Love Actually

On Sunday, I went to the Alamo to watch the "Quote Along" version of this movie and I had a great time.   It was actually billed as a girls night and a special deal.  When we arrived, we got British flags to waive for the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant), fans of our favorite characters (choices were Hugh Grant, Colin Firth & Bill Nighy) and Christmas poppers that we were supposed to pop for our favorite kiss.

The movie begins with Hugh Grant talking about love in terms of the arrival gate at Heathrow Airport where we see hugs & hugs & in terms of 9-11 and he points out that as far as he knows, no one called with hate messages before they died.  He points out that love is actually around.

We follow a group of friends over the 5 weeks before Christmas.  Old rocker Billy Mack (Bill Nighy, always a delight) is singing one of his old songs, Love is All Around with the word Christmas substituted for Love.  His sidekick is his longtime manager Joe.

Our Prime Minister is Hugh Grant, who immediately falls for Natalie, a member of his new staff, 

The Prime Minster's sister is Karen (Emma Thompson) who is married to business owner Harry, who is tempted by a slutty employee.

Sarah and Carl are Harry's employees who are in love with each other but family circumstances take all of Sarah's time.

Juliet (Keira Knightly) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) are getting married and both think Peter's best friend Mark (Andrew Lincoln) dislikes Juliet when the opposite is really the truth.

Jamie (Colin Firth) goes away to Portugal to get over hearbreak and write his novel.  He ends up falling for Aurelia in spite of their language barrier.

Daniel has just lost his wife and is left with her grieving son Sam, a little boy with a crush of his own.

Jack and Judy are porn stand-ins and are nice but if they weren't there, it would be ok.

Colin & Tony are characters who are everywhere doing all kinds of odd jobs.

Each story is pretty fun and the ways they interact is fun.  I saved my popper for Jamie and Aurelia's kiss.  

I had a hard time choosing favorite character for my fan but I love Bill Nighy in just about everything I've ever seen him in and he's my favorite in this movie.  Colin Firth usually wins that prize.

This is actually a movie that grew on me...I liked it the first time but I love it more with each viewing.  And it was even more fun at the theater.  I did see a few men hanging around but most viewers were goofy girls like me who loved the movie.  I'd certainly do it again and I'll watch for the special nights again in the future.