This poignancy of his words really hit home for many.
Everyone was looking forward to the ‘Love Actually 2’ segment of the Comic Relief telethon on Friday night, and it’s safe to say the reunion of much of the ensemble cast did not disappoint. But one moment in particular stood out.
That’s because it felt so incredibly poignant and fitting amidst current events. After a traumatic week that saw a brutal and senseless attack at Westminster result in the death of four innocent people, with at least 50 others seriously injured, a scripted speech by a fictional Prime Minister spoke to many in a very real way.
Hugh Grant reprised his role as the PM, and was asked by a reporter: “When you came to power the first time you were very optimistic. You said the power of good would finally win that love was actually all around. 14 years later, do you still feel as upbeat?”
Grant, as his character ‘David’ replied thusly, in a monologue that had many at home tearing up:
“Well, interesting obviously times have got harder and people are nervous and fearful. And it’s not just in politics that things are tough, Usain Bolt has run his last Olympics, the Harry Potter films are finished, Piers Morgan is still alive!
“But let’s look at the other side of the coin, Metallica’s album is an absolute cracker, and on a deeper level I’m optimistic wherever you see tragedy, you see bravery too. Wherever you see ordinary people in need, you see extraordinary people come to their aid.
“Today is Red Nose Day and people who are giving their hard earned cash to people they’ll never meet, who’s pain and fear they’ll never feel and want to fight.
“So it’s not romantic love that is all round, most people still everyday, everywhere have enough love in their hearts to help human beings in trouble. Good is going to win, I’m actually sure of it.”
Truly inspirational words spoken with heart and eloquence. It certainly roused the watching public…
That was a particularly poignant speech by Hugh Grant at end of #comicrelief Love Actually film. Seems appropriate after events of yesterday
— Gavin Hamilton (@GHmltn) March 24, 2017
Very poignant speech by Hugh Grant in light of this week #comicrelief
— George Reid (@reid1892) March 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/shanvalentine_/status/845415118460588033
After 13 years #RedNoseDayActually was well worth the wait, Perfect speech from PM Hugh Grant 👏🏼 #RedNoseDay #ComicRelief pic.twitter.com/fusZwTVCE7
— Derwent SNT (@DerwentSNT) March 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/amysings10/status/845393174906359808