wife/girlfriend cheating with his brother, that felt kind of cruel.
I also didn't like the fat shaming in either story. The Natalie character shouldn't be considered chubby on any planet. And the jokes and insults to Aurelia's sister got old really fast.
I hate, hate that the Hugh Grant character makes a huge decision for his country basically based on him being put out that the President hit on his crush. That didn't make him look good to me. Though the Hugh Grant story did end up having the biggest laugh in the movie for me. I was embarrassed at first by the dancing scene, but when he gets caught, the reaction from HG and her is just perfect.
The one story that really worked for me was actually the Martin Freeman/naked stand-in story. It could probably be lifted out of the movie, too. But it works for what it is. It doesn't try to throw in fake angst and obstacles, like some of the other stories. And it's one of the only stories where the characters actually converse and get to know each other. So I was actually happy for them when they got engaged at the end.
Stacey
But my attention wasn't 100% there the first time, so I thought I'd give it another go. Well, this time I liked it a little better. It probably won't ever be a Christmas tradition for me, but maybe if I see it a third time I'll really like it. I mean, I can see why people like it. There are a lot of moments that are really sweet and nice and some that are really hilarious. But overall, I wanted more from it.
I've seen movies like this before - with big sprawling casts and multiple storylines - but for this one I just felt like most of the stories didn't get enough attention. Like a lot of storylines would have worked much better if they were made into their own separate feature, or if some storylines were cut. Like I don't hate the Liam Neeson story, but I don't feel the movie would lack anything without it, other than a cutesy kid story. The Colin story I did intensely dislike and feel it could have been removed. I know it's supposed to be one of the pure comic relief storylines, but the jokes didn't work for me. I didn't care at all for the Colin character, nor want him to get a happy ending. And the ending of the story, where everything he predicted actually happened and the American girls really were that stupid/pathetic, was ridiculous.
Two of the stories that actually worked for me the best were two of the more depressing stories. The Laura Linney one was really sad and I could probably be that character in another universe, so I related to it a bit. And the Emma Thompson/Alan Rickman one was well developed as well. Except I didn't like the ending to it. Maybe they were trying to do a whole "In real life things don't get wrapped up neatly" thing, but I had so many questions. I have no idea if the reason he was away so long was because she kicked him out. Did she decide to give him another chance and that's why he was coming back? Or was he just visiting the kids? Was he just away on business and now they're stuck in a loveless marriage because of the kids?
I also liked the Bill Nighy one because his character was so insane and funny. And even without a lot of build-up, I liked his speech to his manager.
I came away this time liking the Andrew Lincoln/Keira Knightley story a little less than last time. This time the stalker issues were too much for me. I wish the writers felt they could get across her character discovering his feelings with something besides a stalker's video collage. It made his character come off not only as pathetic, but as a horrible friend. His best friend's getting married and he can't get over his crush long enough to film a few shots of his friend. Plus, it's another underdeveloped story, both on-screen and off. The Kiera Knightley character says they've never even spoken yet he's that torn up over her. It just didn't work for me.
Two stories I'll never like are the Hugh Grant one and the Colin Firth ones. I just still can't buy the whole these people have barely spent time together and yet I'm expected to root for them thing. I liked the Colin Firth one a little better this time because I was paying attention and though the "he's saying something and she responds with an opposite statement" thing, though that got cloying after awhile. But I hated the end to that one. Not just the rushed engagement, but that the Aurelia's character at the end makes a joke about picking the wrong Englishman and everyone laughs. Given how the Colin Firth story started with his wife/girlfriend cheating with his brother, that felt kind of cruel.
I also didn't like the fat shaming in either story. The Natalie character shouldn't be considered chubby on any planet. And the jokes and insults to Aurelia's sister got old really fast.
I hate, hate that the Hugh Grant character makes a huge decision for his country basically based on him being put out that the President hit on his crush. That didn't make him look good to me. Though the Hugh Grant story did end up having the biggest laugh in the movie for me. I was embarrassed at first by the dancing scene, but when he gets caught, the reaction from HG and her is just perfect.
The one story that really worked for me was actually the Martin Freeman/naked stand-in story. It could probably be lifted out of the movie, too. But it works for what it is. It doesn't try to throw in fake angst and obstacles, like some of the other stories. And it's one of the only stories where the characters actually converse and get to know each other. So I was actually happy for them when they got engaged at the end.
Stacey
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no subject
Date: 2014-12-31 09:27 am (UTC)Though, I don't think I'll ever be able to not love it, haha.
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Date: 2015-01-01 03:38 am (UTC)I definitely wasn't trying to change anyone's mind about it. I know it would be hard for anyone to turn me against a favorite of mine, no matter what.
Stacey
no subject
Date: 2014-12-31 02:41 pm (UTC)The thing for me about Love Actually is that I love it to bits but would never actually recommend it to anybody - it's a bitty film, there's some weird objectionable bits in it (fat-shaming, yay) and some other problems but if I turn off my brain a little bit, it makes me throughally happy to watch. Which is sometimes rather nice - but does in no way make it a great film! :)
no subject
Date: 2015-01-01 03:46 am (UTC)I definitely get that. As someone who loves more than a few Adam Sandler movies, I understand the concept of just turning off your brain to enjoy something nice and fluffy (and occasionally stupid.) For some reason, I just can't do it with "Love, Actually" for the most part.
Stacey
no subject
Date: 2015-01-01 07:30 pm (UTC)I loved it, though, even though I have to say I enjoyed "Happy New Year" even more... This one is the one I'm watching every year and it has the better/more interesting characters if you ask me :D
no subject
Date: 2015-01-01 08:28 pm (UTC)Stacey
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Date: 2015-01-02 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-02 02:50 am (UTC)Glad you found it interesting. :)
Glad you agree about the Colin story.
Stacey
no subject
Date: 2015-01-13 08:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-16 05:21 am (UTC)If you like the writer/director's previous stuff and/or are a fan of romantic movies you could possibly like it.
Stacey