It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Every year, London transforms into a winter wonderland as the festive season approaches, with fairy lights lighting up the sky and the smell of mulled wine in the air. To celebrate the release of Last Christmas, the new festive film by Bridesmaids director Paul Feig starring Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding and Emma Thompson, which comes to cinemas this Friday, we take a look at the greatest Christmas films set in London in the winter.
Love Actually
Love Actually was released in 2003, it is a Christmas-themed romantic comedy. The film was written and directed by Richard Curtis and was filmed on location in London. Love Actually features an ensemble cast of predominantly British actors such as Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, and Bill Nighy. The story starts off five weeks leading up to Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown up to the big day. The film shows different aspects of love through ten separate stories which interlink as the film progresses. Although the film had mixed reviews with critics, the film has gone on to become a Christmas classic among audiences.
About A Boy
Released in 2002, About A Boy is a British-American comedy-drama. It was written and directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz, who adapted the film from the 1998 novel by Nick Hornby of the same name. The film stars Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz. In the film, we see two different Christmases used to help highlight character development. However, unlike most Christmas films About a Boy is unconventional making it a more relatable film to watch. The film was nominated for an Academy Award, and actors Hugh Grant and Toni Collette were both nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe for their performances.
The Holiday
The American Christmas romantic-comedy film The Holiday was written, produced and directed by Nancy Meyers. Filmed in both California and England and features Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, who play women unhappy with their love life on opposite sides of the Atlantic. The two both decide to temporarily exchange homes during Christmas to escape their recent heartbreak. The film stars Jude Law, Jack Black, Rufus Sewell and Eli Wallach in supporting roles. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews but has since gone on to become a Christmas classic regularly shown during the holiday period.
Bridget Jones’ Diary
Bridget Jones’ Diary was released in 2011 and is a British romantic comedy directed by Sharon Maguire. It is an adaption of the Helen Fielding novel, which is a reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The lead in the movie is Renée Zellweger as Bridget, with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth playing in supporting roles as the opposing men in her love triangle. The film starts with a scene at a Christmas party where Collin Firth’s character is seen wearing a reindeer sweater. Both the beginning and the end of the movie focus on the Bridget Jones character taking stock and reflecting her last twelve months.
Last Christmas
Last Christmas is Christmas romantic comedy starring Emilia Clarke, who plays the lead character Kate. Kate is a woman who has been down on her luck, but things begin to change as she meets Tom who is played by Henry Golding. Most of the movie was filmed in London and as the film develops we see the city transformed into a winter wonderland. Based on George Michael’s Last Christmas song, we hear throughout it the music of Wham! and George Michael.
LAST CHRISTMAS COMES TO CINEMAS 15th NOVEMBER 2019
