Love
It should come as no surprise that one of the central themes in the film is love. It appears in many different forms throughout: familial, platonic, passionate, and unrequited. Each storyline within the movie focuses on a person finding love, or the love that a couple currently have for each other evolving, or breaking down. Familial love is depicted in the storyline of Sam and his stepfather Daniel, who are attempting to make new beginnings after the death of Sam’s mother. Platonic and professional love is shown when Billy Mack leaves a party at Elton John’s house in order to spend time with his lonely manager, Joe. Curtis also shows love that inappropriately crosses boundaries, such as the lust experienced between Mia and Harry. Mark’s confession of love for Juliet also crosses a boundary, as she is married to his best friend, Peter, but his confession clears the air rather than complicates it.
The film’s central message referenced at the beginning and end of the film is that "love actually is all around." Curtis uses images of people reuniting at a London airport to illuminate this concept.
Loss
Despite its happier and more sentimental side, the film also examines loss and grief quite a bit as well. The most obvious instance of loss is the recent death of Daniel's wife and Sam’s Mother, Joanna, at the beginning of the film. The audience witnesses the adjustment that Daniel has to make to life without his wife. Not only is he unsure about how to move forward alone, but he does not know how to connect with his young stepson, Sam.
We also see characters experience loss that does not have to do with death. Mark must make peace with the fact that he is in love with his best friend's wife, and can never be with her. Karen fears she is losing her husband to an affair. David loses Natalie for a moment after seeing her get seduced by the aggressive American president. As much as love galvanizes people's connections, loss threatens to drive them apart.
Christmas Cheer
As the film is centered on Christmas, it is natural that goodwill and cheer are consistent themes in the film. The prime minister’s housekeeper, Natalie, sends David a Christmas card that divulges her feelings for him and writes, "and if you can’t say it at Christmas, when can you say it, eh?" This suggests that these grand gestures of love and goodwill are especially possible at Christmas time. Indeed, many of the characters are bolstered and encouraged in their exploits by the fact that it is Christmas time, a time of increased sentiment, romance, and cheer.
Friendship
Romantic love is not the only kind presented in Love Actually. Platonic relationships and friendship are also shown as important. A particularly comedic friendship duo is Colin and Tony. Tony spends the majority of the movie trying to convince Colin that going to America to find an attractive girlfriend is ridiculous. However, he is pleasantly surprised when, at the end, Colin returns to the UK with an all-American, ridiculously attractive girlfriend.
Another, more unlikely pairing is the friendship shared between rocker Billy Mack, and his manager Joe. While Joe spends a lot of time doing the unglamorous job of cleaning up the messes that the unwieldy Billy makes, they unite at the end in genuine friendship. Characters from different storylines are also connected by friendships: Karen and Harry, Jamie and Peter. Friendship is an intrinsic part of Love Actually. When romantic relationships fail, or falter, it is friendship that provide the necessary support.
Betrayal
In a film based wholly on different types of love, the theme of betrayal penetrates the happy bubble of Love Actually at various moments. The largest betrayal, and one felt most keenly throughout the movie, is Harry forsaking Karen for the younger, sexier Mia. While the movie does not conclude whether anything actually happens, Karen keenly feels the emotional betrayal that is depicted. On Christmas day, Karen opens her present only to realize it is a Joni Mitchell CD when she thought it would be a gold necklace she found in Harry's pocket. The implication is that Harry gave the necklace to another woman.
At the end of the movie, there is uncertainty as to Harry and Karen's future. Karen states she is glad to have Harry back home, but still seems chilly towards him. This allows the film to take a slightly darker turn away from the romantic comedy genre, and suggest that betrayal in love leaves a heartbreaking scar.
Obligation
Obligation is another major theme in the film. Firstly, David's sense of professional obligation discourages him from pursuing a relationship with his employee, Natalie. The character most restrained by her sense of obligation is Sarah, who must eschew romantic entanglements to take care of her mentally ill brother. She is prevented from pursuing a relationship with her dream man, Karl, due to the commitments she has to her brother, who is particularly dependent on her care. While many of the other characters overcome their respective obstacles to achieve their desires, Sarah is unable to break free from her familial obligations, and cannot pursue the relationship she desires. While her love for her brother is genuine and sincere, it is also complicated by its more obligatory elements.
Taking Risks
Many of the characters in Love Actually take risks in order to get what they want. Billy Mack is perhaps the most enduringly risk-taking character, with his irreverent attitude, ballsy television appearances, and jokey persona. Additionally, Mark takes a risk when he goes to Peter and Juliet's house to profess his love for Juliet.
Jamie takes a risk when he learns Portuguese and travels to tell Aurelia that he loves her. Daniel encourages Sam to take a risk and run through security at the airport to convene with Joanna, his beloved. Time and time again, characters take a leap of faith in order to be connected with one another or to improve their lives, and this is a central theme in the film.
