‘Love Actually’s’ honest message is muddled in translation

Evan Marmol

“Love Actually” has the typical peaks and valleys of a film comprised

of vignettes. It only teases at the array of emotions, ranging from

heartwarming moments to the sobering realities about love.

By the nature of having a multitude of story lines, this film

lacks a continuity and narrative that is palpable. It ventures into

the realms of self doubt, marital infidelity and the tenuous grasp

that we all have with love, actually. Doing so, it succeeds to

provoke thought and delve into our fears and doubts about this

complex emotion.

The magnitude of the star power including Hugh Grant, Emma

Thompson and Liam Neeson is alluring and at times absorbing.

The primary failure is that each glimpse is truncated in an

attempt to pack everything possible into our emotional coffer.

Problems arise, especially, when you yearn for character development

and plot strength only to find the vignettes cut scathingly too short

to engage the audience.

The movie is superbly acted, and each individual account would

have made a stellar showing as its own film. Grant’s pith, and

sardonic wit, is reduced to shortened dialogue. Thompson’s character

displayed unrivaled potential in reproachfully short scenes. And

Neeson is more compelling and genuine than I have seen since

“Schindler’s List.” Unfortunately, this film appears to be an

abridged version of an exceptional concept. In the end, many will

feel befuddled in what turns out to be an episodic mess searching for

catharsis.

The performances are surely redeeming, and the wading though the

unique plot, as laborious as it is, does elevate this movie a bit. I

would definitely recommend if only for the honesty that is conveys

despite its halting nature.

* EVAN MARMOL is Laguna Beach resident. He graduated from UC

Irvine with a degree in psychology and social behavior.