Richard Curtis Reflects on Fat-Shaming Jokes in Love Actually
Love Actually director Richard Curtis has publicly expressed his regret over the film’s fat-shaming jokes, acknowledging that they are no longer considered funny. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2023, Curtis reflected on how he had failed to recognize the implications of these jokes at the time.
Curtis, now 66, shared an eye-opening moment he had with his daughter Scarlett, who told him years ago, “You can never use the word ‘fat’ again.” He admitted that he was initially shocked by the comment but now realizes how right she was. “I think I was unobservant and not as clever as I should have been,” Curtis confessed. “Those jokes are no longer funny.”
Body-Shaming in Love Actually and Other Films
In the 2003 holiday classic, Love Actually, one of the more controversial moments features Natalie (played by Martine McCutcheon), who faces repeated body-shaming from various characters. From being called “plumpy” by her father to a colleague remarking on her “huge thighs,” these comments serve as the backdrop to her romantic storyline with Hugh Grant’s character, Prime Minister David. In one memorable scene, David even tells Natalie that she weighs “a lot” after she jumps into his arms at the airport, further adding to the film’s problematic portrayal of body image.
While the movie is beloved for its heartwarming stories of love, Curtis now admits that these moments contribute to an outdated narrative that is harmful in today’s more body-positive climate.
Acknowledging Past Mistakes in Other Films
Curtis has also addressed the lack of diversity in his previous work, such as the 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Reflecting on the film’s predominantly white cast, Curtis acknowledged that he was “sort of wrong and stupid about that.” He explained that growing up in a homogenous environment may have contributed to his inability to write diverse characters. “I wish I’d been ahead of the curve,” he admitted.
The lack of diversity in Love Actually has also been a point of contention, with Curtis regretting the missed opportunity to better reflect society’s changing norms. In a 2022 interview, he admitted that some aspects of the film now feel “out of date,” acknowledging that societal progress is helping shape more inclusive narratives.
The Impact of Body Image in Film
Curtis is not alone in facing criticism over body image in film. Renée Zellweger, who famously gained weight to play Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones’s Diary, has shared her own frustrations over the public’s obsession with her figure. After the film’s release, she was bombarded with questions about how she lost the weight, and she expressed how it saddened her to see the public equate one body type with being “acceptable.”
Reflecting on her role as Bridget, Zellweger said, “It seems to imply that one way of being is acceptable and the other way is invaluable,” before adding that her character’s success in the film should help challenge the idea that only one body type is deemed attractive.
Moving Forward
Richard Curtis’s reflections on his past films reveal a growing awareness of how cultural shifts impact the way we view body image and diversity in media. As Love Actually continues to be a holiday favorite, the director’s admission that the film’s fat-shaming jokes are no longer funny serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come — and how much further we have to go in creating more inclusive and body-positive narratives in entertainment.