Love Actually, the festive favourite that has captured hearts worldwide, wasn’t initially a hit with its star Hugh Grant, who had a rather grinch-like first impression of the film.
The 2003 romantic comedy has become a seasonal staple, boasting an ensemble of Britain’s finest including Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, and the late Alan Rickman.
Grant famously portrays the British Prime Minister, embarking on a charming romance with Natalie, a staff member at 10 Downing Street, played by Martine McCutcheon.
With its mix of joyous and melancholic narratives set against the backdrop of the Christmas season, Love Actually has charmed audiences for nearly two decades. In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, the cast reminisced about their experiences, revealing some behind-the-scenes sentiments.
Emma Thompson shared a memory of watching the film alongside Hugh Grant, whose post-viewing comment was unexpectedly cynical.
“Hugh came up behind me as we were walking out and said, ‘Is that the most psychotic thing we’ve ever been in?'” Emma recounted during the reunion.
Caught off guard, Hugh queried: “Did I say that?” It seems Love Actually isn’t exactly a sentimental treasure for Grant, who has also confessed to being fuzzy on the details of his character’s storyline, reports the Mirror.
Talking about the potential for a Love Actually sequel, Hugh spilled to Digital Spy, “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about that… I can’t even remember what happens in the film. It’s so long since I’ve seen it. You’d have to remind me. How do I end up?”
In reminiscing about his iconic dance sequence in Number 10 Downing Street, the star confessed the moment was “absolute hell”.
Meanwhile, Love Actually fans have been locked in an online debate dissecting the political alignment of Hugh’s charming yet unnamed Prime Minister character.
TikTok’s Harry shared his annual disagreement with his mother: “Is the Prime Minister in Love Actually, played here by Hugh Grant, a Tory prime minister or a Labour prime minister? Me and my mother were watching this film the other day, and we disagreed on this. I think that he’s a Tory prime minister, and she thinks that he’s a Labour prime minister.”
While the political party of Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister remains a mystery within the filmwhich hit screens in 2003 during Tony Blair’s Labour leadershipHarry contends there are hidden barbs directed at the former Prime Minister, hinting that perhaps Grant’s PM came into power after Blair.
The comments on the post were filled with speculative suggestions about the character’s party affiliation. Some were convinced the portrait of Margaret Thatcher in his office was a definitive sign of a Conservative Prime Minister.
On the other hand, some believed his characterisation aimed to represent a “third party” leader, making him a versatile figure for satire targeting both Labour and the Conservatives.
Opinions ran the gamut with one observer commenting, “Tory. He’s giving David Cameron vibes.”
Another countered: “I don’t think his love interest’s working-class family would be best pleased if he were a Tory! ” Meanwhile, a third proposed: “I think he’s Tory but based on Blair.”
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