As a seasoned film critic with over two decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that Richard Curtis’s 2003 holiday classic, Love Actually, has left me with a mix of emotions. On one hand, it beautifully captures the joy and complexity of love in all its forms, but on the other, it also showcases some questionable relationships that have left audiences divided – much like a plate of Christmas pudding with a hidden coin (or a lump of coal).
In the 2003 film “Love Actually,” as portrayed by Hugh Grant, love is indeed everywhere. However, it’s important to note that love also creates tension between friends in the storyline involving Mark (Andrew Lincoln) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who both pursue Juliet (Keira Knightley). This plot has left a bitter taste for some viewers. Interestingly, even 20 years after the movie’s release, Chiwetel Ejiofor admitted that he had criticized Andrew Lincoln for portraying a character who acts unfaithfully to a friend in the film.
Regarding his upcoming film “Rob Peace,” Chiwetel Ejiofor reminisced about his time working on the movie “Love Actually.” He particularly reflected on a scene where Mark used cue cards to confess his love for Juliet, hiding this from his supposed friend. Now, the actor has admitted that he shares the common viewpoint that Mark acted poorly as a friend by trying to pursue Juliet. In fact, Ejiofor jokingly criticized his former co-star’s character for their untrustworthy actions. Ejiofor stated:
“In my opinion, I believe it’s clear-cut. Although I might have personal biases and am not a judge, I’ve expressed my thoughts directly to him. Yes, without a doubt, if they were to discuss it further, the conversation could potentially escalate.”
Love Actually Has Multiple Controversial Characters & Plots
Every year, countless individuals worldwide make it a tradition to watch the charmingly British Christmas romantic comedy, “Love Actually,” directed by Richard Curtis. Similar to other holiday movies, this film delights audiences year after year as they immerse themselves in its interwoven storylines, each seemingly demonstrating that love truly exists everywhere.
Despite the movie’s abundance of heartwarming scenes and characters seeking affection, some storylines in Love Actually have gained a notorious reputation for their ambiguous portrayals of “love.” Notably, Mark’s betrayal of his friend and the plot involving the late Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson stand out as particularly problematic. The narrative centers around Harry (Rickman), a married man who develops feelings for his colleague Mia (Heike Makatsch).
Following Karen’s discovery that Harry bought a gold necklace, which she thought was her Christmas gift, she’s devastated when he confesses it was actually for Mia, suggesting they might be having an affair. This scene left a sour note among viewers, who found it unexpected in a movie intended to bring holiday cheer. Maybe the message of the season is that we must accept both good and bad situations.
In our chat, Chiwetel Ejiofor mentioned that every year, discussions about the movie “Love Actually” are just as much a tradition as families worldwide re-watching it during Christmas. He also shared that viewers have differing opinions about Andrew Lincoln’s character. Some think he acted correctly by following his heart, while others view his actions as nothing more than stalking. Ejiofor put it this way:
“The feeling fluctuates, you know. Every year around this time, starting close to Christmas and ending roughly at Valentine’s Day, there seems to be a period reminiscent of the movie ‘Love Actually.’ Over the past two decades since its release, I’ve observed that some people perceive it as a romantic gesture – the cards, the gifts, and so on. But other times, they might think, ‘Why is he doing this? He should have been caught!'”
As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I, Chiwetel Ejiofor, am taking on multiple roles – writer, director, and star – for an upcoming biographical drama titled “Rob Peace.” Mark your calendars for August 16, 2024, as it will be gracing the big screens in a limited run across the United States.
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2024-08-14 18:31