I write to you today from a car headed to New York in order to continue my tradition of welcoming the oncoming (winter) season with a list of my current ins and outs.
You know the drill, something “in” is something I’ve been saying/doing/listening to recently, or something I find chic/funny/useful; something “out” is the opposite–it has been deemed out of style by yours truly.
Now, without any more preamble–
In:
Flasks
Movies
Yoga
Christmas music
Peppermint mocha
Letterboxd
Goodreads reviews
Blogging (time permitting got a lot in the works get excited)
Driving
For Good (song)
Gloves
Book clubs
Flat white
Whimsy
Wearing my glasses
Embroidering
Wall decor
The word sublime
Out:
Tiktok (again)
The Instagram app
Shin splints
Wearable tech
French
Defying Gravity (song)
Public transport
iPads
Short stories
Cappucino
American expatriate literature
Eating out
Spiral staircases
Ignoring emails from my school account
Sleep deprivation
Being of legal drinking age
Not extensive but hopefully comprehensive, and until next time I shall bid you farewell~
I hope you are all having a great day, not just a good day!
As you might recall from my last post I recently did my annual rewatch of the 2003 Christmas classic: Love Actually. I snuggled up with a friend and approximately 5 minutes after pressing play we entered into a discussion about which plotlines from the movie we loved and which we hated.
As a refresher, I’ll break down the film’s structure and each storyline. Also, this is your official spoiler warning. If you haven’t seen it and want to go in blind, go ahead and click off now, then come back once you’re done.
The movie has a braided narrative structure–9 seemingly independent plotlines that connect one way or another and ultimately come together in the end. The opening quote, delivered via voiceover courtesy of Hugh Grant: “If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around,” more or less sums it up. Set in London at Christmastime, it follows all sorts of love related dynamics. Platonic, romantic, sexual, familial, as well as a fair share of stories of heartbreak.
Given the format, it’s only natural that everybody has a different take on which subplots beat the others out. So when my friend and I were having a debate of our own, I decided to try to find a comprehensive list of all of the plotlines to supplement our conversation, only to be shocked by the first article I stumbled across. The article was one author’s opinion about how the storylines ranked and was almost impossibly different from mine. So, I decided to take a stab at it myself. Without further ado, here is my ranking of the 9 plots from Love Actually (2003).
9. That Other Guy Who’s in Love With His Friend’s Wife – Ranked #8 in the article I saw
I hate this plotline so much. Like so so much. And it’s all the more irksome that probably the most iconic frame from this movie is from this stupid part.
Like oh my god, what? CREEPY. THAT’S WHAT THIS IS. ‘The Other Guy’ films the wedding video of his best friend’s ceremony and reception and then oh wait he was actually just only filming the wife (named Juliet btw, eyeroll) because despite him being a jerk to her the whole movie he’s actually…in love with her? He shows up at her door and silently confesses with posterboards, and SHE ACTUALLY ENTERTAINS HIM!!! After his lame display, he leaves, but not before she chases him down and KISSES HIM in the street. Mind you, her husband/his best friend is inside the whole time. But Merry Christmas, right?
8. That One Guy Who Goes to America – Ranked #9 in the article I saw
This just could’ve been cut entirely. That One Guy goes to America to get laid because American girls looove British guys. Boooooo! The humor was lowbrow and the story was shallow. The only semi-pro of this one is his bromance with his bestie. Also, it reeks of misogyny. Next!
7. The X-Rated Meet Cute – Ranked #2 in the article I saw
Possibly a hot take, but personally this storyline doesn’t resonate with me at all. A man and woman meet on set as body-doubles while filming an *ahem* adult film, then eventually get to chatting, catch feelings for one another, and end up engaged by the end. Cute? Sure, why not? But for me it was as flavorful as unseasoned boiled chicken and had too many cringe-worthy moments. Given the mood I’m in there’s a 50/50 chance I’d fast-forward through their scenes together.
6. Laura Linney Lusts After a Hot Coworker (Improbably Named Karl) – Ranked #6 in the article I saw
This one makes me sad. Poor Laura Linney can’t catch a break. She’s been hopelessly in love with her sexy coworker for years, and when he finally looks her way he ends up losing interest because she seems preoccupied. However the audience gets to see that she’s actually the primary caretaker for her mentally ill adult brother, and has to be there for him. The romantic buildup before the let-down is cute, but overall this is just a bummer.
5. Aging Rock Star Has One Last Hurrah – Ranked #1 in the article I saw
One of the few that portrays non-romantic love, this plotline is undeniably sweet. However, I find Billy Mack to be irritating and even when voicing his decision to spend Christmas with his true (platonic) love, his manager, he comes off as inauthentic compared to other characters in the movie. I honestly prefer the comedic relief of his song, Christmas is All Around, more than his dynamic with his best friend.
4. The No Good, Very Bad Cheating Husband – Ranked #3 in the article I saw
This one and the one in slot 3 are honestly pretty neck-and-neck. This one feels like the heart of the whole movie. Also, so many of the scenes are just golden. The one where Emma Thompson is crying to Joni Mitchell because she knows her husband is being unfaithful, ugh my heart. And the one where Mr. Bean is being a menace to Alan Rickman at the mall is so good. The main reason why it’s not higher is because I hate the cheating secretary–which I know is the whole point of her character–but I digress.
3. Colin Firth’s Love Language – Ranked #5 in the article I saw
Somehow always getting the shorter end of the stick of romance, this plotline opens with Colin Firth getting cheated on by his girlfriend (with his brother, ouch), then he relocates to the French countryside where he meets Portuguese-speaking Aurelia. Their story follows them spending time together and falling for one another despite the communication barrier, then they unknowingly learn each other’s language and live happily ever after. It is a bit fantastical–like how can you say you’re in love and propose after only knowing each other for 5 weeks especially when you couldn’t talk to each other? But I have to admit it is still so swoon-worthy. Solidly in the top 3.
2. The Stepdad and Cute Kid Who Bond Over the Mystery of Girls – Ranked #7 in the article I saw
This is actually what inspired this post. When I say I was appalled by how low this was ranked in this original article, I was APPALLED. The appeal to this storyline isn’t how sweet little Thomas Brodie Sangster successfully woos his classmate, though that’s a bonus. It’s that following the death of the Stepdad’s wife/Cute Kid’s mom, they figure out how to navigate life and grief together, and are able to build a close relationship where ultimately the Cute Kid acknowledges the Stepdad as just ‘Dad’ instead of ‘Daniel’.
1. Prime Minister In Love – Ranked #4 in the article I saw
What more could you ask from a Christmas Romcom? Hugh Grant, check. Cute love interest, check. Public declaration of love, check. Need I say more? This is wholesome from beginning to end, and has the perfect balance between romantic lighthearted comedy and tension/conflict. No notes! Also, the opening monologue from the Prime Minister is probably one of my favorites of all time.
Overall, even though I definitely have a bone to pick with a few aspects of this movie, you better believe that I’m going to rewatch it at least once if not twice or even thrice when the Christmas season rolls around each year.
I hope you are all having a great day, not just a good day!
Welp, the inevitable has happened. Like every other year since I was probably 14, with the autumnal dip in temperature has come a yearning in my soul to do nothing but watch rom-coms. When I think of Fall, my mind is overwhelmed with images of steaming cups of coffee, orange and yellow trees lining the streets at dusk, and curling up with a blanket in front of a glowing TV. So, naturally, the past few months have featured not just a resurgence of the cinemaphile in me—though I have watched more movies since August than I probably have since high school—but also a fixation on romantic movies of every kind. More specifically, the monologues featured in those movies. Rarely does something tug at my heartstrings more than watching a man confess his feelings for the woman he loves. So, today I thought I would talk about my three favorite rom-com monologues. Enjoy!
Starting off with the most Fall movie ever: When Harry Met Sally (1989). I actually just rewatched this gem in a Parisian theatre in the 10eme. It was as classic as ever and I bawled my eyes out at the end and immediately moved it into my Letterboxd top 4.
“How about this way? I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend a day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes, and I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s new years eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you wanna spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Fun fact you might not have known, the actual scene is a bit different from the original screenplay written by Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner! I think Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan did such a good job embodying the characters and the way the scene flows compared to how it’s written is just a testament to that.
Next up we have the 2020 remake of Jane Austen’s classic, Emma. This scene is more of a back and forth than monologue, but I digress.
K: I must tell you, Emma, what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the next moment.
E: Well then do not speak it. If you wish to speak to me, as a friend, or to ask my opinion…as a friend. I will hear whatever you like.
K: As a friend, Emma, that I fear is a word. Tell me, Emma, have I no chance of ever succeeding? My dearest Emma, for dearest you will always be. My dearest, most beloved Emma, tell me at once. I cannot make speeches. If I, if I- if I loved you less then I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. I have-I have lectured you, and I’ve blamed you, and you’ve borne it as no other woman in England could have borne it. God knows I’ve been a very indifferent lover, but you understand me? You understand my feelings? … Will you marry me?
Mr. Knightley’s proposal has been tattooed on the walls of my brain since I first watched the movie in the fall of 2020. This scene in particular is lifted word for word from Jane Austen’s 1815 novel. If you know me you’ve probably heard me talk at least once about my favorite podcast ever, Vulgar History. It just kicked off a season about the Regency Era of England, and the debut episode was about Jane Austen’s life and accomplishments. I highly recommend giving it a listen!
And last but not least, from Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Mark Darcy’s ineloquent confession to the titular heroine.
D: I don’t think you’re an idiot at all. I mean, there are elements of the ridiculous about you. Your mother’s pretty interesting. And you really are an appallingly bad public speaker. And um, you tend to let whatever’s in your head come out of your mouth without much consideration of the consequences. I realize that when I met you at the turkey curry buffet that I was unforgivably rude and…wearing a reindeer jumper that my mother had given me the day before. But, the thing is, um…what I’m trying to say, very inarticulately is—that um…in fact, perhaps despite appearances…I like you. Very much.
B: Huh. Apart from the smoking, and the drinking, and the vulgar mother, and the verbal diarrhea-
D: No—I like you. Very much. Just as you are.
The beauty of all three of these professions of love is, I think, contingent on them being written by women. Nora Ephron, Jane Austen, and Helen Fielding capture beautifully what it is that women not only want to hear but what they want to be to their partners. To be known inside and out, for an incredibly long time, and to be seen for exactly what you are but loved regardless is all one can ask for from love, though it’s surprisingly scarce. Another lovely aspect that the three share is that none of them include anything about beauty. The women’s character is the object of affection rather than her appearance, which again, seems to be almost fantastical compared to reality.
Whether you’re single or in a relationship, we can all stand to learn something from rom-coms. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to commence my annual rewatch of Love Actually and probably cry when Colin Firth learns Portuguese to bridge the communication gap between himself and the girl he meets in the French countryside.
I hope you are all having a great day—not just a good day! I am currently writing to you from the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France.
The past 21 days, I have been navigating life away from home for the first time in my 20 years, and you better believe there have been both ups and downs. The biggest difficulty has probably been my lack of French-speaking ability. Almost every time I leave my apartment I end up feeling somewhere between a silly goose and bumbling idiot because I pretty much have to stumble through each interaction I have. Even when I can say something in French well enough for somebody to understand me, when they respond back in French I’m at a loss for words.
That being said, I feel lucky that something I had heard a lot before coming here-that Parisians hate speaking English and hate Americans even more-turned out to be a huge misconception. Many Parisians speak English, and are more than willing to converse with you in English as long as you show an effort to meet them halfway. Having a few words/phrases locked down, like “Bonjour!” (Hello!), “Je voudrais un/une … s’il vous plait” (I’d like a … please), and “Merci beaucoup” (Thanks so much) go a long way when navigating conversations with service workers. Also, asking if they speak English in French: “Vous parlez Anglais?” will achieve the same thing without coming across as entitled.
As for learning a foreign language in an immersive environment, you get about as much out of it as you put in. Yes, you could get by with those phrases and google translate, but when you put in the effort to try (and maybe make a fool of yourself), that’s how you learn. Up until now I’ve had two weeks of formal French instruction, and I’ve also been trying to pick up other things through talking to my host family and social media. Today I went to the movies and I didn’t want to buy a 3€ bottle of water, so I had to approach the woman at the counter to ask for a cup of water. I thought about what I had learned in my French class, and what I had seen my friends do in restaurants, and I started thinking about how to ask. “Est-ce que je peux avoir un verre d’eau, s’il vous plait?” She handed me a cup and said something about the toilette (bathroom) so I was able to piece together that I should get some from the tap. I felt like an idiot asking because I knew I was butchering the pronunciation, and I could only really get the gist by picking up every other word she was saying and her gestures. But now I know for the future, and next time I’ll be able to walk away from the interaction feeling a little less silly than I did this time.
If I had to describe my first 3 weeks in France in a few words they would be beautiful, exhausting, and rewarding. Paris and Nice are beautiful cities, and I’m so happy to have had this opportunity. I love my classes, I love the food, I love my host family, I love the fashion, I love competent public transport, I love my friends and all of the new people I’ve been meeting. Every day presents a new challenge, but even moments of adversity are ones that I have to cherish before my time abroad runs out.
Now’s my time to sign off, but I’ll leave you with a poem by content creator and author David Larbi that I’ve been embracing in my time here so far.
I’ve been finding things tough recently, but overall, I still love life! Right now, the rain is pouring down, but the sun is still shining bright! It reminds me of the fact that life can hold multiple truths at once. So its good to know how to weather the storm but enjoy when the sunshine comes!
The Life of leg.louisa 