Top 5 Hugh Grant Films

It’s hard not to love Hugh Grant. The actor has appeared in over 59 films, 10 of which he played the romantic lead. With films like Notting Hill and Sense and Sensibility, Hugh has won the hearts of audiences for over 21 years.

Hugh Grant’s latest film, Florence Foster Jenkins opens in theaters today. The film also stars Meryl Streep who plays the American socialite and amateur operatic soprano who was famous for her flamboyant performance costumes and poor singing ability.  In honor of the new film, let’s review Grant’s top five memorable performances.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

In the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, Hugh Grant plays a role he would be forever typecast in – the good-natured, but socially awkward Englishman. In the movie, Charles – played by Grant – falls in love with Carrie, an American woman engaged to someone else. The two continue to meet at four weddings and a funeral. Charles himself becomes engaged, and is to be wed when Carrie appears and shares that she has broken her relationship. Charles reveals he cannot wed his bride, and the wedding is stopped. One of the best moments of the film is when Charles finally reveals his feelings for Carrie sharing that for the first time in his life he was totally and utterly in love with one person, “and it wasn’t the person standing next to me in the veil.” Charles wins the heart of Carrie, and Grant won ours.

Notting Hill

In the 1999 film Notting Hill, Grant played another love-struck Englishman, longing for a woman way out of his league. Grant plays the role of William Thacker, a book store owner in Notting Hill. He’s divorced and living with an eccentric roommate named Spike when he has a random encounter with a Hollywood actress. Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, the A-List actress who steals Will’s heart. The two embark on an unlikely romance, facing insurmountable challenges like long-distance, a handsome actor boyfriend (played by Alec Baldwin) and Anna’s career as a film star. Will’s wanting to protect Anna, and his genuine love for her make him one of our favorite lead characters.

Bridget Jones Diary

In the 2001 film Bridget Jones Diary Grant finally had a chance to break from typecasting, playing the role of the caddish Daniel Cleaver. In Bridget Jones Grant sheds his awkward Englishman persona, playing a handsome crude businessman who uses every trick at his disposal to get the woman he wants. Grant does such a masterful job playing the deceitful Daniel, it’s easy to understand why Bridget falls for him despite her better judgment.

Sense & Sensibility

The 1995 film Sense & Sensibility is probably one of the most romantic films of all time. Based on the novel by Jane Austen, the story is set in the 1790s, and portrays the life and loves of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. While Marianne’s love life was more active, it was Elinor’s love for Edward Ferrars we routed for. Grant plays Edward, brother to the awful Fanny, who is an intelligent but extremely reserved man. He must choose between a promise he made to a woman many years ago, and the true love he feels for Elinor. Talk about tugging at your heart strings.

Love Actually

An instant holiday classic, the 2003 film Love Actually follows the lives of eight very different couples all dealing with different stages and types of love. Grant plays David, the current Prime Minister, who feels pressure to put his career before love. It’s during his first few days in office that he meets Natalie, a junior member of his house staff and falls in love. What makes David one of our favorite leading men is that he loves Natalie so completely, despite everyone around him hinting at her weight problem.

Florence Foster Jenkins

In Florence Foster Jenkins Grant plays Jenkins’ supportive husband St. Clair Bayfield. See the film in theaters now.