We at Cineworld love Richard Curtis. A British institution since the 1980s, when he worked on TV hits such as Not the Nine O'Clock News, Blackadder and Spitting Image, he now brings us his new film About Time.
It's the story of a young guy named Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) who, at the age of 21, is informed by his Dad (Billy Nighy) that he can time-travel. Tim promptly sets about utilising his 'gift' to find himself a girlfriend... And soon falls in love with the beautiful Mary (Rachel McAdams).
So, to mark the film's release, we've decided to step back in time ourselves and take a look at some of Richard Curtis' greatest hits.
It's our celebration of all things Curtis! And after you're done, book your tickets for About Time.
Blackadder (1983-1989)
Richard Curtis shared scripting duties on this British TV classic with Ben Elton (and star Rowan Atkinson on the first series). His penchant for flat-out hilarious zingers quickly became apparent as we followed Edmund Blackadder from the Middle Ages through to the World War I.
Who can forget this one directed at Lord Flashheart in Blackadder Goes Forth? "Unfortunately most of the infantry think you're a prat. Ask them who they'd rather meet, Squadron Commander Flasheart or the man who cleans out the public toilets in Aberdeen, and they'd go for Wee Jock Poo-Pong McPlop every time."
Mr Bean (1990-1995)
Blackadder demonstrated Curtis and Atkinson's linguistic genius. But with the hapless Mr Bean, it was all about the hilarious pratfalls and stunts, whether it's losing ones trunks in the swimming pool or steering a car from a seat attached to the roof. Mr Bean proved such a massive hit in the US that he enjoyed two big-screen adventures in 1997 and 2007.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
"Darling, she looks like a meringue"/"Fiona calls me Duckface"/"Are you telling me I don't know my own brother?"
Crammed with hilarious lines, brilliant performances and memorable moments, Four Weddings launched Curtis into the movie big leagues. He may only have written the script. But his self-deprecating style of comedy was by this point so distinctive that he was regarded as one of the fathers of this smash-hit Brit comedy, one that grossed a massive $245m worldwide. Smart and sassy, Curtis' writing set the standard for all Brit-coms that followed.
Notting Hill (1999)
"I knew a girl at school called Pandora. Never saw her box though." Another major hit for the writer, Notting Hill may be little more than a fluffy fairy tale. But so charming is Curtis' writing, not to mention hilarious, that we forgive the movie for all its faults. Hugh Grant is the bookshop owner who falls in love with a glamorous movie star played by Julia Roberts. Curtis' genius resides in the way that he makes this ludicrous scenario seem plausible and warmhearted.
Love Actually (2003)
Curtis made his directorial debut with this unashamedly sentimental and fuzzy tapestry of interconnecting love stories. It's sweet enough to give you heartburn. But it's crammed with just enough memorable characters and rib-tickling moments to make you overlook its sappy qualities. Our favourite subplot is the Colin Firth romance in Portugal. Our favourite moment is the heartwrenching scene with Emma Thompson crying in the bedroom – proof positive that Curtis can do the raw emotional stuff with the best of them.
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