Top 10 Cheesy Hugh Grant Movie Moments

Hugh Grant seemingly channelled his inner Austin Powers as Daniel Cleaver, Bridget Jones’ sex-obsessed ex - especially in this 2004 sequel. The character features only briefly in author Helen Fielding’s original follow-up novel, but Cleaver’s role was beefed up for the film - and it’s a good job too. Here, Cleaver re-acquaints himself with Bridget, laying on some suitably sleazy lines in doing so. Throughout the film Grant’s at his scene-stealing best, but this moment reminds us all of Daniel’s morally questionable agenda.

This film may be most notable for allowing Meryl Streep to unleash some of the worst singing ever seen in cinema, but Hugh Grant also hits a few comical bum notes of his own - particularly with his moves on the dance floor. Grant came out of semi-retirement to play this role, and it was worth it for this epic display of 1940s awkward dancing. This is a house party we’d all like to be at, even if Grant’s character will insist on giving a faintly toe-curling performance.

Almost any actor worth their salt has at least one film they did, before they were particularly famous, that they probably regret appearing in. For Grant, that film has to be forgotten ‘80s horror heap, “The Lair of the White Worm”. Loosely based on the Bram Stoker novel of the same name, it’s a largely forgettable film save for one astonishingly bizarre dream sequence. Grant is front and centre, for a scene that features stockings, suspenders, wrestling and the worst bit of phallic symbolism ever put to film. All wrapped up in a synthy soundtrack and cringey airline pilot set-up.

Grant was truly in his element playing Bridget Jones’ playboy love interest in the original “Bridget Jones”. Switching between seductive and sleazy, Daniel Cleaver’s cheesiest moment is probably shared with Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy, during the love rivals’ suitably childish fist-fight at the end. The actors famously improvised their on-screen tussle without choreography of any kind, in an attempt to make it look as juvenile and silly as possible. And as the end result proves, they definitely outdid themselves!

Despite arriving at the height of Grant’s fame in the US, “Mickey Blue Eyes” became a largely forgettable crime comedy save for this incredible, and incredibly ridiculous moment. Co-star James Caan reportedly nicknamed Grant as “Whippy” - because of his nervous nature on set - and his character’s nerves were for all to see during this brilliantly bizarre exchange, in which Caan tries to teach Hugh how to speak like a mobster. His various attempts at saying the words “forget about it” are something to behold.

Not for the first time, Hugh Grant’s moves prove mighty memorable! This Christmas rom-com tends to divide popular opinion but, in Grant’s loveable Prime Minister, audiences were at least treated to a political leader everyone could get behind. Grant even found time to tease co-star Billy-Bob Thornton about his real-life fear of antique furniture, pointing out 500-year-old pieces to the American actor in between takes. All of which makes this astonishing bit of dad dancing to the pop hit “Jump” almost forgivable. Well, almost. Hugh has actually admitted that he doesn’t like this scene, but the rest of us can’t get enough.

Coming after some iffy film projects and that infamous and embarrassing early-’90s scandal of his, “Notting Hill” was arguably the movie which resurrected this affable Englishman’s flagging film career. And it’s most memorable moment is easily this predictable-but-quotable declaration of love. True, much of the cheese is dealt out by Julia Roberts here, but Hugh’s bumbling bashfulness helps ramp up the romantic tension to unprecedented heights. After all, he’s also just a boy, standing in front of a girl.

The film that kick-started the Hugh Grant phenomenon, the story goes that he landed this part after playing a recording of his Best Man’s speech at his brother’s wedding. Whatever the truth, it did the trick, with Grant taking the first of many, many collaborations with filmmaker Richard Curtis. And this scene opposite Andie MacDowell is a favorite for “Four Weddings” fans. Rounding off their relationship with a passionate embrace in the pouring rain, it’s every bit as clichéd as it sounds. In fact, this moment is part of the reason that rom-com clichés even exist!

Loosely based on the career experiences of Andrew Ridgely, the forgotten half of Wham!, “Music and Lyrics” challenges Grant to sing. The plan had been for the film’s vocal parts to be dubbed over using a trained vocalist. However, after a bit of practice, Hugh was convinced to sing all of it himself, including the big concert finale. So top marks for effort, but the entire thing is still built on being deliberately cheesy… That doesn’t mean it’s not brilliant, though!

The rom-com specialist delivers arguably his finest performance as the emotionally stunted Will Freeman in this underrated adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel. Brad Pitt reportedly turned down the role of Will prior to Hugh taking the part, and it’s a good job he did. Because only Hugh could have made this final scene so painfully perfect. And that’s definitely a compliment. Grant literally takes centre stage alongside a young Nicholas Hoult, for a defiant rendition of “Killing Me Softly”, displaying all of his character qualities that we’ve come to love; integrity, awkwardness, self-deprecation and cheese!