It’s “Red Nose Day Actually.”
To some, the holidays mean hot chocolate, cooler weather (a generous use of the word when it comes to Texas), and breaking decorations out of dusty boxes. To others, they mean popping on a favorite film that resonates with the season.
And for those whose go-to movie is “Love Actually”? Christmas may just be coming early this year.
Shortly after founding Comic Relief UK, the non-profit organization Comic Relief Inc. was founded in 1988 by director and writer Richard Curtis – who, incidentally, penned one of this century’s most well-loved (and at-times hated) romantic comedies, “Love Actually,” as well as a few other fan favorites (“Bridget Jones’ Diary,” “Bean,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” and soon-to-be “The Little Mermaid,” to name a few) – with the hopes of eradicating poverty in all corners of the world and giving those watching his now-renowned Red Nose Day a little laugh.
If the last 25 years are anything to go by, Curtis’ organization has proven widely successful with the sister charity raising $1 billion worldwide.
The purpose of the charity has always been to enlist the combined powers of comedy and celebrity to raise both money and awareness for those less fortunate, and this year, Curtis will be doing just that: on May 25, 14 years after its initial release, the “Love Actually” writer-director is reuniting several cast members from the 2003 film for a few brief skits on his annual comedy special.
Among those returning are: Hugh Grant (the Prime Minister), Martine McCutcheon (Natalie), Keira Knightley (Juliet), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Peter), Andrew Lincoln (Mark), Colin Firth (Jamie), Lucia Moniz (Aurelia), Liam Neeson (Daniel), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Sam), Olivia Olson (Joanna), Bill Nighy (Billy Mack), Marcus Brigstocke (Mikey the DJ) and Rowan Atkinson (Rufus the jewelry salesman).
Most notably not appearing are: Emma Thompson (Karen), Laura Linney (Sarah), Kris Marshall (Colin), Martin Freeman (John), and sadly Alan Rickman (Harry), who will be greatly missed after his tragic passing last year. Both Curtis and Thompson agreed there was no story to write for her without Rickman also present for the 10-minute sequel.
The script editor of “Love Actually” and Curtis’ partner, Emma Freud, initially protested the idea of revisiting the beloved characters (and their seamlessly interwoven stories) more than a decade later – but after Curtis forged ahead with the project, Freud eventually climbed on board with the idea and has since been tweeting various behind-the-scenes photos and trivia.
Beyond Freud’s insistence the original be left alone, however, “Love Actually” has been met with many viewers insisting it never should have been made at all.
Over the years, some have complained about the decidedly creepy and/or problematic behavior displayed throughout the first film (especially citing actor Andrew Lincoln’s scenes as the best friend doomed to a lifetime of unrequited love and never being asked to videotape anything for his friends ever again, following his confession of love to his best friend’s wife – friendship, right?), while others continue to fully embrace it.
But possibly the genius of “Love Actually” is that the film actually gathers nearly every horrendously cheesy, romantic trope we’ve all come to know and love, and puts a satirical spin on them.
It doesn’t claim to be anything other than, well, love, actually – which comes in all sorts of mildly unbelievable shapes and sizes. Perhaps the charm of that is what makes returning to this classic exciting, or what makes it a classic in the first place. A professor once told me, “In life, you can be very lucky and convenient things can happen to you – but if you write that into a film script, characters become too lucky and too convenient, and almost unbelievable altogether.”
And from the classically turbulent meet-cute par for any rom-com featuring Hugh Grant, to the more touching tear-jerkers that are a husband cheating on his wife (whom he has a family with and maintains he still loves) and another husband grieving for his (while he puts his best foot forward for his son’s sake, helping him woo his schoolyard crush with – get this – the same name as his passed mother) – the film effectively mashes these parodies together into one big, outlandish mess of mostly happy endings.
And isn’t that what love actually is?
If you’re interested in donating to the cause, check your local Walgreens for red rubber noses and wear yours when the program airs at 10/9c on Thursday, May 25, on NBC!
In the meantime, enjoy the newest teaser trailer!
