The Steves talk about one of their favorite Christmas movies of all time, "Love, Actually"! During the ups and downs of these love stories, the Steves discuss their own love story, as well as their favorite scenes, characters, and quotes from the movie.
We also share what is making us happy - Christmas Week and Fire Emblem Three Houses dlc! In addition, The Steves say "Binge" to "The Marelous Mrs. Maisel - Season 3" and the podcast "14 Days with Felecity".
The Steves also take a moment to remember Conrad Hernandez, friend of the show/art contributer/guest, who was taken from us way too soon.
The Steves talk about one of their favorite Christmas movies of all time, "Love, Actually"! During the ups and downs of these love stories, the Steves discuss their own love story, as well as their favorite scenes, characters, and quotes from the movie.
We also share what is making us happy - Christmas Week and Fire Emblem Three Houses dlc! In addition, The Steves say "Binge" to "The Marelous Mrs. Maisel - Season 3" and the podcast "14 Days with Felecity".
The Steves also take a moment to remember Conrad Hernandez, friend of the show/art contributer/guest, who was taken from us way too soon.
Hi listeners a brief moment before we get into this week's episode and our happiness for Christmas, it comes with great sadness to report that a good friend of ours, but also contributor of all of our artwork for the podcast. Conrad, Conrad Hernandez has passed away.
Stephen:He was killed this week by a drunk driver. For those of you who have seen any of the things that associated with our podcast, you've
Steve:seen that you're looking at right now, wherever you're listening to us.
Stephen:Yep. This is all Conrad's work. Conrad wa is a great friend to anyone that he meets from the moment you. Meet him. He, his smile, his eyes light up just pure joy. He can talk to anybody. He was really good with us. He did artwork for us that we have on our walls of our family, picture of us dressed as X-Men he. Did a poster for Remy in his detective agency.
Steve:And so, you know, he was an amazing and brilliant artists, but also an amazing and wonderful husband and father. And they're going to be so many people whose lives are going to be missing a big part of them. Now that Conrad is not with us. So thank you, Conrad, for everything you've done and memory of him while our format has changed. Since we started this podcast about a year ago, he was one of our not only get first guest stars. So one of our first fans and listeners. And so I will be reposting his episode that he gets started on culture later on in the week. So please check your feeds for that as a tribute to him and a thank you for everything that he's done to support us, he will be greatly missed. Hello returning happies and new listeners. This is Steve Bennet-Martin
Stephen:and this is Stephen Martin-Bennet. And welcome to a lifetime of happiness.
Steve:The Podcast where we take you on our journey through some of the movies, television shows, and other bits of pop culture that are helped keeping us happy while hopefully helping bring a smile to your face along the way.
Stephen:And today we're covering my favorite Christmas movie love actually.
Steve:Yes, but first my love. What is making you happy?
Stephen:Well, it's Christmas week, so it's pretty much all things Christmas. We've got delicious Christmas fudge that we made and you know, the tree looks so good and everything is wrapped and we're all ready. And it's a short week at work, like just. All of it in general is making me happy.
Steve:Well, excellent. I mean, I have to agree that and work and everything has been great with all the holiday events and all of that's been making me happy, but in more pop culture, video game related news, I just spend the DLC extra add on for the fire emblem, three houses. And I think you have the same issue sometimes too, is when that, when that game first comes out, you don't get a chance to play the DLC while you play it because you beat the game before the DLC comes out,
Stephen:because it's usually like six months to a year later. And We're all done by that point. And then it's hard to take the time to go back to the DLC and jump back in. Because by that point, there's all kinds of new releases that you're on onto at that point. Like, I love legends all. It's my favorite series of all time, breath of the wild and may be the best is game
Steve:ever. I was gonna say, I mean, you put over a hundred hours into it. Yeah.
Stephen:And I've never done the DLC for it because. Yeah, like other movie or another games just kept coming out for the switch and never had the time. But now that like breath of the wild two is coming out in 2021. Most likely I do plan to probably replay the whole game this time, the DLC.
Steve:Yes. Well, that'll be just in time for you to finish age of calamity and everything, but yes, for all of you listeners that play video games. And are feeling the slump of 2020. I highly recommend going back through some of your old favorites and finding DLCs that you might not have gotten to because, you know, at the very least I can say the, the. Three houses, fire rambled, and the whole idea of the DLC being the mysterious fourth house that was under the school all the time was a really interesting premise. And it played through very well and interesting, and they found a way to connect it back without being, you know, too spoiler-y cause you can play it aside from the main story. So it was very well done and I definitely recommend giving it a go back.
Stephen:Is that kind of like Slitherin because Slitherin was underneath Hogwarts underneath the Lake. Is that where it was kind of hidden or
Steve:probably, I mean, when I first came out, one of the main things was they were like, it's like old school fire emblem with Hogwarts.
Stephen:Ah,
Steve:there you go. There you go. Yes. And in terms of happy news, you and I are not the only ones who have been going a little bit extra on our gifts for our loves and our loved ones this year. Huh?
Stephen:No, that is true because I actually started shopping in early October and out same. Yeah. And I just started thinking what would make someone smile? What would bring them joy? And so like, it really wasn't gifts of what does somebody need this year. It was, what's going to bring a smile to their face. What's going to make them forget that this is 2020 for just a little bit. So I've, and I know we're supposed to put thought into it every year, but like this year I've been putting a lot of thought trying to. Make sure that it's something that the people love and that they truly feel.
Steve:Yes. And recently Groupon actually did a survey of 2000 Americans and found that 70% said that this year specifically has made them appreciate their family and friends more than ever before. So they're putting more thought into their gifts. For their loved ones, which I think is interesting because Groupon is pretty much one of those places. I consider a gift card gift, you know, it's, it's, you're more likely to give someone a gift card for group on them to buy them a Groupon, because that kind of says like, Hey, I didn't want to get you the gift card from the real place he's at any point in time, at least in my opinion. So I found it was interesting that they put something out that doesn't benefit them necessarily. But I also do love you know, that they're putting more thoughts into gifts. I know that in bear with me a smile to my face this week, every year I do it, the Santa for seniors through the senior advocacy council and being able to play Santa and drop that gift off. It was just something that, you know, This year, especially I did a little bit of extra and when it over the top, but you know, when you have these seniors needs and wants, that are just so small where you know her, her want was to have. You know, paper towels to go with her toilet paper, which was her need and cleaning supplies. And so, you know, being able to give a little bit over and above the extra for that was just really rewarding because I mean, she saw it, it was tears of joy. So I know ever, especially on the holidays, everyone is talking about toys for tots and kids, kids, kids, but don't forget our seniors.
Stephen:Yes, absolutely.
Steve:Yes. And speaking of other things that we've been up to, we as always are bingeing. And purging. Yes and no, that is not an eating disorder that we've shared together. That is our segment where we talk about what we've been watching
Stephen:or what we did not enjoy watching. And we want to make sure that you can purge it. From your life before you go through the same thing we did.
Steve:Yes. And so we are about three fourths of the way through bingeing, Mrs. Maizel season
Stephen:three. Yes. And I will fully admit marvelous, Mrs. Maisel on Amazon prime had a bit of a sophomore slump where it was like the first season. What's her affection
Steve:that the pilot alone was like, I can understand why they got that and me,
Stephen:they want everything. All right. And like, it was so good. And then we watched the second season and it was still good. It was not a bad season, but when you compare it to the first season, it doesn't compare. But season three, they seem to be firing on all cylinders again. So. If you've already watched all three. Congratulations. If you,
Steve:yeah. After season two, it was so much of a sophomore slump for us that we didn't watch season three.
Stephen:behind.
Steve:Yes. So for those of you wondering whether a new season came out, cause you don't track numbers and you just keep hitting play until it's all done. You know, the new one has not been recently released. This was us just catching up. So if you dropped off that first after season two, we recommend going back and bingeing.
Stephen:Yes. I give it a full thumbs up. And what else have we been watching?
Steve:Well, certainly on my drives to and from work binged, a fun short fiction podcast called 14 days with Felicity.
Stephen:That sounds familiar. That would be, it would not be about Felicity Huffman, would it?
Steve:Allegedly not because while it is so specifically set off of the college scandal with Felicity Huffman, where all of the characters are all the names of real-world people, they get away with doing it because at the very last five seconds after their credits, they're like, and any, any like coincidences names and names. Purely coincidence. This is all fiction. And I'm like, yeah, it is. But they take the whole college scandal and put it in, like if she got to sneak her phone and during those 14 days, but what I love is you don't need to know anything about what really happened in real life. It's just 14 short, you know, 15 minute episodes that are just pure, absurd joy.
Stephen:And I have listened to that and it is really funny.
Steve:Yes. So if you ever need it, you could pick me up or something to make you smile. Definitely. That is a nice binge where you can get through it pretty quickly and it will make you laugh out loud.
Stephen:Yes. And so spoiler warning. If for some reason you have never seen love, actually
Steve:you're a mean one Mr. Grinch.
Stephen:Absolutely a shame on you. Be pause the podcast, go watch it. And then come back. Thank you very much. We'll be waiting.
Steve:Yes, but for those of you who have done that, or for those of you have already come back from watching it you're welcome. It was great. Wasn't it? And now let's talk about it. So I think this movie, because it is one of those ensemble casts where they all revolved, we can't just say here's everything that happened and then let's talk about it. So I say we do our whole discussion kind of group by group because this movie is one of those movies that has lots of. Different moving parts, but let's start off with the facts about the movie.
Stephen:Yes. So love actually it's a 2003 Christmas romantic comedy written and directed by Richard Curtis. It is an ensemble cast, like Steve said, including such heavyweights as Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Hugh grant, Laura Lemmy Keira Knightley. And Rick Grimes, except, you know, Americans, we know him as Rick Grimes real name Andrew Lincoln. And so
Steve:I changed that in the script to see if you notice
Stephen:this is well before he started. Becoming a Georgia sheriff fighting the zombie apocalypse.
Steve:Yeah. And it was a box office success. It grows to$148 million worldwide on a budget of 40 to$45 million. That's a$200 million profit.
Stephen:Yeah. And it's pretty much one of those things that. You hear from people that they watch it at least once during the holiday season, if not more.
Steve:Yes. And for those of you who don't think it's a Christmas movie, you're stupid.
Stephen:Yeah. Well, and I can honestly tell you writer and director Richard Curtis and his wife have said that, wait, I actually have a quote from them. Here we go. It originally wasn't meant to be a Christmas movie. I'm so surprised and delighted by the love actually thing. Because when I first started the movie, it wasn't set at Christmas, but then I love Christmas movies. So I thought, you know what? I will make a Christmas movie. But it, it didn't occur to me that it might be one of those Christmas movies that becomes a classic that people watch again and again and again, and it's a delightful surprise to me, but yes, it is 100%, definitely a Christmas movie. And that is a direct quote from an interview. By writer and director Richard Curtis from VH1.
Steve:Yes. Well, it also does. It also helps for me cause I mean, my test when we talked about our Thanksgiving episode was that, you know, if things are happening specifically because of an around the holidays, it's like holiday movie for that holiday. And so with so much being around the Christmas play and the countdown to Christmas and getting Christmas gifts, like the Christmas work parties, all of these. Like issues wouldn't have happened all around the same time. If it wasn't for Christmas. So Christmas movie
Stephen:and not to speak ill of that certain network that has 115 Christmas movies that are all exactly the same, but maybe people just don't realize that real life has depth. And isn't all tied up in a neat bow by the end. So sometimes there is sadness and sometimes there's just absurdity. But this is a Christmas movie folks.
Steve:And so the way it's described and IMDV, as it follows the lives of eight, very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely, inter related tales, all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. And so the issue that I always find with this movie, like most ensemble cast movies that I watched when I was little is I didn't really learn actors names when I was a young child. And so I like that. Not only will the, I, my bandwidth, all the different billion names of the people in the movie. So I'll keep calling them the wrong thing or using like, you know, you know, the, the, you know, the skeezy one or that one or this one, but, you know, when it comes to even the actors, I always just. You go to call them like half of them by the name. I know them as, and I keep on waiting for Sam to be taken away from the Liam Neeson.
Stephen:I have a very specific set of skills, different moving, but so the film begins with a voiceover from prime minister. David played by Hugh grant and you know what, like he says it better in that than we can. So let's go to that.
Love Actually Clip:Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world. I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport, general opinion, starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. As far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge. They would all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling. You'll find that love actually is all around.
Stephen:See, it just, that sets the stage right there. That it's going to be real and it's going to be love. And it does feel like in some of those things, that those are people. That you may know, like, except for hairy secretary, she's just an awful person and deserves horrible things to have
Steve:Harry too much either. And I know that we all liked him because he ended up being professor Snape.
Stephen:Yeah. Alan Rickman is amazing and there's probably nobody else. That could have played that part and still been slightly sympathetic.
Steve:Why don't we talk about that one? Do you want to start with that one since we're already there?
Stephen:Yeah. Let's go ahead and go to that one. So that is
Steve:Alan Rickman is married to
Stephen:Emma
Steve:Thompson at Thompson who was wearing a fat suit. Even there. She. Isn't she, I don't think she needed to be heavy for the role.
Stephen:No.
Steve:You know, it was supposed to be, she was just a frumpy housewife was part of the issue of like, you know, they're loving their marriage with their children. And then he works in this office where there's this office whore, who is nothing other than like a slut. That's her entire personality in the thing she's meant to be unlikable
Stephen:Def to her character. She's a pariah. She isn't subtle, she doesn't care that he's married and. I don't see what real work she does other than planning the Christmas party.
Steve:And I don't see what her interest in him could be. That was pure. It's just seems gross all along.
Stephen:Yeah. It's either like, based on, you know, somebody that runs a company, so she wants a sugar daddy or something. But it's awful.
Steve:Yes. And so, I mean, and anything that can culminate with this whole, like, you know, dangerous game of him, flirting with the, you know, the secretary and dancing with her at the Christmas party and getting her the Christmas gift,
Stephen:Emma Thompson is going around talking to all the employees, being the good wife, that's the cohost of the party she turns around and sees him flirting and dancing with her. And when they get home from the party, she's even like, you need to watch out for that one. And he kind of laughed it off. She goes, I'm not kidding. Yeah. Said no. And she was giving him that warning going. I know what's going on. Cut it out.
Steve:Yes. And so before we get into how sad he makes her at the very end, let's talk about one of the funnier scenes from that story arc.
Stephen:So
Steve:who again with me, I call Mr. Bean,
Stephen:right? Rowan Atkinson. Who is
Steve:Mr. Bean?
Stephen:Yes, but a British actor that is so funny and so many things. So Harry is going out Christmas shopping with his wife. And secretary Mia is like, get me something that I want because my body is for you. It's all for you. So get me something pretty. So while they're at like the British version of Macy's
Steve:I think it's called Macy's.
Stephen:There was no sign on the side of the building.
Steve:I think that's just a thing that you wouldn't see in movies because of copyright laws and not wanting to pay Macy's,
Stephen:but So she goes off to get presents for some of the family members and says, I'll be back. And he decides, this is the time to go get something for me and goes to the jewelry counter, inter Rowan Atkinson. And Harry finds a necklace that he likes and Rowan Atkinson's like, would you like me to give throughout that full year? And he's like, sure, sure. And he's like in a hurry. So Harry keeps pressuring him and Rowan Atkinson is. Like, it's going to be beautifully gift-wrapped but it's taking about 368 days to wrap this necklace.
Steve:I was going to say the amount of effort he put into that was the amount of effort that I put into the Christmas gifts for you and your family. The first year that I met you. And I like was trying to impress you all so much by how awesome I wrapped my gifts. I was like, that was what was going to get me in on the family. And so I. So over the top, that, that was what I was like though, was just like, you know, it was an outlet, like a half an hour per like CD case basically shaped a gift.
Stephen:So that was why there was a cinnamon stick on all of our gifts that year. That makes sense.
Steve:There you go. Although I was not as crafty, I liked probably glued stick to it too.
Stephen:Well. Do you want to, so he's taking all this time. Gift wrapping this and Harry keeps like, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up because he wants to get it done before his wife gets back. So she doesn't see that he's bought jewelry. For someone else. Yeah. Do you want to tell the fun thing about Rowan Atkinson's character?
Steve:Yes. Well, because when you're watching it, the whole joke or the gig that people remember from, it was just how ridiculously long it, it was almost like he was just anal retentive for OCD about his job. But in the earlier versions of the script, he was actually an angel. And so part of the whole bit of him trying to delay it all was to try and delay him from getting the gift for the other woman, instead of his wife,
Stephen:trying to get him to change his mind. Like, this is a bad
Steve:idea. And like the guys, like Alex, Ellen Redmond's character was like, I'm still going to do it. And he's like, but it's a bad idea. And so it completely changes the whole idea of whether he's just being a persnickety employee or like when he, now he's like a little
Stephen:and we just rewatched this and that subtext is totally there. And it's fantastic too. See it that way and I will never see it any other way again. And it actually holds up for a later scene in the movie, which we'll get to later,
Steve:he ends up getting the gift anyway, and Emma thinks that it's for her and it's not, it's some seedy
Stephen:and because she loves Joni Mitchell and she had made a comment to him saying, you know, usually get me scarves and he knew how much she loved Joni Mitchell. So what sucks is he did actually put. Thought and care into this Joni Mitchell collector's edition thing that he got for her,
Steve:but she also knew that he got jewelry and the some size shape box. And it wasn't for her at that point, I think I don't care what was in that box and whether it was a scarf or attorney Mithril CD either way and resulted in her, breaking down at the school play with
Stephen:this. Yes.
Love Actually Clip:Imagine your husband and come Christmas gave it some. Would you wait around to find out if it's just a necklace or if it's it's an actress and would you say, would you.
Stephen:Which it just breaks your heart. And it's such a good performance by Emma Thompson. Again, another actress who doesn't give bad performances. She's so good. And at the end of all this you're wondering, will there won't they stay together and in the same interview on VH1 writer, director, Richard Curtis has confirmed. That Karen and Harry do work things out and stay together.
Steve:Yes. Well, before we move on to a different one, while we were watching his Christmas party as well, I wanted to know what it was like, because I've never been to a company work Christmas party that was somewhere big and fancy and snazzy. And so I always assumed it was a TV or movie thing. Like how prompts, like don't exist for like teenagers in her life. Anything like anything you've ever seen on any of the high school? Problems.
Stephen:So I can actually say that if you work for a large enough company that has enough money, you're going to get a hell of a Christmas party. So I used to work for the EWS scripts company. And at that time they owned the peanuts corporation and, you know food network, HGTV and a ton of different things. So. There was some bank there. And first Christmas party there that I can remember was at this amazing venue in Newport, Kentucky, just across the river Valley parking had a live band, DJ, lots of food, dancing drinks, gorgeous decorations. And it was just. Like that Christmas party in the movie, it was something kind of magical and things that you think only exist on TV, but Nope, it was for real.
Steve:Yeah, it certainly was.
Stephen:Well, darling, which one would you like to hit up next?
Steve:Wow. Well, I would always say why don't we or what did I learn during all of my, my podcasting conference? It was you eat the worm because there, the early bird eats the room. You eat the worm first. So. That's when you like to start with the thing you are looking forward to the least. And I don't like the plot line with the ugly guy who goes to America for the American girls who sleep with him because he's British.
Stephen:And I'm good with us skimming over that almost
Steve:entirely. I mean, I summarize the entire plot is that he's just a giant loser. In Britain. And so he decides to, you know, have better luck with women who go to America. And I just, you know, it would be silly, you know, enough, but I was hoping like, you know, when he got there, like, it was like maybe like he had like a real love thing. But the fact that it was just like the three bimbo to, of bimbo girls with the, so over the top, I mean, I know it's acting and I know it's supposed to be, you know, that's part of the comedy aspect of what makes it a romantic comedy. But I wonder if that's how British people think about American girls and like, think about us American.
Stephen:I doubt it
Steve:because I don't know between that and the president.
Stephen:Well, Yeah. I mean,
Steve:I mean, nowadays we have a coming, but back then, back, back then it was seen as a personal tech nowadays. We'd be like,
Stephen:yeah. Fair enough. Yeah. Agreed.
Steve:So would you have any final thoughts on them?
Stephen:It was funny. It was absurd. It's it's good. Non serious. Filler in all of it. And I don't hate it.
Steve:I was gonna say the one part that makes, made me smile was when they were doing the whole British words versus English words.
Stephen:What is that bottle?
Steve:Well, yeah, but then when they got to table and they're like, Oh,
Stephen:it's the same.
Steve:Yeah. Yeah. I liked that part.
Stephen:That one's funny.
Steve:Yes.
Stephen:I would say then let's go to. Sarah Carl and her brother, Michael?
Steve:Yes. That's another one where I was not as huge of a fan, but it's a girl who's been in love with a coworker for pretty much since she started everyone at work knows including him. And even though he never approaches her at all, even though he knows that she's interested in, and then he puts the onus on her,
Stephen:which I'm like. Yeah, you could have, like, if she's worked there all those years and you know that you like her, and if you even had an inkling or I'm sorry that you know that she likes you, and if you and her had an inkling that you might like her make a move. Dammit. Yeah, I that's one of the things that annoys me, that everyone was like, Oh, Sarah has to make the move. No, Sarah doesn't have to make the move. Carl can make a move. Obviously, Sarah hadn't made the move because she was too scared to make the move.
Steve:And she was also busy caring for her sick brother.
Stephen:Yes. He's in a mental institution and their parents are dead. And so they're. In England now, obviously if you've seen it, you know, they're American. And so she feels responsible for him and he calls her on her cell phone all the time. She always answers, which
Steve:I used to think was always the, Oh, what a good sister thing. But now that we're working in healthcare and I've done so many trainings and education that I've received on caring for the caregiver. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of someone else. And so she should not have been answering that phone
Stephen:that night. Right. And she, shouldn't not she's let it interrupt her job. She let her interrupt her personal and romantic life because finally at the Christmas party, Carl does make a move and invites her to dance, and it leads to them going back to her apartment. And they're almost about to have sex and her brother Michael calls repeatedly, she keeps taking the call and finally says that she'll come over to the hospital and visit him. And
Steve:how many times have we watched this together?
Stephen:At least once a year for every year we've been together.
Steve:This is the first time I noticed her areola, like,
Stephen:Oh yeah, she was totally topless. And
Steve:it was a brief flash for like one second. But it's the first time I wasn't ever like
Stephen:boob. Yep. Laura Lenny is just, I mean, she's fearless in that way. Yeah. And she's very body positive with that. And so in the end, Sarah decides to choose. Taking care of her brother over her own personal happiness and wellbeing. And she comes to just accept it. And so it's definitely not one of the happier endings but she chose what she felt she had to do. Carl didn't have any development, so I don't really care what happens to him.
Steve:Yes, well, me either. And that was why I was like, whatever happens to him. He's I don't understand why she would be into him for that long. I mean, have you ever had a work
Stephen:crush? No, because usually they're I'm usually able to gay at work. Yes.
Steve:I remember I had to work crushed when I worked at best buy, because it was like right out of college. And I still didn't know to me, like gay people. And it was a gay guy that worked in geek squad, which adds up as I'm sure you can imagine. And, but he was like happily, like with a boyfriend and it was never anything more than just like. Working together, but I always, like, I think a part of it was mostly just because he had a boyfriend that I kind of had like a little work crush on him. Cause he was the only other gay too.
Stephen:That's cute. Yeah. Let's go to John and just Judy.
Steve:Yes. And who were they again?
Stephen:So John is Martin Freeman, which most people now know him as playing the Hobbit in the Hobbit live action movies, all 37 of them.
Steve:Yes. Oh, don't get, those will not be future episodes. Sorry, Hobbit fans.
Stephen:So John and just Judy, which is funny because in the credits and everything she is referred to as just Judy,
Steve:that is funny. I was, I didn't realize that.
Stephen:That, because at the beginning he says they're introducing themselves, their body stand-ins for movies. And he goes, you know He didn't, he called me John, but I actually prefer to go by Jack and she goes, okay, well, he had me write I'm just Judy. And he goes, okay, just Judy. And so that's how she ends up in the credits. And I am DB is just Judy they're professional. Stand-ins. And the movie that they're doing involves sex scenes and a lot of nudity. It's not important because the sets are too good. And he talks about having been a stand in for. Brad Pitt at one time. So there's all these uncomfortable situations where they're naked and touching each other and simulating sex. But the conversations they're having are so sweet and innocent and totally mundane things. So it's like they're meeting for coffee and having those types of conversations
Steve:while they're both like naked on top of each other, simulating sex penetration.
Stephen:It's funny. It's cute. It's quirky. And,
Steve:and that's at the end. She's so awkward when she's like, Oh, I want for Christmas. Is you? And I'm like, well, that's the money shot for Mariah?
Stephen:Well, and like they, whenever they finally go on the date and they have this awkward, like trying to decide if they're going to kiss each other. And you just remember that, you know, 20 minutes ago in the movie, they were naked on top of each other and had their hands deliver each other, but now they're afraid to kiss and it's really sweet and I liked it a whole bunch.
Steve:Yeah. I really, I think they're a cute couple.
Stephen:Yeah, that one is good. Now let's go over to Mark Juliet and Peter.
Steve:Okay.
Stephen:So that one is the one with Rick Grimes.
Steve:Oh, Rick Grimes. Yeah. So first of all, like that's the one that everyone always knows because of the, the signs.
Stephen:Yeah. Yeah. It has the iconic note cards at the end.
Steve:Yes. And while that's a very iconic thing though, the whole plot summary of it. Isn't as cute for me. I mean, it was a friend being in love with his best friends. Now wife stocks are like through the wedding to the point where he's like, I couldn't give two fucks about his friend exactly. Of his wedding. Like
Stephen:Juliette thinks that Mark hates her this whole time. And he says that it was self preservation that he distanced himself and made himself aloof because that was the way he had to protect his heart. And she finally figures out. That he's into her from watching the letter he took at their wedding and everything is her and closeups of her. And if she were married, this would be the type of thing you'd be like, Oh, that really is sweet. That's really cute. But because
Steve:it's, it's just completely inappropriate if he really is best friends with this guy, especially since it sounds like. He doesn't really know her, that they really like kind of ignore each other or that he like, you know, doesn't how, how could he be again, this is one of those, how can he be so in love with a stranger, he doesn't know situations that I ask about a couple of times in these movies. Cause the ones where you fall in love with the best in the movies, obviously. But I mean, the, it just doesn't seem like a very good thing. I mean, an a plus, I mean, she had just turned 18 guy.
Stephen:She, the actress had just turned 18. Her character is definitely in her twenties. But what's, it is funny that Juliet played by Keira Knightley had just turned 18 when she was filming this and Sam who isn't in a sick scene that we're coming up. Was 13, but he was playing like 10. Yeah. And so they're five years apart playing completely opposite story.
Steve:Yeah. Well, that's a very big difference of five years though. Yeah. Your teen years.
Stephen:So at the end, he shows up on Christmas Eve to her house. Juliet answers the door and he's there with the cue cards and says, you know, say it's Carol singers. And so everybody's seen that parodied and reenacted and a bunch of different
Steve:things, right. It's basically saying like, I'm just saying, I love you and you don't have to say it back and Merry Christmas.
Stephen:I needed to get it off my chest. And finally say it. And, you know, it has the whole, to me, your perfect. Yes. Which is a great line
Steve:to me. Your perfect love.
Stephen:Well, thank you journaling. I appreciate that very much.
Steve:Yes. We have a much healthier relationship than those two because we're actually married to each other. And why? I mean, none of that, like, I don't see how, like his actions are admirable as a best friend or a humane or not. And I don't see how she's being an honest new wife, not telling her husband about this just after their wedding. Yes. So there's so much wrong with the way that the three of them were all interacting with each other. That it does distract me from the happiness of the cue card scene. But the cue cards scene individually is very cutely parodied often.
Stephen:Yeah. And at the end, after he's done all that and he's walking away, he says, okay, enough now. So he is going to officially move on and just be the friend he needs to be. And. He said what he needed to say, and he's just going to go on. And so I think, you know, I still like the storyline a lot. Whenever you look at it, think about it and look deep into it. Like we did for the show, you see all the things where like, Oh, he has not a good friend at all.
Steve:I saw this, like, I think I saw it like a year or two ago, but it was more of just like, it's the whole, like. When you think it through and when you're trying to think about it critically, it's kinda cause cracks all over it.
Stephen:Yes. Let's talk about Billy Mack and his manager, Joe.
Steve:This is one of my favorites and this is why it has the comedy and romantic comedy because he is a washed up drugged out, recovered, heroin addict. Rocker who is coming back with his new Christmas song where he just takes one of his old classics and replaces it with the word Christmas.
Stephen:Yeah. It used to be lovers all around. And so now it's Christmas is all around.
Steve:Yes. And so it's it's a journey of just telling everyone how it is. So brutally honest and everyone just being so pleasantly surprised by the brutal honesty when the, that. Industry is normally so full of shit that, going up into like the boy band that they're basically knocking off, like Backstreet boys are in sync at the time. And like writing that, you know, they're all saying in a little speech bubble, like we have little pricks. Yeah. And then telling this message to the children of the world
Love Actually Clip:Is an important message from your uncle girl, don't buy drugs, become a pop star and they give you them.
Steve:I mean, I can say I had an uncle bill and he was not as cool as that uncle.
Stephen:Well, and so one of the things that's interesting is the song is not good and it wouldn't have sold anything, but his honesty about how bad it is and everything like that makes him endearing too. The viewer honoring its audience. And so people start buying the CD
Steve:and play it. See promises that if it reaches number one and beats the boy band, but he'll get, he'll go naked on his performance on Christmas Eve, Dave,
Stephen:and he, and does number one. And, you know, he finds out and then Elton John calls and says, come over to my Christmas party and he's like send a really big car and I'll be over. And so he goes, and you know, like there's been jokes about between he. That he would say about his manager that, you know, it was a
Steve:typical elected. The manager was an out of shape, middle aged fat guy.
Stephen:And I was like, what am I going to do the rest of my life with my FA manager,
Steve:the ugliest piece knew the ugliest human in the world. And I'm so sad, empathetic if I'm stuck with him on Christmas. And after being an old John's for half an hour, he comes home just to spend Christmas with him. And he
Stephen:says that, you know, When he started thinking about it, that the person that Billy Mack loves most in the world is Joe. And that he feels very lucky to have gotten, to spend his life with the love of his life, even though it was platonic. And, and
Steve:it just goes to show that, I mean, because love stories don't have to be romantic and like, this is a love story of two. Great friends who don't always communicate it to one another
Stephen:and probably have never communicated it to one another. And. It's absolutely fantastic. And it's definitely a high point of comedy for the movie. And at the end really warms your heart with that scene in the flat. So let's move over to Daniel and Sam, which is Liam Neeson.
Steve:Yes. And the little ginger kid
Stephen:and the little ginger kid. So Liam Neeson plays Daniel and his wife just died. And I don't know why. I didn't think about this question before now. Liam Neeson is Sam's stepfather. And now I want to know in this whole time, because Sam stays to live with Daniel, his stepfather, after the mother dies. Where is Sam's biological father. It is never spoken. No,
Steve:I would have to assume based off of the writing choices made in other plots that the writer is against divorce because Alan Rickman and Ms. Stay together. And so I would assume that the dad died a long time ago as well.
Stephen:Yeah. Bennett have been that long ago because it had to have been like. Eight years or so, because
Steve:that's a long time for an eight year old,
Stephen:I guess,
Steve:but I mean, you know, you know, or like it was a one and done type of thing, but I, I don't think that, like there was a guy out there in the picture that they could have called to send him to, to live. I think that we in Mason was the only option because at first you can tell that that relationship is very awkward and uncomfortable after the loss, as it would, right. B
Stephen:and he doesn't know how to navigate being a step-dad. Just saying I'm by doing it alone. When he was part of a team, he got it. But when he asked to play both roles, he's not sure how to do it. And Sam is down a little bit and he finally gets Daniel finally gets it out of Sam. That Sam is in love with a girl at school. One of the things that I love that even though this is 2003, which isn't that long ago for. Gay acceptance. It was. And Daniel has a line where he says you know, what about what is about he or. Or she, or he, and so automatically is like my eight, nine, 10 year old could be in love with a boy, whatever, just glossed over. It's
Steve:great. Yes. And I love that entire story because they do bond because Sam learns to play the drums to get an order to woo her while she sings her big Christmas song at the school play in the finale. And he actually has an experience that we share as well, which was learning to play the drums as we were growing up.
Stephen:Yes. I was in the percussion in band because I had gotten this thing with my braces that went into the roof of my mouth. So I could not Play the saxophone properly. So I had to switch from Sachs over to percussion.
Steve:Yes. And I'm horribly tone deaf. And so I couldn't listen to the difference between notes and I was never really great at reading music, I think because I could never tell the difference between notes. And so I did percussion because it's the one where all you need to know is how to hit things on time. And I did it quite well.
Stephen:And The girl that he's in love with her name is Joanna, which is also Sam's mother's name. And you know, he plays in her band for all I want for Christmas is you at the school play and. Doesn't get her right there. But Liam Neeson says, you know what, let's go to the airport
Steve:and chased her down. And it's the cutest little airport chase.
Stephen:It's such a good area for chasing. And I love me some airport chasing
Steve:Mr. Bean comes back
Stephen:and he does. And this is where that you can totally tell that it was originally written as an angel. Because this is post nine 11. So you have to have a boarding pass to get past security, which didn't use to be a thing for those that are maybe a little young listening to this. And so Mr. Bean distracts the guard while Sam runs in and then Mr. Bean turns around and gives a kind of wink and a nod to Liam Neeson. And now knowing that he's the angel, it totally all
Steve:tracks. Yeah. Like normally then that's when he would have like glittered away into angelness. And I liked that they kept in just not specified because this didn't seem like a movie, like a movie that needed a fantasy element. No,
Stephen:but I like that the acute all the way I like that it's there
Steve:and she likes him back.
Stephen:Yes. And they get a cute little kiss on the cheek, which is age appropriate. Yeah. And it, and then after he gets the kiss and she gets on her plane, Sam runs and jumps into Liam. Neeson's arms solidifying the new bond that they've made as father and son. And it's fantastic.
Steve:Another great love story between a father and a son.
Stephen:Exactly.
Steve:Yes. And now speaking of a love relationship, that's not age appropriate. Can we talk about the president now? We,
Stephen:well, we can talk about the prime minister now,
Steve:whatever, they're the same thing. It's the president of Britain
Stephen:kind of, I mean, I know all of her British listeners.
Steve:I know. And we actually do have a couple, but no, I, I know it's the prime minister. I just forget. Sometimes I remember that, that in this movie as the, president's the bad guy as we, as we,
Stephen:yes, because the president of the United States is a Dick. Yup. And he does show up in the movie and he's not nice. So we have prime minister, David and Natalie. Prime minister. David is new in the office. He was just installed. In November, leading up to Christmas, Natalie is also new on his staff is kind of like his personal assistant, not secretary doing any hard work, but like there with his mail and his tea. And. His biscuits and what is nice is a lot of these stories interact. The prime minister. Sister is Karen Emma Thompson. Yeah. Karen is Daniel Liam. Neeson's best friend. And then you had like one that we'll get to Colin Firth. It's Jamie is good friends with Sarah. Laura Linney. And so like there's all these that go
Steve:around over like
Stephen:yeah. Yeah. Like the knowing British guy that goes to the U S T a yeah. Laid his best friend is works on the movie sets with John and just Judy, like, okay. It all interweaves and it's really well done. And this was all prior to The Valentine's day movie, the mother's day movie
Steve:inspired all of those types. Sure.
Stephen:But it's, it's the most successful version of all of them, but yes, let's get to prime minister and Natalie right off the bat. She's endearing because she starts cursing in front of him. Cause she's nervous. Yeah. And he just. He giggles and finds it endearing as well. Soon after he's installed the president of the United States is coming for a visit and that's touchy
Steve:with her.
Stephen:Yeah. And everybody knows that the us and UK have a special relationship and our president is not good. And making zero concessions with the. UK people. And he gets touchy feely with Natalie prime minister, David walks in and thinks it's consensual and that she was okay with it and he's hurt because he was having feelings. He words things a little. Incorrectly to his actual chief of staff and saying, could you redistribute Natalie? Because now he doesn't want that around because he realizes he has feelings for her, but she doesn't. And it ends up getting Natalie fired and sent away. And he gets a Christmas card from Natalie and where she's like, you know, nothing happened and I'm. Yours, your Natalie. And so he gets one of his drivers to head off to the dodgy end of the area where she's from to go
Steve:yes, the dodgy area, which is not dodgy. I mean, I don't even think it's dodgy in England. It's not like England is all, you know, little white houses that are all ticky-tacky and super nice either. Right. But I like, I'm sure England has ghettos. And that is certainly not the bad part of any town.
Stephen:No, like Jack, the ripper would not be going down this road now. And, but he doesn't know which house is hers. So it's a cute thing of him knocking on doors, trying to find the right one. And he does and things that I love about this at the end are, you know, he's at the school and runs into his sister. Who's just found out that her husband had the stuff going on. So that was a really cute. Brothers sisters seen. And you know, they're trying to be secretive backstage between he and Natalie and when the song's over, then everyone sees them kissing. And so that was very, yeah, that was really sweet too.
Steve:Yeah. I love it. Yeah. Idea than like being like living out in prep. But I also love the idea, I mean, with the prime minister and where the whole idea is that he's knocking door to door, I'm like he would obviously be able to also have anyone have a secret service because she was an employee have her entire background check and have her address, like on a text away. Yeah.
Stephen:So I thought, I didn't
Steve:know, then not so much, but then again, that wouldn't work with the plot.
Stephen:No, it wouldn't have been as cute.
Steve:And so am I missing one or did we save the best for last now?
Stephen:And we saved the best for
Steve:last. All right. Well, why don't you? So
Stephen:Jamie and Raylea Jamie is Colin Firth. And he's a writer and found out his wife was cheating on him. So he heads to France to write his new book. He's a horror writer, kind of like Stephen King and Raylea is going to be his housekeeper cook personal assistant while he's there.
Steve:The problem is they don't speak the same language.
Stephen:Now, even though it's in France, she's Portuguese. And he doesn't speak French or Portuguese and she doesn't speak English or French. And so
Steve:how will they connect? How will they work together?
Stephen:It's really cute. Like the scene where all of his manuscript flies into the Lake and they both dive in to try to get all the pages saved.
Steve:He's like, I hope there's not
Stephen:eels. And she's like, quit flopping around there. You'll disturb the eels. But she's saying in a Portuguese, he's saying in English, Neither one knows. And there's a lot of really cute stuff like that.
Steve:Yeah. And I love when they were talking about that, you know, after she tried to save the book and he's like, you know, it's not worth saving and she's like, this better be good. And then he's like, I'll give you 5%. And she's like, how about 50%? So it is cute. How they end up do falling in love with each other. It is my favorite just because I feel like the two actors had such amazing chemistry
Stephen:and what's cute about. That scene on the Lake is that the Lake was only 12 inches deep. So they had to kind of lay down on their stomachs and pretend that they were up to their shoulders and water. And it was really cute how it was all done. And. You know, it's time. Like each day he would drive her home and they would have that time together. And it was his favorite time, her least favorite time, because that meant that their day was done. And so they were both having this relationship. And the neither one could tell the other because they didn't speak
Steve:the language in there. Third act, they got separated. And when they get separated, she takes the initiative and kisses him, which I like. Yeah. And then she walks off and then he goes off and learns Portuguese and she goes and learns English and he comes back. And like leaves this family at Christmas for one of them. I love in the kitchen. Uncle
Stephen:JV ruined Christmas.
Steve:I hate
Stephen:uncle Jamie.
Steve:So, but, but then he looked flat, like flies over it.
Stephen:He goes back to France to find her. Okay.
Steve:I was about to say before circle and I don't think that was right.
Stephen:I
Steve:think it's still France
Stephen:too, even though it might be just a Portuguese section of like our Chinatown. Right. And so like the whole town. Follows her father, as he takes him to the restaurant where she's working,
Steve:because I did the, man's going to propose to his daughter. And it wasn't the other one, which is the one in one word. I mean an unfortunate joke nowadays.
Stephen:Yes. It's a really cute scene where he is speaking in broken Portuguese to her. And it's in a proposal and it's, it's very sweet. And then she responds in
Steve:English and that's the surprise that she had been learning as well, because we didn't know that up until,
Stephen:and he's like, you've learned English and she goes Justin cases. And that always made me smile. And like, this is probably the first year that I didn't tear up at that scene. Cause that usually. It makes me all teary.
Steve:Yes, it is my favorite movie. I do have to say though this time, as I was already being a little more critical than normal after some of our other plots that we were discussing I also did also think though, I mean, as much as this was romantic, because they had such great chemistry and it was well written the whole, you know, Falling in love with someone who doesn't speak your language. Do you feel like that's something realistic or possible that people can do in real life, just as easily as you would if it was your own language?
Stephen:I think so. Cause I
Steve:see, I wonder whether this type of male fantasy from a guy is what caused 90 day fiance to happen. And like all of those, like, you know, I want my Russian order bride and my Portuguese order brighter. I want my women and we don't. Speak the same language. We'll just still just fall in love because we'll just connect.
Stephen:It was their interactions with each other, like the scene after the Lake where they're talking about what type of writery is and what type of book, like you can see that they're developing this relationship together, even though they're both speaking opposite languages. So I think they were both feeling the same thing, even if they couldn't understand each other because You know what they say, you know, love is its own language.
Steve:Yes, it sure is. So, I mean, like I said, my favorite part of the movie, but that was just a question I had this time around. Yes. And so out of all of those, is that your favorite storyline as
Stephen:well? Third percent with the prime minister being second?
Steve:Yes. And if you, if you could make any one small change in any part or any aspect of the movie, what would it be?
Stephen:I think that it would be in the Karen and Harry section, I would make it not ambiguous as to what happened with he and the secretary Mia, because you honestly don't know. Was it just a necklace or wasn't a necklace and sex? You don't know? Cause it's it's context clues and you. It used to be made.
Steve:I know, I think that the necklace and the, the emotional fair would have been worse than anything, but I mean, it would have been, you know, inquiring minds, but also want to know, of course, especially, I mean, I can't imagine that's a conversation that the two of them didn't have. Off screen.
Stephen:And, but I also wonder, I don't know if it was an emotional affair. I think it was purely sexual on his part. I couldn't
Steve:tell. It just seemed very icky. I didn't like it.
Stephen:No, it's that's yeah.
Steve:Well, if I can make one change, there was a cut storyline that I wish they had included. It was about a lesbian who was going to be the headmaster of the school, caring for her dying. A lover who is on hospice. And so it was cut. I'm hoping from like earlier, just a cause of time. Cause this is a longer movie. And B just also, I mean, I can understand after working through hospice, it's a beautiful thing that provides support to a lot of people, but it's also not exactly like Christmas, happiness, romantic comedy. And so I don't know whether they maybe just couldn't get the tone of it. Right. Hopefully it had nothing to do with the fact that it was lesbian.
Stephen:No, I doubt that that's it. And maybe they couldn't find a way to. Weave it into
Steve:the headmistress of the school originally. So that's how it would have been connected all. And if she would have been the one putting on the play. Gotcha. But they, they, they took it out for whatever reason. I would have loved to see what that had looked like,
Stephen:maybe in a thing maybe in the end, after the whole Karen and Harry and Sarah and Carl, they were like, that's enough. Sad.
Steve:Yeah. That is enough. Say it. I think. And so being going or less ending in on happy what was your happiest part of the whole movie?
Stephen:I think it's a tie between the airport chasing stuff and the Jamia Raylea proposal.
Steve:Yes. And I think it's probably like the Lake scene with the talk afterwards with Jamie and Australia as well. Just the, you know, the, the speaking the same language, even if it was a different language. And what are some other fun facts that you have about the movie darling?
Stephen:Well, it really wasn't an ensemble film. It wasn't, it was not originally an ensemble film. It was originally two separate films.
Steve:Yes. But they ended up merging it into one, which I think ended up working out perfectly
Stephen:for them. Yes. They merged it into one and fleshed it out and made it Into what it is now, because it was originally the prime minister's story was its own movie and the Jamia Raylea story was its own movie. And, and you can tell
Steve:that those two have a little bit of an extra touch or like an extra care with their writing, writing in the direction.
Stephen:Yeah, I absolutely agree. I think, and because I it'd be interesting to find out. Which has the most screen time, if it's those two have more screen time than the rest of them. But I love the way that it ended up. Yes, I do as well. Absolutely. Fantastic. Also the opening and closing scenes that you see at the airport, all feature real people reuniting with their loved ones at the airport. There are no actors. The scenes were shot using hidden cameras to show that yes, actually love is all around.
Steve:Yes. And of course, as soon as they got the reunion on hidden camera, they ran and got consent forms as well.
Stephen:Right. Because you can't appear on camera without without giving your consent. And so we do have One other fun fact.
Steve:Yes. And I don't know this one as well about the inspiration for the surprise wedding singers.
Stephen:So, and it was in the Juliet Peter wedding at the very beginning of the movie that people popped up To play instruments and sing for Juliet and Peter. And that is actually based off of Jim Henson's funeral ceremony, where they had Muppets that popped up to do they sang the rainbow connection. And so it was the performers like that are the puppeteers for Kermit and piggy and everybody that. Kind of like a flash mob of singing.
Steve:Yeah. Oh, that would have been really cute. I wish I was there. I'm sure it was packed.
Stephen:Yes.
Steve:With humans and puppets on each hand. Yes.
Stephen:And we do have some fans of the week this week. Oh
Steve:really? I love all of our fans, but our fans of the week, I always love a little bit extra that week.
Stephen:So we asked some people what their favorite holiday and Christmas movies are. Tim said it was Disney's one magic Christmas. He said it's not very well known, but it's one of the most heartwarming and touching holiday movies he's ever watched. I don't think I've ever watched Disney's one magic Christmas, so we kind of need to find that one.
Steve:Okay. Like I say, cause like, I mean, in terms of rare Jim Henson, Christmas movies, I mean, Christmas toy was one of the railroad ones that I watched growing up that I don't think a lot of people like, and I remember reading or know about. And I remember liking fondly when I was younger.
Stephen:And I don't think I've seen that one either. Cory Whiting says it's a Christmas story. Simple reminds her of the excitement of the days leading up to Christmas time as a kid. And the narration is a lot funnier as an adult. You know, getting ready to have your own kids. Jennifer Hatcher says it's a wonderful life and elf are her favorites elf because it's hilarious. And it's a brilliant nod to Claymation classics from her childhood. And Brady foster powers says that it's white Christmas.
Steve:Why he gotta be white, the
Stephen:costuming, the actors, the singing, the dancing, the storyline.
Steve:I guess that's why.
Stephen:And he watched it with both of his grandmothers growing up so that there's a big family nostalgia with all of that. And so this is obviously my favorite Christmas movie. What would be your favorite Christmas movie, darling?
Steve:I would say, I mean, this is a moving movie. There was a Christmas special, the Muppet family Christmas that I watched every year. And so it's an hour. So I don't know whether you consider that a movie or not, but that would be count yearly, yearly tradition from the year I was born to now. I've always watched that. So that's my favorite Christmas movie and tradition.
Stephen:And it's really good. And I know that that's big in your family and I had watched it. As like a four or five or six year old, somewhere in there, but I hadn't seen it until we got together. And then we watch it every year with your family.
Steve:Yeah. Yes we do. And so any final thoughts on the Christmas and holiday season for our listeners?
Stephen:There are so many good Christmas movies and whether your favorite Christmas movies are. Classics, whether they're love actually or die hard, or if they're on hallmark or Netflix, whatever it is, just enjoy it and love it and feel the magic,
Steve:especially this year when we're not going to be doing much else over the holiday weekends.
Stephen:Yeah. So enjoy the Christmas movies and. Let it fill your heart. What about you, darling?
Steve:Yes. And I would say you can also, while you are watching your holiday movies over your holiday break, you can also catch up on some of our past episodes. So you can. Chime in, in our discussion, you can also find us on our website, www dot happy life, pod.com or email us@happylifepodatgmail.com.
Stephen:You can find us on Twitter at happy life pod. We've always got all of our episodes on there and
Steve:most active probably I would say on Facebook is facebook.com backslash happy life pod. So find us there, join the conversation.
Stephen:And if you find us on. Apple podcasts, make sure to be kind and leave us a five star review. It helps other people to find the happiness along the way. And we look forward to having you interact with us in future episodes.
Steve:Yes. I would say if you are listening. The week that this comes out, which is the week of Christmas, you do still have time to send us an email with your favorite, best OFS of 2020. For next week's episode, we'll really be talking about our favorite bits of pop culture of movies, TV shows, video games, and the like that brought us happiness through the year that you might want to check out just in case you miss them.
Stephen:And until next time everyone
stay happy.