Emma Thompson recently shared a captivating anecdote about her encounter with Donald Trump on the set of ‘Primary Colors’ during her appearance at the Locarno Film Festival, where she was honored as a guest of distinction. This story, revealing a unique glimpse into a personal experience, has sparked renewed interest in Thompson’s past career moments, particularly her interaction with the now-47th President.
A Surprising Phone Call
During a career Q&A session, Thompson recounted her time filming the 1998 Mike Nichols movie ‘Primary Colors.’ One particular day, while she was in her trailer, the phone rang. Thompson recalled, “It was Donald Trump. He said, ‘Hello, this is Donald Trump?’ I thought it was a joke and asked, ‘How can I help you? Maybe he needed directions from someone.”
An Unexpected Invitation
The accomplished British actress continued to entertain the audience with the details of the conversation. Trump went on to express his desire for her to visit one of his properties, suggesting, “I’d love you to come and stay at one of my beautiful places. Maybe we could have dinner.” To this, Thompson graciously responded, “Well, that’s very sweet. Thank you so much. I’ll get back to you.”
Connecting the Dots
Thompson, adopting Trump’s distinctive speaking style, confessed her initial confusion regarding how he obtained her trailer’s phone number. However, she soon made a connection. “I realized that on that day, my divorce decree had come through,” Thompson revealed. “And I bet he’s got people looking for suitable people he could take out on his arm. You know, a nice divorcee, that’s what he was looking for. And he found the number in my trailer. I mean, that’s stalking.”
A Historical What-If
The actress humorously reflected, “I could have gone on a date with Donald Trump, and then I would have a story to tell. I could have changed the course of American history.” Her remark encapsulated both the absurdity and the gravity of the moment, highlighting how unexpected interactions can sometimes lead to significant outcomes.
Reflections on Love Actually and Harry Potter
Shifting gears during the Q&A, Thompson also touched on her iconic roles, particularly in Richard Curtis’ ‘Love Actually.’ She expressed her bewilderment at the film’s enduring popularity, sharing, “I mean, it’s honestly a constant source of astonishment to me that that film lasted, not that I don’t like the film. I like it very much, but it’s weird.” The viral moment when her character discovers her partner’s infidelity left a lasting impact, as she noted, “It touched a nerve because we get a heartbreak, especially women; we have to hide it because we don’t want people to see it.”
Conversely, when discussing her role in ‘Harry Potter,’ Thompson seemed less inclined to overanalyze her contribution: “It’s not really an important part of my creative endeavors. I’m really sorry. I don’t even want to be rude to those of you who like Harry Potter, but you know, I came in, did a bit with glasses and a lot of hair, and then left having been quite well paid.” Her candidness elicited laughter from the audience.
Last night, Thompson was recognized with the Leopard Club Award for her achievements in cinema at the festival, which will continue until August 16.
