It’s Thanksgiving weekend in the United States, and that means it’s time to pull out my favorite Christmas movies for viewing. It’s no surprise that some of my favorite movies ever are not only from the UK, but also highlight London at Christmas.
Here are the four that top my list of must-see viewing during the Holiday season:
Love Actually
My holiday season doesn’t start until I’ve watched this charming film. Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Laura Linney and a very young Keira Knightley headline this classic that portrays the many aspects of love. There are so many great actors in this movie, and about ten different storylines, but I never feel that one actor is slighted. It’s interesting to see at the end of the movie, how the characters are intertwined. I giggle every time I watch Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister dance to the Pointer Sisters, and Rowan Atkinson is only on camera for maybe two minutes, but has one of the funniest scenes that he plays to perfection. Bill Nighy’s portrayal of aging rock star Billy Mack is also a scene-stealer. The only thing I find disappointing about this movie is Emma Thompson’s wardrobe, which is dowdy and dreadful. But other than that, you should add it to your holiday viewing list, if you haven’t already. And get the soundtrack, too.
The Holiday
Why do I watch this movie over and over again? Two words: Jude Law. I’ll bet the business of home exchanges increased three-fold after this movie came out. Who wouldn’t want Jude Law to crash on the couch at the house they’ve just rented? The movie is about a high-powered woman from L.A. (Cameron Diaz) who switches homes for Christmas with an English journalist (Kate Winslet). Jude Law plays Winslet’s brother, a widower raising two adorable young daughters. It’s a romantic comedy, so love ensues. Jack Black is in the movie as well. He’s not one of my favorite actors, but he definitely provides the change of pace, romantically speaking, that Kate Winslet’s character needs.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
This movie is probably the reason I’ve always wanted to visit London during the Holidays. There are so many things to love about this movie, which, according to Wikipedia, is a reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Renee Zellweger British accent is perfection in this movie about a frustrated thirty-something who’s struggling to keep it together. She’s always dieting (although I’ve always taken offense to the notion in the movie that 135lbs is fat!), has loyal friends and just wants to find someone who loves her just the way she is. (I can relate. Can you?!) Bridget starts dating her boss (Hugh Grant), whose ex-best friend is Bridget’s childhood neighbor, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). The rest of the movie includes bad Christmas sweaters (or jumpers, as they’re called in the UK), gherkin pickles, and Bridget in a bunny costume. The sequel is pretty good too, and the final installment in the trilogy is due in spring, 2016, without Hugh Grant, who declined the chance to reprise the role. Patrick Dempsey (Dr. McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy), has been cast instead, so it will be interesting to see how they work him in.
Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!
I came across this movie a year or two ago when I was binge-watching anything that had actor David Tennant in it. In this sequel, David Tennant plays duel roles – schoolteacher, Donald Peterson and his twin brother, Roderick. Mr. Peterson is the new teacher at a school and inherits the teacher’s assistant Mr. Poppy, whose pretty much a kid himself. The class wants to compete in an annual singing contest but getting there turns into quite a hilarious ordeal. At the competition, they go up against Mr. Robertson’s twin, Roderick, whose a famous choral conductor. Joanna Page (who appears in Love Actually), plays Mr. Peterson’s pregnant wife. What’s amazing about this movie is that it’s all improvised. So I admire David Tennant’s acting skills even more considering that he had to improvise with himself! Danger in the Manger is a lighthearted movie that the whole family can enjoy. Don’t worry if you haven’t seen any other of the movies in what is now the Nativity trilogy, you’ll still enjoy the film.