Hugh Grant‘s character in ‘Notting Hill’ is one of his most memorable characters on screen. The romantic protagonist continues to win hearts today, but Grant apparently doesn’t think so.
The actor spoke about how he thought his character lacked courage and this one scene in the film often brought in complaints from his romantic partners and his now wife. Here’s what the scene is and why he thinks his character is despicable.
Why Does Hugh Grant Hate His Character From ‘Notting Hill’?
In one scene from the classic romance Julia Roberts’s character, Anna Scott, is surrounded by photographers at the apartment of Hugh Grant’s character, William Thacker, with whom she has been in an on-and-off relationship. Thacker has been missing Scott and thinking about what he could have done to keep her in his life ever since they split up six months ago. Then she reappears, and he simply lets her go once more as she addresses the paparazzi
Referring to his character’s behavior in this scene, Grant talks about how despicable it is and how his character “doesn’t have any balls.”
“Whenever I’m flicking the channels at home after a few drinks and this comes up, I just think, Why doesn’t my character have any balls?” He told Vanity Fair. “There’s a scene in this film where she’s in my house and the paps come to the front door and ring the bell, and I think I just let her go past me and open the door. That’s awful.”
He adds, “I’ve never had a girlfriend, or indeed now wife, who hasn’t said, ‘Why the hell didn’t you stop her? What’s wrong with you?’ And I don’t really have an answer to that — it’s how it was written. And I think he’s despicable, really.”
What Is ‘Notting Hill’ About?
Roger Michell’s 1999 film, ‘Notting Hill‘, is a timeless romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love, identity, and social class. The movie follows the unlikely romance between William Thacker, a humble bookstore owner, and Anna Scott, a Hollywood superstar. This chance encounter sets off a chain of events that challenges the couple to navigate the harsh realities of their differing lifestyles.
Related: Why Hugh Grant Found The Popular Dance Sequence In ‘Love Actually’ “Excruciating”
The film has been one of the most popular romantic films of the era and has achieved cult status thanks to its well-written script and the brilliant chemistry between the actors.
