Christmas Films--#2

As we inch closer and closer to the best Christmas film of all time, we arrive at one that has been a perennial favorite ever since it was released—Love Actually [2003] by Richard Curtis.

Let’s take a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdzH6a-XEGM

What’s interesting about it? Notice how it begins by naming Richard Curtis’s three previous hits in the romantic comedy genre. Why? Because they want you to know that if you liked those films, you’ll like his new one—and their job is to get you into the theatre.

What’s really important about this, though, is what you as a writer can learn from it. The job of the studio is to get people in the seats. And, as the brilliant screenwriter William Goldman said about Hollywood and the business of the movie studios, is that “Nobody knows anything.” BUT the studio feels if someone had hits before, they must know something about how to get those people into the theatre. Consequently, the studio feels working with writers and directors they know have had hits gives them a better chance of succeeding.

THAT’S why it’s so hard for you, if you’re a new writer, to get your work made. You have no proven track record. So bottom line? Your work has to be SOOOO good that they’re sure it can work onscreen, even though you don’t have that track record. Remember that as you write, remember how hard you’re going to have to work to try and buck the system.

Did the critics like Love Actually? Not at all. Just as they didn’t like The Holiday… but like the latter, Love Actually made big bucks—over $250 million worldwide.

Why does this film work? What makes it so popular with film-goers?

It’s love. It really is, actually, all about love. And in multiple forms, among all kinds of different people.

Curtis tells 9—count ‘em 9—stories in this film. Personally, though, I think it was one story too many—you could lose the story of the two stand-ins and the film wouldn’t suffer at all. But that’s a small flaw. How he interweaves all these stories is genius.

Right from the beginning, when the main character narrates footage of people meeting at Heathrow airport, he talks about how love is all around. We see people reuniting with their loved ones and it’s just joyful. And that’s what kicks off this film—joy, hope and love. And these aren’t actors—Curtis actually filmed real reunions at Heathrow and afterward asked people if he could use the footage for his film. And we go right from the footage of real people to the stories of our characters in the film—making it seem even more real. And, on top of that, the film is funny and just plain fun.

If this film doesn’t leave you full of the wonder of how we come together, I don’t think you were in the mood for it—because it’s perfection. It’s Christmas.

Copyright © Diane Lake

20Dec20

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com