It was released 20 years ago, but watching Love Actually over the Christmas period has become as much of a tradition as snogging under the mistletoe and overcooking the turkey.
Somehow, we never tire of seeing a distraught Karen (Emma Thompson) sob in her bedroom after discovering the necklace her husband Harry, played by the late, great Alan Rickman, bought her for Christmas was actually a gift for his beautiful new assistant Mia (Heike Makatsch). And every year our heart aches for poor Mark (Andrew Lincoln), as he pines for his best friend's new wife Juliet (Keira Knightley), then declares his feelings by holding up handwritten signs outside her front door on Christmas Eve.
What's more we're guaranteed to giggle - and slightly die inside with embarrassment - when we get to the scene where smitten Prime Minister David (Hugh Grant) grooves around 10 Downing Street to Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters, after realising he's in love with Martine McCutcheon's character, tea lady Natalie.
When Emma Thompson was asked why she thinks the film - which was written and directed by comedy legend Richard Curtis - remains popular, she said it's because it still strikes a chord with so many of us.
"Time and time again we forget that love is all that matters," she explained in a US TV special celebrating the 20th anniversary of the movie, which also stars Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and Bill Nighy.
While she's admitted she doesn't watch re-runs of the classic, Emma, 64, has revealed that she drew on her own first-hand experience of heartache for her character Karen. The star divorced her ex-husband Kenneth Branagh in 1995 after he had an affair with actress Helena Bonham Carter.
Denne historien er fra November 27, 2023-utgaven av OK! UK.
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Denne historien er fra November 27, 2023-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities
