‘Love Actually’ Director Opens Up After 20 Years About His Biggest Regret From The Christmas Rom-Com Classic

While Love Actually has become a yearly holiday staple for many of us, Richard Curtis, who directed and wrote the 2003 romantic comedy, is looking back on what he would have changed about the hit movie 20 years after its release, including what makes him feel “uncomfortable” and “stupid” about the film.

The director spoke to Diane Sawyer for the ABC special The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later, where he admitted the one thing that makes him “wince” as he reflects on his work.

“There are things that you would change but thank God society is changing,” he said. “My film is bound in some moments to feel out of date. The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid.”

Curtis added, “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.”

Further reflecting on the movie, which raked in $247 million at the global box office, Curtis pointed out one of those outdated plotlines, which shows several characters falling for someone in the workplace.

“You know, I think there are sort of three plots that have sort of bosses and people who work for them,” the screenwriter, who referred to himself as a “youthful optimist” when he wrote the movie, noted.

Featuring stars like Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy in the ensemble cast, Love Actually follows the interconnected stories of a group of characters as they deal with their respective (and messy!) love lives during the holiday season.

Later in the ABC special, Thompson credited Curtis’ “golden heart” as the reason why the movie has remained so successful for 20 years. She told Sawyer. “He’s truly a good person, and in our business, that’s something that is to be treasured.”

Looking to stream Love Actually this holiday season? Check out our guide and when and where to watch the holiday hit: How to Watch ‘Love Actually’ Online In 2022.