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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

Love Actually

Love Actually is a 2003 British romantic comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Love Actually is a 2003 British romantic comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis. Set in London in the weeks before Christmas, it follows multiple interwoven love stories with a large ensemble cast.

What it is

Love Actually is a romantic comedy film that uses an ensemble structure to tell several interrelated stories about romantic and familial relationships. The narrative unfolds in London during the lead-up to Christmas and culminates around Christmas Eve. It was Richard Curtis’s first feature as director from his own screenplay.

Key details

The film stars actors including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, and Bill Nighy. It was released in 2003, runs 135 minutes, and was produced by Universal Pictures. The film was shot largely in London and has a runtime of 135 minutes.

Why it matters

Love Actually achieved commercial success upon release and received mixed reviews from critics, but it became a popular seasonal title with audiences. It has remained a frequently revisited holiday film and is often discussed as a modern Christmas staple. The film has had wide release and long-term popularity in Canada as a seasonal holiday title, especially during the Christmas period.

In short

  • Love Actually is a 2003 British romantic comedy with an ensemble cast.
  • It was written and directed by Richard Curtis.
  • The film is set in London during the weeks before Christmas.
  • It is widely considered a modern Christmas staple.
Canadian angle

The film has had wide release and long-term popularity in Canada as a seasonal holiday title, especially during the Christmas period.

Quick questions

Who directed Love Actually?
Love Actually was written and directed by Richard Curtis.
What kind of film is Love Actually?
It is a romantic comedy film with an ensemble cast and multiple interwoven stories.
When was Love Actually released?
Love Actually was released in 2003.

Sources

  1. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/
    Supports: Release year, genre, plot summary, and setting in London before Christmas.
  2. FilmAffinityhttps://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film153436.html
    Supports: Ensemble structure, London setting, and pre-Christmas timeline.
  3. RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/love-actually-2003
    Supports: Richard Curtis as writer-director and overview of the ensemble romantic-comedy structure.
  4. Swankhttps://www.swank.com/digital-campus/details/19428-love-actually
    Supports: Release year, runtime, cast, studio, and plot details.
  5. Apple TVhttps://tv.apple.com/us/movie/love-actually/umc.cmc.4uh20jmb3nmfzl4pp6fvcc1rd
    Supports: Plot description, setting, ensemble structure, and 2003 release year.