Richard Curtis: The lack of diversity in love actually makes me feel a little stupid.
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Richard Curtis has admitted that there are parts of his 2003 Christmas classic Love that make him feel “a bit silly”, including the lack of diversity.
The award-winning British screenwriter said the film had moments that are now “bound to feel dated” but that society’s continued love for it was “truly touching”.
He made the remarks as part of a one-hour special titled The Laughter and Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later, which aired on US network ABC on Wednesday.
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Cast members including Hugh Grant and Dame Emma Thompson also took part in the 20th anniversary special (Ian West/PA)
Cast members including Hugh Grant, Dame Emma Thompson, Bill Nye, Laura Linney and Thomas Brodie-Singster also sat down with ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer for exclusive interviews and a behind-the-scenes look.
Asked by Sawyer if there were any parts of the film that “cracked you”, Curtis replied: “There are things you would change, but thank God society is changing.
“My film starts to feel old at some moments. The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit silly.
He added that the love he saw in the world made him “wish my film was better”.
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Along with Grant, the 2003 film also stars Martin McCutcheon and Keira Knightley (PA).
“There’s such extraordinary love that goes on all over the world in so many ways every minute, and it makes me want my film to be better,” he said.
“It makes me wish I’d made a documentary just to witness it.”
The stars of the film also described Curtis as a “really nice person” with a “heart of gold” in their interview segments.
“He has a heart of gold,” said Dame Emma.
I think when you get it right, movies can serve as a reminder of how beautiful things can be and all the things we can go through, which are actually the best things in our lives. There are moments.Richard Curtis
“He’s a really nice person (and) that’s something that’s valuable in our business.”
Grant added: “He’s funny, it’s a black and white thing… and (the story) comes from the heart, it’s true.”
Curtis later added: “I think the way to think about life is that every day just has the potential to be beautiful.”
“I think when you get it right, movies can serve as a reminder of how beautiful things can be and all the things that we can go through, that actually change our lives. have the best moments.”
Nighy, who won a BAFTA for best supporting actor in the film, said the film was “great to be a part of”.
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Nighy, who won a BAFTA for best supporting actor in the film, said the film was ‘great to be a part of’ (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
“It’s amazing the way it’s entered the language,” he said.
“I’ve had people say I got it through my chemotherapy, or it happened through my divorce, or I look at it whenever I’m alone. And people do.
“People really love parties and they know it by heart. They play their scores live with a live orchestra.
“It’s become beloved and it’s an amazing thing to be a part of.”
Love was originally released in 2003 and became a staple of the UK festival season.
Despite a mixed critical response, the film was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards as well as a BAFTA Award.
The story describes the different aspects of love as depicted through 10 separate stories involving different types of individuals, many of whom are shown to be intertwined as the stories progress.
The story begins five weeks before Christmas and plays out in a weekly countdown to the holiday, followed by an epilogue that takes place a month later – presented by Grant.
It also starred big British names including Colin Firth and Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson and the late Alan Rickman.