Richard Curtis admits his films need a modern touch

Richard Curtis, a prominent British filmmaker known for romantic comedies such as Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, was honored with the Governor's Award by the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences. This recognition came with a sense of humility, as Curtis recalled his son's tongue-in-cheek remark that the award was for someone who has never made a movie good enough to win an Oscar. During the ceremony, actor Hugh Grant, who has starred in multiple Curtis films, delivered a speech that Curtis amusingly described as filled with hardcore hostility. This reflects the close-knit and often candid nature of their friendship. In a recent podcast, Curtis expressed how his perspective has evolved regarding his past creations, particularly after a critique from his daughter Scarlett Curtis. She challenged him on the representations of women and people of color in his films, explicitly mentioning Notting Hill and arguing that older films fail to meet today's standards for diversity and humor. Curtis acknowledged her points, agreeing that his films contain elements that are no longer acceptable and expressing his support for her ideals. He admitted there are aspects he would write differently now, indicating a shift in his approach to storytelling that accommodates contemporary social discussions about race, gender, and representation.