Richard Curtis thought love actually was a disaster during editing

In an interview with Radio Times, Richard Curtis, the renowned director, shared his initial fears about the success of his film Love Actually, stating that he thought it was a disaster during the editing process. Despite his apprehensions, the film has since gained a dedicated fanbase and is now considered a classic Christmas movie. Curtis explained that while working on his latest animated film, That Christmas, he found it amusing that children in the movie referred to Love Actually as a 'boring Christmas film.' He highlighted that he initially expected the children to watch a classic like Miracle on 34th Street, but instead, it was his own film that they criticized. This situation revealed to him how deeply ingrained Love Actually has become in popular culture despite his early doubts about it. Reflecting on his past work, Curtis noted the similarities between Love Actually and his previous films, such as Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral. He acknowledged that all his films seem to revolve around a similar plot structure involving friendships, romantic interests, and happy endings. Curtis admitted that while editing Notting Hill, he originally did not realize that it mirrored the themes and characters from Four Weddings and a Funeral. Curtis also expressed his happiness at working on a new project without his frequent collaborator, actor Hugh Grant. In the past, Curtis had reservations about casting Grant, initially believing he was 'too posh and handsome.' However, he later recognized Grant's significance in elevating his films. Curtis’s willingness to explore new directions in filmmaking signals his evolution as a director amidst his storied career.