Hugh Grant is not a fan of his character in “Notting Hill” – here’s why he’s so hard on himself and what he really thinks about the rom-com classic.
Introduction: Hugh Grant’s Honest Take on “Notting Hill”
Hugh Grant has been known for his charming roles in rom-coms, and Notting Hill (1999) is arguably one of his most iconic performances. But despite the film’s massive popularity and its status as a feel-good classic, the actor himself has some harsh words for his portrayal of William Thacker in the movie. In a candid interview, Grant opened up about why he thinks his character is “despicable” and why he’s so critical of his past performances.
The “Notting Hill” Moment That Still Bothers Hugh Grant
In Notting Hill, Grant plays William Thacker, a humble bookshop owner who unexpectedly falls in love with Anna Scott, a famous movie star played by Julia Roberts. While the movie is full of sweet and memorable moments, there’s one scene that particularly haunts Hugh Grant: the one where his character fails to stop the paparazzi from bothering Anna.
In this pivotal moment, Anna is at William’s house when the paparazzi start ringing the doorbell, trying to catch a glimpse of her. Instead of protecting her, William just lets her walk past him. For Grant, this moment represents a huge flaw in his character. He said:
*”Whenever I’m flicking through the channels at home and I see *Notting Hill* on, I always think, ‘Why doesn’t my character have any balls?'”*
He continued, explaining that when the paparazzi arrive, his character just lets Anna walk by without stepping in to help. “That’s awful,” he said. “I think he’s despicable, really.”
Grant’s Self-Criticism: Why He Hates Watching Himself on Screen
Hugh Grant isn’t just critical of his character in Notting Hill. He’s openly admitted to disliking most of his performances. The actor explained that watching himself on screen makes him feel extremely uncomfortable, often to the point of disgust.
“I’ve read that I hate all my films,” Grant said in a 2016 interview. “That’s not true, though. The films are often great. It’s just me I loathe.” He compared it to the cringe-worthy feeling people have when they hear their own voice on an answering machine, but times 50.
It’s not that Grant thinks his films are bad—far from it. It’s just that he’s incredibly self-critical when it comes to his own acting. And in the case of Notting Hill, it’s his character’s lack of action in the face of paparazzi that really gets under his skin.
What Grant Really Thinks About His Notting Hill Role
Although Grant calls his Notting Hill character “despicable,” he doesn’t hate the movie itself. In fact, the film is a fan favorite, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing William Thacker. But Grant’s frustration with his performance highlights a common feeling among actors: no matter how successful a film is, they always see ways they could’ve done things differently.
Hugh Grant’s self-awareness and candor about his own performance in Notting Hill show a deeper level of introspection than many might expect from a Hollywood star. He admits that no matter how good the movie is, he still feels he could’ve done better.
The Real Reason Why Grant Thinks His Character Fails in Notting Hill
At the core of Grant’s dissatisfaction with his role in Notting Hill is the feeling that his character, William, doesn’t step up when it matters most. In his mind, William should have done more to protect Anna, especially from the relentless paparazzi who invade her personal space.
Grant’s frustration isn’t just limited to Notting Hill. He says that every girlfriend or wife he’s had over the years has pointed out the same flaw in his character:
“Why the hell didn’t you stop her? What’s wrong with you?”
Grant admits that he doesn’t have an answer to that question, which leaves him feeling even more critical of the character. While this is just one scene in a movie filled with romance, humor, and charm, it stands out to the actor because it represents a missed opportunity for his character to act decisively.
Hugh Grant’s Love-Hate Relationship with His Films
While Grant’s criticisms of his character in Notting Hill may seem harsh, he has always had a complicated relationship with his own performances. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t hate all his films—just the parts of them where he feels he didn’t perform at his best.
In the same 2016 interview, Grant explained that watching his films is an excruciating experience for him, but not because the movies are bad. It’s because he’s unable to detach from the actor he was at the time of filming.
*”I always think, ‘Oh, you fucked that up,’” he said, adding that watching himself on film feels like an intensified version of hearing your own voice on an answering machine.
Conclusion: Does Hugh Grant Regret Notting Hill?
Despite his harsh self-criticism, Hugh Grant doesn’t regret starring in Notting Hill. The film remains one of his most beloved roles, and the chemistry between him and Julia Roberts is still cherished by fans around the world. However, his candid take on his character’s actions proves that even the most successful actors are their toughest critics. For Grant, it’s all about growth and learning from past performances, even if it means calling himself out for a character flaw he still can’t shake off.
