EXCLUSIVE ‘I think that’s part of the charm’: Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon says the ‘out of date’ moments Richard Curtis feels ‘a bit stupid’ about were not meant to be PC
Martine McCutcheon has said she thinks the ‘out of date’ moments criticised in Love Actually are what add to the film’s charm.
The hit Christmas film directed by Richard Curtis has been a fan favourite in the 20 years since it’s release, but the man himself has said he felt ‘a bit stupid’ about some moments regarding the lack of diversity and inappropriate comments.
But in an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the lead actress in the film, 46, argued that although the world has changed a lot, she thinks the rom-com was ‘not about ticking too many boxes and being PC’.
Candid: Martine McCutcheon has said she thinks the ‘out of date’ moments criticised in Love Actually are what add to the film’s charm
Martine said: ‘I think, honestly, it was 20 years ago, and the world has changed a lot but I also think that part of the charm of the film was the fact that some of the love stories and the characters weren’t perfect.
‘And they admitted or we saw their flaws, their insecurities whether they were real or they weren’t.
‘That’s what made it so human.
‘For me, part of the reason that I love the film is because it was so honest and it wasn’t about ticking too many boxes and being PC, it was about being human and I think it was really sweet and innocent of Natalie’s character and who she was to speak to the Prime Minister about that [her big bottom] of all things!
‘Uncomfortable’: Martine’s comments come after Richard Curtis said he felt ‘a bit stupid’ about some moments regarding the lack of diversity and inappropriate comments at the Love Actually reunion with Diane Sawyer
‘Obviously if it was done now I have no doubt that they might do it differently but I still absolutely love the film and the charm of it and it’s message that ultimately love can be complicated and messy and not perfect, or forbidden if you’re in love with your best friend’s wife or people having affairs, because it was not perfect and it showed that there was still this hope with it.
‘I think that’s why people still seem to come back to it all the time all these years later.’
Screenwriter Richard, 66, who directed and penned the 2003 Christmas classic, said there are things he would ‘change’ about the film as he reflected on it 20 years on.
Back in the day: In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the lead actress in the film, 46, argued that although the world has changed a lot, she thinks the rom-com was ‘not about ticking too many boxes and being PC’
Speaking to host Diane Sawyer for the ABC special The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later, he admitted he thinks Love Actually is ‘out of date’ in some moments.
‘There are things you’d change, but thank god, society is, you know, changing. So, my film is bound, in some moments, to feel, you know, out of date,’ he said.
To which Diane, 76, asked: ‘What’s the one that makes you wince?’
Richard admitted the movie’s ‘lack of diversity’ makes him feel ‘uncomfortable’ now as he also addressed his romances between bosses and employees in the film.
Co-stars: Pictured with her co-star Hugh Grant, Martine said: ‘It was 20 years ago, and the world has changed a lot but I also think that part of the charm of the film was the fact that some of the love stories and the characters weren’t perfect’
Passion: Martine added that the message of Love Actually is that ‘ultimately love can be complicated and messy and not perfect’ (pictured with Hugh Grant in the film)
‘I mean, there are things about the film, you know, the lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid,’ he said.
‘You know, I think there are sort of three plots that have sort of bosses and people who work for them.’
The intertwining plotlines see Harry (Alan Rickman) having an affair with his office secretary, played by Heike Makatsch, while prime minister David (Hugh Grant) also has a romance with Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), who is on his household staff.
Meanwhile, writer Jamie (Colin Firth) and his housekeeper Aurélia (Lúcia Moniz) also form a close bond while spending time with each other as Jamie works.
Diversity: Screenwriter Richard, 66, who directed and penned the 2003 Christmas classic, said there are things he would ‘change’ about the film as he reflected on it 20 years on
The star-studded ensemble cast also features Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Martin Freeman, Joanna Page and Rowan Atkinson, among others.
What happened to them, actually? The different lives of the actors whose small roles made a big impact on fans
We all remember Hugh Grant’s dashing 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 made Love Actually a Christmas hit?
Since its release in 2003, Love Actually, which follows the intertwined stories of various characters in the build up to Christmas day, has become a bona fide festive classic.
The movie follows eight London couples as they try to deal with their relationships in different ways.
And the cast have now reunited for an hour-long special – which aired on ABC November 29 but has no UK transmission date yet – marking the movie’s 20th anniversary.
The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later saw journalist Diane interview the actors as well as writer and director Richard.
The one-off special ‘looked at how the film became a beloved Christmas tradition and a global sensation, with new insight into behind-the-scenes secrets and iconic scenes’.
Elsewhere in the reunion special, Richard also admitted that the multi-layered romantic story was a gamble at the time.
Ahead of the festive season, Martine has teamed up with One4All gift cards to give her fans the perfect solution to any present problems.
She told MailOnline that she and her sister will be getting each other one – ‘At least we know we’re going to like it!’ she explained.
Martine added: ‘According to One4All’s research, one of the biggest squabbles is people being unthoughtful with presents or rushing out to get them or getting you something where there’s been no thought behind it.
‘Apparently the biggest thing that people hate are novelty socks, toiletry bubble bath sets that you get and food and drink that you don’t like like weird crackers and condiments that you would never eat in a million years.
‘It’s a way to be thoughtful and the way you know you’re gonna get what you like and let’s face it, by the time you add up all those token gifts you get for people, it’s expensive!
‘I would feel better knowing that someone’s going to get something that they really love.’
Romances: Richard also addressed the characters’ romances between bosses and employees. PM David (Hugh Grant) has a romance with his member of staff Natalie (Martine McCutcheon)
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