Hugh Grant as the Ideal Leading Man/Doormat

Everything about a person can be told from their mug shot. Case in point: Hugh Grant. Sheepish, embarrassed and utterly self-loathing. This expression explains everything that is so great about him as a leading man. In real life, such a male would never be able to attract the likes of Julia Roberts, Renee Zellweger, Sandra Bullock or Drew Barrymore

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His self-effacing nature makes him the perfect counterpart to a more vivacious, more physically appealing woman. Notting Hill is perhaps the pinnacle of this concept. As the reticent owner of a travel bookshop in Notting Hill, Will (Grant) is all too eager to please any woman who pays him the slightest bit of attention. Somehow, world-famous actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) happens to be one of the few women to notice him. Whether it’s a combination of her freaky deaky desire to want to rough it with a civilian or her genuine attraction to him, there’s something about dating a “nice guy” (read: doormat you can control) that’s all too alluring.

As for other films in which Grant plays more of a douche bag (e.g. Small Time Crooks, Bridget Jones’ Diary, etc.), it’s never really all that convincing. He’s more believable when either playing an utter pushover or a happy medium between this and someone in a position of power who can’t enjoy that power to its fullest, as was the case for his role as prime minister in Love, Actually or the rich and self-consumed George Wade in Two Weeks Notice.

It’s just something about that obsequious, apologetic look in his eye that makes Grant rife for the role of doomed to be broken-hearted leading man. I suppose this definitely came to fruition around 1995 (following his success in 1994 with Four Weddings and a Funeral as the unlucky in love Charles), after his dubious dalliance with Hollywood prostitute Divine Brown. Hence, the telling mug shot that would reveal his entire persona with a single expression. Though maybe at least part of it was knowing he was going to lose then girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley.