Writer/Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the recognition of Liam Neeson. Following his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Neeson has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s religious figures, German businessmen or courageous fathers, Neeson has portrayed many powerful characters. Arguably, Neeson’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong screen presence. He’s one of those rare actors which has always had larger than life presence that elevates every movie he is in. Neeson always pours his heart and soul into every single role becoming an actor with control. An icon in the world of entertainment, Neeson has become a movie-star with strong commitment. Shining a bright light in darkness, Neeson has become a renowned figure in the entertainment business. Through abilities to portray courageous heroes that are compelling, Neeson has built a strong legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his illustrious career, Neeson has appeared in several commemorated movies which are definitely without any single doubt worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of Neeson and adore all the films he has produced in his career. However, “Love Actually” is my favourite. Following its release in 2003, Richard Curtis’ classic film has stood the test of time as a masterpiece. Packed with breathtaking production-design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about Christmas. At the centre of it all is a superb performance by Liam Neeson, who portrays a grief-stricken single father which struggles to raise his son. Ultimately, what makes “Love Actually” an iconic romantic classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about love that would definitely resonate with everyone. Unlike most romantic comedies, it discusses themes that everyone would relate to. A spellbinding romantic classic, there are countless reasons why “Love Actually” is a movie that’s definitely worth seeing.
Set in the Christmas season, “Love Actually” tells the story of eight couples which seek to deal with relationships. Liam Neeson portrays Daniel, a struggling father struggling to raise his son. Grieving the loss of his wife, Daniel struggles to raise his son during a dark time. Faced with a dilemma, Daniel struggles to move on from the death of his wife causing trauma. Seeking to mend his relationship with family members, Daniel embarks on a journey to reconcile with his past. Accompanied by his friend Karen (Emma Thompson), Daniel seeks to move on from his traumatic past. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Daniel is put in a stressful situation that causes danger. Wondering whether it’s possible to recover in life from a traumatic passing, Daniel wonders if it’s possible to overcome obstacles to become a father that’s inspiring.
Richard Curtis is fascinated with love stories. Before he directed “Love Actually”, Curtis was well-known for making romantic comedies. Curtis established a strong career by making romantic comedies in his career. His iconic film “Notting Hill” captured a bookstore owner that falls in love with a famous actress. With “Love Actually”, however, Curtis created his first ever multiple stories film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture intertwining lives of lovers seeking to bond in Christmas but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Curtis captures the lives of couples seeking to bond in the Christmas holiday. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes as gorgeous as relationships among couples that materialize. Curtis successfully uses montages to capture the bonds among lovers during the Christmas season. For instance, montages enhance the wedding scene. During this uplifting sequence, Juliet’s marriage is interrupted by a surprising band performance. One recognizes montages capturing the hardships that couples bonding in Christmas are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As “About Time” claimed, montages enhance romantic dramas about time travel. Nevertheless, it works very well in the movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Curtis captures hardships that lovers bonding in Christmas are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Love Actually” worth praising is the production-design. The film is extremely well made. Curtis has always had an aptitude for designing sets in his films, and his strength is evident in “Love Actually”. Curtis effectively uses real life locations in London to create a beautiful tribute toward Britain. Throughout the movie, the locales in Britain capture the romantic relationships of people. For instance, the production design elevates the dance scene. During this joyful scene, the Prime Minister engages in a small dance in his apartment taking a break from stresses of everyday life. One acknowledges real life locations capturing the bonds between lovers during a joyous season. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Craig Armstrong’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a joyous atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers often bear. Through phenomenal production design, Curtis captures the tensions experienced by lovers whose lives decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Love Actually” is a romantic classic that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses sharp writing to capture hardships that lovers are facing. Curtis’ best screenwriting strength is his ability to capture lovers bonding through dialogue. Curtis is one of those screenwriters that has always had a sharp sense of humour, and “Love Actually” showcased his strengths clearly. Curtis uses sharp dialogue to capture the struggles faced by lovers that are bonding. For instance, the dialogue enhances the father son bonding scene. During this unforgettable scene, Daniel spends precious time bonding with his son consoling his grief when his girlfriend suddenly leaves. One appreciates dialogue capturing bonds between families during the Christmas season. Dialogue is a tricky technique to use in movies. Most romantic comedies are always driven by cheesy dialogue. That being said, “Love Actually” is an exception. Through an engaging screenplay, Curtis captures lives of lovers enduring a dilemma facing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Liam Neeson delivers one of his best career performances as Daniel. Neeson achieved recognition for playing German businessmen in historic dramas. With “Love Actually”, however, he took on his most romantic role. It isn’t easy to portray a husband mourning the sad loss of his wife causing trauma but he succeeds. Neeson has spent most of his career playing serious heroes in dramas. With “Love Actually”, however, he showcased an aptitude for comedy audiences hadn’t seen before. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a soft side to himself audiences had not seen before. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a husband mourning loss of his wife. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest actors working today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Hugh Grant is superb, bringing comical relief to a prime minister that struggles to cope with his job he has grown to value. Alan Rickman is astonishing, bringing compassion to a boss that engages in affairs that causes his marriages to face destruction. Lastly, Emma Thompson merits appreciation. As a woman stuck in a doomed marriages she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Love Actually” will earn appreciation of everyone capturing romantic relationships that experience tragedy. Unlike most romantic comedies, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. The film tackles strong themes such as identity, marriage and love which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with British culture to appreciate it. Therefore, “Love Actually” is one of those rare Christmas movies which everyone would truly adore.
Fans of Liam Neeson will definitely appreciate “Love Actually” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating romantic classic, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking romantic film about lovers spending valuable time together bonding during the season of Christmas that’s uplifting, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a massive fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling whose spellbinding movies are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 