Love actually Storylines Ranked
Love Actually can be overwhelming with all the various storylines it has going on. The film is sort of an anthology, but not really since all the stories are interconnected in some form or fashion. Each storyline is honestly really solid & enjoyable, with each making the cast to justifiably be it’s own film. In this list I’m going to rank the 9 storylines from the film using a combination of my preference, as well as what I think is the just straight up the worst or best.
9 - Juliet, Peter, & Mark (Keira Knightley, Chiwetel Ejiofor, & Andrew Lincoln) - The most iconic scene from this film actually comes from what I think is the worst storyline in the movie. The performances are solid (I really don’t think are any bad performances in this movie) but it’s just so problematic. And a lot of the storylines are problematic, but they address and acknowledge that. This one is just messy. It has some good moments, but the fact it ends with Mark declaring his love to his best friend’s wife behind his best friend’s back and then she gives him a kiss to make him feel better? Ew. And Chiwetel Ejiofor is vastly underused.
8 - John & Judy (Martin Freeman & Joanna Page) - In all honesty this should maybe rank last just because it’s the most underdeveloped story and is the one we spend the least amount of time with. I personally love Martin Freeman, so that boosts this up slightly, and John & Judy actually have some really good dialogue and a funny meet cute, working as stand ins for adult scenes in a film. They are a great example of what I previously sad about each storyline being it’s own rom com.
7 - Colin & the American girls (Kris Marshall) - While the whole film is pretty funny, this storyline is there as the comedic cutaway gag. It follows Colin, who is incredibly down on his luck with women, so he decides to go to America to woo American girls with his Britishness. And to the hilarity of the audience, it works extremely well, when he connects with and spends the night with a quarter of roommates played by January Jones, Elisha Cuthbert, Shannon Elizabeth, & Denise Richards. He returns home with one woman on his arm and another one to set up with his friend Tony (Abdul Salis).
6 - Sarah & Karl (Laura Linney & Rodrigo Santoro) - This story also feels a little underdeveloped, but is really heartbreaking to watch. Linney’s Sarah has been in love with coworker Karl for years, and when the time finally comes for her to have a chance with him, she gets continually interrupted by her special needs brother, Michael (Michael Fitzgerald). I guess the storyline is more Sarah & Michael, because Sarah puts her familial duties to Michael above all other relationships, resulting with her spending Christmas with her brother.
5 - Billy Mack & Joe (Bill Nighy & Gregor Fisher) - He feels it in his fingers… He feels it in his toes… One of the few storylines not about a romantic relationship, this is really about loving your friends and the people you spend the most time with. Billy Mack learns that as he abandons Elton John’s Christmas party to spend time with the person that’s been there along the way, his manager, Joe. Bill Nighy won a BAFTA for his performance as Billy Mack, which is pretty fun.
4 - Jamie & Aurélia (Colin Firth & Lúcia Moniz) - The writing in this one is so good. With the miscommunications and language barrier between the two, there actually are some pretty funny moments as they talk to one another with no understanding. It really is sweet, even if it’s a little outrageous Jamie goes to ask for her hand in marriage since they don’t really know each other. But it’s sweet and this is just a movie. So they make it on the top half of the list.
3 - Harry & Karen (Alan Rickman & Emma Thompson) - The best performance from this film comes from Emma Thompson as Karen. A mother who loves her children and her husband, but is betrayed when she learns about her husband’s inappropriate relationship with his assistant, Mia (Heike Makatsch). We see her heart break, but the brave face she puts on for her children. We also do get a very good performance from Alan Rickman, who shows the initial interest, but knowing better, before succumbing to his poor choices. Also, the scene where Rowan Atkinson’s Rufus wraps the necklace is really well done. And even though this storyline does feature some toxicity, it’s addressed and called out for what it is. Job well done.
2 - Daniel & Sam (Liam Neeson & Thomas Brodie-Sangster) - Honestly, I probably would’ve had Harry & Karen at 2, but now I’m a dad so dad stuff hits me harder. Another one that doesn’t focus on a romantic relationship, this storyline follows Liam Neeson’s Daniel, who loses his wife, and is left to raise his young stepson alone. Thomas Brodie-Sangster gives a great performance, especially from a child actor, for someone struggling with grief, but also learning to grieve while maintaining his normal life. We do still get some romance, when Sam reveals his love for his classmate, Joanna (Olivia Olson). Daniel walks him through wooing her and there’s some really great, sappy parental moments in there.
1 - David & Natalie (Hugh Grant & Martine McCutcheon) - Now come on. When most people think ‘Love Actually’ they may think of the signs Mark uses to recite his love to Juliet. But those of us with class think of Hugh Grant dancing around 10 Downing Street. Grant plays David, the newly elected prime minister who falls for a member of his staff. He makes the absolute power play of calling out the United States unfair treatment of the UK after the US President (Billy Bob Thornton) makes an inappropriate pass at Natalie. That’s how you know this is fiction. In real life the US Presidents have way more class than to treat women inappropriately… Anyways back to Hugh Grant. Like I said, the dancing scene is great. The scene where he goes door to door looking for Natalie is great. And the big kiss at the end is great. The only thing that’s not great is the strange obsession everyone has with commenting on Natalie’s physical appearance? That is admittedly distasteful. If you asked me who the main character of this movie is, I’d say David, and I also think he’s the best!
