In “Love Actually” by Richard Curtis, Alan Rickman plays a married man about to give in to adultery. The director recently said that a sequence in the film in particular annoyed him. And we understand why!
Love Actually: Christmas Is All Around Me
If you are fond of romantic comedies, each Christmas period should make you want to immerse yourself in Love Actually. Released in December 2003, the film directed by Richard Curtis is indeed one of the most famous of its kindas well as Love at first sight in Notting Hill. This is an choral film taking place during the end of year celebrations in London. Each character is plagued by dilemmas regarding their love life, whether it’s the British Prime Minister (Hugh Grant), a music star (Bill Nighy), or even a little boy (Thomas Brodie-Sangster).
The romcom contains its share of cult scenes, such as that of Hugh Grant’s dance (which he did not like to shoot), or the sequence in which Andrew Lincoln’s character declares his love for Judith (Keira Knightley ) using signs.
Alan Rickman annoyed
The great strength of Love Actually is before everything its prestigious cast. Richard Curtis has indeed brought together the crème de la crème of British (and Anglophone) cinema. Two huge actors played a couple married for a long time, on the verge of breaking up: Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. Their story denoted with the rest of the scenario since it took on a more dramatic dimension.
During the show organized for the 20th anniversary of the film’s release, director Richard Curtis confided (via Vanity Fair) that Alan Rickman had been annoyed by the filming of a scene. And of course we understand why. Indeed, he did not like to turn the department store scene facing a Rowan Atkinson at the top of his game:
Rowan took his time, he did 11-minute takes (…) he asked to start again (…) and poor Alan got annoyed and grumbled
This scene is crucial in the relationship between Harry (Rickman) and Karen (Thompson). Indeed, it is during this one that he buys a jewel for his work colleague who attracts him. Later, Karen comes across this jewel and thinks it is for her. However, on Christmas day, she discovers that he has not given it to her and understands that it is intended for someone else.
During his purchase, Harry comes across an ultra perfectionist salesman who takes his time to make a gift package. A moment of suspense since he only has a few minutes to buy the jewel without his wife realizing it. Rowan Atkinson therefore really took his time to annoy Alan Rickman, and thus make the scene even more realistic.
