I will be the first to admit that one of my favorite reasons around Christmas time is that I get to shamelessly watch ‘Love Actually’ as many times as I want. "Love Actually" is one of those films that you can either ridicule for being ridiculously cheesy or indulge in its numerous love stories. Despite my love for the film, I can’t help but have my own criticism seep in when it comes to couples whose stories I love to watch and ones I could do without:
11. Harry and Mia
No one was rooting for this couple. NO ONE. Adultery is never okay. Why Snape? Why?! You’re with Emma Thompson. You’ve won the lottery. Get yourself together.
10. Harry and Karen
Thompson’s happy-go-lucky aesthetic matched up with Rickman’s sarcasm provides a nice back and forth, but we never see any true signs of romance. Their relationship is sustained more for the kids as we watch Karen become trapped in her marriage through her tears while listening to Joni Mitchell. Not on board. Go cry on Liam Neeson’s shoulder, babes, he’s single!
9. Colin and Harriet
Literally couldn’t care less. Colin gets some and brings a girl back for his BFF. Big whoop. They're higher up on the list just because they are both two single people, and no one is committing or associated with adultery.
8. Daniel and Carol
Again, another minor, brief love story. It is sweet however to see Liam Neeson get back out in the game after becoming inspired by Sam’s romantic and hopeful spirit when it comes to love. But we all know he secretly should be with Emma Thompson as he calls Carol by the wrong name (Karen!). So, Carol, you come in a close second in comparison.
7. Peter and Juliet
The most we see of Peter and Juliet is their sweet wedding and reception. There’s really nothing to hate about their relationship, but because we see most of Mark’s perspective and relate to his struggles, we really aren’t that much invested in seeing more of them. Cool wedding, and a beautiful couple, but not too much of a story other than a content married couple. Maybe because it's less dramatic, it makes them less appealing.
6. Sarah and Karl
Two people who have worked next to each other harboring feelings for each other over the years, but both too shy to admit it. C’mon. It doesn’t get more adorable than that. We also see a bunch of adorable moments from Laura Linney of her being every girl when she finally gets the guy she wants. Their courtship, though brief, is very sweet.
5. Mark and Juliet
Perhaps providing the most heartbreaking moment of the movie, Mark and Juliet don’t even constitute as a couple, but are ranked higher in how their story is told and plays out. Mark’s feelings for Juliet being revealed are shocking culminating even more so in making this big gesture not to win her heart, but to let her go (which is amazing and makes me cry every time). And we see what they could have been when Keira Knightley kisses him just once, and for Mark, that’s enough, though for us we wish there could have been more under different circumstances.
4. Sam and Joanna
You can’t help but fall in love with their story. Despite Sam seeing his mother and stepdad’s love having ended, he still goes on and opens himself up to love instead of rejecting it. There's also the additional love that connects him with Daniel, in helping him win over Joanna. Also, Sam and Joanna are both young little kids, in purely innocent and sweet puppy love that you can’t help but find adorable.
3. John and Judy
It’s so easy to forget about this underrated couple (especially because when 'Love Actually' is shown on television on "ABC Family" or TBS, their scenes are cut). John and Judy's work may be far from romantic, but the developing of their relationship is so simple, yet charming. It’s so rare to find a young couple who are shy and timid when it comes to the physical side of a relationship. Their story is refreshing, reminding us that chemistry comes a lot from the meshing of personalities, not just in between the sheets.
2. Natalie and David
Despite their age difference Natalie and David value each other as people and respect one another above all else, while still maintaining this lovable humor. There’s also an innocence in both of them discovering love again, despite the bad relationships they had in the past. Natalie and David show a rediscovering of love and how it comes in the most unexpected ways, but are ultimately for the better, even if they weren’t planned.
1. Jamie and Aurelia
Another big age difference, but ultimately Jamie and Aurelia have the sweetest plot line above the rest. They meet and literally fall in love without being able to speak to one another. And then, they each separately learn the other’s language to be able to communicate with each other. They are each selfless in their love for one another, and willing to compromise by adjusting to the other’s preferences or culture. Their story is by far the most heartwarming, showing that love can occur even in the most binding circumstances.
May you celebrate the love in your life this Christmas because it truly is all around.
