‘Love Actually makes me feel a bit stupid’
Richard Curtis regrets festive film’s lack of diversity
SCREENWRITER Richard Curtis has confessed some parts of his smash hit movie Love Actually make him feel “a bit stupid”.
The schmaltzy 2003 Britishmade Christmas classic is still watched and adored by millions.
But looking back at the film’s amazing success Richard admitted: “There are things that you would change.
“My film is bound in some moments to feel out of date. The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid.”
Despite his reservations, Richard is still inspired by love.
He said: “There is such extraordinary love that goes on every minute in so many ways, all the way around the world, and makes me wish my film was better.
“It makes me wish I’d made a documentary just to kind of observe it.”
But Richard still believes in the power of feelgood movies. He said: “I do think the way to think about life is that every day has the potential just to be gorgeous.
“When you get it right, films can act as a reminder of how lovely things can be and how there are all sorts of things we might pass by, which are in fact the best moments to our lives.”
Richard was sharing his thoughts on The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later – a TV special broadcast on US network ABC yesterday. It also featured some of the movie’s stars, including Hugh Grant, Dame Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Laura Linney and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. And they revealed they still have plenty of love for award-winning screenwriter Richard.
Dame Emma told ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer: “It’s this golden heart he has. He’s truly a good person – in our business that’s something to be treasured.” Hugh added: “He is funny, that’s a black and white thing... and (the story) comes from the heart, it’s true.”
Bill, who won a best supporting actor Bafta for his portrayal of ageing rock star Billy Mack, said it had been “wonderful” to be part of the movie. He added: “It’s amazing the way it’s entered the language. I have people coming up to me saying, ‘It got me through my chemotherapy’ or ‘It got me through my divorce’ or ‘I watch it whenever I’m alone.’
“People have Love Actually parties and they know it by heart... It’s become beloved.”
As well as Bill’s Bafta, Love Actually was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.
The movie follows the lives of several couples who are dealing with their romantic lives in the run-up to Christmas.
Dame Emma plays Karen, a wife whose marriage is threatened by her husband’s new assistant.
And Hugh stars as the Prime Minister, who falls for Natalie, a junior member of the Downing Street household staff, played by Martine McCutcheon.
Other stars include Colin Firth, Keira Knightly, Liam Neeson and the late Alan Rickman.
THERE are people old enough to vote today who weren’t born when Love Actually was released. It’s true, as screenwriter Richard Curtis says, that times have changed. But his much-loved film, a Christmas favourite nearly 20 years on, has rightly earned classic status.