‘Love Actually’ Star Richard Curtis Says Romcoms Struggle to replicate Past Success
LONDON – Richard Curtis, writer and director of the beloved 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually, believes the genre has lost some of its former luster, struggling to achieve the cultural and financial impact of classics from the late 1990s and early 2000s.The observation comes amid a broader discussion about the evolving landscape of film and television, and the pressures facing writers to quickly capitalize on current trends.
while Love Actually grossed over $245 million worldwide, and notting Hill (1999) earned nearly $364 million, recent rom-coms haven’t reached those heights. Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, released in August, took approximately $108 million (£82m) globally-a notable drop in returns. This shift reflects a changing audience appetite and a faster-paced media cycle,according to Curtis and actor richard Brodie-Sangster,who rose to fame as a child star in Love Actually.
Brodie-Sangster echoed Curtis’s sentiment, noting that scripts he now receives frequently enough feel “rushed,” as writers attempt to instantly tap into the “zeitgeist.” He explained that projects are “greenlit for a certain period of time” and writers feel pressured to quickly produce material to gain attention,frequently enough resulting in lower quality work.
Despite the perceived decline, Brodie-Sangster expressed fondness for his association with Love Actually and its enduring appeal. “It’s lovely to be associated with Christmas,” he said.”It’s not something I get bored of. It’s something I’m quite proud of and happy to have been a part of. I mean, love doesn’t really go out of date.”
The comments highlight a challenge for filmmakers: recreating the magic of a genre once defined by enduring stories and widespread appeal in an era of blockbuster franchises and rapidly shifting trends.
