Mediaite Presents Our Favorite Christmas Holiday-Themed Movies

Love, Actually – Mediaite TV Editor Mark Joyella

Okay, so I really, really really wanted to be able to say something safe and easy. You know, It’s a Wonderful Life or something like that. But here’s what’s happened to me this year: my wife and I had our first child, a daughter, and suddenly I’m experiencing some, well, emotional issues.

Now sure, It’s a Wonderful Life has its degree of emotions. But it’s sort of so ingrained that I’m pretty much immune at this point. My body’s built up an emotional tolerance. I watch it as holiday kitsch. But there’s this other film that’s newer, and for some reason gets me every time–especially as a new Dad. It’s just that it’s not exactly easy to talk about.

Perhaps I should just spill it? Okay, fine. Love, Actually. The other night my wife and I decorated our second tree as a married couple–but the first as parents, with our daughter, now 7 months old, watching and wondering–what are you guys doing? But after years of admittedly phoning in the whole Christmas thing, my daughter has somehow timewarped me back to my own childhood. Christmas has magic again.

So we played Christmas music, and watched our daughter as she was riveted by the strands of lights going on the tree. And then, in a brilliant husband move, I told my wife after my daughter went to bed that I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do than spend the rest of the night on the couch, having some wine, and watching my one of my wife’s favorite films. Sure, a chick flick. Sure, sappy as all get out. But dang if I didn’t enjoy every minute of it and struggle to hold it together at the end.

So there. All guy points now gone, I’ve owned up to who I am. I’m that guy. I consider Love, Actually the perfect holiday film.

NEXT: The Sound of Music – Mediaite Editor-at-Large Rachel Sklar

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.