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Original poster

Love Actually

129 replies

lou33 · 20/03/2004 17:05

Did anyone who saw Love Actually notice Colin Firth using the word "spaz"? I'm so upset and angry about it I have emailed Richard Curtis' agent, and asked them to pass it on for a reply. Also copied it to Scope, to see what they think?

Am really disappointed that a writer as successful as RC feels he needs to lower himself that much. It's bad enough anyone saying it, but to put it in a film being seen right around the world?! How dare he make fun of people for sometihng out of their control! If he made a racist slur, insulted a religion would that be allowed? I don't think so.

I've noticed a few films recently taking the p out of disabled/sn people. Is it because there are so many rules and regulations for every other group, but none protecting the disabled?

Sorry I am really really upset by it. I rewound the tape just to be sure, and it's been on my mind since last night.

OP posts:
Marina · 30/03/2004 09:37

No actually, not Lou. (RE-sult!). MIL always loves to be more-PC-than-thou in our household so she was really quite discomfited to hear that Richard Curtis has a) insulted people with cerebral palsy and b) blanked people's attempts to get him to do something about it. In fairness to MIL she is a retired teacher who feels genuinely strongly about appropriate behaviour and language in society!
I have also instructed dh to go in to work and spread the word amongst all his colleagues. And I told dsis, who is a journalist, at the weekend.

emmatmg · 30/03/2004 09:52

Been following this tread and think its a fantasic job you're all doing, wouldn't watch the film anyway as I hate that type of thing but absolutley definatley won't now.
Will spread the word about it too!

juniper68 · 31/03/2004 23:14

I'm mortified as I've seen this and enjoyed it but didn't notice the use of the word 'spaz'
it would have totally spoiled it.
I just have to do something, this is disgusting in this day and age. IMO Colin Firth should have refused to use the word too. I doubt they'd have dared sack him if he had refused.
Grrrrrrr at RC.

juniper68 · 31/03/2004 23:16

Btw I just wouldn't have noticed because I watched it on dvd and would have been in and out of room.

WideWebWitch · 01/04/2004 08:13

Have received a handwritten letter today that says:

"Dear xxx(my real name)
I'm very sorry for the offence caused to you and other members of mumsnet.com by the line in Love Actually. I absolutely didn't think it through and made a mistake.

Thank you for your letter, which I agree with, and appreciate your writing - I trust I won't be so casual and careless with such a thing again.
Yours sincerely
Richard Curtis"

I think that's a pretty good apology actually. I doubt he'll do it again.

spacemonkey · 01/04/2004 08:14

wow, I think that's a pretty good apology too. Sounds sincere. Well done everyone

hmb · 01/04/2004 08:19

It is nice to see, in our litigeous times, that someone is prepared to make an honest appology.

My opinion of him has gone up considerably.

But not half as much as my opinion you you wonderful ladies for putting him right

While the pressure is on, can you get him to do some work for Scope??

spacemonkey · 01/04/2004 08:37

I think this should go in the Sunday Times piece. I feel really proud of MN (and especially you lou) for making a difference.

coppertop · 01/04/2004 09:39

I got a slightly different handwritten letter:

Dear xxxxx,

I'm really sorry for the offence caused to you and other parents of children with disabilities by the Colin Firth line in "Love Actually".

Thanks for your letter - in the cold light of day I agree with it completely and appreciate your sending it. I trust I won't be so casual with such a thing again.

RESULT!!!!

ks · 01/04/2004 09:47

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WideWebWitch · 01/04/2004 10:01

I didn't mention mumsnet in my email to his PR co, did you Lou?

Thomcat · 01/04/2004 10:23

i left before the post this morning.

hercules · 01/04/2004 10:37

Do you think he might log in to mumsnet to have a look?

coppertop · 01/04/2004 10:44

He probably sent Katherine Vile on a mission to see what we were all saying - and she saw us all taking the p*ss out of her name. Oops! I didn't mention MN in my e-mail at all so it didn't come from me.

hercules · 01/04/2004 10:45

I think vile is a lovely name myself.

Marina · 01/04/2004 10:47

Mine hasn't arrived yet (left before post).
I would honestly like to see an undertaking to get future video copies dubbed to remove the word in question AND an assurance that when it is broadcast on cable or TV that the word is also blanked. Good of him to write personally though.
He's a parent - who knows, he or Emma, or both, might be regulars here...

Original poster
lou33 · 01/04/2004 11:25

Just got back to find my letter.It says:

Dear Louise
I really am very sorry for the offence caused to you and your family by the line in "Love Actually".
Thank you for your lettr- which I agree with. I appreciate you sending it and trust I won't be so careless and casual with such a thing again.
Yours sincerely....

Hoorah! Good idea about Scope. I might suggest he makes a donation. I didn't mention mumsnet either.

OP posts:
Original poster
lou33 · 01/04/2004 11:26

Good point marina, I will mention that too.

OP posts:
roisin · 01/04/2004 11:39

I've been following this thread, and feel ashamed that I've not got round to writing yet. But I'm delighted to hear the responses you've had - that's great.

Tinker · 01/04/2004 12:11

Well done lou and everyone else who wrote to him.

ks · 01/04/2004 13:00

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ks · 01/04/2004 13:02

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marthamoo · 02/04/2004 12:28

I got my letter yesterday -

I'm very sorry for the offence caused to you and your friend by the line in "Love Actually". You're right - it was a mistake.
Thank you for writing to me - and I trust I won't be so casual and thoughtless with such a thing again.

Good on him, I appreciate that he took the time to hand-write all the letters, and vary them for each person. He could easily have a had a standard letter typed up and signed by a minion on his behalf. And he admits he was wrong, which is nice to know. The fact that he has made an effort to reply personally to everyone makes me think he genuinely is sorry.

juniper68 · 02/04/2004 14:02

He definitely needs pushing him for a donation though IMO

juniper68 · 02/04/2004 14:08

just emailed asking for a donation to Scope