Hollywood star Hugh Grant has openly admitted his dissatisfaction with his performance in the 1995 romantic comedy Nine Months, which co-starred Julianne Moore and was directed by Chris Columbus. During a candid interview with Variety published on January 6, 2023, Grant expressed his belief, saying, "Let me stress, everyone involved with ('Nine Months'), with the exception of me, was brilliant and talented. It was just me who let it down."
This film marked Grant's first leading role in a U.S. production, where he played the boyfriend of Moore’s character, whose life faces upheaval upon learning she is pregnant. Despite the star-studded cast, which included Robin Williams, Tom Arnold, Joan Cusack, and Jeff Goldblum, the film received mixed reviews. Reflecting on its experience, Grant humorously mentioned how he has gone to great lengths to keep his wife, Anna Eberstein, from watching the film, stating, "My wife wants to watch it, but I've forbidden her. I've put parental controls on the screen so you can't get it."
This light-hearted admission highlights the actor's self-deprecation and recognition of how he perceives the work amid the highs and lows of his extensive career. Grant, who has enjoyed success with various romantic comedies, has also found himself gravitating toward darker roles of late. He reflected on the nature of the romantic comedy genre, asserting, "They're hard. And with the benefit of time, I really appreciate the good ones I did. The Richard Curtis ones are really about pain."
Grant's musings on pain being integral to these narratives resonate with audiences. He recalled, "It's something my wife spotted. She's Swedish; they're good on pain," referring to his spouse's insights on the emotional depths found within films like Love Actually. Notably, these films contain humor often intertwined with poignant themes, allowing for lasting impact beyond just flighty entertainment. He elaborated, "That's what makes them sustain and not float away like a piece of fluff." It's clear the actor has gained new perspective on his past work as he grows more appreciative of the quality films he starred in.
Hugh Grant's reflections may also signal his evolution as he transitions to characters with more complex, darker motives, as seen recently through his praise for Marc Lawrence's work, calling them "great" due to the warmth and love for humanity embedded within them. He explained how he finds playing flawed or villainous characters to be more compelling, admitting, "Good guys are difficult. They're difficult to keep from being boring. I think almost any actor prefers being the damaged, bad guy. It's much more interesting."
Since his foray back to the big screen, Grant has steered toward roles showcasing more idiosyncratic aspects of his acting skill, earning awards buzz for his portrayal of the antagonist in Heretic. His determination to take on more sinister characters stands out, enabling him to explore varied narratives, moving away from the more traditional romantic leads he once portrayed.
While reflecting on his time spent experimenting with different genres, it's apparent Grant has maintained his sense of humor and self-awareness. He once joked, "It was amazing. You know, you go from hero to absolutely zero in the space of a second" when discussing the drastic shifts his career has seen.
Interestingly, Grant admits his career faced challenges during the shift away from romantic comedies. When the genre faded, he felt somewhat lost. He only recently recognized how films like Nine Months fueled his growth as he ventured toward darker roles. The discussion of his time in romantic comedies is particularly poignant, as it opened the door to many twists and turns his career has taken.
Hugh Grant's retrospective look at Nine Months serves as much more than just disappointment; it reflects the broad spectrum of talent and experience he has accumulated over the years. His transformation showcases the artist’s evolutionary process through film, balancing light-hearted romcoms with the necessity of facing the darker characters he now finds thrilling and engaging.
Overall, Grant’s candid acknowledgment of his failures juxtaposed with his achievements speaks volumes about his growth as an actor and individual. From romantic comedies to thrilling villains, the ever-evolving career of Hugh Grant continues to captivate, reminding viewers of his unique ability to introspectively reflect on both success and missteps.