“Love Actually” What is the unknown decision made behind the scenes of this masterpiece of Christmas ensemble drama?

According to the script, that role was an “angel”! ?

The film begins five weeks before Christmas Eve. As the city's illuminations change color, there are more opportunities to listen to your honest heart, and this is the season when you gradually become closer to others. Rowan Atkinson's role, which is filled with a cast of leading British actors, can be described as a very delicious role. It only appears in two scenes. I started out as a clerk in the jewelry section of the luxury department store Selfridges. And then there's the climax, where he buys time at the airport baggage check and helps the boy sneak into the departure lounge.

In fact, there is a little-known behind-the-scenes story hidden here. At first, Atkinson's character was supposed to be "invisible" to anyone other than those who were in contact with him.

Because his character was undoubtedly an "angel" in the script. Miracles are a part of Christmas, but in this film Santa Claus does not appear even once. Instead, the casual miracle of the angel sent to earth by God was supposed to function as the last piece of the puzzle (especially at the climax). Apparently, the last scene of Atkinson disappearing was filmed at the end. However, a last-minute decision was made to cut the scene where the angel disappears, and the setting that he was an angel was also dropped.

Love Actually(c)Photofest / Getty Images

Curtis said about this decision, "I felt that the story would become too complicated if I added a 'paranormal element' like an angel to a cast of more than 20 actors." I see, the plot of "Mr. Bean (Atkinson) being an angel" may be perfectly possible visually, but it certainly seems too easy when you consider the story development.

After all, if the characters were all running around desperately and the final result was brought about by a "miracle by an angel," what was the point of their efforts? That would be the question. Curtis probably wanted to change this. By removing the elements of angels and miracles, he instead tried to make each of the more than 20 characters shine. He wanted to show each of them revealing their true feelings and mustering up all their courage and passion for the end.

This was a very important decision in the film's ability to gently embrace the casual happiness, light and shadow of everyday life. In the end, some people's wishes come true and some don't, but because it's the result of each person's efforts, everyone has a bright smile on their face. In a sense, by demoting Rowan Atkinson from angel to human, this film is beautifully completed as a universal hymn to humanity, as an ensemble drama in which "everyone is the protagonist."

What is the most famous "Christmas + Angel" movie of all time?