Entertainment

7 Reasons 'Love Actually' Should Be Your New Rom-Com Holiday Tradition

by Rebecca Klar
Universal Pictures

For someone who doesn't actually celebrate Christmas, I have a deep-seated love for Christmas movies.

Beyond "A Rugrats Chanukah," there really aren't many Chanukah specials that exist.

I think I used Christmas movies as a way to live vicariously through the characters, and to feel as if I was also celebrating a traditional Christmas, not one filled with Chinese food and going to the movies.

There are tons of great holiday movies.

When I was growing up, everything from "Home Alone" to "Eloise at Christmastime" constantly played on the small TV in my bedroom all of December.

But without a doubt, the best holiday rom-com is "Love Actually."

Here are some reasons why "Love Actually" should be the first holiday rom-com of your Netflix binge this month.

1. There's something for everyone.

There are so many stories going on in "Love Actually" that you're bound to like one of them.

At the same time, I'm sure everyone has at least one story in "Love Actually" he or she can't stand.

For me, it's the weird best friend love triangle with Keira Knightley.

But then, it flashes back to any of the other great plots, and you forget how annoyed you were a few minutes ago.

Regardless, there are some fantastic storylines.

2. It features the “Dream Team.”

Obviously, I'm talking about Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.

Either one of these perfect human beings is enough to make a movie binge-worthy, but throw them both in, and it's an instant classic.

3. It has an incredible cast.

Hugh Grant and Colin Firth aren't the only noteworthy cast members.

It literally features every amazing British actor.

Everyone from the queen Emma Thompson to Alan Rickman plays a part in making this movie amazing.

4. Hugh Grant's dancing.

There's nothing that could make your holiday season better than watching prime minister Hugh Grant dance around his mansion.

It's cinematic genius.

5. It's super relatable.

Just like there's a story line for everyone, there's a character for everyone to relate to.

Whether you're going through a tough time in your marriage and identify with Emma Thompson, or feel the urge to creepily show up with a bunch of signs expressing your love for your best friend's wife, there's a relatable person for everyone.

Personally, I like to think I'm most like Natalie because who doesn't want to be the cute intern the prime minister falls in love with?

Realistically, I'm probably most like the tacky American girls Colin meets in Wisconsin. It's cool.

6. It all comes together.

It's always interesting to see how the different stories and characters relate to each other.

Finding out who knows who and which characters end up being related makes this movie special and easy to rewatch.

There's always something new to find that you may not have noticed before.

7. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll smile.

At the end of the day, a holiday movie is supposed to be heartwarming.

I truly believe "Love Actually" evokes these feelings stronger than any other holiday movie.

Just like Hugh Grant tells us in the introduction,

Love actually is all around.

For a rom-com, "Love Actually" does a great job highlighting all types of love: familial love, young love and passionate love.

There is no holiday movie that does a better job at generating raw emotions than "Love Actually."