Shakespeare in Love SPOILERS!!

Brilliant idea Heide. I wonder if those of us who have to wait until Jan 29th will be able to resist a visit now and again? Probably not, with all that talk of goatees and earrings, it will prove more than tempting!!

You're right, Lizza. See? I saw there was a posting here and checked inright away. Though I told myself if it was from someone who saw the film, I wouldn't read it. Yeah, sure.

I am here lurking and looking for any info I can get. Out on this bit of Paradise, we will likely not see it until I purchase the video!!! So, if I collect enough snappies, I just may get some idea of what is going on!

Me? I don't care about "spoilers"....we all know the story anyway. I'll lurk, for sure.

Heide: I can't wait to see this movie. Judi Dench was on Good Morning America this morning talking about her role. THey shouwed a good clip of her and Colin. Rita

Just FYI--the National Board of review named Shakespeare in Love one of the top ten movies this year (#5 to be exact). See, I told you it was good ;-) Here's the complete list: 1. Gods and Monsters 2. Saving Private Ryan 3. Elizabeth 4. Happiness 5. Shakespeare in Love 6. The Butcher Boy 7. Lolita 8. Thin Red Line 9. A Simple Plan 10. Dancing at Lughnasa

I'm so glad 'The Butcher Boy' was included in this list!!! I dragged two friends to see it, after I had already seen it the day before. THey weren't impressed.. but I think you might have had to have grown up Catholic in order to understand. Evelyn, you're right. We all know the story. There really isn't anything to spoil. The only parts that might be a "surprise" are the ones in which Shakespeare takes different elements from his and Viola's late night trysts, and incorporates them into the play. Sort of like the fanfic someone had rewritten a while back, recreating the lines from the Netherfield ball into a Darcy-Lizzy lovemaking exchange.

(winter) The only parts that might be a "surprise" are the ones in which Shakespeare takes different elements from his and Viola's late night trysts, and incorporates them into the play. Even those might not be considered spoilers because we've seen some in the trailers. A balcony scene, the palm to palm dancing (kissing as two pilgrims do), "the show...must go on." I've gotten the idea from seeing Tom Stoppard that their Shakespeare picked up a lot for R&J and 12th Night from things that were going on around him and things other people said. I think I even read somewhere that Will writes down neat phrases that say in regular conversation. So what would be a spoiler? I'd say it would be critical things that might bias an opinion, but then again not. We are all reading the print reviews and sometimes there are critical things there as well.

I think there's plenty to spoil for some people. Then why am I here? I'm not really that concerned about it for myself though I do not want to know if there are any surprises at the end of this movie. I don't want to know intricate plot details. In short, I don't want to know anything I don't already know from the trailer and clips I've seen. And I don't want to know that everything I've seen is all there is to the movie. I do, however, want to hear how he looks, sounds, acts. I'd be happy hearing a out that here or anywhere. Tomorrow is D-Day for NYC and LA.

Gwenythe Paltrow was on Rosie a few minutes ago with a clip of the scene when Wessex tells her that she is to marry him. I can't see where he looks fat, as a matter of fact he is gorgeous. She sauid, "Wessex is played brilliantly by Colin Firth, he is wonderful, he' so funny. Hip Hip hurrah. She said it opens tonight in N.Y and L.A and the rest of the country Christmas day. I must see it he looks too good to be true. SIGH, SIGH SIGH

In the NY Times today there is a v. good review of SIL. It states "Colin Firth plays Viola's fianc� as a perfect Mr. Wrong". That is the only mention of our DB, but it's better than nothing.

Here's a review at film.com ATTENTION SPOILER! No CF mention, but his character is described rather unflattering....

Well, that did not work at all. This is the address in case I fail again: http://www.film.com/ film.com Or, still better, here's the review: Masters on Display | Peter Brunette Though it's hard to imagine something new being said about or done to the Bard of Avon after all these centuries, the delightful Shakespeare in Love proves that when talented people work this vein, there's still plenty of gold left. I had high hopes going into this film, since it was written by the brilliant Tom Stoppard (author of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," and a host of other witty plays that utilize a postmodernist approach to classic literature, for laughs as well as for more serious matters), and directed by another Britisher, John Madden, who gave us the very well-done Mrs. Brown two years ago. These talented men do not disappoint. The central conceit of this occasionally profound and frequently hilarious film is that William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) was once a young, unknown playwright, an ink-stained wretch fully engaged in the day-to-day struggle to make a buck, working on a play called "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter." The theater manager (the ubiquitous Geoffrey Rush), wants him to work as many crowd-pleasing pratfalls and funny dogs into his opus as possible, but Will just can't get the words down. Along comes the ever-lovely Gwyneth Paltrow in the person of Viola, a rich but bourgeois young woman who is slated to marry a piggish, impoverished but heavily titled duke, but who would rather embark on an acting career, despite the period's strictures against women on stage. Not surprisingly, romance flares between the Will and Viola, and Stoppard has a grand old time interweaving the plot of their love story with the emerging masterpiece, now happily re-titled "Romeo and Juliet." Madden keeps the editing and movement at and beyond an MTV pace, accompanied by a nonstop flurry of sight gags and restrained slapstick, and my guess is that this film is going to be popular among high-school English teachers searching, as ever, for ways to make the Bard relevant to their image-addled, print-challenged charges. The director also gets a lot of comic mileage out of the cross-dressing that was an unexceptionable feature of the Elizabethan stage. Stoppard's luxuriant, richly comic language cascades and washes over you, and, for once, more than keeps pace with the sprightly pictures. The constant, purposeful anachronisms, both verbal and visual, are wonderful and the usual problem with mounting Shakespeare--how to handle the famous bits of dialogue--is here wittily milked for its rich comic potential. The playwright also indulges himself in some in-crowd jokes (for example, having John Webster, the notorious author of some very grotesque plays, pop up throughout the film as a sicko teenager who likes "the bloody parts"), but that's just added pleasure for the cognoscenti that others won't even notice. Fiennes, Ralph's younger brother, is convincing and utterly charming as the feckless but promising playwright, though he needs to do something contemporary if he's not to be typecast as an Elizabethan (he was Elizabeth's lover in the recent film about her early days as monarch). Paltrow, on the other hand, has such a classic physiognomy and beauty that she seems more at home in period than contemporary roles. Here, she's fine as Viola, but when she actually acts Shakespeare (sporting a cute, pasted-on moustache) she is less than convincing. The same can be said for Ben Affleck -- who plays an egocentric actor whom Will Shakespeare entices into the role of Romeo's famously slain kinsman by telling him that the play is to be called "Mercutio" -- but his American-bred robustness and affability carry the day anyway. The action does drag a bit on occasion, and the film could have been nipped and tucked here and there, but when Stoppard and Madden contrive to make a happy ending out of a sad one, by segueing magnficently from "Romeo and Juliet" into the Bard's next play, "Twelfth Night," you know that Shakespeare is not the only master on display here.

Just to satisfy my curiosity, one of the clips showed someone on horseback riding toward a castle (?) Was it Wessex? Do you know the scene?

Yes, I believe it was.

Yes, I believe it was. Kinda scary when you know a guy's backside and riding style that well! ;-)

I can't resist. I'm going home tonight, and swore I wouldn't have time to fritter away with my pals on this site, but I saw the movie on Friday AND IT'S WONDERFUL. Great fun - well acted, directed and, above all, written. It makes such a difference to have at least a passably well-done screenplay. CF is very good and there are plenty of scenes for you lot to dissect. I think Fiennes is good too, and Paltrow is, as the cliched film hacks say, "luminous". One oddity was the reaction of the audience. The film is bloody funny, true, and there are some good gags, especially early on. (There are not, thank God, TOO many jokes about 20th century references in the 16th cent. A few are amusing, and, no doubt, essential to draw in an audience many of whom would run away from Shakespeare unless, for the sake of being "relevant", he is made to eat at Wendy's and listen to the Spice Girls. There are also plenty of cute references to his plays.) BUT, it is also very p ignant, and there were some weirdly misplaced titters at some points. Anyway, all in all, a great show. I would put it in my top three films of the last couple of years (the others are LA Confidential and The Butcher Boy). So, you should perhaps allow a couple of days to talk about script/screenplay/acting/direction/cinematography and then proceed to Colin's deep brown eyes/ tight buns, which I suppose will take a year. (;-)).

(Ben) Colin's deep brown eyes/tight buns, which I suppose will take a year. (;-)). Since this is ***THE SPOILER*** topic, are those tight buns visible? Inquiring minds want to know. If so, I will want to lay in my supplies for that yearlong discussion!

(Ben)There are not, thank God, TOO many jokes about 20th century references in the 16th cent. A few are amusing, and, no doubt, essential to draw in an audience many of whom would run away from Shakespeare unless, for the sake of being "relevant", he is made to eat at Wendy's and listen to the Spice Girls. As I sit here eating my biggie fries and bleu cheese chicken sandwich, I think that I resemble that person. Oh, Spice Girls just popped on the radio, as I read, Twelfth Night (or what you will). (I'm not really, already read it and had bagel for lunch;)) Okay, Tom Stoppard I'm not. I don't understand why people think that the masses won't get the jokes? We are not all entirely ignorant. Do some of us not have faith in the American cinema-going public??? And Ben, GP as luminous, don't you think she resembles a Barbie doll? Ben have wonderful trip to Old Blighty, eat, drink or be merry and have wonderful holiday!

Renate, thanks for posting that review. Ben, is there a hint here that you are transferring your affections from JE to GP ? You have already seen that those tight buns attract the "best" leading ladies. Will you be staking out JE's London pad after all this holiday? Actually for "Luminous" read "flavour of the year" or as Laura said a bit of a Barbie!!

(Laura) I don't understand why people think that the masses won't get the jokes? We are not all entirely ignorant. Isn't the "Jaywalking" segment your favorite? And isn't there a famous quote about no one ever lost money underestimating the intelligence of the American public????? I just look at the glazed over eyes of my high-school nieces and the groans I hear whenever I mention any British author, movie, television show, etc., and immediately understand what Miramax is trying to counter in its PR for this movie. They've got a major uphill battle, but at least the critics are helping them out. Do some of us not have faith in the American cinema-going public??? If you asked your average person on the street about Romeo and Juliet, they'd say it was a movie with Leonardo di Caprio...maybe.

Re: SIL... what Miramax is trying to counter in its PR for this movie. They've got a major uphill battle, but at least the critics are helping them out. I must say that GP and Ben Affleck have worked overtime in publicizing this film; they've made it cool and hip. With that title, and a heavy British cast....this movie was headed down the tubes in the US. Great strategy, Harvey. Now we want it repeated for MLSF!!

From VARIETY December 14th: As the year-end award season got under way, a number of newly minted specialized releases showed early B.O. promise, most notably Miramax�s critically-acclaimed �Shakespeare in Love,� which wooed $220,000 on eight stages in New York and L.A. for a snappy $27,500 average.

Nursie... The movie is fantastic, and Colin has much more screen time than I had imagined. He is there from beginning to end. About the only scenes he's missing from are the ones of Will and Viola in bed (and there are lots of those). There are so many funny bits and sly jabs at the acting profession and movie/theater business, which many people miss. Ben Affleck is very good as the vain leading actor and his accent works just fine. I hadn't known who Jim Carter was exactly, but when I saw Mathieu from The Advocate, looking the same as he did, I couldn't believe it. He plays an actor who plays the Nurse in R&J. Well that's all for now. Will continue later.

From the Orange County Register (as referred to me by KJart or the other Karen): Biting the Bard that feeds them REVIEW: Strong supporting performances can't save 'Shakespeare's' slow pacing. December 11, 1998 By HENRY SHEEHAN The Orange County Register 'Shakespeare in Love' Stars: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush Behind the scenes: Directed by John Madden; written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard; produced by David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick, Norman Playing: Opens today at Edwards South Coast Village Rating: R for sexuality Grade: B- Running time:2 hours You might like it if: You liked "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead." There were many hands at work concocting "Shakespeare in Love," a romantic comedy based on the fictional premise that a real-life love affair propelled the playwright, at a crucial stage in his young, as yet uncelebrated, career, into writing "Romeo and Juliet." So, as you might expect, it's a bit of a patchwork affair, with wonderfully funny or touching moments suddenly giving way to stretches of dull overstatement or misbegotten attempts to reveal the playwright's sources of inspiration. But for its first half, at least, the movie is a lively entertainment, full of wit and, if not fully romantic, then at least romantically ambitious. The second half of the feature comes nowhere near the first's achievements, not an insignificant failure in a movie which is fully two hours long. But it does pull itself together for a "surprise" ending whose blatant employment of a grossly improbable dramatic invention to save the day may, on the one hand, be charitably read as a sly reference to Shakespeare's own fondness for such devices. For this, and for the sprightly verbal inventions that sprinkle the script, it's tempting to credit Tom Stoppard, the popularly intellectual playwright ("Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," "Travesties") who did a significant rewrite of a screenplay first penned by Marc Norman (whose more humble credits include "Waterworld"). But then, you'd have to also lay the blame for some verbal clunkers at Stoppard's feet, as the movie displays an almost compulsive need to drop a not-so-clever reference to the genesis of Shakespeare's plays or dialogue into nearly every street-corner conversation. Best then to concentrate on the laugh-embroidered romance, enacted by a matinee-idol style Joseph Fiennes (younger brother of Ralph) who plays young Shakespeare, and Gwyneth Paltrow, whose over-familiar tricks are roughly in sync with a young gentlewoman, Viola De Lesseps, who yearns for a career on stage. When the movie opens, Shakespeare is doing a bit of dramatic yearning himself. Still considered a junior rival to the more well-known Christopher Marlowe (Rupert Everett), Shakespeare's need for cash has led him to accept a double commission: one, from his regular impresario, Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush), for a romance called "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter," and the other for a comedy for Henslowe's rival, Richard Burbage (Richard Clunes). Henslowe's need is the more pressing, since he has a we lthy merchant, Hugh Fennyman (Tom Wilkinson), after him for debts, and he's not above stooping to torture in his collections. Into this crucible of pressure, heightened by the playwright's inner need to make a splash, walks Viola, the stagestruck daughter of a wealthy merchant. Having seen Shakespeare's plays at the court of Queen Elizabeth (Judi Dench), she has fallen in love with the sensibility behind the poetry. When she disguises herself as a boy, Thomas Kemp, to take part in the Elizabethan Age's male-only universe of actors, she finds herself cast as Romeo. And when Shakespeare finally discovers that the young boy who so trangely stirs his fancy is actually a young woman, he not only pursues her with an ardency that challenges social order, but begins to transform the play into the passionate tragedy it became. The movie gets considerable pep from its supporting characters. Rush and Wilkinson make for a particularly fine comic team and Dench brings a sense of dramatic risk the overall action requires. But Colin Firth is also excellent, in a more straightforward part as the proud, if bankrupt nobleman who has planned to wed Viola and her fortune, even if it means running through an inconvenient playwright with his sword. It's when these supporting players are not around for contrast and the lovers are on their own that the movie sags. For some reason, director John Madden seems unsure that audiences will understand Shakespeare's literary inspiration arises from his own love affair, and so wastes many minutes cutting between Will and Viola's lovemaking and play rehearsals long after the point has been made. Then, too, Fiennes is livelier when his amorous advances are punctuated with comedy or action, while Paltrow's three asic facial expressions would be better parceled out over a longer period of time. Your final assessment of "Shakespeare in Love" is bound to rest on how much its slowdown gets to you. If you find it easy to endure, you'll be left with the memory of a lively age vividly evoked, colorful and attractive characters skillfully portrayed, and love and laughs available in generous proportions. If, on the other hand, it knocks you off the rails, you may begin to focus on Madden's pedestrian, TV-style direction or become annoyed by the screenplay's self-congratulatory cleverness (one joke, about future Jacobean dramatist John Webster, the author of corpse-strewn extravaganzas like "The Duchess of Malfi," appearing as a bloodthirsty boy is repeated over and over). There's probably a quote from Shakespeare that refers to this kind of dilemma, but you'll have to search your library, or see the movie, to discover what it is.

Dame Winter, firstly I just wanted to add my admiration and thanks for your efforts on our behalf at the Special Screening of SIL in LA., you were very brave and your report was riverting. I hope he attends the London Premiere in which case I may make the trip to London but I can't imagine myself going anywhere near him. I hope you don't mind my asking but I have been dying to know how Colin's performance in SIL compares with his other roles, I have to wait until the end of January to decide for myself nd would love to hear your opinion, Hope this is not too cheeky from a newcomer.

I can't believe that negative review. I saw the movie the weekend it opened in New York and I LOVED it. In fact, I plan to see it again with another friend. GP doesn't turn me on (duh!), but I thought she was wonderful. CF's portrayal of an Elizabethan creep was terrific, and Joseph Fiennes does things to me that his brother never could. I must admit, however, that I just don't get Ben Affleck. He's another androgynous child as far as I'm concerned. GP seems to like males who look as if they won't s art shaving for a couple of years yet. Not me! Give me CF or Joseph Fiennes any day!

Joseph Fiennes does things to me that his brother never could. LOL, today is Count Almushy's 36th birthday too:) Joe Fiennes' star is definitely rising. I see him as the hottest thing to hit the American Shores since.... Ralph Fiennes;)

I've seen it!!! Yea!!! Joseph Fiennes does things to me that his brother never could. Absolutely. Ralph has never done anything for me, he's always seemed passionless and wooden, but little Joey doesn't have that problem. Gwenyth -- Got sick of her English = nasal accent Affleck -- Nice part and nicely done Rupert -- Good to see him with less hair. Colin -- I think I could settle for him if I couldn't have Shakespeare ;-) I liked it quite a bit, but I thought it seemed a little slow at times. Part of that is the fact that I think love scenes tend to slow movies down. They are almost never interesting (The Tall Guy with Emma Thompson is one humerous exception.)

Saw it finally! Just read the review, Karen. Too early for me to make a fiar assessment, most of my film viewing moments were waiting for Colin to come on screen or watching his every facial expression while he was on screen. I'll see it again it 2 weeks but I see some justification in the reviewer's assessment of Viola and Will's scenes. But Joe Fiennes was excellent! Have to agree that he blows his brother away. Did like all the asides and innuendo in the script though I'm sure I missed many. Like the bits about show business: (Henslowe) "The show must...you know..." (Shakespeare) "Go on!" And the priest (or whoever he was always outside the theatre) constantly spouting about "the business of show". (Ann) Colin -- I think I could settle for him if I couldn't have Shakespeare ;-) Absolutely. The colonies didn't look that bad. (Ann W) I have been dying to know how Colin's performance in SIL compares with his other roles It's probably too early for me to really say but considering that he's playing a character with absolutely no redeeming qualities and did it without overplaying it or stretching it out for laughs speaks well to me. My first impression, of course, is his curly locks are looking fine, that voice makes me melt as always, and I really like the earring. Plus anytime Colin is using his sword is a happy day for me. ;-)

(Heide)Plus anytime Colin is using his sword is a happy day for me. ;-) Well, well, well and from reading topic 34, I think I know where your head was during the sword scenes;)

Colin plays something of a baffoon again. I don't know why he keeps getting cast in those sorts of roles. I thought he made his character more multifaceted than the script might have called for. I kinda liked Wessex, though he was a bit thick.

Ann, from reading your comments and one over at Darcy Dilliriums, I am afraid that by taking this role Colin will alienate many of his fans (not me he can do no wrong as far as I am concerned), what do you think? BTW I have not seen it yet I have to wait until the 29th Jan. Also its a shame that if he had to take this unpopular role that he has not been noticed by the critis who by and large have ignored him and mentioned other supporting roles as being worthy. I'm really sorry to sound so pessimistic but I think like everyone else I had such high hopes for him in this film.

by th critics (of course) sorry

I have just seen SIL also. This is a magnificent film....one that any actor would want in his resume. The script is so fast paced, it is electric.Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman.should win an award for the screenplay The ensemble casting flawless..It well deserved all the kudos it is receiving. I thought GP and JF were superb.Great chemistry. (I happen to like brother Rafe more...puts more gravitas in his acting. But Joe is young) Colin's part is small,but he is in it from start to finish. Always looks gorgeous. He played the role perfectly without overdoing it. I have two tips for anyone who has not seen it: 1. Do NOT let anyone divulge the ending. 2. Do Not wait to see this film on video. Must be seen on big screen. You will feel you are back in 16C. England. The sounds of the crowd in particular. I felt I was in the audience of the Rose Theatre.Sound Track a must to own. I think this film will win many awards. The theatre was 99% full when I saw it. Everyone laughed at the right time, and people stayed to see the credits!! I would rather see Colin in this film than in a starring role of a B film.

Ann, from reading your comments and one over at Darcy Dilliriums } I don't know if I've ever been there, so that might be another Ann.

OK, I've seen it three (3) times now!! And Joe Fiennes gets better and better. The more you watch him and listen to him, he puts GP to shame. Initially, you write it off to the fact that she is playing a man when she's reciting Romeo's lines, but later, when she's doing Juliet, she just doesn't compare. Don't get me wrong, she brings quite a bit to the role and their chemistry is fantastic, but Joe is something else. (And you all know how much I detest the big bro.) Re: Colin as Wessex. After seeing SiL the second time, I went home and watched Valmont. After the third time, I watched Fever Pitch. I needed a Colin-as-cutie chaser after a tall and cold Wessex.

Ann, I'm sorry if I confused you what I meant was that your comments re Colin being cast as a buffoon tied in with another fan's similar comments at Darcy Deliriums and I was afraid that he may be losing fans by accepting such unsympathetic roles. Do you you still consider your self a CF fan after seeidng him in SIL. the same question to Karen.

Sorry about the typing errors.

Ann W, of course I consider myself a Colin fan. I am just troubled that the last two roles he has had in major motion pictures (TEP and SiL) may become a continuing trend. It would be a shame because he is capable of so much more. Another thought could be that Colin is purposely taking these roles to get away from the period drama romantic lead typecasting that he mentioned before. If that's the case, then he has succeeded.

I absolutely agree Karen that Colin is capable of so much more than a small supporting role and I think the Producers think so to or otherwise why would they give him such high billing, fourth in the credits seems higher than the role would warrant. re your second paragraph, if you are right then I am very sorry.

Too not to, sorry again

So Evelyn, when you left the theatre, were you remarking loudly about what a fine actor that Colin Firth is? I dropped his name a few times but the audience in the theater I was in was sparse. This was Saturday at the 12:15 pm showing. Figures these local neanderthals wouldn't see a film with the word "Shakespeare" in it. (Karen) After the third time, I watched Fever Pitch. I needed a Colin-as-cutie chaser after a tall and cold Wessex. LOL. So right. Not that Wessex's bad looking but I think you've got the "cold" part down pat and I wasn't particularly enamoured of him to see him scrambling away from the Queen like a little roach. Ann W, you've brought up some interesting points and if you bring them over to 116 others may want to share in the discussion too. For me, I'd say if someone is turned off Colin because of this role, then they aren't really an admirer of his acting talent, just his looks. I see what you mean about his past choices of roles. He's in few mainstream movies but the ones we've seen of him in the past few years he's played the cad, Simon Westwood in Circle of Friends, the buffoon, Geoffrey Clinton in EP, and now Lord Wessex. People I know who have seen P&P can not believe that this is the same actor who has played these roles. That's where a dose of Fever Pitch is needed and that kind of role would be the one I'd love to see him do again. So Evelyn, when you say you'd rather see him in a role like SiL than a leading role in a B movie I'd agree that I like him in this but if Fever Pitch is a B movie (what do you think?), I'd rather have him do that. That's just me, though. The more I read the above, the more I think if we continue this thread, we should continue at 116. Evelyn, would you prefer we not talk about the ending here? It's okay by me.

For those of us who still haven't seen it; although Gwyneth and Bennie boy have been all over Boston and Cambridge. They have been everywhere and the fans are having the greatest time of it!

(Laura) Gwyneth and Bennie boy have been all overBoston and Cambridge. Those tow kids have worked their buns off promoting SIL. And Ben Affleck is terrific. His British accent is fine and he delivers his lines with great skill..he has a natural timing that plays to comedy.I was v. impressed. (Heide)Evelyn, would you prefer we not talk about the ending here? Heide, I would hate for anyone who has not seen SIL to come upon a discussion of the ending on this board. I know before I saw it I could not resist clicking on here. Thanks to everyone for not spoiling it for me.But, you're the boss:-) (Heide)So Evelyn, when you say you'd rather see him in a role like SiL than a leading role in a B movie I'd agree that I like him in this but if Fever Pitch is a B movie But how many people have seen FP? I'm just talking about exposure.SIL and TEP are timeless films. Any actor would be a fool to pass either one up. I agree this belongs in 116. (Heide) when you left the theatre, were you remarking loudly about what a fine actor that Colin Firth is? I dropped his name a few times but the audience in the theater I was in was sparse My theatre was 4 seats short of sold out....maybe 400 people. And yes, I did remark about CF's performance. The man next to me said: "The whole damn cast was good".I was v. proud of the mid-America audience... We tend to patronize the great "unwashed", but they recognize excellence.

The Sunday NY TIMES rated SIL #5 among the Best Films of 1998. "5. 'SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE' Mischievously literate Elizabethans, hilarious backstage farce and the sultry teamwork of Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow (as passionate prototypes for Romeo and Juliet) made this the most enchanting entertainment of the year. With a sparkling screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, John Madden's film had the temerity to speculate about Shakespeare's life on the basis of his work. Rarely has such presumptuousness paid off so shamelessly well. Amid a splendid supporting ast, the stars shone even more brightly than Sandy Powell's spectacular costumes.

I agree with those who don't think Ralph Fiennes is the second coming, and would also like to put in a word for those of us who didn't like TEP. I started looking at my watch after around 10-15 minutes. CF was wasted in this film. I hadn't even realized he was in it. I was so bored that my mind started to wander and all of a sudden it hit me that Kristin Scott-Thomas' jerky husband was being played by - of all people - Mr. Darcy! I took a little more interest from then on, but not much. I thought th movie was far too stupid to pay serious attention to. In fact, I thought it was the most boring film I could remember seeing. Until Titanic, that is. But that is a rant for another time and another place.

I have just ordered the sound track of SIL from Tower Records; SIL #63387 $18.94 Total Tower records 1-800-648-4844 (This is a UK company so the London one must have it too) Neither Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com have the screenplay yet. But coming.. :-)

That's a lot of money for a soundtrack, Evelyn.

I must admit I have some sympathy with Julie P.'s point of view.

About discussing the ending here....the whole point of the topic is for those who have seen it, to be able to talk about it without spoiling it for others. The people who are visiting here, I am assuming, aren't concerned with finding out what happens in the film or they wouldn't be here. I would like to discuss the ending at some point because I think we'll find there are two very different opinions as to what happened. Other thoughts...? I'd prefer this be as democratic as possible. (Laura) For those of us who still haven't seen it; What? Please 'splain, Laura. Julie, you'll get no argument from me either, especially about Titanic, but yes, that's a whole other rant.

(Laura)That's a lot of money for a soundtrack, Evelyn. Unless one goes to Best Buy or Cost Plus that's the going rate for mail order CDs($18.75). And hey, if you lived in UK you'd be paying that in UKP!! Sorry,... I liked TEP, RF, and Titanic. And I don't feel like I'm not being a faithful fan of Colin's. I see every one of his films at the cinemas. Thursday I'm taking a carful for the second time to see SIL.I just think there is a lot of excellence out there.And I'm not afraid to acknowledge it.But...that's my opinion.

Do you you still consider your self a CF fan after seeidng him in SIL. } Well, I've always been a semi-fan of his. (I'm a bit of a heritic on this site.) I likes AMITC, Valmont, and P&P, but he has shown som poor choices in the films he gets--or is offered. I know he went through that Meg-Tilly induced dry period, but lately his small, supporting, almost-background roles have also been disappointing career choices.

Okay, I SAW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I..... LOVED IT!!!! The sight gags, the wordplay, swordplay, Joe Fiennes (WOW!), Rupert Everett(small part, I know, but so damn handsome!) and of course, Mr. Evil incarnate himself, Wessex.... Colin Firth was hysterical! I laughed at just about every scene he was in. Making an arse out of himself sometimes, but... There was one scene in which he turns and I totally expected him to spew forth "And this is the reply I am to expect!" He had the exact same look! Gwyneth Paltrow was luminous, but she still reminds me of a Barbie Doll! Ben Affleck, was hysterical. And the dog... Well there has to be a dog I guess. I saw SIL in Cambridge with all the literarati so they got ALL the jokes, however, I was the only one who laughed at the Tobacco futures! (I think because I work in the financial biz?) CF delivered that line so deadpan! it was perfection. Anyway, must see it again, for the lines I MISSED from laughing so hard!

ugh

ugh!!!!

Good Morning America just listed SIL as #3 on the Best Films of the Year. his small, supporting,almost-background roles have also been disappointing career choices. I am reminded of an interview I saw with Judi Dench who said she told John Madden (director) that she would be in any of his films.... even to walk the dog!! I think actors select roles on a different level. And hey...write to the guy...tell him you don't like his current roles.. After all it's his fans who put the pasta on the table.

Laura, what did you do to our font??? Close whatever tag you opened, please!!

Looks like it's ok now. Bizarre. Anyway, I'd like to discuss the ending as there seems to be some difference of opinion. I'm on the side that the ending is all in Shakespeare's mind. He is writing Twelfth Night and this is what he is visualizing taking place. I never took it for what actually happened to Viola and Wessex enroute to America. The only reason it is GP on shore is that Viola will always live in his imagination as he writes his plays. Anybody else?

It did look like CF in the water, tho???? I did close the tags several times!!!! everytime I did UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ah, normality, if one can call it that! Okay, re: Ending. definitely what Karen said. but in Twelfth Night, Viola is NOT the only survivor, her brother Sebastian and his man, ugh, can't remember name yet, survive also. Actually a whole entourage of people survive! Anyway, "If music be the food of love, play on...." a play on that was in the movie too!

Yeah, but they don't wash up on the same beach. Remember they are separated until the end.

Another thing, Wessex didn't say "tobacco futures" he said he thought it had a future. A little different, Laura. I thought it was pretty funny that way as well. ;-)

I know that, actually he did say tobacco futures but before he says there is a future in Tobacco;) hee hee.

But future doesn't mean necessarily "financial futures." I'd go with the simple on this one. Stoppard may not be a pit denizen.

(Laura) Mr. Evil incarnate himself, Wessex.... Colin Firth was hysterical! I laughed at just about every scene he was in. Making an arse out of himself sometimes, but... And I think he had great fun with the character. My fav scence is toward the end, just outside the church, when the R&J playbill smacked him in the face, just before GP escapes back to the play. I LOVE this movie! (Karen) I'm on the side that the ending is all in Shakespeare's mind. He is writing Twelfth Night and this is what he is visualizing taking place. I never took it for what actually happened to Viola and Wessex enroute to America. The only reason it is GP on shore is that Viola will always live in his imagination as he writes his plays. I'll buy that. In this case, Wessex may be the loser, but he gets the girl in the end. (Evelyn) I think actors select roles on a different level. Actors and other creative types usually follow their emotional rather than intellectual instincts. The lucky ones have the right management. And don't forget, stardom does not equal happiness.

(Karen)I never took it for what actually happened to Viola and Wessex enroute to America. The only reason it is GP on shore is that Viola will always live in his imagination as he writes his plays. Anybody else? Aw, Karen...I think you're reaching for it. I'm the literate kind.... Essex and Viola are both in that water and both die. It's her ghost walking on the beach. Isn't that just like Tom Stoppard to write such a controversial ending? I hope he has his Oscar speech ready.

test

oh f**k!

again?

I don't think there was a shipwreck at the end either. I think it's just a device to move forward to Twelfth Night. His inspiration was already the cross dressing Viola did - Shakespeare has to continue the story now from his own imagination. I think the scene of Viola walking on the shore alone was more symbolic than real. I thought the narrative said that there was a survivor in this fabled shipwreck. (Am I wrong, Karen? You've seen this more times than anybody.) If Viola really had survived a shipwreck, do you think she'd just be walking aimlessly forever - that no one would have returned her to England? Is this the ending some people don't want to discuss?

Sequel, Sequel, Sequel!!! Tricky Tom is setting us up here (heehee)

(Heide) I thought the narrative said that there was a survivor in this fabled shipwreck. I believe you are correct. Haven't bought the screenplay yet, as it hasn't hit the stores yet. (Am I wrong, Karen? You've seen this more times than anybody.) Well more than anyone else posting on this board.... ;-) If Viola really had survived a shipwreck, do you think she'd just be walking aimlessly forever - that no one would have returned her to England? The Viola of Shakespeare's imagination (and Twelfth Night) washes up on shore in Illyria or something like that, not Miami Beach. In the actual play, she is not alone, but with the Captain and a bunch of sailors. The disparity here may just be that this was his first draft. He then figured out that he needed her to have companions who would be able to dress her up like a boy. ;-) A couple of times I thought I found mistakes with the script (like the Henry number that Affleck uses) but they have been very true to the facts as they are known. However, if anyone is going to see SiL soon, please pay attention to the Scene number that Shakespeare writes at the end as he begins. I thought he wrote "Scene 1. The Sea Coast." That scene is actually Scene 2. (Evelyn) I hope he has his Oscar speech ready. I agree, he cannot lose. Only members of the Writers Guild vote in this category and they would most certainly appreciate the full extent of the script. I would be embarrassed for Marc Norman though. It would appear that his only contribution was the idea (from his son) and maybe the "Pirate's Daughter" part of the title. ;-)

(Karen), The Viola of Shakespeare's imagination (and Twelfth Night) washes up on shore in Illyria or something like that, not Miami Beach. In the actual play, she is not alone, but with the Captain and a bunch of sailors. The disparity here may just be that this was his first draft. He then figured out that he needed her to have companions who would be able to dress her up like a boy. Very true Karen and the cross dressing once more would tie it nicely to Romeo & Juliet. Heide, not only did it say there was a survivor, we saw her as the survivor. I would like to add what a wonderful job Colin did on horseback. It is not easy to ride with the heavy costume and effortlessly jump off and continue a scene. He played the chump once more and that was disappointing, frankly, I do not understand how Livia could see SIL so many times. But then again, all she has to do is look at him and he smiles back. I miss his smiles. Joe F is certainly a discovery after SIL and E. Karen, how many times have you seen it?

(Karen) The disparity here may just be that this was his first draft. That's the assumption I would make and a perfectly plausible one it is. In my case, when I say Viola walking on the beach, I mean Viola of SiL, not of Twelfth Night. In other words, if there was indeed a shipwreck and Viola was the only survivor, (hence Will's inspiration for his next play) why would she not be returned to England? Since I think it implausible that she would remain in the colonies, I think the shipwreck is when Will's imagination kicks in and his inspiration is only Viola dressing like a man. From then on it's all Shakespeare. Whew! A lot of words to explain one viewpoint. There are definitely two interpretations of the ending of this film, though. So anyone who hasn't seen it and really didn't want to know the ending, know that at least you can come up with your own understanding of what actually happened at the end. (Karen) I would be embarrassed for Marc Norman though. It would appear that his only contribution was the idea (from his son) and maybe the "Pirate's Daughter" part of the title. ;-) I missed that one. Must be why he's kept such a low profile. I hope he makes a very gracious acceptance speech. So would those of you who have seen this say that Viola's mother was truly distraught to see her married and gone away? Or was it a show? Kind of like Mrs. Bennet. I loved Colin's rolled eyes at her sobbing when he came to pick up his money from her father.

Welcome back Moon! He played the chump once more and that was disappointing.. Well we certainly know he can do it to perfection. Maybe he'll start looking for a new challenge - the hero!

Yes Welcome back Moon, I hope you don't think this is cheeky of me as I am a relative newcomer but I was wondering as Colin may be in the US this weekemd, is there any chance that he may answer the questions, sorry to be so pushy. I must say that by reading everyone's disappointment at him playing the chump that I am not looking forward to to 29th January, quite as much as I was. However, it certainly shows what a great actor he is , a chameleon among actors and he is said to have had great fun doing it and that is the main thing.

What a mishmash, I really don't know what happened, please let me repeat my posting. Welcome back Moon, I hope you don't think this is cheeky of me as I am a relative newcomer but I was wondering as Colin may be in the US this weekend, whether there is any chance that he may answer the questions, sorry to be so pushy but I am dying to know if he has any future projects in mind, I want to move on from SIL as I regret I am not looking froward to it as much as I was in view of everyone's disappointment as his playing the chump, however, it shows what a versatile actor he is and he is said to have had great fun doing it and that is the main thing.

Hello Ann W, so happy to meet you. I too am waiting for Colin to answer and we must be patient (always a good New Years Resolution). It is hard I know. I do not think the A&E interview is live so he could be anywhere. My guess is that he is in Italy. Heide do you think there is a sequel in the making by the way they ended SIL?

You sure sound like you're hoping, Moon, but I don't think the ending was left open for the possibility of a sequel. An ending filled with questions is always more tantalizing than an ending tightly wrapped. Sequels rarely live up to the original anyway. I don't think I'd like to see one in this case. By the way, since it's not always easy to write to you ;-), the questions were re-sent to London on 12/22.

It is only because I am starved for good films that I wonder if there might be a sequel. I look forward to a Firthfilled New Year!

(Heide) In my case, when I say Viola walking on the beach, I mean Viola of SiL, not of Twelfth Night. In other words, if there was indeed a shipwreck and Viola was the only survivor, (hence Will's inspiration for his next play) why would she not be returned to England? Since I think it implausible that she would remain in the colonies, I think the shipwreck is when Will's imagination kicks in and his inspiration is only Viola dressing like a man. From then on it's all Shakespeare. I don't follow. Need more coffee.

Just say you agree with me, Karen. ;-) I'm afraid if I keep on, I'll dig myself an even deeper hole in the sand.

( Heide)I think the shipwreck is when Will's imagination kicks in and his inspiration is only Viola I agree. Just saw it second time. Shipwreck scene...(even with a male that looked like Essex) is in Will's imagination. Earlier in the film he talks about this to Viola as a dream he had.The shipwreck scene then acts as his inspiration for Twelfth Night:Scene 1. The coast.

I'm with you, Heide and Evelyn, the shipwreck was entirely in Will's imagination. It was the only way he could cope with Viola leaving with Wessex. Remember, the scene starts with Will writing away, then fades to the shipwreck. I don't think there will be a sequel. I made a quick scan of the comments. I noted one about Colin's horseback riding, but how about his singing? I was LOL. Shorter than 'yes, we have no bananas,' but equally entertaining! I will definitely have to see this again. I missed alot. I was glad to see so much of Colin, even if he was the bad guy. I enjoyed hearing the rest of the audience (small, since I was at a matinee) chuckle and grunt when he was left alone in the carraige after the wedding. The more people dislike Wessex, the better Colin is at doing his job! He can get so much across with his facial expressions. I've always known this, but it seemed instantaneous in this movie.

The CD of SIL is **wonderful**. I bet Stephen Warbeck who composed the original score gets an Oscar Nomination. The CD features two themes involving Wessex: #9 The Arrival of Wessex #17 Wessex Loses a Bride. Didn't you love it after the wedding when he says to the guests: "You all come and visit us in Virginia".Then he goes into the carriage and is alone.....reminiscent of Geoffrey Clifton waiting for Katherine in the taxi!! She doesn't show up either. This guy says he hates to be stereotyped ...so what does he call those two roles in a row!

(Evelyn) Didn't you love it after the wedding when he says to the guests: "You all come and visit us in Virginia".Then he goes into the carriage and is alone.... Yes, that is my new favorite scene. I'm still laughing out loud while I'm reading your description of it, Evelyn. Like he really wants these people to come visit him in Virginia. "you all" I'm curious... so she leaves him alone in the carriage. At this point, what's to stop him from just leaving her there and continuing on alone? I'd guess you'd have to say it was his pride - I suppose the money was his by then.

Siskel and Ebert have put out their top ten lists for 1998: Siskel #5 = SIL (#1=Babe Pig in the City) Ebert #8 = SIL (#1=Dark City)

I finally saw it this weekend (twice!) I really enjoyed the film and thought CF was a great villain. With an actor of lesser talent, Wessex could have been a cartoon, but CF made him seem real. Just not very likeable! I just wish there had been more of him. Maybe I got my hopes up too high by reading other's posts but the role was a smaller than I realized. I agree Evelyn and Heide that the carriage scene was hysterical. I also loved the way he said "You are allowed to show your pleasure." Too funny.

For those of you who missed the interview, following is a URL that will lead you to the transcription (as well as I could do it) and appropriate Snappies. Enjoy :-) http://firth.com/html/bwaintvw.html

(Eileen) I noted one about Colin's horseback riding, but how about his singing? I was LOL. Shorter than 'yes, we have no bananas,' but equally entertaining! Wasn't that a little surprise. I know this is the SPOILER topic, but when I've talked to other Colin people I still haven't divulged that little bit. Don't know why... Other parts I haven't told people about are the "ghost" scene and the flat-footed running.

We are all devoted to Colin and his acting ability but perhaps less enthralled with his character, Lord Wessex. From the interview, we've gathered he was up for Will in 1992. He was just 31/32 -not too old then, I don't think, but he certainly would be in 1998. Question: If Colin could not play Will, and if he hadn't played Wessex, is there any other role in this film you would have preferred he play?

Queen Elizabeth? I think I would've liked to have seen him in that get up:)

How about Ben Affleck's role? A bit smaller, but more agreeable, wouldn't you say? I couldn't imagine him as anyone else. What would they have done to his teeth (i.e., Goeffrey Rush, Judi Dench)?? Hah! I would have loved to see Colin as Will (you're right, he wasn't too old) but regret is completely offset by realization that in '92, it wasn't this script or this director. Julia Roberts was to be Viola. The thought of this movie "Hollywood-ized" leaves me cold. Hmmmm, perhaps a comet would have smashed into the Globe theater? BTW, I saw "You've Got Mail" yesterday solely for P&P references. SiL is a *MUCH* better movie.

I agree, I think Colin would have been smashing as the vain actor Ned Allyn that Ben Affleck played. It would have been something we haven't seen him do yet, or has there been a part like that? The neat thing about the Ned Allyn role is that he comes off very well, putting the play finally ahead of his own ego and we like him for that. When I said that Colin was too old for the part of Will Shakespeare, that didn't mean he is too old in anyway to do romantic leads. Playing against a Julie Roberts, his age (32) wouldn't have been a problem, but against a Gwyneth Paltrow, definitely. Much as Colin still has his boyish good looks (that we last saw in FP), they would have looked at the whole picture (Gwyneth and her leading man together) and frankly Joe F as made up to be WS looks right.

I agree, I think Colin would have been smashing as the vain actor Ned Allyn that Ben Affleck played. It would have been something we haven't seen him do yet, or has there been a part like that? The neat thing about the Ned Allyn role is that he comes off very well, putting the play finally ahead of his own ego and we like him for that. When I said that Colin was too old for the part of Will Shakespeare, that didn't mean he is too old in anyway to do romantic leads. Playing against a Julia Roberts, his age (32) wouldn't have been a problem, but against a Gwyneth Paltrow, definitely. Much as Colin still has his boyish good looks (that we last saw in FP), they would have looked at the whole picture (Gwyneth and her leading man together) and frankly Joe F as made up to be WS looks right.

I am sorry Colin didn't get to play Will in 92...the right age.Although JF looks like Shakespeare.He is slighter in build than Colin. But I'm glad they gave the script re-write to Tom Stoppard. IMO the script makes this film... and the direction.

Today's Chicago Tribune has printed a guide to SiL. All those burning questions of who's who? Then there's a picture of Colin with Judi Dench (one of his bowing and scraping ones) but he goes uncredited!! Caption reads: Elizabeth I (Judi Dench) went to the theater in "Shakespeare in Love." In truth, the theater came to her. Questions asked and answered: 1) What's with that young, preteen ragamuffin John Webster, who shows a fondness for pet rodents and gory stage business in the movie? 2) Who is Christopher Marlowe and, as the movie suggests, might he possibly have helped Shakespeare to write his plays? 3) Was there really a woman named Viola De Lesseps and might Shakespeare have ahd an affair with her? 4) Was there really a Rosaline, the promiscuous wench sleeping with Shakespeare, Burbage and a government official in the movie? 5) Was there really an actor named Ned Alleyn, the boisterous, declamatory character played by Ben Affleck? 6) Is it likely Queen Elizabeth I went to a public Elizabethan theater as she does in the play and met William Shakespeare? 7) Was there really an Elizabethan theater called the Rose? 8) Was there a rival company run by an actor named Richard Burbage?

(Evelyn) IMO the script makes this film... and the direction. Interesting thing, Evelyn, is that this article only talks about Stoppard doing this and Stoppard doing that. Does make one wonder what else Marc Norman might have contributed beside the pirate angle?

Karen...would I be asking too much if I asked you to give us the answers to the Chicago Tribune questions, please. I know some, but not all...Rosaline?Ned Alleyn?.. did E.I go to a public theatre? Great PR even if poor Colin goes uncredited in the photos. BTW, I have wondered why Rupert Everett went uncredited in SIL. Personal choice? Anybody know?

No problem, but will have to boil them down. 1) John Webster wrote 2 bloody classics: The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi. Little is known of his life, but he may have been an actor as well. 2) Big explanation of Marlowe. He did die in a tavern fight. Long-standing literary debate about whether Marlowe secretly survived the tavern fight and wrote S's plays. 3) No Viola and no Wessex. Explanation of S's marriage to Anne Hathaway and how he was in London without her around 1592. But points out use of name Viola and gender changing relevance to Twelfth Night. 4) Is one of S's fictional characters in R&J, the one Romeo is mooning over at the beginning. "Her portrayal as a slut who two-times S is Stoppard's playful way of suggesting the playwright was getting Cupid's revenge in naming the Romeo and Juliet character." 5) Edward Alleyn was an actual actor celebrated for his bombastic style and known to have appeared in a number of Marlowe's plays. 6) No the theater came to her. 7) "As the movie states, an actual impresario named Richard Henslowe ran the Rose Theatre...and he left behind a diary that provides scholars with information about the operation of such theater organizations...In reality, Henslowe is known to have had poor relations with his actors and document...accuses him of embezzling their money and property." 8) There was a rival company which Richard Burbage inherited from his father James. Burbage was considered the first outstanding English actor and he became one of S's more important players, creating such roles as Hamlet, Othello, Lear and Richard III. In 1599 Burbage and his brother built the Globe Theatre. Think that's it!

Thanks Karen for condensing the background.Geoffrey Rush really does portray Richard Henslowe in an accurate form. I found this in the Yahoo Review of SIL by their own reviewer: "Colin Firth, the British heartthrob who played the male lead in the recent, superlative Pride and Prejudice TV mini-series, is Lord Wessex, the cold-hearted noble who stands between Will and Viola's love." I find it interesting that after three years they still mention P&P. He'll never live that part down....nevah!

(Evelyn), I find it interesting that after three years they still mention P&P. He'll never live that part down....nevah! He will never live it down in my heart. The surprising part is that they called him a British heartthrob. Why does he not get heartthrob scripts then?

Why is he not in Star Wars with Ewan? etc

(Moon)Why is he not in Star Wars with Ewan? etc Mobetta than Liam Neeson...did anyone see "Les Miserables"? Jean Valjean was perfect for Colin. LN was awful. But why aren't we lobbying Miramax...instead of just talking and whining ?

(Evelyn) Mobetta than Liam Neeson... Oh, I like Liam. He's so...large ;-p

(Evelyn) I am sorry Colin didn't get to play Will in 92...the right age.Although JF looks like Shakespeare.He is slighter in build than Colin. Absolutely, IMHO. Joe gets my "longest eyelashes of the year" award. The film was perfectly cast and acted. I know we're all pining for Colin to shine in a protagonist role before a large, world-wide audience (again!).

Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex?

Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex I've not seen SIL...just a brief clip! But one thing that puzzles me is why everyone sems to think Wessex is such a sleaze. Correct me if I'm wrong, but after the wedding, Viola runs off to Will. Why does Wessex go after her? Why does she go back to Wessex? And does he want her back? He could have quite legitimately divorced her/consigned her to a nunnery (accepted practice for errant wives), re-married and kept all the cash. Once they were legally wed, the marriage settlement was all his. And in some ways Wessex seems to be acting quite normally...arranged marriages were commonplace, and romance didn't enter the equation. And he might have been a very successful tobacco farmer!!

(Ann), Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex? Wessex as a character is not very likeable. He is a chump and we want a hero. But, he is so handsome! I really like his looks goatee and earring, I am just waiting for a tiny picture of him to appear in a mag to slip it into my wallet. At least we get to see him fence again and have I mentioned how well he rides?

(Ann) Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex There is something to be said for Wessex. He's been approached apparently by the father (not vice versa) to marry the daughter and give her a title, in effect pulling her out of the middle classes. ("Your father was a shopkeeper.") When he goes after her and is seen in the theater, he sits down rather than cause a scene. How did it look to you? Was he taken in by the performance and therefore we could give him a smidgen of amiability or was he just being a sniveling coward again? (Bethan) But one thing that puzzles me is why everyone sems to think Wessex is such a sleaze. Sniveling coward is a better term and Moon's use of a "chump" does describe how Viola inadvertently and QE deliberately make him look. Why does Wessex go after her? He's got a boat to catch and how would it look to have lost one's wife a few minutes after the ceremony. Why does she go back to Wessex? Queen Elizabeth essentially orders it, although she addresses those remarks to Thomas Kent (Viola's male alter ego). And does he want her back? Had to be ego and reputation because everything you've said about his being able to keep the money would appear to be true. And he might have been a very successful tobacco farmer!! That is becoming a very bothersome point. It was 1593 and as some have pointed out that was way before Jamestown and even the ill-fated Roanoke settlement in Virginia. I must unearth my American History books. Lent an early immigration history book I had and it was never returned. Will do some research. Seems so strange they blew the history.

Jamestown was founded in 1607 by the British settlers. It's in all the History books here in America. Pocahontas, James Smith, remember????

Ooops John Smith, sorry had a very late night!

I guess if Wessex had been amiable, it would have spoiled the plot. He sounds like an intellectually-challenged aristo....the product of too much in-breeding! Marrying into the middle classes seems like a good idea! And maybe the New World will be the making of him...!

(Karen), When he goes after her and is seen in the theater, he sits down rather than cause a scene. How did it look to you? Was he taken in by the performance and therefore we could give him a smidgen of amiability or was he just being a sniveling coward again? Good points and I would say true on both counts. He would not make a scene, it was bad enough his wife of 10 minutes was making a spectacle of herself on the stage (not v. noble). Afterwards, he was taken by the performance (yes, amiable!). What was absurd, was the Queen showing up there, they blew the histoty here too.

Have skimmed through a couple of books on Roanoke given up in 1590ish (Raleigh's place) and Jamestown (1607). Wessex I suppose could have gone to Virginia (yes that was what it was called) although it would appear more likely that he would have gone to the West Indies. The earliest tobacco crops in Virginia were in the Jamestown settlements of about 1612, although they were growing tobacco on Trinidad and other places. Seems like there was a great deal of talk and planning prior to the formation of the Virginia Colony Company, which underwrote Jamestown, but highly unlikely that an individual would set off. Since the loss of the Roanoke settlements, popular thought was "go in greater numbers." More later, with details. This is from memory.

I actually thought Wessex might redeem himself at the theatre because he did seem to be taken in by the play. Unfortunately he doesn't but at least he doesn't create a scene. He's a better man than some in this film. Very few men besides Colin could carry off that big pearl earring he wears. I believe the anachronisms in the movie were intentional. What's one of the first things we see in the film? The Stratford mug? As we all know, this is not a historical film.

From "They saw it happen" by CR Routh (I got it yonks ago as a school prize!) The Discovery of tobacco On April 9th, 1585, Sir Ralph Lane (d.1603) sailed in an expedition led by Sir Richard Grenville to establish a plantation in North America. The colony was established in what is now North Carolina, and was then named Virginia. After Grenville sailed for home, the colony was moved to Roanoke where much exploration of the country took place. But in the end the colony was a failure and Francis Drake brought the survivors home in 1586. Do these dates fit in with SIL? Perhaps Stoppard part based Wessex on Sir Richard Grenville. But it seems likely that Wessex and Viola, if they survived, would have returned home. AHA! A sequel is possible!

(Bethan)But it seems likely that Wessex and Viola, if they survived, would have returned home. AHA! A sequel is possible! True, True....Starring GP and CF. She falls madly in love with her husband in the New World and upon returning to England decides that Will Shakespeare was just a schoolgirl crush. Fan Fic writers....take off....

(Heide) Very few men besides Colin could carry off that big pearl earring he wears. Inside every grey cloud, there's a silver lining.... I believe the anachronisms in the movie were intentional. What's one of the first things we see in the film? The Stratford mug? As we all know, this is not a historical film. Loved the mug, "prefent from Stratford on Avon." There should've been a t-shirt next to it with "my parents went to Stratford and all I got was this lousy t-shirt." Granted it's not a historical film, but I don't think anything really contradicts history or prevalent literary views where no documentation exists. Of course, Shakespeare is seen writing Act I, Scene 2 of Twelfth Night at the end...not Scene 1 as we see he has written. I chalk that up to it being his "first draft." ;-) (Bethan) Do these dates fit in with SIL? The problem with the dates is the years between the abandonment of Roanoke and the establishment of Jamestown, much later. It's certainly not out of the question that there were other sailings. But it seems likely that Wessex and Viola, if they survived, would have returned home. AHA! A sequel is possible! Wessex probably gave Viola to the local Indian chief because she kept moping about having poetry in her life and married Pocahontas' sister. He then set off across country and reached the Pacific Ocean, where he founded a settlement called Los Angeles. The weather was better and he wouldn't have to wear all that heavy clothing that hid his legs. ;-)

Or perhaps the tobacco plantation flourishes and Wessex makes a fortune out of cigars.And his great-great-great-great-great-gradson becomes President of the United States! Strange experience.....my husband has just seen a clip about SIL on BBC News24, and wants to go and see it. "Have you heard about Shakespeare in Love..it looks very good. Judi Dench is in it." Praise be to the Lord..and he doesn't even like costume drama! Saw CF again in the clip...very handsome. I know I'm wholly biased , but I actually feel rather sorry for Wessex!

IMO, Wessex was drawn to Viola for her money, but it was a bonus that she was attractive as well (...your eyes...no, your lips). I also don't think the writers were sticklers for history facts; they could have had the Wessex's going to the West Indies just as easily as Virginia. (Karen)Loved the mug, "prefent from Stratford on Avon." There should've been a t-shirt next to it with "my parents went to Stratford and all I got was this lousy t-shirt." LOL! Does anyone think there were shrinks back then? Loved the bit when he turned over the hour glass at the start of the session.

(Eileen) Does anyone think there were shrinks back then? Loved the bit when he turned over the hour glass at the start of the session. How about JF reclining on the doctor's leather couch..... and ending with..."See you next week".

Here is something you might enjoy from USA Today. Many questions answered. Still, many of the best bits are takeoffs on lines from the Bard's plays � and there, as Hamlet would put it, is the rub. Most everyone will get the joke when the Puritan preacher Makepeace rails against "sinful" theaters in phrases lifted almost whole from Romeo and Juliet, but what about those sly references to less-familiar works? If you don't know your Cymbeline from your Coriolanus, here's a cheat sheet: Shakespeare's signature. Wrestling writer's block, Joseph Fiennes' Shakespeare scribbles his name over and over. Look closely: You'll see he uses different spellings � a nod to the fact that the six surviving copies of Shakespeare's signature show considerable variations in abbreviation and spelling. It's not that he couldn't remember his own name; in his era, few standardized spellings existed, even of names. 'One Gentleman.' Fiennes says theater owner Henslowe still owes him for "one gentleman of Verona." Apparently Henslowe has paid only half the fee for The Two Gentlemen of Verona � an early Shakespeare play, and the one that catches the attention of Gwyneth Paltrow's Lady Viola with the lines she quotes for her audition: "What light is light, if Silvia be not seen?" 'The Rose smells thusly rank by any name.' Makepeace is talking about the Rose Theatre; he concludes with, "I say a plague on both their houses." Both phrases are much like famous lines from Romeo. It's a funny moment, but an important one, too: In this early scene, Stoppard and Norman begin to show how their Shakespeare makes art of the stuff of life � the film's central idea. As the film goes on, Fiennes turns many more everyday events into high drama. Dr. Moth. The shrewd alchemist/shrink who ponders Shakespeare's outrageously Freudian complaints ("The proud tower of my genius has collapsed") bears the name of a smart-aleck page-boy who punctures the pretensions of his buffoonish master in Love's Labours Lost. (There's also a fairy named Moth in A Midsummer Night's Dream.) 'Master Crab is nervous. He's never played the palace.' Not a Shakespeare gag, but one some younger audiences may not get: In vaudeville days, the Palace was a top-rank New York house; to "play the Palace," literally or figuratively, means to make it to the big time. Today's Palace is home to Broadway's Beauty and the Beast. Rosaline's fall from grace. Smitten by a seamstress, Fiennes changes the title of his work-in-progress Romeo and Ethel to Romeo and Rosaline. But when he catches her in bed with another, the seamstress loses her chance at immortality. Rosaline never appears onstage in the Romeo and Juliet we know, but we're told early on that she's the object of Romeo's affection. In fact, Romeo and his cohorts crash the Capulet ball chiefly because Benvolio, Mercutio and the rest want to get a better look at Rosaline; Romeo, of course, forgets her nstantly when he sees Juliet. 'Give me to drink mandragora.' A dejected Fiennes orders this potion at the local tavern. Mandragora is a sedative, and the line is from Antony and Cleopatra; the Egyptian queen, distraught that her lover has returned to Rome, tells her servant Charmian to "Give me to drink mandragora. . . . That I may sleep out this great gap of time." Marlowe's advice. Christopher Marlowe helps Fiennes define Romeo's character and outline the play's plot. It's funny because Marlowe is among the writers said by some doubters to be the true author of Shakespeare's plays. That bloodthirsty kid. A sadistic street urchin with theatrical ambitions likes Shakespeare's horrific Titus Andronicus best: "Plenty of blood � that's the only writing," he says. His name, Fiennes asks? "John Webster" � who grows up to write the morbidly violent revenge tragedy The Duchess of Malfi. Possibly the most esoteric in-joke in the film. Marlowe's 'ghost.' The church scene in which Lord Wessex glimpses a man he believes to be dead will remind some of the ghostly visitations in Hamlet. But Claudius, that play's murderer, never sees his victim's shade. Better parallels are Macbeth, in which Banquo's ghost appears to the usurper responsible for his death, and Julius Caesar, in which Caesar's ghost stalks Brutus on the battlefield. 'Twelfth Night.' The play Fiennes begins at the movie's close does, indeed, feature a lead named Viola who disguises herself as a boy when shipwrecked in an unknown land. And it was commissioned � probably by Elizabeth I � for a court performance on Twelfth Night (Jan. 5, the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas). But it was written years after Romeo, and almost certainly wasn't inspired by a lost love � though it is the most tragic of Shakespeare's comedies. The apothecary's hat. Cast as the apothecary in the play-within-the-movie, producer Hugh Fennyman (Tom Wilkinson) fusses anxiously over wearing just the right hat. His concern comes not from pride but from a need to be part of a story that has moved him deeply, and it echoes the touching vanity of Malvolio, the major domo of Twelfth Night. 'It needs no wife come from Stratford to tell you that.' Fiennes says this to acknowledge that he can't hope to marry Paltrow (he's already married; she's engaged to a lord). The line echoes Horatio's reply to Hamlet's observation that Denmark is full of knaves and villains: "There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave to tell us this." Other Hamlet references pepper Shakespeare in Love � some funny, some serious, too many to list. Among highlights: In a brawl, Richard Burbage gets clobbered with a skull. (The real Burbage was the first actor to play Hamlet, who delivers his "Alas, poor Yorick" speech to a skull.) Indeed, says Folger Shakespeare Library scholar Georgiana Ziegler, "As the movie moves closer and closer to tragedy you get more and more echoes of Hamlet." By Trey Graham, USA TODAY

Just correcting the author:by on Twelfth Night (Jan. 5, the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas). The Twelfth Night is Jan. 6 ( when the Three Kings arrive)

Thanks heaps for the info, Moon! As I posted at 116, I just saw it again (second time) and got much more out of it. It's been more years than I care to admit since I had anything to do with Shakespeare, so this article was most helpful. I think the rest of the audience (and it was a big one, for a matinee) missed all the references. At least I knew about John Webster. Nobody else got it (they missed most of the Hollywood refereces, too). What makes this movie so good is, as the critics have said, you d n't need to know Shakespeare. There's plenty of laughs to go around. Colin's bit on the stairs with the nurse (when Viola is late for Greenwich) is hilarious. One of the funniest moments, which has made many clips, is at the end: "that woman is a woman!" when Jim Carter motions with his hands. If Colin wants to take his time and judiciously choose more projects like TEP and SiL, that's fine with me!

'Master Crab is nervous. He's never played the palace.' ...the Palace was a top-rank New York house; to "play the Palace," literally or figuratively, means to make it to the big time. Couldn't it be quite simply a reference to appearing in a play at the royal court? Same meaning, yet a more plausible connection...

Mary Murphy from "Murph's Corner" on colinfirth.com has written a sequel to SIL a real tear-jerker. She has given me permission to pass on the URL to all interested Droolies. http://www.colinfirth.com/html/tale.html

Oh, I feel a sequel coming on. How about Mel Gibson for Wessex? :-)

LOL, Bethan! How you twist the knife!

Hi, just my thoughts on the film before I go to bed, firstly I loved it and am going to go and see it again with my sister and this time I will concentrate more fully on the film and some of the Shakespeare jokes which my husband got but I didn't , I was so busy waiting for the next glimpse of CF. Secondly I wasn't at all disappointed with Colin's performance or his chartacter, I particularly liked it when he was being forceful not so much when he was being a whimp but he brought a smile to my face on one or two occasions when he was being wimpish. I thought Joseph Feinnes was excellent and he has the most wonderful eyes, those lashes but he is still not Colin. GP was very good also but, and I think I am on my own I did not think there was as much chemistry between them as the critics have said, however, I thought GP'S accent was wonderful especially after hearing her speak in her own voice. As the critics have said all the performances were perfect the only one I would argue with and I apologise to any BA fans �

Hi, just my thoughts on the film before I go to bed, firstly I loved it and am going to go and see it again with my sister and this time I will concentrate more fully on the film and some of the Shakespeare jokes which my husband got but I didn't , I was so busy waiting for the next glimpse of CF. Secondly I wasn't at all disappointed with Colin's performance or his chartacter, I particularly liked it when he was being forceful not so much when he was being a whimp but he brought a smile to my face on one or two occasions when he was being wimpish. I thought Joseph Feinnes was excellent and he has the most wonderful eyes, those lashes but he is still not Colin. GP was very good also but, and I think I am on my own I did not think there was as much chemistry between them as the critics have said, however, I thought GP'S accent was wonderful especially after hearing her speak in her own voice. As the critics have said all the performances were perfect the only one I would argue with and I apologise to any BA fans out there, was that whilst Ben Affleck was as good as everybody else I didn't think he deserved to be singled out as he has been. I hope it gets loads and loads of Oscar nominations, a must see film.

Oh yes, we much prefer a forceful Wessex over a wimpish one. Your review didn't give any secrets about the movie away, Ann. Post it at 116 if you like. I'm amazed you got as much of it as you did considering you know who was sitting somewhere behind you. Didn't you want to turn around?

Ann, I've seen it twice and like you, the first time I focused only on Colin. I understood it better the second time and it was even funnier. I think the only reason BA has been singled out in the US is because he is a familiar face and has developed a following since the blockbuster Armageddon (what an awful movie that was). What were your favorite scenes?

Ann, you went with your husband? What a good sport! I gather he accepts your firtholism. Again I say brava. Any news on where they held the premiere party? Hopefully we'll chat later.

Hi! Can I post? Just saw SIL (second time in two days) and absolutely loved it! Definitely gets my vote for the movie of the year. The script was brilliant (I am a big Shakespeare lover) and they put in Christopher Marlowe, whose plays I haven't read but whose poetry I adore. I was pleasantly surprised, since I don't like GP and did not like JF in Elizabeth (what I think of *that* movie is another matter entirely). They were both magnificent and the chemistry was incredible. JF even looks like Shakespeare, and more importantly, he looks like someone who could write those plays. He is almost as good as his brother (and since Rafe is my favorite film actor, that's saying a lot). Judy Dench: just how I imagined Elizabeth (totally opposite of Cate Blanchett's vulnerabilty in Eliza eth the movie), Geoffrey Rush was simply wonderful, but I liked Tom Wilkinson even better. And was Imelda Staunton playing the nurse? It was a shock to hear Ben Affleck spouting Shakespeare, but an even bigger shock to realize that he was very good! Rupert Everett was very handsome (my friend leaned over when he was on scree with an audible "wow" ) and what is even better, properly blase. I wanted to see more of him. Colin Firth as Wessex....well, he always seems to be losing the girl to the Fiennes broth rs. Talk about being type-cast :) He was funny! "it were you eyes...no, your lips" I liked CF in P&P, but he is not my #1 favorite actor, so I did not mind him playing the relatively uncomplex buffoon, as long as it was well-played and it was. R&J is my favorite Shakespeare play (along with Coriolanus), so it was thrilling to see another take on it (though certain lines were engraved in my mind exactly the way they were in the Zeferelli version, I must say JF made an excellent Romeo) And GP must be the only actress to ever do both Romeo and Juliet. Was it just me, or did anyone feel like learning Elizabethan dances? And last but not least. Did you notice that the entire film everyone was speaking in iambic pentameter. All the dialogue, for 2 hours, not just the shakespeare bits. What a great Stoppard joke.

I also saw SIL on Friday, the first day it opened in the UK. Well, it was interesting in that my husband and I had exactly the same reaction. Which was initially one of disappointment. I think the problem for us is that we are great Stoppard fans and this did not satisfy in the way that Arcadia, Travesties or Jumpers did. The language is clever (no, Marsha, I hadn't noticed the iambic pentameters, that is another reason for seeing it again) but the plot is very simple. It is basically a tudor romp. Once you accept that then it is very enjoyable. Didn't CF say it was "Carry on Shakespeare"? He was right. When we got home and started discussing the film, we realised that there is a lot to enjoy and we both want to see it again because there is just so much going on that you cannot take it all in. The acting is all superb. It seems a shame to single out single performances because they are all so good. The recreation of Elizabethan street scenes was wonderful. The crowds on their own would be worth a second look. I loved the players and their wonderful parody of modern Hollywood attitudes. I thought the lovers were very believable. JF made a wonderful Will, a Jack the Lad poet on the make. And once again GP's english accent is so amazing. It is not just that she makes the right sounds. Her intonation is absolutely right for the type of upper/upper middle class person she usually plays. It is really astounding. As for CF, well he was as good as ever. I have to go back and see him again. When I watch him for the first time in a new part, I have the same feelings as I have when watching one of my children perform in a school play - I am so apprehensive that I am just grateful that they have not forgotten their lines or tripped over. I was almost holding my breath every time he spoke! I fear he will always be cast by Hollywood as a baddie or cuckold but it does pay the rent and enables him to appear on the London stage occasionally at �400 per week!

Glad you saw it twice, Allison. Once is not enough. What was your favorite scene?

Thank you Allison and Marsha for your reviews. V. well put. And iambic pentameter....a reason for me to see it a 4th time!! (Allison)Didn't CF say it was "Carry on Shakespeare"? He was right. Yes, he did in the A&E Interview and I missed the parallel. Is it in relation to a UK television program perhaps? And don't you think that making SIL "Stoppard-lite" was deliberate....to appeal to a cross section of the public...which they have been v. successful in doing. I think perhaps we will see this genre copied again.

From The London Theatre Weekly Newsletter... It is reported that DAME JUDI DENCH has been given a souvenir from the set of the film "Shakespeare In Love", a full-sized replica of Shakespeare's first theatre! "I was so taken with the whole thing that they actually gave me the replica of the Rose Theatre which was built at Shepperton Studios," Dame Judi said. The set is now in storage while she finds a suitable site for a working theatre. Dame Judi is thinking of using it to stage performances and raise money for young people trying to get into acting. Nice gesture from Miramax. BTW 3DOR was announced but no mention of CF in the cast... only Elizabeth Mc Govern. Do you think they want to avoid a "Darcymania" onslaught?? If so....too late:-) ----------------------------------------

Oh no Evelyn, my worst nightmare, all Colin's fans turn up at the Donmar only to find he is not in 3DOR. I shall nver get to sleep now!

Allison, I loved your review! I did not find it "light" but that is because I went with no expectations. It was a comedy, very witty and exhuberant, with a tragic core, and as such, was beautiful (I must confess that I felt near tears in the mea culpa scene). I loved it more the second time, since knowing the plot allowed me to concentrate on the language and the screenplay, which is the pre-eminent beauty of this film. I must say, the fisrt time I saw it and learned that Kit Marlowe (one of my favorite poets) was dead, and as it seemd, by the hand of Wessex, any synpathy I felt for CF's character evaporated. I was very relieved later on. And that brings me as to why Colin has not been mentioned often: he is the straight man in a comedy. Everyone else, from Queen Liz to Henslowe is given witty lines and is funny. CF's role is not like that so it might get overlooked for that reason. And, yes about the iambic pentameter: when I caught on, I spent most of the movie counting the line size with a huge grin on my face :)

Is it in relation to a UK television program perhaps? The "Carry On" films were a series made in the UK in the 1960's. They all had the same cast and had titles like "Carry On Doctor" or "Carry On at Sea". They were full of naughty schoolboy humour and immensely popular. They are still often repeated on television and have become a part of UK cinema history.

I saw it on Friday too and feel it was such an uplifting film and can't wait to see it again. I wanted to ask those of you who saw it in "Packed" cinemas with audiences maybe clapping at the end, how was the atmosphere? The reason I am curious is that we were only 15 which gave the effect of being the only ones there , a little like a private showing, with space to delight in Wessex fully, without being observed (not that he is the only delight). I think next time I will go at a peak time, when it is busier. re Allison's comments on Stoppard, I agree with you, but the film has been calculated to fit a certain niche , more mainstream, therefore his style has been "toned down"? Also thanks for the Iambic tip, shades of English A level!!

I am so glad that our UK Firthettes agree with us on SIL. I was afraid that our exhuberance was a little "over the top" and would lead you to expect more.When did we ever think that it actually would be competition for Saving Private Ryan!!It actually took the steam out of "You've Got Mail during the holidays.

Well I have seen it for the 2nd time and hard as I tried to concentrate on the film and not just CF, I was mesmerised by that voice which sounds even more wonderful in Dolby sound or whatever. Also having seen it before I kept anticipating his entrance, my favourite CF sscene is when he is charging up the stairs after Nursie demanding that Viola appear, so masterful. The cinema was packed, not a free seat and everyone laughed when they should laugh and remained completely silent at the end of R&J. My s ster and friends who are not particularly Firthfans thought he was excellent and at times very funny and that the film lived up to all the hype. His voice is still ringing in my ears, I can't wait for it to come out on video.

When I watch him for the first time in a new part, I have the same feelings as I have when watching one of my children perform in a school play - I am so apprehensive that I am just grateful that they have not forgotten their lines or tripped over. I was almost holding my breath every time he spoke! (Allison) I do so agree with you Allison! I'm going to see SIL on Friday, and already I'm feeling nervous! I fear he will always be cast by Hollywood as a baddie or cuckold .. Again, I agree. Hollywood seems to have failed to spot his true potential, but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Ann, I'm looking forward to hearing him speak in Dolby sound....the man has a "Voice". Hollywood, are you listening?

If Colin keeps going as he has been, sooner or later Hollywood will catch on and proclaim him as their "find"--if Colin lets them. I don't think he will. He seems very happy with being on the fringe of superstardom. (Bethan) but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Agreed! And these alternatives are very hot right now. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware, but there seems to be much more of a mainstream US audience for British films since the Full Monty. Anyway, on to SiL. I was in a shopping mall yesterday having lunch, minding my own business when I hear "...is she ferTILE?" It seems they've installed a movie preview kiosk for patrons to watch as they eat, and there was Colin in his Wessex-ly glory for all to see! I had quite a good laugh. Oh, Ann, isn't that a funny scene? I liked that one and the singing one, when he encounters Viola on horseback on her way to church. She says something like "it's not my day for riding" and he replies "No? What about the horse?" or something like that. I'm contemplating making my third viewing sometime this week.

If Colin keeps going as he has been, sooner or later Hollywood will catch on and proclaim him as their "find"--if Colin lets them. I don't think he will. He seems very happy with being on the fringe of superstardom. (Bethan) but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Agreed! And these alternatives are very hot right now. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware, but there seems to be much more of a mainstream US audience for British films since the Full Monty. Anyway, on to SiL. I was in a shopping mall yesterday having lunch, minding my own business when I hear "...is she ferTILE?" It seems they've installed a movie preview kiosk for patrons to watch as they eat, and there was Colin in his Wessex-ly glory for all to see! I had quite a good laugh. Oh, Ann, isn't that a funny scene? I liked that one and the singing one, when he encounters Viola on horseback on her way to church. She says something like "it's not my day for riding" and he replies "No? What about the horse?" or something like that. Come back to 115 when you've seen it Allison, and let us know your favorite scene(s)!

If Colin keeps going as he has been, sooner or later Hollywood will catch on and proclaim him as their "find"--if Colin lets them. I don't think he will. He seems very happy with being on the fringe of superstardom. (Bethan) but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Agreed! And these alternatives are very hot right now. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware, but there seems to be much more of a mainstream US audience for British films since the Full Monty. Anyway, on to SiL. I was in a shopping mall yesterday having lunch, minding my own business when I hear "...is she ferTILE?" It seems they've installed a movie preview kiosk for patrons to watch as they eat, and there was Colin in his Wessex-ly glory for all to see! I had quite a good laugh. Oh, Ann, isn't that a funny scene? I liked that one and the singing one, when he encounters Viola on horseback on her way to church. She says something like "it's not my day for riding" and he replies "No? What about the horse?" or something like that. Come back to 115 when you've seen it Bethan, and let us know your favorite scene(s)!

Three postings? Count All-mushy is back. Sorry.

From VARIETY 2/8/99 The complete list of nominees for the 71st edition of the Academy Awards will be posted on Daily Variety�s Web site, variety.com, just minutes after the noms are announced Tuesday. In addition, the site will be updated during the day as more Oscar-related news is filed.

Next week's Time magazine has a two-page spread about Shakespeare and how play ideas were regularly lifted from other sources. Has to do with newest rumor about how SiL's plot was stolen from some old book. Pictures of JF as Shakespeare to lure you in.... ;-)

OSCAR NOMINATIONS Just been announced this am BEST PICTURE SIL, Elizabeth, Pvt. Ryan, Thin Red Line , Life is Beautiful BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR G. Rush & others BEST ACTRESS Gwyneth Paltrow, (yeah!), Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Emily Watson, ? Montenegro (for Central Station, Brazilian film) BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Judi Dench & others BEST SCREENPLAY Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard for SIL SIL must have gotten noms in other categories; they announced that SIL had received 15 noms.Full list will be on VARIETY and YAHOO probably. AA Night...Sunday March 21. (If date coincides with FP premiere, maybe Harvey will make CF attend!!)

Was it 15 nominations or 13? Anyway, it's the second highest in Oscar history (after the Ben Hur/Titanic tie for most)!

OSCAR NOMINATIONS Whatever happened to the Trueman Show? I really liked that. Not as much as SIL, of course ;-)

SIL got 13 nominations!

Truman Show's director Peter Weir got nominated, but his film didn't get the nod. Was edged out by Elizabeth. It's rare that a director and not his/her film gets nominated, but it has happened. Elizabeth's director was a new kid on the block, unlikely to be nominated. Truman Show also got nominated for best original screenplay, but Jim Carrey was a surprise non-nominee after having won at the GG's. Thank goodness Laura called me, otherwise I would have missed the show.

13 nominations, wow! The complete nominations list: http://us.imdb.com/awards.html http://us.imdb.com/Title?Shakespeare+in+Love+(1998) The first 15 names you get when you click IMDB's SIL do not include Guess Who. Though, GP isn't mentioned either, only when you click on "show more".

Great thanks for the news. At least our DB's face was freeze framed on national news due to Oscars. They have the right idea!!! No Nom, no mention in the articles but his is the image chosen for the leading story. At 'em Colin.

Frankly, Elizabeth as best pix is a surprise. The interior shots looked as if they were always in a dark church. Truman Show eventhough it is not my fav. Weird film deserved the nomination. Did anyone see Kate Blanchet on Letterman? She came off as a really ditzy rather stupid person. Happy for GP and Montenegro. I think it will be Gwynnie's Oscar. Now, is she wants to be Bridget, who will stop her? What a break for Colin that would be.

That should be Weir.

One more thing, is anyone else disappointed that Joe F did not get nominated? The Academy has nominated Travolta in the past on much less.

Frankly, Elizabeth as best pix is a surprise My impression is that this made much more of a stir in the US than in the UK. The reviewers here praised Blanchet but not much else. It struck some sort of chord with people in the US which it missed with the British IMO. V. contrary.

I too was disappointed that Joe F did not even get a nomination because I thought he did a wonderful job in SIL. Wonder how he feels about being in two of the films nominated for best picture but not receiving an Oscar nomination himself?! I also saw Cate Blanchet on an interview (but I don't know the name of the show!) She talked about how hard she tried to "become" Elizabeth and she didn't seem ditzy at all! I am glad that Elizabeth was nominated for best picture because I thought it was a great movie, but I still want SIL to win!

15 nominations! Hoooooray! I for one am not surprised at those for best pic, GP, JD and JR and for the screenplay. I missed the show this a.m. but surmise the others are for costumes and the like. There was so much pre-nom hype about whom from the cast would get the nod and JF's name was never mentioned. His reviews were mixed. Glad to hear our DB's pic (surely the one with Judi) was on national news. Given the lack of CF recognition by the US when the film came out, I highly favor this new sublimin l approach. OK, now we have--what is it? 6 weeks? to discuss who and what should win and why. IMO the screenplay is a sure bet but the others are going to be close (politics and all...but then, Harvey must be on full blast).

OK, I checked the links up at 159 (thanks Renate) and now I'm better informed. SiL deserves every one of these noms. Considering her competition, GP has a great shot. So glad to see no noms for Stepmom (read they were pushing Sarandon for best actress and JR for best supporting). Hah! Now what's Harvey to do? Two of his pics are up for best picture (SiL and Life is Beautiful). Good year for Miramax, huh? (Bring on MLSF!)

It is 13 Nominations...sorry..not my error the guy on Today show said 15. But it was 5:30 in LA...whaddaya expect? All of them are deserving; and remember you heard it HERE from Moi about the soundtrack (Stephen Warbeck)and I hope he gets it. But he is opposed by Hans Zimmer who did Prince of Egypt (also did the B'way show Lion King...and forthcoming Sunshine:-) ) LOL, when I heard all the acclaim....last summer when spirits were down around here, we were wondering if anyone would go to see SIL!! ***** I liked Elizabeth, not the Truman Show (I bet Jim Carrey is furious, hee, hee) Agree that JF should have been nominated. ****** (Allison)Re: Elizabeth... My impression is that this made much more of a stir in the US than in the UK Last October when I was in UK they were lining up to see "There's Something About Mary"(gag, gag) and ignoring E. It already was receiving early accolades in the US. Shocking!!

Have looked over the complete list of nominations and am ticked that SiL's score is in the "Original Musical or Comedy" category, so it goes against all the animated stuff. No chance now, but if it had been the 'dramatic' group, that would have been one more little statuette! I too thought that Fiennes got slighted. Guess I will have to go see American History X now to see if Edward Norton was that good. 13 Oscar nominations usually bodes very well toward a big win. The exception being Apollo 13.

Oh, I forgot....SIL last week was #6 and so far has made $36.1M ***** My video store tells me that Miramax announced that SIL will be released in Video next July. Has anyone heard if the screenplay has been published yet?

Moon, I thought Elizabeth was an excellent film! I have seen many previews for Edward Norton's movie, but it is a tough subject (white supremacy), I'm interested in seeing it too. I think Norton is a great actor! Was slightly miffed about JF being slighted, he was the movie!!!!

Evelyn, 13 noms...15 noms...what's the difference? :-)!! Either way it's great! When SiL first opened in the US last Dec., many critics called JF's performance "unvarying" while giving Gwynnie consistent raves. The critics don't decide who gets nominated (I believe the actors do) but perhaps these early reviews had planted some seeds. He's getting mentioned on the entertainment shows as being passed over along with Carrey and Travolta, so I guess that's some consolation. I thought he was perfectly cast and did a more striking job than JD or GR, but they're in a different category. ABC News (national) had a story last night about the noms, pointing out the Elizabeth I trend. It featured 3 SiL clips, each with our DB!!!! This week's Newsweek has a story about the "new" focus on Shakespeare and begins like this: "'Shakespeare in Love' isn't going to come near big-bang champ 'Armageddon's'1998 box-office gross of more than $200 million. But the romantic comedy about the young Bard is the year's big surprise, winning three Golden Globe awards and sure to grab a garland of Oscar nominations this week. The Miramax movie has grossed $32.7 million in nine weeks of limited release, propelled by extraordinary word of mouth, and is poised to jump from 750 to 1,500 screens next weekend..." That Harvey sure is shrewd, isn't he?

Thanks Eileen...for taking the time to type the Newsweek comments. And Sue for giving us the Playbill link. Kudos to fans on the board who do this ..instead of just mentioning it in passing...."Oh, by the way, there's an article in....about DB....". Leaving us all hanging out there.

(Laura), Moon, I thought Elizabeth was an excellent film! I enjoyed everyone's performance but I had trouble with the interiors. It looked as if it was filmed in a dark church. For best pix the film should have it all, great acting, script, cinematography and art direction. Frankly, it missed out on the last two. Ed Norton's film does not interest me in the least bit. I saw the previews and have no tolerance for violent films all one has to do is read the papers. Give me a man and his horse anytime(and if he sings, it's even better).

I was peeved that the Truman Show didn't get nominated (and believe you me, I will not go to Jim Carrey films); thought it was really interesting, very well done and so very original. How those dummies can justify nominating a director without his/her film is beyond me! Should have dropped Elizabeth. I had problems with all those overhead shots, drove me crazy. Another film that got snubbed: Pleasantville. I really liked that movie and everyone really expected Joan Allen to be nominated for best supporting (she was great). They could have dropped Brenda Blythen. However, if they don't give best supporting to Lynn Redgrave, they are out of their minds. I have an awful feeling that Gwynnie is going to win, but I really think Cate Blanchette deserves it. That's just how she impressed me after seeing the movie for the first time. I said that was "Best Actress" of the year. Sorry folk, but for me the epitome of Juliet was Olivia Hussey. GP just didn't have it when she was performing as either Romeo or Juliet.

I didn't see Elizabeth so I can't compare GP with CB. GP's getting raves because she had to balance the accent with playing a female playing a male playing a female (...right?) in a heavy period piece. Between the two performances, the accents and period piece aspects cancel themselves out. From all the clips and commercials I can tell CB was good but I confess I hope GP wins. IMO she's talented (not to say CB isn't) and she's been the only one to acknowledge Colin. I'd love to hear her do it again in front of Oscar's huge worldwide audience! Haven't seen 'G and M' either but from the single clip of LR, she was great! And I agree 'Truman Show's omission was surprising. The concept belw me away(and now here comes copycat 'Ed TV'). And frankly, Ed Norton scares me. He's so creepily intense.

Re: Elizabeth.... enjoyed everyone's performance but I had trouble with the interiors. It looked as if it was filmed in a dark church. For best pix the film should have it all, great acting, script, cinematography and art direction. And that includes being able to see it.As I was leaving the theatre I overheard someone say:"I guess I've seen a darker movie..but I can't remember when!" I agree with John Madden....people have decided that they want to see movies that are fun to watch! **** (Karen)I have an awful feeling that Gwynnie is going to win, but I really think Cate Blanchette deserves it. GP is the favorite, I read. What's so awful? She played her role brilliantly. You heard Colin in the interview....she's a fantastic actress or something like that.I got my money on Gwynnie; IMO...deservedly so.

Saw Elizabeth last weekend. I didn't have a problem with the dark scenes, but thought from the point of view of History a few things were very debatable. Also, wondered why somebody at some point had said (here in Drool) that Joseph Fiennes was very different (for the better) from brother Ralph. I thought they had the same eyes... At last saw a trailer from SiL, was all excited... Now that it's been nominated it's bound to open here sometime!

VARIETY February 12th.... "�Shakespeare,� which expands to roughly 1,900 engagements (from 833) today, moved up to become the second most watched film in North America Wednesday after ranking sixth on the weekend. Its Tuesday box office climbed 15% from a week earlier and had a staggering 106% increase from Monday." Too bad this isn't a lottery- money film...they could pay it back!!!

I've only been skimming the posts in this topics, since I hadn't seen the movie until last week, but I seem to recall that some of you were looking for the screenplay? Amazon.co.uk have it listed and you can pre-order it from them. But, I haven't seen it at Amazon.com, itself, yet.

I've only been skimming the posts in this topic, since I hadn't seen the movie until last week, but I seem to recall that some of you were looking for the screenplay? Amazon.co.uk have it listed and you can pre-order it from them. But, I haven't seen it at Amazon.com, itself, yet.

Thank you Leanne for this bit of info...I shall pick it up when I'm in London on the 6th of March.

VARIETY : February 16 In an article about the Berling Film Festival.... Apparently the Festival organizers were disappointed when stars failed to show up to promote their films. "Where�s Will? �Shakespeare in Love� also made a strangely low-wattage showing, with Colin Firth the lone acting representative alongside director John Madden and a gaggle of producers, although the pic was predictably well appreciated by the Berlin audience." YEEEESSSSS!

The only cast member there but HOW he looked!! You will haveno problem picking your book up here Evelyn.

"Low-wattage"...Huh! Don't they realise that they were in the presence of a real "star"!

Also from VARIETY: HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Oscar nominations boosted weekend ticket sales for most, but not all, of the Academy Award finalists announced Feb. 9. The biggest winner was clearly Miramax's ``Shakespeare in Love,'' which staged an impressive expansion into wide release Friday after receiving Oscar nominations in 13 categories. Widening its run from 833 to 1,956 theaters, the Elizabethan farce starring Gwyneth Paltrow enjoyed a 127 percent jump in ticket sales to $9.5 million, according to studio projections. Saving Private Ryan'' and Miramax's ``Shakespeare in Love'' were the biggest beneficiaries at the box office post-Tuesday Oscar announcements. ``Ryan'' experienced a 26% bump from Monday to Tuesday, while ``Shakespeare'' had a staggering 106% increase from Monday. ******* In a fantasy world Heide,....these are the stats I would like to read for BJD with Colin as Mark!!!I don't want him to be "in the unnominated contingent" Want him a winnah!!

I don't want him to be "in the unnominated contingent" You mean that "minute but crucial" unnominated contingent? Not that I've listened to the press conference more than once ;-) I saw "Thin Red Line" last weekend. The husband's pick. It was soooooooooooo sssssllllllloooooooowwwwww. It went onandonandonandonandon. After the second hour, every time the scene changed I would shout (in my head, of course) MOVIE OVER! MOVIE OVER! ...But it wasn't over! It is beautifully photographed. If you are into that kind of thing, wait until it comes out on video and you can at least stop it to go to the bathroom. SiL was *much* better. Hear that, Academy?

Had a lovely lunch with KarenR this afternoon, who's visiting L.A... I always have a great time whenever I get a chance to sit down and talk with you folk IRL. KarenR also just phoned me and alerted open up my LA Weekly magazine. Apparently, Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard are going to be appearing at a local bookstore this Saturday to sign copies of the SiL screenplay!!! I'm there baby!

Dame Winter , we know you will be right in there!! Ask some of your probing questions,

Just back from the booksigning... Surprisingly, not very many people. I would think that a huge line would've formed outside, but as I pulled into front of the bookstore, I saw 10 people at most in line. There was no reading...I think because the two were pressed for time, as they were off to the Director's Guild of America (down the street) for some awards banquet or something. So I guess under the circumstances, it was nice that they showed up at all. I bought 3 copies: for me, KarenR and Evelyn. I brought the Sharpie pen, and wrote each name on a post-it, so as to make sure they would personalize it without bothering to ask me all 3 times. But when I stood in line to have them sign the screenplays, the bookstore guy took the post-it's off and told me they aren't personalizing anything! Big disappointment. Anyway, Norman signed them first and passed them over to Stoppard. As Stoppard was signing the copies, I asked him "So you got anything coming up soon?" Well, MN just jumped right in and said something to the effect of, "Maybe. As soon as I rest my right hand!" Who asked him?!?!? TS didn't reply, and I didn't feel like repeating myself and embarrasing MN because the original question was not for him in the first place. TS gave me back the screenplays and gave me a nice, friendly smile! I felt so honored. .but this time, tongue tied to even think of anything else to say.

More good news for Shakespeare in Love. Last night (Saturday)February 21) -- The authors of the romantic comedy "Shakespeare in Love" beat the writers of the harrowing war drama "Saving Private Ryan" to win the Writers Guild of America award for original screenplay. Winter didn't you have an encounter with TS and MN before they went to this awards presentation?

Opps wrong date! Should say February 20.

As always, Winter, your description of your evening was entertaining. MN does appear cocksure of himself but he does speak well or at least he did at the Berlinale. Was your encounter the same night as the Writers Guild award? I'd imagine SiL would win the Oscar in this category too.

You're both right. It was the Writers, not Director's Guild Awards they were going to last night.

Good work, Winter. At least you had the presence of mind to ask the question in the first place. MN hogged the acceptance speech at the GG's, did he not? Seems he's following a pattern. (Heide) I'd imagine SiL would win the Oscar in this category too. Absolutely. No contest.

Oh, Winter, maybe I should've given you a copy of the *Marc Norman only* script for him to sign. ;-D About the only thing it had in common with the movie was the title and about two little bits. Absolutely no dialogue carried over, and the plot is really different. There's no Romeo and Ethel, etc., even that was a cute reference to Norman's work by Stoppard. Someone has got to muzzle that man. Who's he kidding? No one.

Received my autographed copy of SiL today in the mail. Thank you Winter!!! Cover is the same as the movie poster and there is only one b&w picture of Colin as Wessex in the wedding carriage. Was v. disappointed that no one wrote any introductory words or afterwords to supplement the text as I've found in my other books...although that wouldn't have made any difference to me. Would want the SP anyway. Did check the directions whenever Wessex appears and he is always supposed to deliver his lines in an evil, venomous way. Will let you know more later.

I have just returned from SIL. It was in a small theater with about 20 people who were well educated about Shakespeare. and his time They and we laughed at all the clever and funny things and were silent and moved during the emotionally charged scenes. The casting was an act of genius. The only oaf was our DB, and he was excellent as such. GP was gorgeous. She stole every scene ion which she appeared. The ending was allegorical as WS put pen to paper to write Twelfth Night,IMO. Ray loved it. He really laughed at stuff I did not think he'd notice. The audience here also sat through the credits to the end. Then, in the ladies room, they rehashed their favorite allusions and insider jokes. So did we on the way home. What a joy that movie was to watch. And, Ray, as a final compliment to me, noted that John Hemmings (we in the family do not all agree how to spell it just as Shakespeare did not settle on one spelling of his name.) and James Hemmings were characters in the movie. I am a direct lineal descendant of John Hemming(s) who became Shakespeare's publisher as well as his fellow player. WS left him a gold ring in his will. More tomorrow. I am now going to read your postings and make notes.

Please could someone suggest a URL for the cast of SIL with their pix. Like they did for P&P2. I need it to refresh my memory. Thanks

There should be a link from firth.com and Murph's Corner.

Thank you, Arami. I did look there and did not find what I was seeking. Perhaps it does not exist. I wanted a page with thumbnails and the name of actor and character. Will check these more closely and hope. Of course, I can always do it the hard way and create one of my own!!! I am glad you are here. You cannot imagine how disappointed I was dashing in last night and posting my first thoughts. Then all day looking for people to talk to, but no one posted. Of all of Firth's ouvre, I think this used his considerable talents the least. I was disappointed. Perhaps I need to see it again...and again...=)

Try these: http://www.teleport.com/~aeneas/Shakeslinks.shtml http://www.atnzone.com/shakespeare.shtml http://www.miramax.com:8888/mm_front/owa/mp.entryPoint?action=0&midStr=742 http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/lfilm486.htm http://www.mrqe.com/lookup?Shakespeare+in+Love http://www.bomis.com/cgi-bin/ring.cgi?page=8&ring=shakespeareinlove http://www.multimedia.calpoly.edu/libarts/smarx/Shakespeare_resources/Shak_inLove/SM_Sh_in_Love.HTML I know what you mean - I also feel short-changed when I see an outstanding talent doing a cameo. But what else could he do, having initially been rejected by Julia Roberts as Shakespeare to her proposed Viola? Six years on, he was no longer young enough... Still, it was a good thing to be associated with this production. It's edifying to see he can swallow false pride and harbour no resentment, and just get on with the job in hand.

Wessex Was the only role for him in this movie, and I am so happy it is a big success. I have a thought on how they could have made it commercially viable (that is the reason for most of the movies being made, is it not?). I did not have to see GP's breasts, nor see other sexual activities so graphically depicted to understand the story line. IMHO,if these had been toned-down a bit, it would not have the R rating and would have a wider audience. Thanks for the links. Am going hunting straight way.

BTW, I read this entire Board before seeing SIL. I like to know the story and as much of the detail as possible beforehand so I do not waste precious time trying to figure out what the author was trying to say. This is not really a Spoiler Board; I used it as a most valuable and knowledgable place to gain insight before indulging my senses with this visually gratilfying experience.

Harumph!! And I was afraid to mention anything about his various spellings as he was practicing his signature when you brought it up on the other board a couple of days ago. Regarding the sex scenes, inocuous as they were, my favorite scene in the entire movie is the bedroom scene which is closely cut with the rehearsal for the R&J balcony scene. You know the one with "Would you leave me without satisfaction." "Wait, madam, I come again." (close but not exact) That was absolutely fantastic, a brilliant job of editing and writing. Kids see far more on television these days to necessitate cutting out anything from this movie, even Gwynnie's little bubbies (isn't that how Webster said it!!) ;-)

Of course, you are right about what kids see and know nowadays, but will that R rating keep them from seeing it (read: Spending their money on it,) thus make less for the backers and make the actors less valuable in the eyes of the casting directors? I am desperately trying to get him into something he apparently does not want: a good solid worthy-of-his-talents motion picture which makes money. And so do we all. Can I claim a connection to CF via the Hemming brothers in SIL? Tenuous, at best... Probably only to (W)essex...

Now, now, don't play down Colin's role. IMO it wasn't a just a cameo. There's been much discussion here about how he coulda/shoulda/woulda been the lead, something I didn't necessarily agree with (although this last time I saw it, I started to change my mind). I thought he was great as Wessex. Just the right degree of snarling, wonderful bowing and scraping, etc. Lots of humor ("now listen here, nursie"..."are you taking your laundrywoman with you?"...and the ever-popular "is she ferTILE?" and "you ar allowed to show your pleasure.") Definitely not a crowd-pleasing, popular part, though. See it again if you can, Marcia. I found it even better the second (and third!) time around. ...And so do we all. Of course we do, but for now, I'll take what I can get. If he keeps working (last year was such a drag for us fans) and all this publicity keeps up, it will be but a matter of time.

If there are any of you who have not been over to 113, we have a new keepsake list going. You are welcome to claim something! Response 475 of 475: MarciaH (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (16:22) * 9 lines Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Sapphire and Gold Index-Finger Ring, Marcia Wessex' Ruff, Arami The Song Wessex Sings, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword and Scabbard, KJart Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan

Eileen, I know I will love it the more I see it. There is so much meaty stuff in there to grab hold of, it will take *many* airings to see it all =). I discovered, not altogether happily, that as a "senior" at a matinee I paid $3.75 US to see it ($4 regular matinee prices). How were the prices elsewhere? Those were terrific lines you quoted and we all laughed at their expert delivery and pointedness. Her Father's recommendations of her in the role of wife reminded me of TA and the father of that daug ter who was a little free with her hands and other things. His recommendation of her was about as blunt! Whatever CF does, Keep his name in the public. I agree it is too long since we have seen anything new, and this is the first time I could not stop, slo-mo, rewind and drool again. I would Love to see P&P2 on the big screen!!!

I am desperately trying to get him into something he apparently does not want: a good solid worthy-of-his-talents motion picture which makes money. And so do we all. Well said Marcia! I think he does want it though....I'm sure I sensed in some of his interviews a tinge of regret that he didn't have the lead role in SIL. He must realise the knock-on effect a role like this has on an actor's career, and post-Darcy, I still don't think he's had the break or role he deserves. Hey there, Hollywood!! Are you listening?!

Hmmmmm.....

Hi, I'm new, so please stay with me... My friend and I (loyal CF devotees) went to see SIL. It was a great movie altogether... The only problem was that whenever we laughed, it was usually at opposite times to the rest of the audience. Every time Wessex (CF is quite adorable in the villian-type role) came out on top in a fight, or said something witty, we would cackle and consequently receive some very strange looks from the 'Will' supporters in the audience.

Welcome Mannen! The only problem was that whenever we laughed, it was usually at opposite times to the rest of the audience. You shouldn't consider it a "problem." The rest of the audience were Philistines. You and your friend *got it* ;-) Colin had his share of witty lines (see Eileen's posting above), but not enough screen time.

Aloha, Mannen. Pop down to 113 and think of a keepsake from SiL you might like to claim. Karen is right. You cannot help the general public's poor taste. Remember they are the ones who make Rambo and Rocky such big successes (plus a whole bunch of others I would rather not mention.) You are at home here if you are a Firthian, and you surely sound like one =) Is your Firth friend aware of this place? Tell her to stop lurking and post something.

Do most people find it enormously difficult to dislike the villain in a movie when he is played by such a cutie? It completely throws me, but yes I am a Firthian so my loyalties will always stay with him. (Potential 'bad-buy' or not)

(Marcia)I think this used his considerable talents the least. I was disappointed. Perhaps I need to see it again..... (Marcia)I am desperately trying to get him into something he apparently does not want: a good solid worthy-of-his-talents motion picture which makes money. And so do we all. Yes! Maybe I shouldn�t say anything about SIL really because you already said all that�s crucial, Marcia. I saw the movie last night and after that experience I needed a couple of drinks. Coming home after midnight I landed here but had enough sense not to write anything. Decided to sleep over it!! I�ve read all the earlier postings about SIL and it seems that most of you liked it......still I dare to tell you that I didn�t think much of it, not my taste. Sweet, light as a feather, mainstream as anything could be = definitely Oscar potential. I�m afraid I like rougher stuff, realism that is. I also didn�t think much of GP or JF, they�re very pretty people surely but as actors they�re just about adequate, GP even less. She doesn�t seem to have expressions in her face. (Sorry any GP + JF fans, this is just my personal point of view). Which gets me to Colin: Ann, I now I fully understand why you wanted Wessex as a keepsake. I think Colin�s pretty sexy as the ice cold, stupid Wessex in some perverted way! Oh, and his excellent, heavy sort of horse riding is very droolworthy. And even when he tries to look �menacing� as he says, that intelligent gaze of his steals its way out. And his singing is really too much....LOL! He should make an album...:-) Also, I felt he�s a bit nervous or self-conscious in the part, as if he was using too much energy for a minor role like that. It�s simply because he�s a gigantic actor in a far too small a role in SIL; what he needs is roles where he can really put all his skill and energy to use. But ARE THERE any movies in the making with good enough roles for him in this world? Seems to me that most films made these days are this desperate mainstream soap. These films don�t need good actors in the leading roles, just good-looking actors.

Why is it that whatever he does, the more I like him? Btw, the role as Wessex shows a new and interesting side of him as an actor.....I used to be a bit amazed about him being offered the part in The Shining, but from Wessex I see that Colin could be really good in horror movies, as a sadistic psychopath! :-) (KIDDING, I�d be shocked and sad if he accepted a role as one).

Oh Elena, Dear!!! The dark gloomies of the Scandanavian winter have beset you. Did you not enjoy the many-faceted duelling scenes? (I almost expected someone to slip on a banana peel. =P ) You are not alone. No matter what ODB does, we love him all the more just for having done it. We seemingly cannot get enough of him. ! Sigh ! How do you think he'd do in a Bergman movie? I cannot imagine him as a psychopath. He was bad enough in Playmaker. I do not think I would like him to be more Jack-Nicholson-like. I envision him as a noble sufferer triumphing in the end and more enobled as a consequence. There would not be a dry eye on the Drool Boards!

I definitely need to see it again. I had the terribly uncomfortable feeling each time Wessex showed up that he was trying too hard. Like some tyro amidst a group of theatrical giants. This was not the case, but I kept appologizing and making excuses for why his interpretation was so abrasive and brusk. I blamed the Director! =P Surely CF knows better and is secure enough in his own talent that he would not be that way if not told to do so!??

(Marcia) I definitely need to see it again. Yeah, me too, but just for the sake of Colin, I really do feel that the rest of the movie is soap. Or am I badly wrong? Btw, I saw the movie on a pretty small screen and my seat was far from it, it could look much better on a bigger screen. About Bergman.....yes, that�s about exactly what I�m thinking about! I�d like to see him do something much more serious than SIL and I know he could do it shockinly well. You see, we LIKE the gloomiest sort of realism more than anything over here, you should see some Finnish movies to really know what is gloominess :-)) So, Colin�s unsympathetic menace worked for me very well!! A TYRO?!?! Oh god, now we�re really getting somewhere. I can hardly believe you used that word about him!

(Elena)A TYRO?!?! Oh god, now we�re really getting somewhere. I can hardly believe you used that word about him! I meant that the director was trying to get him to forget every instinct on how to play this part and to do it as a...! CF a Tyro? NEVAH!!!! I think SIL was a parody of sorts. Did anyone else see the Tom Stoppard interview on CBS morning with Charles Osgood? Even had a clip of ODB Dancing with GP from the movie. Just about everything was an exaggeration in this movie, from the overly dramatic BA character to the stammering Prologue reciter. The duelling was hilarious, especially when JF poked his epee into CF's chest and it bent into a harmless parabolic curve. I think it must be viewed with this in mind. That is what I am going to remind myself next time I see it. I hope I enjoy it more for having that attitude. Great drama it is not!

The duelling was hilarious, especially when JF poked his epee into CF's chest and it bent into a harmless parabolic curve. That was the moment Wessex realized that Will was using a theatrical prop, and not a real sword... whether props were so sophisticated in those times, is another matter altogether. Another one of those multifaceted jokes, then.

(Elena) but just for the sake of Colin, I really do feel that the rest of the movie is soap. Or am I badly wrong? Elena, dear, your own opinion can never be wrong. I am so glad you liked our dear boy. I tend to think that those who start seeing this film for the first time now will feel slightly underwhelmed because the hype has been so great and they build-up by the rest of us has been so strong. You may be expecting more. It a parody, as Marcia says and must be taken as a very good joke. I saw it for the second time two weeks ago and loved it even more then.

oops

(Marcia) Great drama it is not! You said it my dear! however i loved it anyway [sorry Elena :) ] it was a great light-hearted comedy, definetly a paraody. I mean 'Romeo and Ethel the pirates daughter?' what a hoot! And Colin singing! Elena i love your idea for him to make an album! 'Colin sings Gilbert & Sullivan' Be still my heart! :) Or Marcia, how about Colin accompanied by the Edinburough Pipe band? :) LOL! I wonder if we'd be the only ones who would buy it.

(SBR)how about Colin accompanied by the Edinburough Pipe band? :) That *would* require Amazing Grace! LOL! I'll buy two of them. One just to keep. As I recall, you are so enamored of his singing that you requested the honor of being The Keeper of His Song!!!

How quickly they turn on you when they have gotten what they want. I was just told we did not need to see SIL again. We have already seen it. (No!) I said he could drop me off and I could watch alone. He did not like that thought. He said I did not want to see the movie, I just wanted to Drool over "That Guy again." How little they know...how much they suspect!

Poor dear! I have to admit that one of the best thing about being single is that i have complete freedom in the movie arena. (That and there's no one to bellow 'you spent how much at the mall?' at me) Good luck convincing Ray -maybe reminding him GP is in it will do the trick. :)

Indeed, or I shall find him unsuitable to be Keeper of her breast binder. Odd that no one mentioned his being on the list! I should be so lucky to get molested watching SIL. When we were there for the Seniors' matinee, Ray was one of only 2 men in there. Most of the ladies were older than I by quite a bit. He will let me see it. I do not ask for much, but with this I am determined. I shal lnot take on another man after this one. They are too hard to train. Make that difficult =P

(Marcia)I hope I enjoy it more for having that attitude. Great drama it is not! I do so agree. I was disappointed the first time I saw it but then I realised that I was expecting too much from a Stoppard play. It is really Marc Nrman's play with Stoppard dialogue so it is basically a glorious romp. The second time I saw it was in the afternoon. I went with my 16 year old son. Not only was he the youngest in the audience but so was I. The good thing was that the audience looked like P&P watchers to a man (or Woman) so there was a buzz when CF appeared as they all recognised him nd, it seemed to my biased ears, that they all liked him. He definitely got lots of laughs. shal lnot take on another man after this one. They are too hard to train. LOL, Marcia. There are times when I wish I could share some of the things I read on this board with my beloved but I fear he would not understand.

Just thought you all might like to kmnow that the Bafta film nominations have just been announced and not surprisingly SIL tops the nominations. I am surprised, however, that Tom Wilkinson has been nominated in the best supporting actor category so now Colin is even more in the minority as regards those nominated., Josepth Feinnes has been nominated best actor, GP best actress and JD, GR & now TW best supporting actor. I'm sorry and call me biased and don't get me wrong I thought TW was very good, but if he can been nominated then so should CF, personally I think he was equally as good as JD, GR & TW. Still never mind we have more interesting things to look forward to such as 3DOR.

Welcome Mannen. You are not alone! Not in your firthmania or your reaction to SiL! I was absolutely the only one laughing when he came thumping through the woods on that horse while bursting with song. Your perspective will change when you see it again, Marcia. I saw it twice without my Ray (that's my hubby's name, too), alone at a matinee (a bargain at $5). He seems to shout and stomp alot, particularly in the scenes when Viola is late (didn't you howl when she comes in the room, all smiles, still with the fake mustache and beard?). But IMO it was really just the right amout to set up the character as the pompous blow-hard. His snarling "Marlowe" line was delivered perfectly. Yes, SiL was certainly comedy, not drama. I didn't find too many terribly original gags (although the bit in the dining hall, when the waiter says "our special today is a pickled pig's foot..." was pretty funny). The stutterer, the oarsman/writer, the star-struck Fennyman, etc. all seemed vaguely familiar. But I loved this movie. As the critics say, it works on so many levels. Anyone into high art: see 'Thin Red Line' instead. Only bring a blanket, you will need to nap during the showing. Anyone into high drama: 'Saving Private Ryan' is for you. Hope you also like steaming entrails and flying extremities. An RN for 20 years, I thought I was used to blood and guts but my knees were weak by the end of the movie.

I am surprised, however, that Tom Wilkinson has been nominated in the best supporting actor category so To tell you the truth, I think that is well deserved. I thought he was much better than GR. It is a better part with which to get an award. Wessex is too one dimensional. I do wish they hadn't announced them on the day that 3DOR has its press review. It will not put our Boy in the best of spirits, I fear.

Allison, sorry to contradict but isn't press night, tomorrow night? or should we look for reviews from tomorrow onward.

I think it is previewing tonight. First night is tomorrow. I think.

Keeper of the breast binder? Sounds like a good job, but if someone else has beaten me to it, I shall have to make do with keeper of the breast. I'm glad the reaction to SiL was generally good. The only things I would criticize - (i) the Webster joke was made once too often, and (ii) but for some v. fine editing, the frequency of the mood switching would certainly have got out of hand. I am THE most intolerant movie-goer - I glare horribly at people who talk and rustle paper and I hate the smell of pop-corn. So when people laughed during the most poignant bits of Romeo and Juliet, which I thought was wonderfully acted, they were lucky to leave with their heads on. One of my favourite scenes, for some reason, was the prologue. The (ex-)stutterer speaks his lines beautifully, and it suddenly pulls you into the theatre and the play. If I'd had a little Beretta 9-mm to hand, the two people n the row behind me, who tittered just a little too long at that point, might have been in trouble.

BAFTA AWARDS....what a downer! Was GR nominated as well? It's just this constant overlooking that makes me wince for him. He may as well have had 8th billing. And the timing is VERY bad. Opening night....I hope no-one tells him! And even the Evening Standard omits his name from the billing of 3DOR. And he IShead of the billing. Sorry, it all p*sses me off! too much! I actually don't think awards matter all that much, but if he was overlooked when nominated as Mr Darcy (when everyone else connected with Jane Austen (deservedly) got an award, well, he doesn't stand a chance! Have you seen my good news about BJD and Mark Darcy on #116!!!

Would you believe GR was nominated twice, for Elizabeth and SIL.

(Allison)There are times when I wish I could share some of the things I read on this board with my beloved but I fear he would not understand. Oh Yes! I wonder if you ladies have any idea how much of my sanity I owe to your wisdom and approbation. Thank you, and thank CF for being so incredible!

(Ben) Keeper of the breast binder? Sounds like a good job, but if someone else has beaten me to it, I shall have to make do with keeper of the breast. Alas, Ben, anatomy is always with the person to whom it is attached. I cannot put you down, but I shall remember it with a smile! when people laughed during the most poignant bits of Romeo and Juliet, which I thought was wonderfully acted, they were lucky to leave with their heads on My sentiments exactly. I was very touched by the truth they were portraying and we had old-enough-to-know-better folks giggling. I was insenced, indignant and they ruined the moment for me. Boom~! The (ex-)stutterer speaks his lines beautifully, and it suddenly pulls you into the theatre and the play. did it not remind you of Olivier's Henry V ?!

(Marcia) did it not remind you of Olivier's Henry V ?! Actually it reminded me of Kenneth's Henry V. 'We few. We mighty few. We band of brothers-' gives me chills everytime. (sorry never saw Oliver's version - blasphmy, i know.) :) (Eileen)I was absolutely the only one laughing when he came thumping through the woods on that horse while bursting with song. You and me both Eileen! :) I've seen SiL 3x's and broke into giggles everytime when he started singing!

Marcia: {i} Alas, Ben, anatomy is always with the person to whom it is attached. I cannot put you down, but I shall remember it with a smile! {\i} I would have to follow her around, then. What chances have I of tending Miss Eliza Bennet's breast binder (now THERE's an enjoyable tongue twister)? Of course, it would be a travesty ever to let her wear it. The chorus opening Henry V is wonderful too.."Oh, for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention!" Or something. It sets the scene perfectly. SB - I urge you to take a peek at the Olivier Henry V. I like the Branagh version too, but it suddenly seems a bit melodramatic when compared to LO's. And it's hard to fail with the St Crispin's day speech. Cry God for Harry, England and St George!

Bloody hell. WHY am I so hopeless with this effing HTML? What was wrong, pray, with the last post? Why didn't Marcia's remark get italicized??????

Because you didn't use the pointy brackets (greater than and less than signs for mathematicians and economists) above the comma and period. If my prior post confused you, sorry. I was just trying to be funny. Guess you didn't get it! American vs. British humor problems.

Karen - to corrupt Miss Austen, I can't bear to think that you are in this world thinking that I am thinking ill of you. Which prior post???

The brackets above the comma and the period are the ones to use, Ben, and thank you for defending a most wondrous Henry V. Even the breezes wafting the notices around, and the panning shots of the model of London and the general theater scenes as they were preparing for the performance. All splendid. And all very familiar to SIL viewers.

Ben, I am granting you the Keepership of Lizzie's undergarments which we saw in the movie. And, you may follow her as closely as she will allow. Surely, you do not need my approval for that!!! Check 113. Lizzie is getting her own Keepsake list.

Ben & Marcia- i shall take your advice and indulge in a wee bit of OL's Harry in the night. :)

SBR, if you do not have it, I can get it to you easily! Just let me know.

I did it!!! THIS IS IT : http://members.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/index.htm

Ooops, that was supposed to be on 116 for a 3DoR review. Cannot wait for those London-bound ladies who have until now been SiL deprived. Then we shall see some new Drool here. oh Joy!!!

Can anyone tell me how many minutes into the movie Wessex does his Gene Autry imitation?

Some of You Who Were In London MUST have seen SiL. A few thoughts before you forget them? Please?

(Ann)Tom Wilkinson has been nominated in the best supporting actor category Disgusting. I can't help but feel that this is the final blow. Now, I'm really glad 3 DOR received such superb reviews.....makes up for the stupid BAFTAs.

One thing that I'm really going to miss about this year's Oscar ceremony is Billy Crystal's sendup of the Best Picture nominees at the beginning. Wonder which scene and person he would choose from SiL? I kind think he might be Gwyneth as she spins out of her binding!!

Oh yes, Karen, you are right. It is Ray's favorite scene and the reason for the keepsake he claimed. Actually, I think he was not cherishing the binding so much as what was bound! =P And she does it with such grace. Lovely! Fraught with possibilities for satire.

Another thought, whoever said Earls do not wear codpieces (Arami?!) was right and CF (gasp!) was wrong. This afternoon I went to my second viewing of SIL and taped the sounds of Wessex and others with my pocket-sized portable tape recorder. I stared and stared and could not see even a hint of a codpiece. I will put up a little essay on 113 in a short while, but I must claim something else.

Ditto to your latest post, Karen. Yes, I could also see Billy in long blonde wig, twirling around. He would have had some improbable person responsible for the unwinding, too. Remember what he did for TEP? David Letterman replacing Colin in the yellow plane? I was ROTFLMAO. I hope Whoopi can equal his emcee performance. All I can remember from the last time she hosted was alot of personal political commentary and inciting remarks. Boo, hiss. No codpiece, Marcia? My condolences ;-P

then he would have to add the little interchange with the nurse, whilst clutching the sheets: "It is a new day." "No, it is a a new world!" Those scenes are in all the trailers and we've seen them over and over and over again. ;-)

Marcia, you were the first to claim His gold and saphire ring, and since I have not seen SiL yrt - plan to do so with Antonio (who "is curious to see him on film")this week end - I think I should relinquish that ring to you and maybe later claim something else.

No Codpiece visible, alas. That is the reason for all the volume around his hips. A mere slot could be hidden very successfully thereby rendering the codpiece needless. I was severely disappionted! Gi, I gave up the ring. Hold it until you see the picture. If you find something other than Wessex himself which you like equally as much, I will be happy to guard it. However, his pinkie ring is lovely, too. And, considering what I was after in the first place, not altogether disassociated! =P

Murph has new pics of Lord Wessex Http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/wessex.html

this is from a newbie who needs help posting I have seen SIL five times now. The first time I was disapponted . It took a while to become accustomed to the whiskers, earrings and slight jowliness. However, with each viewing he seems to get cuter and sexier. He still has those wonderful eyes, that fabulous voice and his graceful way of carrying himself. he must bow at least six times and he does it so impressively. I also loved the sword fight. He must be a trained fencer as he uses a sword in Valmont, P&P and now SIL. I will probably see it at least one more time in the theatre before it goes to video. Susan A. YIB4E@aol.com

Susan, welcome! I always thought the jowliness was due to that infernally scratchy ruff he was wearing up under his chin. Looked terribly hot and uncomfortable! But....CUTE!!!!

I just saw SiL - miracle!- and loved it. Antonio says it is wonderful. And CF reminded me so much of Darcy... I'll say more about it all tomorrow.

Re codpieces: Henry VIII wore enormous ones: they became unfashionable after 1590. The only reason why an earl woudn't wear one around 1593(?) would be the demands of fashion. They might possibly still be worn by poorer men who couldn't afford new styles on demand.

Perhaps worn by the poorer classes, but I did not espy even one codpiece, and that was my main object in going to SiL the second time (uh...huh!) I did a bit of research on the item in question in preparation for my essay. They had all sorts of embellishments including fur, spikes, jewels, pearls and gold cording. Gussets and pleats increased the roominess to the point of curiosity as to what Else they were keeping in there! I am much safer with the Sapphire ring on his index finger. Henry VIII had en ugh wrong with him, I would not like to venture into his codpiece - not for all the jewels in the crown!

(Arami) Re codpieces: Henry VIII wore enormous ones: Heavens, I don't even want to ask the reason for this ;-). Gi, glad you finally got to see it and that Antonio liked it also. Thanks goodness, a CF film that is also a hit with the significant others. I can still hear the complaints after dragging the DH to TEP. But he loved SIL!

(JanaJH) But he loved SIL My DH liked it as well, to my surprise. He called TEP and ATA "chick flicks." I didn't think he'd go for all the poetry in SiL ("talk prose!") but he recognized it better than I did! Glad you and Antonio liked it, Gi! It was worth the wait, wasn't it?

Yes, indeed. And in a way I'm glad I only saw it after 3DoR, because that meant having something else to look forwards to after seeing Colin in the flesh.While most Droolers have already had to go back to the wait and worry for what he'll do next, I can begin the wait and worry a few days later...:-)

test

Just to point out, I have changed my email address. If anybody sent me messages starting from 14th of March to my former address here, I�ve lost them.

(Gi) And in a way I'm glad I only saw it after 3DoR, because that meant having something else to look forwards to after seeing Colin in the flesh. Now there's a girl who really knows how to mega-manage her fantasy-life.. even got the Lisbon distributor of SIL to release it aft 3 DOR :-))))

LOL! Evelyn, you give me more credit than I deserve! :-)))

Welcome Susan! may your posting problems soon be resolved! :) I saw our DB in SiL for the 4th time this last weekend, and am happy to report that he definately is wearing a codpiece. You have to watch VERY Closely - they're made out of the same material that his bloomers (or whatever the heck you call them) are. You can see the first one briefly when he's at Grenage (Marica, I know you told me how to spell that, but i've forgotten already) he's wearing green. The second time is when he's wearing a purplish color (i think it's sunday when he thinks he sees a ghost) and the final time is when he's standing at the top of the stairs on his wedding day. This one is the largest and most obvious- but like i said, be prepared to look FAST or you'll miss it. :)

It's spelt Greenwich, S B:-)

Ohh, something to do when SiL comes out on video! Sharp eyes, SBR!

SBR, they cannot bring that video out soon enough. May have to delay my limerick of three + stanzas now till I can wzx eloquent on this most esoteric of apparel. I NEED to see it!!!

Hey, ODB's picture is in next week's TV Guide (it's the one we've seen a million times before, bowing to Queen Judi as he's told Viola has been 'plucked') with his name in the caption. Story was about their pics for Oscar. Let's hear your limerick, Marcia!

Thanks Gi! I'm dyslexic and I know half the time my posts are riddled with spelling errors and difficult to read. Marcia dear, if you do not stop torrmenting us with your non-posted Limerick, we shall be forced to conspire to get back at you in someway. :)

S B, you're too hard on yourself! But some of our drooling friends do deserve some punishment for keeping us waiting for their posts...Marcia and her limerick can perhaps be forgiven, but what about Arami, Renate and Kirsten?

Gi, I sent SB my drafted and reworked ad nauseum limerick for her input but have received nothing. This leads me to think it is as poor as I thought it was. I just may post it to show the others that anything posted is better than an empty space!

see 113 for my input :-) Marcia, Elena, since we 3 were the last to see SiL, how about re-launching its discussion?

Sounds wonderful. I still cannot find my ancestors in the movie. According to the "cast in order of appearance" they are right after the first boatman (which WS chases "the boy" to find out who he is)...I think...! SBR also just saw it for the 4th time, and she posts from work from time to time. She can drool so eloquently as to puddle my machine miles and miles away!

I definitely would like to hear comments from everyone who has recently seen SIL.Gi, Kirsten, Elena, Renate, Carola....Sabine...a whole bunch. Did our previous discussions ( which started on Christmas Day...except for Winter and Nan who saw previews...) spoil the plot for you? I hope not. **** BTW when I was in LA end of Feb. SIL was playing in 94 theatres!! That's more than Italy...where it's #2!!Perhaps they know that one of its stars is a resident!

(Marcia) sent SB my drafted and reworked ad nauseum limerick for her input but have received nothing ACK! Marica I havent check my email in days! I'm SO sorry! Just read your final product over at 113, and thought it was marvelous! I've been working 12 hour days (and with and hour commute each way) I pretty much just colapse in bed by the time I get home. I promise I'll catch up on my email this weekend! Meanwhile, I shall sneek in these lovely excursions to Drool -while nobody at work is looking. :)

what about Arami, Renate and Kirsten? Dear ladies, it's either limericks or trying to develop www.firth.com - I'm afraid there's also real life intruding...

tag!

(Arami)Dear ladies, it's either limericks or trying to develop www.firth.com - I'm afraid there's also real life intruding.. Is that what prevents us from having the priviledge of reading a full report of your experience at the Donmar?

(Evelyn)spoil the plot for you? I hope not. Evelyn, I practically did not read this topic before I saw SiL, simply because I felt so jealous about other people having the chance to see him as an Elisabethan creep while I hadn�t! Anyway, I have seen the movie once and have not planned to see it again before I can buy the video, and I�ll do that only because of Colin. Like I said before, I really didn�t think much about the movie but I loved Colin in it...maybe that�s it, I only had eyes for Colin and everything else seemed unimportant !!! I really felt IMPATIENT during all those soapy GP/JF episodes, they did not interest me at all especially because I don�t think they are very good actors, in my opinion they�re just pretty people and real actorship is out of their reach. I know many of you like the two, but to me their performance gave nothing. All in all, I hate it that all you need is exceptionally good looks to become a megastar while high quality actors with real substance get the smallest roles. Substance really isn�t what counts in this world, Colin would be a megastar by now if it did. Btw, I�m going to see Aki Kaurismaki�s Juha in an hour, he was promoting this film in Berlinale at the same time when Colin was there. It�s a black and white silent film, basing on the most famous Finnish triangle drama in literature. With passion, adultery and suicide of course! 100% uncommercial.

Gi is demanding the priviledge of reading a full report of [my] experience at the Donmar... It wasn't outstanding in terms of content; I was happy just to be there and watch... Colin came downstairs soon after the end of the show. He stood patiently as people approached him with requests for autographs and photos. I pushed forward clutching my silly little pocket camera and asked him if he didn't mind if I snapped a few pics... (Why did I bother? No one else did...) He assured me he didn't (I wonder if he thought I was being facetious!) - and the results will hopefully be seen on firth.com pages one day soon... It was fascinating to watch him making this very deliberate effort t acknowledge fans, well-wishers and curious ones milling around. He happily signed anything anyone wished, and readily posed for photographs with delighted ladies. His amiability, patience, and generosity were very special and unquestionable, even though he looked a little tired - later we discovered that he had been fighting a nasty cold. He signed my program adding a usual personal dedication and a little "x", and I asked for another one to be signed for a fan in Russia. My request caused Colin's eyes to light up appreciatively and he raised his eyebrows in surprise. I thanked him for his patience and complimented him on the performance. I said something like: "I feel lost for words, but it really goes without saying that�" This brought a broad smile of visible pleasure to his face and he thanked me. I also asked him not to leave it too l ng before returning to the live theatre and he said he'd try. Soon after that he left the theatre accompanied by a small group of personal friends. On foot.

Thanks for telling us about your encounter, Arami Each story I read just adds another assurance that I'm not backing the wrong guy for favorite actor. He's real class. On foot But of course.

Does "Best Picture" spoil anything??? How about GP and DJD?? Costumes? Perhaps Screenplay...Gee, hate to spoil anybody's suspense!! YIPPEE!!!!(frankly, I coulda had a cow!!!)

KJ I know what you mean. I came out of my seat when they announced Judi Dench and again when Harrison Ford said, "Shakespeare In Love" I let out a whoop. It's a good thing I was watching by myself, anyone would have though I was ready for the loony tune mobile, jumping around and yelling. Thank heaven my husband slept through it.

Arami, thank you for a very interesting tale of 3Dor. If I remember correctly, you had about the most meaningful and substantive conversation with him that I have heard of as yet. Congratulations for the level head and cool nerves, and intelligence to ask the things which would make him beam! Congratulations!

Arami, thank you very much for your report, how can you say it was not outstanding? You were the only one, I believe, who had the presence of mind to ask him to come back to stage soon. I'm so glad you did! I saw SiL again yesterday (Antonio wanted to confirm how good it all was - said it was) and feel ready to start discussing it. I'll begin with a few minor points. The actor who played Kit Marlowe, and whom I remember from My Best Friend's Wedding, was not credited? I bought the book (screenplay) and unless my eyes fail me, he is not credited there either. I am not sure what a codpiece is, but in the duel scene and in the wedding scene through Wessex's plaits protrude either the handle of his sword or a very erect phallus... You tell me. I think Gweenie is a very good Viola, but a lousy Thomas Kent. Anyone agrees? As for CF, his villain lacks evil. I think he tries to empathize with his characters (remember, for Darcy's first proposal he says he tried to understand his POV and could not understand for a while afterwards what was so wrong with the things he had said), thus Wessex comes out as a bloke for whom "the only matter under discussion" is a trade of a name for money. He has been bought for her, he says. Still, he is attracted to her... to her eyes, no, to her lips... He fights Shakespeare not only for his honour ("you covet my property") but also, I think, from jealousy. And see how sad he looks at the theatre, after the show! So, he is not a strong character, like the Queen, nor a caricatural one, like Henslowe. Hence no nomination. I think.

Arami, thanks for your 3DOR tale. How did you feel after finally meeting with him, and what do you feel now? I know how much you admire and ... him.;-) Gi, I hope you got my e-mail.

If I remember correctly, you had about the most meaningful and substantive conversation with him that I have heard of as yet. I think Karen had the most substantive conversation. We were privileged to see him on two nights. On Friday night just K&I alone in the lobby. Karen told him about having seen the play in Chicago the weekend before and he was most interested. On Saturday night when we went to group for the picture he remembered us and he asked Karen how his performance compared to Chicago.He was most interested. ***** the presence of mind to ask him to come back to stage soon. I overheard several Spring people ask him to pl. appear in a play soon. And in my thank you note I requested that he not let 5 years go by without appearing in a play...after all "we want to get together (Spring)before then!!)

(Arami) It wasn't outstanding in terms of content Thanks for your 3DOR report, Arami. As one who did not go, I can't read enough about these close encounters of the Firth kind. IMO anyone who has seen or talked to ODB has plenty to share. (Heide) Each story I read just adds another assurance that I'm not backing the wrong guy for favorite actor. Ditto! (Gi) through Wessex's plaits protrude either the handle of his sword or a very erect phallus... You tell me. LOL, Gi! 8-o ! It's the sword handle, dear. The only criticism I had about GP as Th. Kent was that her voice wasn't always low enough. I see your point about Wessex, but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting...but I am biased. I enjoyed Colin as Wessex much more than as Jess in ATA (I thought that performance was flat and underemotional).

Evelyn, my short term memory is getting shorter... Abject apologies to all who said significant things to ODB...or wrote them :-)

Arami, thanks, I enjoyed your report. Really, we can�t compete about who said the most significant thing to him!! It�s a subjective thing. Take me for instance, the moment he turned to us I suddenly lost my ability to say or think in English, and I�m very happy for the few quite insignificant words I managed to say and hear from him. On the other hand, it�s strange but I possibly did not really want to have too much personal contact with him. I don�t know if you guys understand a crazy thing like this but I believe I needed to keep a certain distance and would again if I had another chance to meet him.

(Elena), I possibly did not really want to have too much personal contact with him. I don�t know if you guys understand a crazy thing like this but I believe I needed to keep a certain distance and would again if I had another chance to meet him. Really? I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. :-D

I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. Moon, you crack me up! :-D And don't forget: watch him go shopping for antiques, listen to him practice his Italian, etc... etc...(I wonder how he fares in Italian pronunciation)

Gi, I like your "take" on Wessex. I've only seen SIL once (I look forward to studying the video) but I'm puzzled why so many people dislike Wessex so much...villainous, wicked, male chauvenist etc. I felt rather sorry for the impoverished Earl, and I've been interested to read CF's comments on him. He's correct in saying that Wessex's behaviour was quite normal for the period...marriages were business arrangements and breeding ability did matter...especially if there was a title to carry on! I thought Wessex as inept with women, stiff, and certainly lacked poetry!...but he wasn't a villain! I hope that now Harvey's got his Oscar, he'll do something with MLSF, so that we have a long overdue chance to see CF in a more sympathetic (but still flawed) role! :-)

(Winter), ...(I wonder how he fares in Italian pronunciation) So do I, and I hope I will find out one day. Bethan, I hope someone finally asks Harvey, now that he has his most wanted Oscar, if he plans to release some of his stash of films. Why didn't anyone ask him that at the Oscar's press conference? That would have been my first question.

Moon Dreams: How did you feel after finally meeting with him, and what do you feel now? I know how much you admire and ... him.;-) I still do, maybe even more so... I saw a smashing (that's great in Brit speak), modest, friendly guy, working really hard and diligently at keeping his fans happy. People approached him with respect and admiration, and he reciprocated very generously. Even though he was feeling unwell towards the end of the second week, he still came down to meet the fans. He could have left the theatre using the back emergency exit, but he never did. I was aware of his dual image: Colin the actor and Colin the ordinary guy. I was looking at his famously "neutral" features, thinking about his various screen roles, and I had to admit it again: he was a magician in more ways than one... Yes, I am still under the spell...

Gi, I liked your comments on SiL. Yes, Rupert Everett was not credited for his role. A bit odd to me that he was at the Oscars supporting the film. I saw him being interviewed the next day along with JD, GR and John Madden. I too found GP hard to believe as a boy. I don't think it was her acting - just very too feminine looking. Had to laugh at the idea that such a good boy's wig was available at that time and that she could pile that mass of hair underneath it. As for CF, his villain lacks evil. . . So, he is not a strong character, like the Queen, nor a caricatural one, like Henslowe. Hence no nomination. Precisely, but as Bethan points out, Wessex is behaving quite normally, not doing anything very reprehensible and CF sees the validity of that. I like that he's not an over-the-top villain. You're right, that kind of portrayal will rarely bring a nomination. He fights Shakespeare not only for his honour ("you covet my property") but also, I think, from jealousy. I like this. He's fighting for his honor, his livelihood, and his machismo. Practically Neanderthal. ;-) (Eileen) but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting.. I love that he always goes for the subtleties (excluding Tumbledown). (Elena) the moment he turned to us I suddenly lost my ability to say or think in English, and I�m very happy for the few quite insignificant words I managed to say and hear from him. I agree. I won't berate myself for the things I should have said but am glad for those who had more presence of mind. So glad it was such a group event. I hope next time the group is even larger.

Almost forgot, Moon... loved your question for Harvey. Too bad you weren't there. Now if we could only get people to answer our questions.

(Heide)Now if we could only get people to answer our questions. Yes! You still remember that list we sent Colin through his agent, don't you? (Eileen) but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting.. (Heide)I love that he always goes for the subtleties. So do I, my dears, do do I...

(Heide), I like this. He's fighting for his honor, his livelihood, and his machismo. Practically Neanderthal. Never neanderthal! Noblesse oblige. With Wessex I felt the same way as I did when I saw Titanic. Why would Gwynnie prefer Shakespeare over Wessex? Why would kate prefer Leonardo over her fiance? There was something so much more substantial in them, more manly. (Gi), You still remember that list we sent Colin through his agent, don't you? He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews(who would have thought it!), we will have to wait and see what happens to his career now. ;-)

(Moon) Really? I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. :-D For some reason this brought to my mind's eye the picture of JE, clad in a pair of skin-hugging jodpurs, bouncing gently on a muscular steed. Her cheeks are flushed and her breath slightly short. Riding crop in hand, she gives a gentle thwack to Xanthus' rippling flanks. Flinching, .... SORRY. Off subject again. I am v. happy about SiL, I must say. I thought it was great, and I also thought GP was wonderful, especially as Romeo. The opening 20 mins. of SPR are astounding. After that, I thought, it grew increasingly ordinary. By contrast, SiL got better and better through the film. Sour grapes from other studios, and from Spielberg of all people, reduce them both in my estimation and provides a nice contrast with all the schmalzy, sickly, Uriah-Heepish backhanded self-congratulation at the Oscar ceremony. All this looks even more ridiculous when, moments later, someone can't accept being judged second best with a little more grace.

Now, Moon, I beg to disagree on several points: Why would Gwynnie prefer Shakespeare over Wessex? Why would kate prefer Leonardo over her fiance? There was something so much more substantial in them, more manly. Both Wessex and Kate's fiance were nasty characters, who considered their women as their property and could be abusive, were self important, and were cowardly when in difficult situations. He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews Oh, but we sent him a number of questions nobody else asked him, did we not? ;-) (ben)SORRY. Off subject again. LOL! You didn't stray very far...;-)

(Ben) someone can't accept being judged second best with a little more grace. Good article in NYTimes yesterday on "Morning After Complaints"..... Go to http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/032399oscar-commentary.html Why the 5,500 member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences split their vote between "Shakespeare in Love" and "Saving Private Ryan" was the source of discussion all over Hollywood. The Academy did split their votes as we surmised.

Just read the article from the New York Times, �Morning After Complaints�� What planet are these people from�SIL was a hard sell and Harvey was just doing his job. Which in my opinion, he surpassed greatly. Those idiots in Hollywood whine too damn much and need to get in the game. I wait with great anticipation at what Weinstein will do with MLSF. Colin is lucky to have this guy in his corner. Go Harvey� Go Harvey!

After HW's underselling (in our estimation) CF early on in SiL and removing his name from the webpage, are we to become a new version of the Harvey Girls?! Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment.

Marcia, you know I had forgotten how HW dissed Colin--and your'e right about the damage to creative thinking in movies--Had to vent because I couldn't understand why some of the Academy were now crying foul play just because someone sold a better product. Besides, I hated SPR. Wouldn't want to be a Harvey Girl though, would perfer to be Colin Girl. (Hmmm, Colin Girl sounds a bit funny almost like Call Girl).

Sorry that's "prefer."

(Gi), Both Wessex and Kate's fiance were nasty characters, who considered their women as their property and could be abusive, were self important, and were cowardly when in difficult situations. I did not find Wessex to be a nasty character or cowardly. Kate's fiance was a little more of a problem granted, but leaving him for Leonardo? He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews Oh, but we sent him a number of questions nobody else asked him, did we not? I agree with you but actors take into consideration all the interviews they give at a given time. Plus, someone has to type the answers. It is likely that he will be giving more interviews for the release of MLSF too. Of course, the questions he will be asked will not be as satisfying to us as the ones we sent. :-) ( Marcia), Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment. I agree! Spielberg should be ashamed of himself. Why doesn't he start producing small independant films? Harvey has a nice list of low-budget films to be very proud of. Thanks Evelyn for the NYT's article.

Thanks for that article, Evelyn. How about that line (I'm paraphrasing) some studios are "making different kinds of movies [than Miramax], some are Oscar material and some aren't?" It's a business consumed with money for 99% of the time. Art seems to matter only around Oscar time for most studios and then they have a temper tantrum because they didn't win. And does art really matter to these studios? Probably not. An Oscar win = more box office, so it all comes back to $$$. One Dreamworks executive said that "Shakespeare" may have triumphed because the biggest bloc of academy voters are actors and the film is a tribute to acting and theater. On the other hand "Private Ryan" is the work of a virtuoso filmmaker, and as a result he was given the Oscar for best direction. There was the possibility, too, that the majority of academy voters simply preferred the comedy to the tragic war drama. (From the article) This is consistent with my opinion. As for Harvey, waddaya want? He's from Brooklyn!

(Marcia)Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment. Marcia, I just couldn�t agree more. The productions of Hollywood film industry seem to me like a load of completely estranged junk these days....and I also think that if SiL is the best picture of 1998 and GP is the best actress, something is badly wrong in the business altogether. Pretty, conventional superficiality. (Gi)Oh, but we sent him a number of questions Moon, was the Internet and Spring mentioned in the question list? In case he has received the list and seen those words, he could have reacted somehow in Donmar when he heard those words again....or did anybody of us mention them to him in fact?? ......but of course he couldn�t have remember it anyway. All in all, my guess is that he has not seen the list at all and it�s no use asking about it in ICM, it�s just a policy of theirs to tell you that he has received everything you�ve sent him.

I mean: couldn�t have remembered

Love it: here's the follow-up article to the one Evelyn posted http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/032599hollywood-miramax.html Enjoy!

Elena, his LA agent gave him the list first. Then, we sent via Fax to London a copy as well to be forwarded to him as a reminder. He does know of the questions and he does know that it is from cf.com. I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. Thanks Ben!

(Moon)He does know of the questions I see! In case that�s 100% certain, I�d be very curious to know what the problem is.....probably simply that he has forgotten all about it right away! I�d also like to know how much mail he gets actually, maybe too much to answer anything.....oh sh**, I MET him recently for god�s sake!! I could have ASKED him.

(Elena)I MET him recently for god�s sake!! I could have ASKED him. LOL! It is amazing how articulate we become after the fact. You might have asked him, but could you have?! ;) All of that Drool does get in the way when we are confronted with the most drool-worthy man in the known Universe!

Thanks Ben for alerting us to the NY Times article. Harvey must be gloating. (Moon)I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. I believe someone from the other group did mention cf.com and Gi , I think, mentioned it to Livia. But no one from Spring , to my knowledge. To tell you the truth, I went to enjoy the play, wallow in The Man Himself,and meet up with the Spring crowd. I did not want to ask him any questions, or explain the provenance of our group.Somehow, it just didn't seem prudent. The group picture was pure luck:-)

Has this got to be the most contentious and acrimonious Oscars in history? Evidently, Fernanda doesn't subscribe to the Judi Dench "I'm-just-thrilled-being-nominated" philosophy! Ran across this news blurb (and I loved Central Station): FERNANDA'S NO GRACIOUS LOSER Appearing to evince much of the cold cynicism that distinguished her character in Brazil's Central Station (1998), Fernanda Montenegro accused Motion Picture Academy voters of awarding the best actress Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow not for her performance but for her "thin, pure, virginal" appearance. Speaking on her return to Rio De Janeiro from Los Angeles, where she attended the awards ceremony as a rival nominee for best actress, Montenegro said, "They don't have much of this type of actress like Paltrow i American cinema. The Oscar for Paltrow is an investment." Montenegro had few complimentary words for Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful (1997) as well. "It didn't deserve to win," she said. "I thought it was just him that won, not the film itself."

(Moon Dreams) He does know of the questions and he does know that it is from cf.com. I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar... Excuse me: by whose authority are those questions "from cf.com"? Has this been cleared with the administration of the site?

Fernanda is lucky they let her in the door. I don't remember a Brazilian actress ever being nominated...since Carmen (Boom, chick-a-boom-chick)Miranda. Nothing beats Judi Dench's grace.I just wish she hadn't dissed GP early in the game...remember?"It would be nice if the leading lady would speak to other members of the cast every now and then".

Evelyn,, do we know for sure she really said it, or is it just the media again. I personally find it hard to believe Dame Judy Dench would be so petty, she is above all that. She is such a professional like our DB.

(Moon Dreams)I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. I did, to Livia. (Evelyn)...Judi Dench's grace.I just wish she hadn't dissed GP early in the game... (AnnW)do we know for sure she really said it, Maybe she did, and maybe it was true. Just because she won an Oscar for SiL, and because she mentioned CF a couple of times, do we suddenly prefer to believe she has no faults? And maybe it was not said, or maybe it was not true, or maybe she was having problems in her personal life... Fernanda Montenegro: I saw an interview she gave after the nominations and before the awards. She said she was proud to have been nominated, and also surprised, because she is much older and not as good looking ad the other nominees, and Brazilian cinema is done with a lot less money than American cinema, which means the brazilians have two cameras for every four of the americans, the plans are fewer, the editing less brilliant, the films have less rythm, and the actors are not showcased as well. She said Hollywood looks after their own, and an old latino woman in a depressing movie all about poverty is surely not going to win. She was very articulate and intelligent in the way she put all this. She did not accuse Paltrow or Blanchett of being youg and pretty, she just said they were, and that they were good actresses as well. Of course if she had won, you would have had a graceful speech of acceptance.

(Evelyn)...since Carmen (Boom, chick-a-boom-chick)Miranda. Evelyn, you crack me up. I read Fernanda's comments in my local paper (it was probably in everyone's local paper). My first reaction was "crybaby" but hey--she's speaking her mind. It's almost refreshing. She knows she has nothing to lose. (Gi) and because she mentioned CF a couple of times, do we suddenly prefer to believe she has no faults? I think we have the life experience to know there's no such thing as a person without faults (even--gasp--ODB). If what Dame Judi was rumored to have said was true, so what? I still appreciate GP for mentioning Colin's name when NOBODY else was.

(Ann)Evelyn,, do we know for sure she really said it, or is it just the media again I only know what I read...'cause I wasn't there.I don't think they would make something like that up however, Imelda Stauton in an interview in The Daily Mail raved about GP.She said the girl was exhausted...had to go to NY to do TV promos and the premiere for "A Perfect Murder".Said GP was a real trooper. And she should know , she was Gwynnie's nurse!! ****** Fernanda's interviews: Sometimes these stars give different views on things once they get back to their own country.....and lose.

While we're still discussing the oscars... when Judi Dench made her comment about feeling like she deserved only a small part of her supporting oscar since she was only in the film for 8 minutes (or whatever), I couldn't help but wonder if she was really thinking: "Yeah, and when I deserved to win the bigger prize last year, they give it to some twerpy Yank sitcom star -- go figure!" The only part of the oscar thing that really had me on my feet was Norman Jewison's speech (accepting his Thalberg award) in which he exorted filmmakers to "focus on telling good stories" and "bigger budget doesn't mean better film." Amen, brother!!

(SusanMC)...when Judi Dench made her comment about feeling like she deserved only a small part of her supporting oscar... ...I swear I wondered which part she meant! ;-)

(Gi)..I swear I wondered which part she meant! ;-) I can't say I've paid Oscar's anatomy very close attention, but isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Great pecs he may have, but....

(Ben)isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Exactly! That's why I wondered...:-)

(Arami) Excuse me: by whose authority are those questions "from cf.com"? Has this been cleared with the administration of the site? Actually, the questions were not specified as coming from cf.com. But we did say that if he chose to answer we would post them at that site. I had asked either Nan or Renate (maybe both, don't remember) if we could post the answers at cf.com if he should answer. I would have asked Maria but she's hard to get hold of. However, if she should choose to question me, I'm easy to find.

Re Oscar's anatomy: apparently that part had been claimed years ago. Sort of gender neutral, is he not?!

the questions were not specified as coming from cf.com Thank you, Heide, for this assurance. I would have asked Maria but she's hard to get hold of. All the Three Deers are equally accessible to everyone via their email address.

I can't say I've paid Oscar's anatomy very close attention, but isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Great pecs he may have, but.... } He does have a very long sword, though. ;-)

(Ann)He does have a very long sword, though. ;-) Aha! Touche! ;-)

But surely, it's not the size of the weapon...

Yes. His weapon scrapes the floor which is mighty impressive, I admit, but also inconvenient, surely?

(Ben)... but also inconvenient, surely? For whom? :-D Sorry, sorry, sorry! I couldn't resist!

Does it mean that your floor needs scraping, Winter, dear? ;-) (Sorry - couldn't resist, either!!!)

Ouch.

Someone inquired as to the BAFTA Awards; Films only. TV in May. Sunday April 11th. For a short listof nominees go to: http://www.pa.press.net/news/backgrounder/bafta/main.html on the Press Association website pa.press.net Last year they posted the results as they were awarded...anybody in UK hear whether they'll do it again?

Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetitions.

Murph's charming story about Lord Wessex and Lady Viola in the New World has now grown to Four Parts. They can be found on her website: http://www.colinfirth.com/html/shakes.html

Ooooh, Evelyn, thank you for this. I had no idea anyone was tackling that yet.

Marcia)Re; Wessex and Viola in the New World:I had no idea anyone was tackling that yet. I only wish our gifted Fan Fic authors would get inspired to develop sequels for the rest of Colin's films.

From the UK Press Association Page: Oscar-winning star Gwyneth Paltrow and movie legend Liz Taylor are jetting in to Britain to join the celebrations at the British Academy Film Awards Paltrow took the Academy Award for best actress for her role in Shakespeare in Love and will be hoping to repeat the feat at Sunday's ceremony. The film has been short-listed for 16 awards - 15 Baftas and the Orange Audience Award. I hope she wins and thanks "Colin Firth". I think CF & Livia will attend. They went to every other SIL function.

and movie legend Liz Taylor are jetting in to Britain to join the celebrations at the British Academy Film Awards I thought she was ill. (Or was that her ex?)

(Or was that her ex?) Yeah, poor Larry fell off a balconey. He's lucky to be alive. (Evelyn) I hope she wins and thanks "Colin Firth". Ditto. I was disappointed she didn't at the Oscars. She must have gotten heat for not thanking JF at the SAGs, where her acceptance speech was spontaneous (thought she wouldn't win) and more like her GG speech. I also wonder if C&LF will attend. When are the BAFTAs? This month, right?

E Taylor is ALWAYS ILL! That woman has had more problems!

(Evelyn) Murph's charming story... can be found on her website: http://www.colinfirth.com/html/shakes.html Correction: with all respect to Murph, www.colinfirth.com is not her website. She is a guest co-laborator running a section called Murph's Corner - and long may she continue to do so! But she also has at least one other place on the web which is wholly hers - you can find all relevant links in Murph's Corner.

May I add my voice in urging everyone to visit this website. It is full of *everything* Shakespeare, SiL, and Firth in it, including a MIDI file of the music he sang - but, alas, not of his singing it =( I was delighted to find Shakespeare's Last Will and Testament in which he leaves my ancestor a ring of remembrance (it was a popular thing to do in those days.) Excellent layout and graphics, it is compleat and most wondrous.

Queen Eilzabeth must be a Colin Firth fan! She gave Edward a title in honor of the dear boy! Though, if I were Edward, I don't think I would like being named after the villainous Lord Wessex!

Ann, there are all sorts of baddies in almost every title she could have given him. On 72, we discussed it a bit - but should have been here! I did The Times and Laura did The Telegraph. The latter was better, but both were interesting. Ann!!! It's you! My absolutely favorite writer of all time. Your Tapestry is printed out and dog-eared from frequent reading. It was the first Fanfiction I ever read and it is still the best in my heart =)) Welcome!

OOK = Karen's was King's Tapestry which I loved for another reason. Ann, Heartfelt Delight...as I read unfinished JA you filled in the spaces where I needed them to be filled. Karen took it another step farther. For the longest time these two were the only ones I ever read. They still have pride of place in my manuscript file. Welcome!

Sorry, Marcia, but this is Ann (no initial or number Ann, who runs the DWG and Austen.com). While she didn't write Heartfelt Delight (that's Ann2 officially, from Sweden), this Ann has written a number of very lovely stories that I know you would love.

Oh yes, thank you, dear, for the kind words about my old story. ;-)

Oh my! My Stephanie erred?! She was the one who separated the Anns for me. Your old story is a toss-up with Ann2's HFD as my fav's I pulled them out and reread them last night as my disgusted DB went to sleep with his back to me. Thank you for your clarification. I felt most sorry about Ann2's departure from RoP and was delighted to see her new DWG and Austen.com all ready for my belated perusal. I hardly go to RoP anymore, unless it is to hunt through their archives for something. 14 hours on the Boards is just too much, and this was when I tried to write last night and got everything confused. I also tried to write Ann Haker a letter but it bounced back to me this morning.

I felt most sorry about Ann2's departure from RoP and was delighted to see her new DWG and Austen.com Uhm, Marcia, it looks as if you're still mixing them up. Ann Haker is the host of Austen.com, she posts as 'Ann'.

Ann Haker, host of DWG/Austen.com, no longer uses the U of Minn that's shown with her login. Try this: anneh@www.spring.net Ann2 hasn't left RoP; she still posts her Heartfelt Delight there. I believe Lizzie is getting closer to her wedding night. You're at the computer too long!! Get some sleep. ;-p

Thank you again. Am getting out of the Ann business and going to read some fan fiction. I really do appreciate your clarifications. I do not know how I managed to be so confused (need that sleep!)

Dear Drool Hosts.... When MLSF is released can we look forward to a MLSF Board? Hope so :-)

I don't see why not.

And why not here? SiL is moribund for the present.

I would think there's no reason to post anything here anymore. This topic has served us well but we've all seen Shakespeare in Love by now, haven't we? No reason why we can't discuss any other SIL topics on 118/119. If anyone is concerned about reading spoilers for My Life So Far on our regular topics, I'll gladly make a new topic for the lucky few who will see it in a few weeks. I'll copy this onto 119.

I'll gladly make a new topic for the lucky few who will see it in a few weeks. So positive I can't stand it. ;-) Heide does topics. I don't do those or windows.

Well, clever distribution of labor is what a good partnership is all about :-)