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AIBU?

To always cry at the Emma Thompson bits in Love Actually?

188 replies

summerbreezer · 29/08/2013 20:20

Against my will, I've been forced to watch LA this evening. I find this film to be cheesy and irritating..apart from her part.

The bit where she is standing in her room after discovering that her husband has another woman. OMG. Wonderful film making.

It is a good 30 - 40 seconds of watching a woman do nothing, and yet it so beautifully charged with emotion. She blinks back her tears so her children don't see her cry. She goes to straighten the duvet as if it is a reflex action.

Then later on she tells Alan Rickman he has made "the life I lead seem foolish too". So lovely, so dignified. I also like the fact he doesn't get as far as having a physical affair, but that doesn't matter. The damage is done.

Gives me goosebumps.

OP posts:
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ElleBelly · 29/08/2013 20:24

She is brilliant, it's a heartbreaking scene and makes me blub each time too.

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littlemog · 29/08/2013 20:25

Gosh she is fab isn't she? She makes that film worth watching.

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ImATotJeSuisUneTot · 29/08/2013 20:25

I agree completely, its beautifully done. And Joni Mitchells 'Both Sides Now' playing behind her.

Although you're being unreasonable watching it in August - its a Christmas film! :)

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montymum · 29/08/2013 20:25

Yes totally agree. Gets me everytime.

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birdmomma · 29/08/2013 20:25

Me too. The rest of the film is quite silly, but her parts are utterly brilliant.

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Tabby1963 · 29/08/2013 20:26

Gives me goosebumps too. In fact, got them now just thinking about it...

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AnyFucker · 29/08/2013 20:26

Those short scenes are very poignant. She is a terrific actress

Why she felt she wanted to be involved in the pile of crap the rest of the film happens to be, is anyone's guess

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anonacfr · 29/08/2013 20:27

I always cry at that part too. Beautiful understated acting.

I also find the Liam Neeson/stepson moving- I think because it sadly mirrors his real life.

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PiratesMam · 29/08/2013 20:27

That is the best scene by miles - she is fab. She's so good at crying!

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MrsGeologist · 29/08/2013 20:27

YANBU always makes me cry too. I'm not a good marker for what is a sad bit in a film though; I cry at the Muppets' Christmas Carol.

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Eilidhbelle · 29/08/2013 20:27

She's amazing. But I think they do have a physical affair - there's a bit where the girl he is seeing gets out of an unmade bed wearing the necklace - I always thought that he's just left, oooooh!

I love Alan Rickman and I TOTALLY would.

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Finola1step · 29/08/2013 20:28

I don't particularly like the film and I'm not an Emma Thompson fan but that scene on Christmas Day in her bedroom is very, very moving. I have always thought that there must be thousands of women up and down the country who recognise that response of dry your eyes, fake the smile and ignore what he's done. She captures it beautifully.

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GibberTheMonkey · 29/08/2013 20:28

I'm in agreement with the rest of you
The rest of the film is awful, she makes it bearable. Problem is she makes the rest seem even worse by comparison

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FishCalledWonder · 29/08/2013 20:29

Definitely NBU. I wonder if they only sent her the script for her sections so she didn't discover how dire the rest of it was.

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TiredDog · 29/08/2013 20:30

Totally agree. Beautifully played

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Fairylea · 29/08/2013 20:34

Completely agree. One of my favourite film moments.

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Meh84 · 29/08/2013 20:37

Oh me too, especially with that Joni Mitchell song in the back ground. I cry every time

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Yonionekanobe · 29/08/2013 20:38

A wonderful moment in a truly shit film.

But also agree that the funeral scene is even more pioignant now given Liam Neeson's real life.

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OnTheBottomWithAWomensWeekly · 29/08/2013 20:39

You should see her in Last Chance Harvey with Dustin Hoffman. Practically a two hander and made me sob last night.

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Pobblewhohasnotoes · 29/08/2013 20:40

Oh I love this film. The bit where she cries gets me inside. Did he have a physical affair? I think they purposefully made it difficult to tell.

I walked down the aisle to Glasgow Love Theme from Love Actually. It makes me all emotional when I hear it.

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FetchezLaVache · 29/08/2013 20:41

YANBU. There's more acting in that 30-40 second bit than in the rest of the film put together.

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sazzle82 · 29/08/2013 20:41

YANBU, even if in haven't been watching the film and just flick on to that bit it makes me cry

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CocacolaMum · 29/08/2013 20:44

yup makes me tearful too, beautifully done.

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SusuwatariToes · 29/08/2013 20:44

I can never work out how that story line ends though! At the airport at the end there's an awkward cheek kiss as if they are exs that are trying to stay friends for the kids, but it could also be that they are working on things but she hasn't quite forgiven him yet...

YANBU btw, it always makes me cry.

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Dalaimama · 29/08/2013 20:47

It is a fabulous scene - she is brilliant in it, makes me cry always.

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