Chiwetel Ejiofor Told Andrew Lincoln He’s a Bad Friend in the Movie

In the beloved holiday romantic comedy Love, Actually, one of the most memorable scenes features Andrew Lincoln’s character, Mark, standing outside his best friend’s house holding giant pieces of posterboard to profess his love to his best friend’s new wife. This iconic moment plays out charmingly within the context of the movie. But fans and critics alike have often questioned its moral implications.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, who played Peter, the unsuspecting best friend in the film, shares this critical standpoint. In a recent interview, Ejiofor openly acknowledged that Mark is undoubtedly a terrible best friend. “I mean, I think undoubtedly,” Ejiofor told ComicBook. “I may be biased, I may not be the jury, but I’ve said it to his face. But yeah, definitely, I think if there was a conversation between the two of them afterwards, it could become heated.”

Ejiofor is currently promoting his latest project, Rob Peace, which he co-wrote and directed. He noted how the debate around Love, Actually and Mark’s controversial gesture tends to resurface around the holiday season. “It ebbs and flows, actually,” Ejiofor said. “There’s a sort of Love, Actually season that comes around once a year that starts just before Christmas and probably ends around Valentine’s Day. I’ve noticed over the 20 years or so since the film came out that sometimes people find it romantic—the gesture, the cards, all of that stuff, and other times, people just think, ‘What is he doing? He should have been arrested.'”

Love, Actually continues to be a subject of discussion, especially during its unofficial seasonal window. This enduring debate adds to the film’s charm and complexity, proving it remains relevant years after its release.

Switching gears, Ejiofor’s latest film, Rob Peace, offers a striking contrast to the light-heartedness of Love, Actually. Directed, adapted by, and starring Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film delves into the true story of a brilliant young man, Rob Peace (played by Jay Will), who is torn between his father’s troubled past and his own bright future.

Raised by his dedicated mother (portrayed by Academy Award® nominee Mary J. Blige), Rob risks everything he has worked for in an attempt to free his imprisoned father (played by Ejiofor). The movie also stars Camila Cabello and is based on the New York Times bestseller by Jeff Hobbs. It highlights themes of family, sacrifice, and the complex nature of personal choices.

This dynamic narrative promises to offer audiences a compelling, emotional journey. Unlike the romantic entanglements seen in Love, Actually, Rob Peace delves into real-life challenges and the lengths to which one will go to reconcile the past with a hopeful future.

The anticipation around Rob Peace is palpable as it promises to deliver strong performances and a gripping storyline. Ejiofor’s transition from discussing the curious case of Mark’s questionable ethics in Love, Actually to addressing the gravitas of his new film illustrates his versatility as both an actor and a filmmaker.

Fans of Ejiofor will likely find his critical yet affectionate take on Love, Actually refreshing. Meanwhile, they can look forward to a powerful experience in cinemas with Rob Peace, a project that underscores Ejiofor’s narrative and directorial prowess.

The contrasting themes of these two films demonstrate Ejiofor’s broad range as an actor and storyteller. As the holiday season approaches, viewers may find themselves revisiting Love, Actually, once again dissecting its iconic scenes while also exploring new, thought-provoking content like Rob Peace.

Source: ComicBook