Love Actually fans discover real reason Rowan Atkinson took ages to wrap gift

Unbeknownst to many, this super slow, painstakingly detailed wrapping scene wasn't for the sake of comedy alone...

"Would you like it... gift-wrapped?"

That's the seemingly innocuous line that Rowan Atkinson says in Love Actually, before he begins his iconic gift-wrapping process. 

It's a comically long scene that's mildly infuriating (mostly for dirtbag Alan Rickman) and has gone down as one of the movie's most memorable moments.

But it turns out there was an actual reason Atkinson's character did this elaborate wrapping and popped the necklace in a box, then a bag (that is so much more than a bag), then added a cinnamon stick and a sprig of holly...

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Image: Love Actually

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The real reason behind the lengthy gift-wrapping scene in Love Actually

As it turns out, Atkinson's/Rufus's elaborate gift-wrapping was actually a ploy to try and deter Rickman/Harry from going through with his purchase - a gold necklace for his workplace mistress.

This piece of Love Actually trivia was confirmed by the Script Editor of the film, Emma Freud, on X.

She wrote: "Originally Rowan’s character over-wrapped the gift on purpose to stop Alan Rickman from being able to buy the necklace.

"Because he was an angel."

And his plan kind of worked! As Harry watches Rufus's painstakingly long gift-wrapping, he becomes increasingly impatient and risks getting caught by his wife (Emma Thompson, who is also in the shop.)

Eventually, he desperately tells Rufus to 'just leave it.'

While Harry eventually manages to get the necklace for his secretary, Mia - you've got to hand it to Rufus for at least giving it a red hot crack.

Cue the most tear-jerking scene to ever exist... Thompson, the Joni Mitchell CD... need we say more?

Image: Love Actually

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"He's a total angel"

Fans reacted to this fun fact on X, with one saying, "OMG I KNEW IT!!!!! My husband and my family never believe me when I say he was a Christmas angel!!!! Rowan Atkinson for the win!"

Someone else wrote, "Watched Love Actually AGAIN and saw Rowan Atkinson in a new light.

"Everything makes sense now. He’s a total angel."

It's not the only time Atkinson tries to save the day

It's not the only time Rufus is an absolute hero in the movie.

Later on in the film, he pops up again in the airport scene as Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) rushes to say goodbye to his crush Joanna.

Rufus holds up the queue by making an airport ticket agent hold an absurdly large pile of his coats, allowing for the sweet reunion between the kids. 

Originally published as Love Actually fans discover real reason Rowan Atkinson took ages to wrap gift