Fans of Love Actually have been debating the controversial cue card scene between display legends Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln. The beloved 2003 Christmas traditional has cemented its place as a festive staple, rewatched by tens of millions yearly.
Penned and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually boasts a star-studded ensemble solid – together with then-newcomers resembling Thomas Brodie-Sangster – weaving collectively a number of love tales unfolding within the lead-up to Christmas Day.
Knightley portrays Juliet, who weds Peter, performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, in her opening scenes. Best man Mark (Lincoln) is seen filming numerous moments from their wedding ceremony day. He appears noticeably aloof and indifferent round Juliet, prompting Peter to encourage him to be extra welcoming in the direction of her.
Later, Juliet turns up unannounced at Mark’s dwelling, on the hunt for Mark’s wedding ceremony footage after discovering their very own copy is defective. He claims he is mislaid the tape or “probably taped over it” as he’d talked about over the cellphone, however Juliet is persistent.
She confronts him: “I know you’ve never particularly warmed to me – no, don’t argue”, then shares her hope they will turn out to be associates. Mark appears to be like uncomfortable however agrees whereas sustaining them being associates will not assist find the tape he alleges he spent appreciable time trying to find.
Almost immediately, she spots a tape marked “Peter and Juliet’s wedding” and dismisses his objections, placing the tape into the recorder and urgent play. Mark seems visibly uneasy as she discovers your complete recording is made up of footage solely of her.
Mark explains: “It’s a self preservation thing”, addressing his distant manner in the direction of her, earlier than dashing from his home, leaving a bewildered Juliet grappling with the realisation of his true emotions.
Later within the movie, Mark seems at Juliet’s doorstep holding a stack of cue playing cards, confessing his love whereas expressing hope he’ll finally transfer previous these feelings – maybe by marrying a supermodel later down the road.
Juliet finds the second each amusing and heartwarming, chasing after him into the road to plant a farewell kiss on his lips earlier than heading again inside to her husband.
Initially perceived as a captivating and heartfelt second – a grand gesture to clear the air between them – the scene has since attracted criticism from fashionable audiences.
A Reddit thread sparked debate, although some viewers remained agency supporters of the long-lasting second.
One critic argued: “I hate it. He dumps all his feelings onto her and leaves her to deal with the consequences. It’s cowardly and selfish.”
However, one other countered: “She already knows he loves her (or at least is creepily interested in her). He’s laying it all out and letting her know what’s going on, and that he’s going to move on. If he said nothing, she’d be left thinking he’s either fawning over her or a creep.”
They continued: “It would have been better if he had just come round and had a frank conversation, but we’re in a romcom so he gets to do a big ridiculous gesture instead of the mature and healthy thing.”
Another commented: “I think her running out and kissing him was wrong too. It kind of validates his behaviour”.
Someone else countered: “I feel the kiss brings closure to the situation.”
Another fan voiced their confusion over the criticism of the scene, stating: “I don’t get why people are acting like this is supposed to be realistic or a moral guideline or anything of the sort, it’s honestly quite baffling to read some of these comments.”
And one other Reddit consumer added: “Look. It’s not that big a deal. He’s telling her because she knows. He was in love with her, he tried to hide it, she actually ends up thinking that he didn’t like her, but then she sees the video. So he feels he owes her an explanation. He is not looking to steal her.”
https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/2150275/love-actually-keira-knightley-scene