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Review: Red Nose Day Actually

25 March 2017

By Lauren E. White

It’s the event we’ve all been waiting for. Since it’s release in 2003, we’ve been pining to know how our favourites got on. The worst gift-wrapper ever? The Portuguese wife-to-be? The Prime Minister?

Of course, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Love Actually‘s epilogue was aired live on BBC One last night as a part of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day. If you were wondering, they called it  Red Nose Day Actually – and it was brilliant.

Not every couple reappeared for the sketch, including Emma Thompson who said it “wouldn’t be right” following the death of her real-life friend and on-screen husband in the film Alan Rickman. However, other former cast members did indeed return, including Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Rowan Atkinson, Liam Neeson and, of course, Martine McCutcheon and Hugh Grant.

The epilogue began by Keira Knightley answering the door to her man with his placards again. It was a humorous and nostalgic start which prepared us for what was inevitably the best part: seeing how the real couples got on.

Each one of them is living their happily ever after, even if Colin Firth’s Jamie can’t quite get to grips with Portuguese yet (and is totally outshone by his three children – yes, children!).

But, my favourite couple from Richard Curtis’s original has to be Martine McCutcheon’s Natalie and Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister. It was so pleasing to see them living in Number 10, this time as what appeared to be husband and wife. Oh, and Hugh Grant is still dancing, this time to Hot Line Bling in an unexpected twist.

There was also a very moving speech made by Grant’s PM in a mock press conference at the end. It discussed how in “tragedy”, there is “bravery” and how love will conquer all, actually. And I, for one, totally agree.

Red Nose Day Actually was perfectly timed and for a perfect cause. You can donate to Red Nose Day online here and watch the trailer for the sketch here.

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