Love? Actually?

Image via The OSA Telegraph

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year for the movie industry yet again. The holiday season is famous for being host to an abundance of iconic, seasonal movies. People love to remark upon the quantity and quality—or lack thereof—of Hallmark movies, but the cinematic conversation I’m focusing on this year revolves around a Christmas classic from 2003: Love Actually.

My first viewing of this movie was immediately succeeded by two more viewings in the same night. That is to say, I am a big fan of this film. However, whenever I bring up my love for this Rom Com holiday film, I’m usually confronted by the protest that it is a dated work that is highly offensive and controversial.

Now, I accept that the movie may be perceived as cringey and cinematically bad. I think that what makes the movie a bit socially uncomfortable to watch at times is a testament to its ability to represent the message of love as a messy concept, but both viewpoints are based on valid grounds. 

The whole theme of the movie describes how love is found and experienced in a myriad of ways and that love manifests. The storylines convey this idea in a festive, comedic way and always manages to make me tear up by the end.

Still, I want to acknowledge the admittedly regrettable punchlines surrounding Natalie’s, one of the main characters, weight. While this movie was made at a time when there were less narratives and discussions about body positivity, it makes sense that people today take issue with these scenes, and they even make me feel a bit uneasy. 

To address another questionable aspect of the movie, information has surfaced about how two plotlines surrounding a lesbian couple and a couple in Africa were cut from the final edition. In other words, the two most diverse plots were scratched from the movie that was released and lives on in millions of families’ living rooms. 

Neither of these omissions sit well with this viewer, and I do share in people’s outrage over the choice to only cut these minority-focused stories.

Looking past that, I want to address some of the main gripes people have in an attempt to provide arguments both for and against the fandom of this movie.

Mark and Juliet

The situation of being in love with your best guy friend’s recently betrothed and secretly admitting it to her behind the husband’s back is no doubt a real elephant in the room at the next white elephant in that social circle. Many take the stance that Mark, the aforementioned elephant, is a creep and bad friend for admitting such homewrecking information. 

Adding onto this, some make the claim that Mark is in turn “imposing limits” on Juliet, the wife, by admitting his persisting love for her. I do not contest that this is a major violation of bro-code, but I disagree with the labeling of Mark as a creep or that he is containing Juliet. The man has nothing but adoration for the Keira Knightley character, and is clearly extremely conflicted and distraught about his problematic feelings.

However, the heart wants what it wants. It’s not like he is holding her hostage and forcing her to reciprocate his feelings; he is merely getting a weight that has been weighing on him off his chest. I won’t claim that he handled the situation in the best way, but this story emphasizes how love is not always convenient or fair.

Failing the Bechdel Test

Another popular critique of the film is about the role that women play in the movie. The movie barely passes the Bechdel test, which assesses if there are any conversations between only women that do not revolve around men. Love Actually passes the test by one measly conversation between Emma Thompson’s character and her daughter, who is a very minor character. 

One should also remember that this movie is a romantic comedy, so romantic relationships are essentially the sole conflict and plot in the movie, so it makes sense that there aren’t many feminist discussions in the film.

The Male Gaze

This movie is notorious for its reputation of not featuring many scenes from the female perspective or portraying the women in an objectified lens. There are certain camera shots and scenes that attest to this, and there’s no denying that this movie is male-dominated.

Again, I draw attention to the release date being 2003. The filmmaker Richard Curtis as well as cast members have since admitted that they have regrets about certain choices made in the film, but that shouldn’t mean that people today cannot enjoy the nostalgic and heartwarming aspects of the movie. 

Also, there are scenes that paint women in a strong, independent light, such as Sarah’s character when she puts herself and her own family ahead of her relationship with her work crush.

Overall, I am a bit biased towards Love Actually with it being a staple in my family’s holiday movie rotation. Love is not perfect, and it comes in ways, shapes and forms that we might not prefer, but the point of the movie is about embracing the unique and troubling challenges that life throws at you when it comes to love.

At the end of the day, I see where the critics come from and understand anyone that chooses not to watch the film. 

Despite what your opinions may be of the problematic nature of the movie, I think we can all stand to benefit from recognizing that love, actually, is all around.

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This article was edited by Abigail D’Angelo.