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alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
What is there to say about this book? I admit that I like Love Actually. It's a nice, fuzzy, gentle movie. Gary is right that there are problems in it, but I think he's poking more holes than it really needs.
I enjoyed reading this; I always like thoughtful reviews, and this is so detailed it was almost like watching the movie again. (He did miss the best joke, though..."Thanks, Ant or Dec" !) I think he was too mean on everyone, but especially Alan Rickman's character. However he clearly put a lot of work into it, and it was very easy to follow along with.
It's a good write up, and it's always good to think about things from the other side, but do keep an open mind while you're reading.
I enjoyed reading this; I always like thoughtful reviews, and this is so detailed it was almost like watching the movie again. (He did miss the best joke, though..."Thanks, Ant or Dec" !) I think he was too mean on everyone, but especially Alan Rickman's character. However he clearly put a lot of work into it, and it was very easy to follow along with.
It's a good write up, and it's always good to think about things from the other side, but do keep an open mind while you're reading.
keysersuze's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun read and, without trying to be dismissive or rude, a good gag gift to be added to the pile of books in the smallest room in the house. The ‘colourful narcotics’ in the title is because the author misread a review referencing ‘colourful neurotics’.
Raymond has decided to make use of the time in lockdown in this pandemic world, to finally write the book he’s been threatening to write for years. The one about how that perennial festive favourite, “Love, Actually”, is not the warm and fuzzy cinematic triumph people think it is.
It is of course, tongue in cheek and should not be seen as a serious argument – plenty of people love and enjoy and watch this film all year round.
The book itself is a scene by scene breakdown the film, character driven. Doing it that way does highlight some of the ridiculous timelines – how does Tony get from being on the set of the adult film to the wedding reception? Why does he do that? He doesn’t appear to be an invited guest but is hanging out the back…
Some of the points are funny and manage to articulate something I hadn’t put my finger on before. The fact that the central premise is that Christmas is a time where you tell the truth, for example. Never has that been a principle in real life Christmas. You spend time with relatives you might have differing views from you, politically or otherwise – Christmas is not the time to tell them you’re vegan because all dairy produced is inhumane. You wrap that all up in a neat bow and pop it in a box, ready to be nice for a few days. You pretend you love that present, you don’t want that last roast potato and you definitely think that one glass of wine is enough.
Other points have been discussed and analysed at length – the affair with Alan Rickman and his secretary, the fact that the central ‘joke’ about Martine McCutcheon’s character is that she’s ‘fat’ and unsuitable for a Prime Minister.
I’d recommend this book as a Christmas present for someone who dislikes the film already, fancies a slightly fun read and will no doubt read bits of it out over the annual family screening of the film.
Raymond has decided to make use of the time in lockdown in this pandemic world, to finally write the book he’s been threatening to write for years. The one about how that perennial festive favourite, “Love, Actually”, is not the warm and fuzzy cinematic triumph people think it is.
It is of course, tongue in cheek and should not be seen as a serious argument – plenty of people love and enjoy and watch this film all year round.
The book itself is a scene by scene breakdown the film, character driven. Doing it that way does highlight some of the ridiculous timelines – how does Tony get from being on the set of the adult film to the wedding reception? Why does he do that? He doesn’t appear to be an invited guest but is hanging out the back…
Some of the points are funny and manage to articulate something I hadn’t put my finger on before. The fact that the central premise is that Christmas is a time where you tell the truth, for example. Never has that been a principle in real life Christmas. You spend time with relatives you might have differing views from you, politically or otherwise – Christmas is not the time to tell them you’re vegan because all dairy produced is inhumane. You wrap that all up in a neat bow and pop it in a box, ready to be nice for a few days. You pretend you love that present, you don’t want that last roast potato and you definitely think that one glass of wine is enough.
Other points have been discussed and analysed at length – the affair with Alan Rickman and his secretary, the fact that the central ‘joke’ about Martine McCutcheon’s character is that she’s ‘fat’ and unsuitable for a Prime Minister.
I’d recommend this book as a Christmas present for someone who dislikes the film already, fancies a slightly fun read and will no doubt read bits of it out over the annual family screening of the film.
poppyjessica's review against another edition
3.0
Since being released in 2003, 'Love Actually' has been branded a Christmas film classic. It is a mess of storylines and borderline nonsensical but I had yet to find a person who could not name at least one thing to like about it... Until along came Gary Raymond with his brutal takedown in 'How Love Actually Ruined Christmas'.
Going in, I thought he would be a lover of the film, using this book to critique the problematic elements. Woah was I wrong! Raymond detests this film, the book acting as a scene by scene takedown of the movie, highlighting every tiny problematic moment as he goes. Some of his points are absolutely fair enough and explain some discomfort I feel when watching the film (What is with the cruelty and fatphobia towards Martine McCutcheon's character?). However, I thought others were a bit of a stretch (Let's just say, an analysis of Hugh Grant addressing Margaret Thatcher's photograph got connected to a cruel reference to her being allergic to sauce - is Richard Curtis really such a clever wordsmith to make this jump?).
Overall, I did enjoy Raymond's sarcastic takedown and it gave me food for thought about what is now a thoroughly outdated film. I just wish the footnotes had not been so erratic - he does not pull this technique off as well as Adam Kay! A quick but forgettable read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Going in, I thought he would be a lover of the film, using this book to critique the problematic elements. Woah was I wrong! Raymond detests this film, the book acting as a scene by scene takedown of the movie, highlighting every tiny problematic moment as he goes. Some of his points are absolutely fair enough and explain some discomfort I feel when watching the film (What is with the cruelty and fatphobia towards Martine McCutcheon's character?). However, I thought others were a bit of a stretch (Let's just say, an analysis of Hugh Grant addressing Margaret Thatcher's photograph got connected to a cruel reference to her being allergic to sauce - is Richard Curtis really such a clever wordsmith to make this jump?).
Overall, I did enjoy Raymond's sarcastic takedown and it gave me food for thought about what is now a thoroughly outdated film. I just wish the footnotes had not been so erratic - he does not pull this technique off as well as Adam Kay! A quick but forgettable read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
zooloo1983's review against another edition
4.0
I am going to say it right off the bat, I like Love Actually. When I first saw it, I thought it was cute and I loved how everyone linked and yes it made me laugh and cry. I took it at face value. Over the years, I realised some things weren’t that romantic and cute about this film Andrew Lincoln/ Keira Knightley and Alan Rickman/Emma Thompson, but it is still easy to watch and I still enjoy it.
Then this book came along and I just had to read it because well its a book based on a film! My favourite kind.
This book! It made me laugh, it made me think but it also made me open my eyes and rethink what the frick was happening in that film. I can’t remember the last time I watched this film, it has been years and years but I do want to rewatch it even more so now.
Every scene is scrutinised, but not in a bashing way, although some scenes deserve it, but it a logical way. I didn’t realise how much fat-shaming had been done! Seemingly innocent scenes take on a new meaning with the book. Daniel (Liam Neeson) grieving his wife and Karen (Emma Thompson) telling him to stop crying or he won’t get laid (paraphrasing here) just isn’t funny now, his wife hasn’t even been buried yet! When I watched the film originally, I didn’t even think of that but now, well now I cringe at the thought.
For me, the infamous scene with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson and the whole CD/necklace saga. Yes, Alan Rickman is still completely in the wrong but the authors take on it made me rethink the entire scene in a good way but he is still wrong!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think every film needs a book like this. It was fascinating to read and I felt I could picture each scene in my head as we dissected it. Every nuance, every word spoken, action taken. I sped through this book because even know we know how the film ends, I didn’t know how the book would end. It was insightful watching the film through another perspective and I took off my rose-tinted glasses to see the film in another light. Amazing what film directors got away with back in the day, with the innuendos, fat-shaming, class shaming, sexual predators. This film wouldn’t have been made in this day, and to be honest, not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
Don’t get me wrong, I will watch the film again and I will probably enjoy the film again, it is escapism especially if you don’t look for the deeper meanings. I mean Hugh Grant, thank you. I will, however, watch it with fresh eyes and see it how it should be seen, at its rawest and ugliest form. The author hasn’t made me hate the film, yet, but gave me a new appreciation for it. I will, however, always enjoy the Hugh Grant dancing scene.
I applaud Mr Raymond for writing this book, it was witty, insightful and I felt like we were having a conversation whilst reading it. These are the types of conversations I love, discussing movies! Would love to see what film he could rip apart for me next!! As I said earlier, it’s not all bashing. It’s logical, it’s fresh, and it’s fun and it’s well worth the read!
Then this book came along and I just had to read it because well its a book based on a film! My favourite kind.
This book! It made me laugh, it made me think but it also made me open my eyes and rethink what the frick was happening in that film. I can’t remember the last time I watched this film, it has been years and years but I do want to rewatch it even more so now.
Every scene is scrutinised, but not in a bashing way, although some scenes deserve it, but it a logical way. I didn’t realise how much fat-shaming had been done! Seemingly innocent scenes take on a new meaning with the book. Daniel (Liam Neeson) grieving his wife and Karen (Emma Thompson) telling him to stop crying or he won’t get laid (paraphrasing here) just isn’t funny now, his wife hasn’t even been buried yet! When I watched the film originally, I didn’t even think of that but now, well now I cringe at the thought.
For me, the infamous scene with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson and the whole CD/necklace saga. Yes, Alan Rickman is still completely in the wrong but the authors take on it made me rethink the entire scene in a good way but he is still wrong!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think every film needs a book like this. It was fascinating to read and I felt I could picture each scene in my head as we dissected it. Every nuance, every word spoken, action taken. I sped through this book because even know we know how the film ends, I didn’t know how the book would end. It was insightful watching the film through another perspective and I took off my rose-tinted glasses to see the film in another light. Amazing what film directors got away with back in the day, with the innuendos, fat-shaming, class shaming, sexual predators. This film wouldn’t have been made in this day, and to be honest, not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
Don’t get me wrong, I will watch the film again and I will probably enjoy the film again, it is escapism especially if you don’t look for the deeper meanings. I mean Hugh Grant, thank you. I will, however, watch it with fresh eyes and see it how it should be seen, at its rawest and ugliest form. The author hasn’t made me hate the film, yet, but gave me a new appreciation for it. I will, however, always enjoy the Hugh Grant dancing scene.
I applaud Mr Raymond for writing this book, it was witty, insightful and I felt like we were having a conversation whilst reading it. These are the types of conversations I love, discussing movies! Would love to see what film he could rip apart for me next!! As I said earlier, it’s not all bashing. It’s logical, it’s fresh, and it’s fun and it’s well worth the read!
webbmoem's review against another edition
4.0
Devoured it. A lot of fun, especially if you hate this film as much as I do
woodheak's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to #NetGalley and #ParthianBooks for giving me an ARC of #HowLoveActuallyRuinedChristmas by #GaryRaymond in exchange for my honest review.
5 Stars
I firmly fall into the camp of people who love, love, love Love Actually so when I read the blurb of this book I absolutely had to read it. Gary Raymond takes us through the film, scene by scene, critically appraising everything from the characters, the actors, the acting and the writing of this film that seems to have become something of a Christmas Classic. This status seems to baffle Raymond who states that “Love Actually is a bad movie”.
This book was absolutely hilarious! I read it firmly in one sitting and there were moments that I laughed out loud much to the bemusement of my husband. As a lover of the film I particularly enjoyed the behind the scenes extra information that Raymond adds into the footnotes of the book (for example, did you know that Rowan Atkinson’s character was supposed to be an angel?) I would definitely recommend this book to both lovers and haters of Love Actually, it is an all-round funny, insightful exploration of a much loved Christmas film.
5 Stars
I firmly fall into the camp of people who love, love, love Love Actually so when I read the blurb of this book I absolutely had to read it. Gary Raymond takes us through the film, scene by scene, critically appraising everything from the characters, the actors, the acting and the writing of this film that seems to have become something of a Christmas Classic. This status seems to baffle Raymond who states that “Love Actually is a bad movie”.
This book was absolutely hilarious! I read it firmly in one sitting and there were moments that I laughed out loud much to the bemusement of my husband. As a lover of the film I particularly enjoyed the behind the scenes extra information that Raymond adds into the footnotes of the book (for example, did you know that Rowan Atkinson’s character was supposed to be an angel?) I would definitely recommend this book to both lovers and haters of Love Actually, it is an all-round funny, insightful exploration of a much loved Christmas film.
tinamayreads's review against another edition
3.0
HOW LOVE ACTUALLY RUINED CHRISTMAS (or Colourful Narcotics) by Gary Raymond is an in depth critique of the movie Love Actually. I really liked how this book goes scene by scene in order to give a detailed description of the movie along with Raymond’s thoughts and notes. I definitely agree with him in how this movie unnecessarily used fat jokes and misogyny to portray humour. I’ve seen the movie before and enjoyed some parts of it but it’s not one I would rewatch. After reading this book I’m in the mood to watch a *good* Christmas movie!
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Thank you to Parthian Books via NetGalley for this eBook!
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Thank you to Parthian Books via NetGalley for this eBook!
raquela_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Ok so I loved this. I’m on the fence with the movie love actually and this was the justification I needed to edge closer to not living the movie even more.
Absolutely hilarious I feel like even folks who loved the movie would find this entertaining
Absolutely hilarious I feel like even folks who loved the movie would find this entertaining