Analysis of film number 3; Love actually

I will be analysing the opening sequence of the British made romantic comedy, ‘Love actually’. Directed by Richard Curtis also director of the other famous romantic comedy’s, ‘Four wedding and a funeral’, ‘Notting hill’. Released in 2003 made on a budget of 30,000,000 taking in 247,472,278 profit.

   With acknowledged actors such as Hugh Grant (given similar roles in the romantic comedy films), Kieran Knightly and Emma Thompson, we are told ten separate but intertwine stories of lovers in London which are bought together on Christmas Eve. British comedy’s are nearly all set within London, in the Christmas season, (bridge Jones Diary). This is because the film makers know these appeals to a wild range of people (Americans), therefore work of it. Also it builds a positive/attractive picture of Britain.

  The scene opens to a mass of people hugging, which is shown in slow motion. Close ups of the characters face are used, for us to see in detail, the smiling, laughing and overall happy reactions of greeting their friends and family (loved ones). With the use of slow motion we get to focus upon the faces for a long period of time, to analysis the expressions.

   As the scene is shown, a voice over begins, and through his speech are assumptions the location being an airport, is confirmed. Through the use of a held hand camera and the voice over, the scene is portrayed as a documentary, capturing reality. Also high key lighting is used, giving bright atmosphere to go along with happy faces.

   The voice over continues on to talk about love, which emphasises the love between the characters hugging and also a big indicator to what the rest of the film is to be about.

   As the scene goes on, titles fade in and out, the titles are in red and white, to fit in with the film theme, also when the film title appears, the love is in red, making it stand out.

  We then move on to another scene which opens to a man dressed in bright clothing, and singing. Through the shot-reverse-shot of the singer to the producer, talking about the words of the song, we gather it is a Christmas song they are re-making, therefore telling us the time in which the film is set, it is the Christmas season. Bill knightly the singer is used as a stereotype old British rock guys, which appeals to the American audience.

  As the song is wrapped up, we move on to shots of the city, which is covered in snow. Cut shots are used to reinforce everywhere in the city is full with the Christmas vibe. Also the Christmas spirit is reinforced with the incidental music of, upbeat happy music. A low angle shot and a (tilt sky to floor) is used to show the full view of the extremely large Christmas tree. Also through the title we see the natural bright light flooding in (into shopping centre) and showering the Christmas tree, again reinforcing the positive Christmas vibe.

  Also as we shown this shot, a title caption appears, reading; 5 weeks to Christmas, this letting us know all the actions from this point on is the build up to Christmas. Just like the rest of the titles, the first letter (in this case number) is coloured in red. With the number 5 being in red, this could be suggesting that it is 5 weeks till love will be found.