There are movies in your life that, no matter how many times you see them, the story never leaves your heart. These special films are embedded deep within and touch upon personal memories. When I was younger,  I visited our airport even though I was not scheduled for a trip anywhere. I got a kick out of watching people’s reactions to each other as they debarked a plane (This was before the added security, and anyone could walk right up to the gates). Being part of the different types of joy and love broadcasted for all to see was mesmerizing. Many secret, silent tears were shed as my imagination soared with longing to know their backstories and connections. It would fill my soul with happiness and energy. LOVE IS ALL AROUND US is really an honest and truthful movie song title. We just have to be open to it and ready to commit to what is right in front of our eyes. New love, lusty love, friendship love, unrequited love, unfaithful love, family love, and first love lead to the powerful nine storylines in LOVE ACTUALLY. Brilliantly directed by Richard Curtis, he weaves tales as “old as time” with fresh new twists and surprises. 

LOVE ACTUALLY has become a holiday treat since it was first introduced in 2003. I realize most people already “know” this film, but here are some interesting tidbits to savor.

• The scene where Colin (Kris Marshall) sits in an American bar with several beautiful women is entirely improvised. 
• Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) never knew how to play the drums for his big scene. Luckily, his real-life dad did and taught him drumming. 
• The pond Jamie (Colin Firth) and “maid” land in to save his book pages is only 18 inches deep. They walked around on their knees to make it appear deeper, but the pond was mosquito-infested. Colin got a bite on his elbow the size of an avocado and had to seek medical attention. 
• Hughes Grant (the PM) hated the dancing scenes. He thought it beneath the office of a Prime Minister. 
• Emma Thompson, who played Karen, wore a fat suit for the movie. She is said to have used her real-life marriage to Kenneth Branaugh to illicit all those tears in her Christmas gift scene. 
• Mark (Andrew Lincoln) thought his role bordered on stalker territory. His huge cards, which he shows up at the door with, were written in his handwriting. 
• Juliet (Kierra Knightly) added a hat in the scene she viewed the wedding video because she woke up the day of filming with a huge zit on her forehead. 
• Billy (Bill Nighy) was indeed butt naked with only boots and his electric guitar to “hide” behind. 
• The part of Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) was written exclusively for her. She was an “unknown” in the States but a popular actress in the U.K. 

And the most important one of all…

• Both montages of people at Heathrow Airport were not actors. They waited a week to capture that footage for the opening and closing sequences.

LOVE ACTUALLY was a showcase for super-star acting talent. It was superbly written with a fantasy-based, light hand. The plot draws the audience into, at first, implausible scenarios. Then, it ties them all together with a neat bow at the same place where it all began. Pacing and timing ruled this film with ease and grace. It is fun, humorous, bittersweet, and oh-so-human. This is why LOVE ACTUALLY is a classic holiday movie covering every cliche love has to offer. It is a whimsical realization that love is actually all around us, and no airport setting is necessary. 

LOVE ACTUALLY can be streamed on NETFLIX.