The “awful” 1988 movie Hugh Grant admitted was a “catastrophic failure”
The article revisits *The Dawning*, a 1988 drama that Hugh Grant later characterised as an “awful” and “catastrophic failure”. It presents the film as an early-career misstep for Grant, before his breakthrough in *Four Weddings and a Funeral*, illustrating the uncertain projects he accepted while still establishing himself.
Directed by Robert Knights and adapted from Jennifer Johnston’s novel *The Old Jest*, the film starred Anthony Hopkins, Jean Simmons and Grant. Grant had a supporting role, and the article contrasts the film’s poor reputation with the much more successful screen career he subsequently built.
- Hugh Grant later dismissed *The Dawning* as a catastrophic failure.
- The 1988 drama came before his major career breakthrough.
- It starred Anthony Hopkins, Jean Simmons and Grant.