A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Positive Messages
some
Love is all around. Taking chances might be scary, but living with regret can be worse. Illustrates the importance of resilience and trusting in yourself. It's never too late to try something new in life.
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Positive Role Models
some
Karen is resilient and sometimes puts on a strong facade to help others. Daniel inspires his son to take a risk and supports him with kind advice. Billy Mack shows that artists can reinvent themselves at any age. A whole town bands together when Jamie wants to confess his feelings for Aurelia. But Mark's inappropriate/selfish decision to confess his love for his best friend's wife is portrayed as romantic.
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Diverse Representations
very little
Although the cast is predominantly White, it's gender balanced and has age diversity. Billy Mack and Sam show that artists can invent (and reinvent) themselves at any age. Peter is played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who's of Nigerian descent, and Karl is played by Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro. But aspects of the film fail to be inclusive: Natalie's story arc is fatphobic, Michael (who has a mental illness) is treated as a burden to his non-disabled sister Sarah, and Mark's inappropriate confession of love to his best friend's wife is lightly treated as a romantic gesture.
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Violence & Scariness
very little
Some tense moments, like a man in a hospital trying to hit his sister. Potential romantic coercion at the workplace, with a romantic relationship taking place between the prime minister and a junior staffer on his team. Sad scenes include a funeral for the wife of one of the main characters.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a lot
Two characters simulate sex while being filmed (they're actors) -- woman's bare bottom and breasts are visible. A woman takes off her clothes and is seen in her underwear. A photograph of a man's naked butt is displayed in a gallery. Many moments of romance/relationships: Couples kiss, have crushes and emotional affairs, etc.
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Language
a lot
A couple of uses of "f--k," "f--king," plus several uses of "s--t," "bugger," "wanker," "arse," "bloody," and "pissed."
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
a little
Characters smoke and drink socially. A party guest appears tipsy.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Love Actually is a British romantic comedy set during Christmas. Directed by Richard Curtis and starring a large ensemble cast, including Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, and other heavy-hitters, the movie has positive messages about love, taking chances, and the importance of resilience and trusting in yourself. Tense moments include a disabled man trying to hit his sister, and there's a sad funeral for the wife of one of the main characters. Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," and "pissed." There are many romantic situations -- naked rear ends and breasts are visible. Characters smoke and drink socially. The cast is gender balanced but mostly White, and there's fatphobia and ableism. But the movie also shows that artists can invent (and reinvent) themselves at any age, young or old. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
What's the Story?
The interwoven stories of LOVE ACTUALLY all take place in the weeks before Christmas. They include a prime minister (Hugh Grant) who's drawn to the outspoken staffer who delivers his tea, an 11-year-old (Thomas Sangster) who wants to attract the attention of the coolest girl in school, a man (Andrew Lincoln) in love with his best friend's (Chiwetel Ejiofor) new bride (Keira Knightley), a waiter (Kris Marshall) who's sure that all his dreams of romance will come true if he goes to America, a married man (Alan Rickman) who wants to cheat on his wife (Emma Thompson), a rock star (Bill Nighy) angling for a comeback with a cheesy Christmas single, a heartbroken writer (Colin Firth) who can't stop thinking about the woman (Lúcia Moniz) who cleans his house -- even though they don't understand each other's languages -- and a couple (Martin Freeman and Joanna Page) who meet at work as movie stand-ins assigned to increasingly (and hilariously) more intimate poses.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in Love Actually handle their feelings of loss, longing, and fear. Which characters stuck with you the most?
What types of risks and chances do the characters take? Do they pay off? In your experience, does taking risks pay off?
The prime minister uses his power to change someone's position based on his feelings. Should world leaders be able to do this?
How has the film aged since it came out in 2003? What are some grand gestures that feel particularly dated? What's the difference between a gesture that's genuinely romantic, and one that's inappropriate?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 7, 2003
- On DVD or streaming: April 27, 2004
- Cast: Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson
- Director: Richard Curtis
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Romance
- Run time: 135 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sexuality, nudity and language
- Last updated: February 12, 2024
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