Deconstructing December: Love is Misguided and Selfish, Actually

Released in 2003 and featuring the intertwining Christmas stories of love-seeking Londoners, Love Actually has become something of a modern holiday classic. Showcasing a vast line-up of Oscar winning and nominated actors, the film revolves around the thesis that "love actually is all around." Though it's debatable whether “love” is the emotion involved in each relationship, there is one storyline which should appall and offend any married or romantically-involved person watching. Not the Alan Rickman on the verge of an affair with his young, hot secretary story; that one is actually rather nicely developed and layered if one forgives the Emma Thompson public confrontation at their children's school. No, I refer to the unrequited love storyline – ah yes I know, there are several. Not the Laura Linney in love with her underwear model co-worker one, which goes wrong when Co-worker tries to play psychologist suggesting solutions for her institutionalized brother on the first date. Nor is it the one with the kid who's got a crush on the other kid, which completely works. Nope, this tale is the one involving a newlywed husband, his wife (Kiera Knightly) and the husband's best friend who hopelessly pines for Knightly.