Richard Curtis’s film Love Actually has several interesting stories. The one that I can maybe relate to the best is that of the unrequited love between Andrew Lincoln and Keira Knightly. The odd one out, in that it has no firm good ending, is that of Laura Linney; who is dealing with her brother’s mental illness. The remainder seem to have happy endings of some sort. Very Hollywood; classic romanticism.
I have, recently in particular, been highly critical of our cultures obsession with romanticizing everything. It seems to lead to a culture where people have unrealistic ideals and consequently end up disappointed or disillusioned as a result. Mixed with the equally potent consumerism we have a society that seeks romance and is fairly fickle when it doesn’t work out like it does in the movies. Would Love Actually would be better called Romanticism Actually? Discuss.
Interestingly I stumbled on an interesting essay that relates this and a few other topics at techgnosis. It’s a good read and has helped me readjust my views yet again.
I don’t think the storyline with Emma Thompson in it is resolved in a Hollywood manner. I think it is left quite ambiguous as to what their future holds when she goes with the kids to collect him from the airport - she is also visibly different (new hairstyle, earings etc which are meant to indicate change). I think this a brave storyline rather than the totally Hollywood one with Keira-just utterly, utterly untrue and unlikely. I still love watching this film :)
So your thoughts are quite timely Si; here is the BBC reporting on this issue:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7784366.stm
Enjoy!
Interesting blog in view of the report on BBC news today (online anyway) about the effect of romantic comedy on real relationships - had you already seen it? or could you have saved them a fortune in research fees by your surmising?
Hadn’t seen the BBC report. But I’ve certainly noted it in my own life and that of people around me over the last few years. It is often startlingly obvious in everyday life. Thanks for your comments :-)
Ruth - it’s true that Emma Thompson’s story is not a classic hollywood ending, but I believe it is one of redemption. The writer is heading in that direction.