Love Actually fans torn over ‘cowardly’ Keira Knightley bit | Films | Entertainment

Fans of Love Actually have been debating the controversial cue card scene between screen legends Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln. The beloved 2003 Christmas classic has cemented its place as a festive staple, rewatched by millions annually.

Penned and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually boasts a star-studded ensemble cast – including then-newcomers such as Thomas Brodie-Sangster – weaving together multiple love stories unfolding in the lead-up to Christmas Day.

Knightley portrays Juliet, who weds Peter, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, in her opening scenes. Best man Mark (Lincoln) is seen filming various moments from their wedding day. He seems noticeably aloof and detached around Juliet, prompting Peter to encourage him to be more welcoming towards her.

Later, Juliet turns up unannounced at Mark’s home, on the hunt for Mark’s wedding footage after discovering their own copy is faulty. He claims he’s mislaid the tape or “probably taped over it” as he’d mentioned over the phone, but Juliet is persistent.

She confronts him: “I know you’ve never particularly warmed to me – no, don’t argue”, then shares her hope they can become friends. Mark looks uncomfortable but agrees while maintaining them being friends won’t help locate the tape he alleges he spent considerable time searching for.

Almost instantly, she spots a tape marked “Peter and Juliet’s wedding” and dismisses his objections, putting the tape into the recorder and pressing play. Mark appears visibly uneasy as she discovers the entire recording is made up of footage solely of her.

Mark explains: “It’s a self preservation thing”, addressing his distant demeanour towards her, before rushing from his house, leaving a bewildered Juliet grappling with the realisation of his true feelings.

Later in the film, Mark appears at Juliet’s doorstep holding a stack of cue cards, confessing his love while expressing hope he’ll eventually move past these emotions – perhaps by marrying a supermodel later down the line.

Juliet finds the moment both amusing and heartwarming, chasing after him into the street to plant a farewell kiss on his lips before heading back inside to her husband.

Initially perceived as a charming and heartfelt moment – a grand gesture to clear the air between them – the scene has since attracted criticism from modern audiences.

A Reddit thread sparked debate, though some viewers remained firm supporters of the iconic moment.

One critic argued: “I hate it. He dumps all his feelings onto her and leaves her to deal with the consequences. It’s cowardly and selfish.”

However, another countered: “She already knows he loves her (or at least is creepily interested in her). He’s laying it all out and letting her know what’s going on, and that he’s going to move on. If he said nothing, she’d be left thinking he’s either fawning over her or a creep.”

They continued: “It would have been better if he had just come round and had a frank conversation, but we’re in a romcom so he gets to do a big ridiculous gesture instead of the mature and healthy thing.”

Another commented: “I think her running out and kissing him was wrong too. It kind of validates his behaviour”.

Someone else countered: “I feel the kiss brings closure to the situation.”

Another fan voiced their confusion over the criticism of the scene, stating: “I don’t get why people are acting like this is supposed to be realistic or a moral guideline or anything of the sort, it’s honestly quite baffling to read some of these comments.”

And another Reddit user added: “Look. It’s not that big a deal. He’s telling her because she knows. He was in love with her, he tried to hide it, she actually ends up thinking that he didn’t like her, but then she sees the video. So he feels he owes her an explanation. He is not looking to steal her.”