The sequel that gave everyone warm fuzzies
It was a nostalgic trip for many Love Actually fans who tuned in to watch the sequel on BBC that was made especially for Britain’s Red Nose Day charity marathon on Friday (local time).
The Richard Curtis film features many of the original characters returning to reprise their roles.
Among them are Hugh Grant, as the Prime Minister and nursing a broken arm after falling downstairs at 10 Downing Street while dancing to Drake’s Hotline Bling, his wife Martine McCutcheon, and Bill Nighy, who reprised his old rocker character Billy Mack.
Some fans were left distraught by Alan Rickman’s absence in the sequel. The actor who passed away last year after battling cancer played the role of a cheating husband to Emma Thompson’s character in the original film.
One of the highlights of the sequel is Grant’s character’s poignant PM speech during a press conference that affected many viewers following this week’s Westminster attacks.
Grant’s stirring PM speech has apparently struck a nerve as many have shared their thoughts on social media praising his poignant yet uplifting speech.
Grant’s character says: ‘‘Obviously times have got harder and people are nervous and fearful ... But let’s look at the other side of the coin, Metallica’s album is an absolute cracker and on a deeper level I’m optimistic wherever you see tragedy, you see bravery too. Wherever you see ordinary people in need, you see extraordinary people come to their aid.
He adds: ‘‘Today is Red Nose Day and people who are giving their hard-earned cash to people they’ll never meet, whose pain and fear they’ll never feel ...
‘‘So it’s not romantic love that is all round. Most people still everyday, everywhere have enough love in their hearts to help human beings in trouble.
‘‘Good’s going to win, I’m actually sure of it.’’
Supermodel Kate Moss also makes a cameo in the sequel showing off her comedy skills by joining Andrew Lincoln for an update of his famous romantic gesture in the hit 2003 film.
The Walking Dead star’s character Mark shows up on Keira Knightley’s doorstep once again as part of the 10-minute short Red Nose Day Actually and reminds her it was the Comic Relief telethon - all via messages scrawled on poster boards. He reminds her of his plans to marry one of a handful of top models. Moss then steps into the shot to say hi to an astonished Juliet - also using handwritten billboards.
The sequel also gave fans an update on Colin Firth’s life with his Portuguese wife Aurelia. In the short film, the pair has three kids and Firth is still trying to master his partner’s native language, but when she explains she is pregnant again, he believes she’s talking about dinner.
The most magical moment of the Love Actually update came when grown-up child star Thomas Brodie-Sangster surprises his movie dad Liam Neeson with a visit and the news his character, Sam, had met up with Joanna, the school friend he doted on in the 2003 film. Olivia Olson, who plays Joanna, also appears to ask Liam’s character Jamie for his son’s hand in marriage.