Love Actually Plotlines Ranked By Sadness

Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Sam and Daniel

Here’s where the “more on that later” chip is cashed in. Though the tear-jerk factor of Sam and Joanna’s story is high on the charts, the relationship between Daniel and Sam and their shared struggle to move on from the death of Sam’s recently departed mother is a true chart-topper, Billy Mack caliber. Daniel, despite a small tearful breakdown in the beginning, attempts to move on not by overtly grieving, but by putting all of his efforts into raising Sam. And Sam, as we’ve now learned, has decided to focus his attentions on his new love, who maybe-not-so-coincidentally shares a name with his late mother. The men lament the trials and tribulations of being in love, curse the pain it causes, and deal with their troubles by taking cues from Kate and Leo in Titanic.

The supportive new relationship between this (step)father-and-son duo is so lovely to watch, and will unavoidably make you emotional. Daniel’s desire for Sam to allow himself to welcome love and happiness into his life, and Sam’s request that Daniel do the same (especially if he does it with Claudia Schiffer) totally serve to negate Sam’s claim that there’s nothing worse than the “total agony of being in love.” In fact, that’s all either of them can grab onto as a reason to continue survival in their world after the death of their mutual loved one- that, each other, and Kate and Leo.