Richard Curtis has admitted that Love Actually’s lack of variety now makes him “uncomfortable” and “a bit stupid” as he reflects on the film’s 20th anniversary.
The 66-year-old screenwriter, who directed and wrote the 2003 Christmas classic, said there are things he would “change” about the film when he thinks back on it 20 years later.
Speaking to Diane Sawyer for the ABC special “The Laughter and the Secrets of Real Love: 20 Years Later,” he admitted that he sometimes thinks “real love” is “obsolete.”
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Diversity: Richard Curtis admitted that Love Actually’s lack of diversity now strikes him as “uncomfortable” and “a bit silly” when talking about the film’s 20th anniversary.
“There are things you would change, but fortunately society is changing. So my film sometimes feels stale,” he said.
To which Diane, 76, asked: “What is it that makes you tremble?”
Richard admitted he was “unsettled” by the film’s “lack of diversity” as he also talks about his boss-employee romance in the film.
“I mean, there are things about the film, you know, the lack of diversity that make me feel uncomfortable and kind of stupid,” he said.
“You know, I think there are three groups with bosses and people who work for them.”
Changes: The 66-year-old screenwriter, who directed the 2003 Christmas classic, said he would “change” things about the film (portrayed by Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln in the film)
What actually happened to them? The varied lives of the actors whose small roles made a big impact on fans
We all remember Hugh Grant’s exuberant prime minister and Emma Thompson’s heartbreaking portrayal of Alan Rickman’s long-suffering wife, but what happened to the rest of the cast who actually made love a Christmas hit?
In the intertwined storylines, Harry (Alan Rickman) has an affair with his secretary, played by Heike Makatsch, while Prime Minister David (Hugh Grant) also has a romance with Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), one of his maids.
Meanwhile, writer Jamie (Colin Firth) and his housekeeper Aurélia (Lúcia Moniz) also develop a strong bond as they spend time together while Jamie works.
The star-studded ensemble cast includes Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Martin Freeman, Joanna Page and Rowan Atkinson.
Since its release in 2003, Love Actually, which follows the intricate stories of various characters leading up to Christmas Day, has grown into a true Christmas classic.
The film follows eight London couples as they try to manage their relationship in different ways.
And the cast have now reunited for an hour-long special – which aired on ABC on November 29 but has no UK air date yet – to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary.
The laughter and secrets of true love: 20 years later, journalist Diane interviewed actors and writer-director Richard.
The one-off special “watched as the film became a beloved Christmas tradition and a worldwide sensation, providing new insights into its behind-the-scenes mysteries and iconic scenes.”
Elsewhere in the reunion special, Richard also admitted that the multiple love story was a gamble at the time.
Romances: Richard also addressed the characters’ romances between bosses and employees. PM David (Hugh Grant) has an affair with his colleague Natalie (Martine McCutcheon)
Cast: The star-studded ensemble cast includes Emma Thompson (right), Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy (left), Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Martin Freeman
“I think 20 years shows what a youthful optimist I probably was when I wrote it,” he said.
“We get thousands of serial killer movies and there were only about nine. And yet a million people will fall in love and feel that this is the most interesting moment of their life. Good deeds in families and good deeds in communities.’
“When you look at what happened during COVID and the extraordinary kind of courage and heroism. I think the way of thinking about life is that every day has the potential to just be beautiful in all its simplicity,” he added.
Funny: Richard also addressed Hugh Grant’s famous dance scene in the Christmas classic, admitting the actor hoped the scene would be cut from the final version
Boy did they grow! Love Actually child stars Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Olivia Olson look back fondly on the beloved rom-com
20 years after their beloved pre-adolescent romance stole the show in the legendary romantic comedy Love Actually, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Olivia Olson reflect on their experiences.
Richard also spoke about Hugh Grant’s famous dance scene in the Christmas classic and admitted the actor had hoped the scene would be cut from the final version.
In the famous scene, he was dancing around 10 Downing Street as a PM to The Pointer Sisters’ song Jump before he realized someone was watching him and quickly stopped.
Discussing the sequence, Richard said: “I think he was hoping I’d get sick or something and we’d be like, ‘Oh, well, what a shame, we’ve got to lose that dance sequence.’
Richard went on to say that Hugh was “grumpy” the day they shot the dance scene, but “it was a contractual obligation” that he fulfilled.
Hugh, who appeared in the interview with Richard, added: “I saw it in the script and I was like, ‘Well, I’m going to hate doing this. I didn’t feel like dancing at all, let alone rehearsing.”
Despite his reservations, Hugh proudly said he had the idea to have the Prime Minister’s secretary catch him dancing.
He said: “And to this day there are many people – and I agree with them – who think it’s the most moving scene ever committed to celluloid.
“But some people like it!”
Hugh, who played David in the film, admitted he wasn’t sure he would be able to pull off the now famous Downing Street dance scene.
Oh no! In the famous scene, he danced around 10 Downing Street as a PM to The Pointer Sisters’ song Jump before realizing someone was watching him and quickly stopped
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
