The modern holiday classic “Love Actually” has come in for a lot of criticism since its release, including its depiction of the character Natalie, the prime minister’s assistant who is constantly teased for being chubby.
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Now, actress Martine McCutcheon, who played Natalie in the film, is speaking out, explaining in an interview with Cosmopolitan that the point of her story was that other characters’ comments about her weight were obviously ridiculous.
“Her issues weren’t real issues,” McCutcheon said. “Every woman thinks there’s something wrong with them when in actual fact, they are perfect and lovely as they are. She was meant to be the embodiment of that.”
“You’re meant to go: ‘No she’s not [fat], I think she’s lovely!’ because that’s how men think about a lot of women who constantly criticize each other and themselves,” she added.
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McCutcheon also said that the part of Natalie was written with her in mind by screenwriter/director Richard Curtis, and that she is still in touch with members of the cast.
The 41-year-old actress also revealed that her reunion scene Hugh Grant in the airport at the end of the film was actually the first scene shot. She said that filming the final scene first actually helped the cast bond and that it made everyone “genuinely excited” for the rest of the shoot.
