Love Actually [Paperback]

Richard Curtis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 5, 2003

Love Actually is the highly awaited new screenplay and directorial debut from phenomenally popular screenwriter Richard Curtis. Weaving together the stories of ten couples, the movie is as real as our own lives, and as funny, wise, and poignant as only Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral) could create.

Set in contemporary London just before Christmas, the cast includes a lovelorn Prime Minister, an aging rock star, a sexually ambitious assistant, a newly widowed stepfather, a beautiful housekeeper, a straying husband, and other characters entangled in the silly, sloppy, sexy, sweet business of finding love. The film's stellar actors include Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, and others.

Introduced by Richard Curtis, the book features the full screenplay plus outtakes, behind-the-scenes snapshots, and more. With marvelous full-color photographs throughout, this smart, funny, romantic book is a valentine for anyone who still believes that despite the madness and uncertainty of modern life, love actually is all around.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Curtis's previous screenplays include The Tall Guy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bean, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary. Love Actually is his directorial debut.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (December 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312318499
• ISBN-13: 978-0312318499
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful film, a fun screenplay, December 23, 2003

By 

Blake Petit "Novelist, columnist & reviewer" (Ama, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Love Actually (Paperback)

I've been quite pleased at the number of my favorite films whose scripts have been published in recent years, and this book makes a nice addition to that collection. "Love Actually" was a beautiful film, nine great love stories woven together in a way that takes an absurd amount of talent on the writer's part. Richard Curtis, in this book, tells a bit about how the film came about, shares some scenes and storylines that were cut (some before filming, some afterwards), and of course includes the script. With so many storylines being juggled around it would have been quite easy for this story to get jumbled or confusing, but Curtis balances all nine stories perfectly. For those still a bit confused, however, Curtis includes a "family tree" in this book that shows how everyone in the film is linked to everyone else.

The book also includes a gallery of posters for the movie, "Love" Q&As filled out by the stars (you'll be quite surprised to learn which ones are cynics and which are romantics at heart), and tons of photographs throughout. I got this book because, as a movie geek, I wanted to read the screenplay to get a feel for how to write such a story, but this book turned out to be a wonderful volume for those who are just fans of the movie as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great body of work, February 24, 2004

By 

Rochelle Leonor (Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Actually (Paperback)

Richard Curtis is a genius! Although I haven't seen the movie version yet, Love Actually the screenplay heightened my excitement for the movie. The screenplay will leave readers giddy with excitement, eagerly anticipating the turnout of every character's story.

All characters are very human and everyone is looking for love in different forms, which anyone can easily relate to. Readers will find themselves rooting for all characters. The book is also complemented with photos of the movie and budding scriptwriters can pick up points on how to make a screenplay.

The book is masterfully written and it is a great read for those who are looking for love because, as Hugh Grant's character says in the opening scene, "I've got a sneaking suspicion you'll find that love actually is all around."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Script. Great Insider's View, December 18, 2003

By 

"spinbunny" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Actually (Paperback)

I love Richard Curtis.
And I love it when they publish the script with the insider's view of the film and the script. Those who loved "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill" will not be disappointed by this gem of a movie or a book --- the entire script, with deleted scenes and photos is presented along with an indepth interview of Richard Curtis and behind the scenes photos of the shoot.
(And even an explanation of how everyone knows each other, which would help if you saw the movie and were confused the first time, as I was -- also a very funny list of inside jokes is included!)
As well there are interviews with all the cast members on their views on LOVE and a hilarious section on rejected movie posters (this one is even funnier than the treatise of this subject in "4W=1F")
If you love movies, love romantic comedies, love life, or just love love in general this is a great book ... a great gift (especially for Valentine's Day!)
Buy the book, read the movie ... it is worth it!