If you've found yourself disappointed by recent romantic comedies, you're not alone. Thomas Brodie-Sangster, the beloved star of Richard Curtis's Christmas classic Love Actually, has revealed why he believes the genre has lost its sparkle in the modern streaming era.
The Golden Age of Romcoms
Brodie-Sangster, who played lovestruck teenager Sam opposite Liam Neeson's Daniel in the 2003 festive favourite, argues that romantic comedies have significantly declined in quality. The actor, now 35, told the Daily Telegraph that today's offerings feel 'rushed' and lack the magic that defined the genre during its 1990s heyday.
He fondly recalled the pre-smartphone period when Love Actually was made as something of a 'bygone era' that naturally lent itself to more romantic storytelling. 'It was a kind of simpler time, and maybe that is more romantic,' Brodie-Sangster reflected.
Streaming Services and Superhero Impact
The actor pinpointed two major factors behind the romcom's decline: the rise of streaming platforms and Hollywood's obsession with superhero franchises. 'So [romcoms] are more reserved for the streamers, perhaps, and maybe that's changed the budgeting and the scale that they can do,' he explained. 'When the volume goes up, the quality can – not necessarily always does – but can go down.'
Brodie-Sangster highlighted how studios now prioritise action and superhero films like Marvel and DC productions, which consistently outperform romantic comedies at the box office. The financial evidence supports his claims: while recent romcom The Materialists earned approximately $108 million (£82 million) worldwide, Love Actually grossed more than $245 million globally, and Notting Hill brought in nearly $364 million. By comparison, Avengers: Endgame made a staggering £2.8 billion in 2019.
Rushed Productions and Lost Quality
The actor revealed that scripts he now receives feel hurried, with writers pressured to tap into immediate trends. 'They feel they need to tap into the zeitgeist of what's happening at this moment immediately, otherwise the public is going to be on to something else,' he observed.
Brodie-Sangster described a production cycle where projects get greenlit for limited periods, leading to subpar results: 'Then they just have to send out whatever they've got to get some attention. And so often it's just not very good.'
Despite his critique of the current state of romantic comedies, Brodie-Sangster expressed hope for the genre's revival and remains proud of his association with Love Actually. 'It's lovely to be associated with Christmas,' he shared. '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.'
