Hugh Grant plays Will Thacker, the love interest of Julia Roberts’ character Anna Scott in the 1999 romantic comedy.
Hugh Grant isn’t looking back on Notting Hill through rose-colored glasses.
The actor, 64, recently revisited his role as William “Will” Thacker in the renowned 1999 romantic comedy during a Vanity Fair video interview published on November 14, and he didn’t hold back, calling his character “despicable.”
“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?'” Grant remarked, referring specifically to a scene in which Will fails to protect Julia Roberts’ character, Anna Scott, from paparazzi.
“She’s in my house and the paps come to the front door and ring the bell, and I just let her go past me and open the door, and that’s awful,” Grant told me.
“I’ve never had a girlfriend, or now wife, who hasn’t asked, ‘Why the hell didn’t you stop her?'” What is wrong with you? And I don’t have an explanation for it.”
He elaborated: “It was how it was written and I think he’s despicable.”
Nonetheless, Grant expressed nothing but admiration for his co-star, praising Roberts’ emotional depth. “She got an aspect where it looks like her skin is wafer thin. He added, “You can sort of see her soul.”
Notting Hill, written by Richard Curtis and directed by Roger Michell, became an instant classic, receiving three Golden Globe nominations in 2000, including honors for Grant and Roberts. However, Grant’s bookshop owner character remains a sore place, albeit one that supporters continue to enjoy.