Love Actually and other romantic films
Discussion
What the actual juddering f
k is good about Love Actually?
My strong indifference to romantic films is well known, and for 20 years I managed to avoid it until this Christmas, when SWMBO made me sit down against my will and endure this form of cruel and unusual torture.
The cast was actually stellar, it was the absence of any coherent plot that did my nut in. Example: 8 couple where it’s absolutely not clear they know each other (no previous reference made in the film) then somehow all manage to end up at the airport, where they all knew each other.
Kiera knightly, who is married in the film, runs down the street after some guy who filmed her wedding, only did creepy close ups and she accidentally found out. The culmination is she ran down the street (after more creepy and in no way romantic gestures on his part!) and gave him a kiss, effective being unfaithful. Weirdly enough, when I spoke about this point to a married family friend, the wife said it WAS romantic. I asked if she would mind if her husband kissed another woman in the same way as KK did in the film. Strangely she said she would be pissed off!
But romantic films in general and anything but. The film, “You before me” is a great horror film, where the lead character survives a pretty horrific accident with life changing injuries. But it’s billed as a “romantic”.
Why do such films exist and why does anyone who thinks romantic films are great, actually believe that?
k is good about Love Actually?My strong indifference to romantic films is well known, and for 20 years I managed to avoid it until this Christmas, when SWMBO made me sit down against my will and endure this form of cruel and unusual torture.
The cast was actually stellar, it was the absence of any coherent plot that did my nut in. Example: 8 couple where it’s absolutely not clear they know each other (no previous reference made in the film) then somehow all manage to end up at the airport, where they all knew each other.
Kiera knightly, who is married in the film, runs down the street after some guy who filmed her wedding, only did creepy close ups and she accidentally found out. The culmination is she ran down the street (after more creepy and in no way romantic gestures on his part!) and gave him a kiss, effective being unfaithful. Weirdly enough, when I spoke about this point to a married family friend, the wife said it WAS romantic. I asked if she would mind if her husband kissed another woman in the same way as KK did in the film. Strangely she said she would be pissed off!
But romantic films in general and anything but. The film, “You before me” is a great horror film, where the lead character survives a pretty horrific accident with life changing injuries. But it’s billed as a “romantic”.
Why do such films exist and why does anyone who thinks romantic films are great, actually believe that?
extraT said:
But romantic films in general and anything but. The film, “You before me” is a great horror film, where the lead character survives a pretty horrific accident with life changing injuries. But it’s billed as a “romantic”.
I suppose the best romantic films will be crossed with comedy or tragedy. Brokeback Mountain is considered a romantic film, but it is one of the most powerful and saddest films I've ever seen. It's been 17 years since I saw it and I can't bring myself to watch it again.Paul Dishman said:
Wacky Racer said:
My favourite romantic film is the original "Brief Encounter" based on Noel Coward's "Still life".
Lovely Rachmaninoff soundtrack too,
That was banned in the Republic of Ireland because it was thought it would encourage adulteryLovely Rachmaninoff soundtrack too,
boxst said:
I dislike romantic comedies intently, but for some reason I have really liked some of Richard Curtis' films. Mainly Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and, yes, Love Actually.
Same here. I like most of Richard Curtis’ stuff and like quite a lot of other romcoms. Can’t be bothered with romantic drama though and the flood of Xmas romantic films that pop up on streaming and backstreet channels over Xmas I don’t like much eitherboxst said:
for some reason I have really liked some of Richard Curtis' films. Mainly Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and, yes, Love Actually.
You haven't listed About Time - get it watched!ALL OF YOU - ESPECIALLY THE MISERABLE BASTIDS
ps Rachael McAdams
+ Margot Robbie
+ Vanessa Kirby
Edited by ReverendCounter on Tuesday 27th December 20:20
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