Bill Nighy and models attend the premiere of Love Actually at the Odeon, Leicester Square. (Photo by rune hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images)

“Love Actually” is a popular romantic comedy film released in 2003, written and directed by Richard Curtis. Here are some interesting facts about the movie:

  1. All-Star Cast: “Love Actually” boasts an ensemble cast featuring many well-known actors, including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, and others.
  2. Multiple Storylines: The film tells multiple interconnected love stories, exploring various aspects of love and relationships during the Christmas season.
  3. The Original Title: The working title for the film was “Love Actually Is All Around,” inspired by the lyrics of the song “Love Is All Around” by The Troggs, which is covered in the movie.
  4. Real Prime Minister: Hugh Grant, who plays the British Prime Minister in the film, met with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair to prepare for the role. However, Curtis has stated that the character was not directly based on Blair.
  5. Andrew Lincoln’s Cards Scene: Andrew Lincoln, who later became famous for his role in “The Walking Dead,” starred in a memorable scene where he silently confesses his love for Keira Knightley’s character using cue cards. The idea for the scene was inspired by a real-life incident involving Curtis and a friend.
  6. Emma Thompson’s Performance: Emma Thompson’s performance as Karen, dealing with the emotional fallout of her husband’s infidelity, is widely praised. Her heart-wrenching scene listening to Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides, Now” was particularly impactful.
  7. Unexpected Kiss: In the movie, there’s a scene where characters participate in a school Christmas concert. The little boy who plays the lobster unexpectedly kisses the girl playing the young Juliet. This kiss was unscripted, and the reactions of the other children are genuine.
  8. Love Actually Revisited: In 2017, the cast reunited for a short film titled “Red Nose Day Actually.” It was created as part of the fundraising efforts for Red Nose Day, a charitable event.
  9. Richard Curtis’s Directorial Debut: “Love Actually” marked Richard Curtis’s directorial debut. Curtis had previously written popular romantic comedies such as “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Notting Hill.”
  10. Real-life Couples: Several actors who played couples in the film later became couples in real life. Martin Freeman and Joanna Page, who played John and Judy (the body doubles), and Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Olivia Olson, who played Sam and Joanna, became couples off-screen.

“Love Actually” has become a holiday classic, known for its heartwarming and often humorous take on love in various forms.