.. (Kali's) My fondness for Jeremy springs mainly from his excellent portrayal of my Mr. Knightley - I have to admit that was the underlining factor - him playing out an endearing Jane Austen hero - and doing it so credibly too. I was 'forced' to watch The Net twice (being on economy seats with their one-movie-channel and to-ing & fro-ing within the same month), I saw Sandra Bullock and couldn't, for the life of me, remember who the villian was, 'cept for that wonderful accent and speaking voice of his. Having now rented The Net twice and willingly, I cannot say that I watched it as I would a thriller (Oh no! don't let the bad guy catch-up feel) - I spent the entire time hoping for him to show up and thought hey! if I had to be illed off, I wouldn't mind being pursued by this person. Either this JN obsession is beyond comprehension or (I suspect this might be it) he didn't come across too villianeous - his bad role was way too unbelievable. Maybe he was too gentle for the role.??!! (you gals still talking to me after this?) I then rushed out and rented "carrington" and spent an agonised 45 mins with Emma T. and decided I would cheat and fast-forward. Then aghast!! looked great steering the sail-boat - what's in the script for him?? and the let down - 2 mins airing time and a movie I couldn't recommend friends. Read up on his life, family, his interviews, looked at his pics and guess what? He's the regular nice guy (melting voice additional) who appears clear-sighted and humourous. Rushed our and watched Emma2 again twice over and suspect "he is Mr Knightley" (Cassendra permiting). That must be the attraction.

Message 201-we are gaining steadily on Mr Firth! Guttersnipe: I think it means a mean-spirited, ill-mannered wench, mind and manners in the gutter. Oddly enough this has become somewhat of a term of affection, bestowed on me by my father. He thinks he's Henry Higgins. We bonded over Mr Fair Lady. Love the variation on the proposal scene. HE has that longing "gaze"!

"Run, Angela, run! - but not too fast!" ;)

Dearest KAli: Let us never be boring! I think this is a great point of conversation-the reasons for our mutual attraction to JN. Like you said-we all come from different backgrounds, but have managed to form an odd sisterhood over one man. And what a MAN! Strangely enough, I did see JN before Emma. Pure coincedence-the movie that I wanted to see was sold out so I ended up seeing the Net. He really jumps out at you on the screen-"star quality". Even then, I recognized his magnetism and talent as an actor(and who am I kidding), and of course his striking dark, good looks. But, it was only when I saw him as Mr KNightley that I really began to take notice of him. Again strangely enough, a few weeks before the movie came out I saw a promo of Emma on television; they were discussing the recent onslaught of Austen adapataions. Anyways-they showed the archery scene and within minutes, I recognized him as that talented, handsome actor from the net. Having not seen him in Carrington or anything else, I was immediately seized by the notion that (1)this looked like a wonderful, charming adaptation of one of my all-time favorite novels and (2) that JN would make a terrific Mr Knightley. He really draws you in. Anyways, when I finally did see the film, I was moved, charmed. I laughed. I cried. I sighed. I went back and saw it again and again and again and again. I don't think I will ever recover from his "whom are you going to dance with". Obviously, my attraction was initially based on his excellent portrayal of Mr Knightley. As I've said-he played Mr KNightley the way that I had always imagined him: vulnerability, chivalry, and strength of mind and character. He is a brilliant actor-I can and have talked volumes about my admiration for his subtle reactions, voice inflections, and expressions. I'd like to liken this "crush" to Roxanne's problem in Cyrano(that's the dramatic Mary in me). LIke Roxanne, I'm blindly attracted to Christian's good looks,(JN) but in love with Cyrano(the soul-Mr KNightley)-but I can't. The more I read about JN-this classically trained, bright, witty, funny, charming actor-the more I admire him. He's definitely not the typical Hollywood actor type: all braun and no brains. I think basically we are all bored romantics and JN is definitely, at least for the moment, the perfect canvass on which to paint our dreams.

Have you seen Firth's drool - it's covered with amazing pictures and even one of JN??.. I was so impressed that I'm going to TRY to post my previous wallpaper that did wonders for my day.. well, if the pic. doesn't appear, we'll still gain by one extra mail here..

oops.. back to tag tutorial..will try again later.

Well here goes.. Am I the last to find out? I came across a mailing address for Mr Northam.. PMK 1775 Broadway, Suite 701 New York, NY 10019

SERENA!!!!! You're a goddess! I could just hug you to pieces! What a gift you've given! Finally, we have an address for him! I'm just afraid of what I should write, so as not make a complete buffoon of myself. Wouldn't want to look too obsessive now, would I?

Winter: Wouldn't want to look too obsessive now, would I? You? Nyah, no chance! ;-)

Down Winter! Down girl!!

I think that perhaps the best way to ingratiate oneself to Mr. Northam - should one actually get a real chance to meet or correspond with him - lies in the appearance of disinterest. Obsessive fans, as necessary as they are to one's subsistance as a famous person, are still a put-off. So, lust in your heart, but DON'T send anything to him. The results will only disappoint you...Cass, care to share your PB fan letter story? ;)

Of course-Kali. And I agree about the "appearance of disinterest" too. Take it from Jimmy Carter-lust in your heart. Before, I bore you with my sad Pierce Brosanan tale, I must state that I have matured quite a bit since then. Smile. Anyways-when I was ten, those younger, more vulnerable years, I formed my first "crush" on PB, or more accurately the character he played on Remington Steele: that nameless, forever mysterious, charming, suave movie buff. I was so smitten by his blues eyes and mysterious past that for the first and only time in my life I wrote a fan letter. SEVERAL months later, I received a photocopied letter of acknowledgment and a an offer to join his fan club: please enclose money. Naturally, I tore it up. That was m first Araby. I tend to agree with Kali. Generally, swooning over movie stars/tv stars/personalitites, and especially autograph seeking/fan letters, is inane. I have always said that I could never date, much less marry an actor. Warning: they make their living(if they are in the lucky 5%) "playing" interesting, fascinating, complicated, witty individuals. In reality, they are not-usually the complete opposite. The problem(if it is a problem) with Jeremy, then, is that he doesn't seem(I too hope fame doesn't go to his head)to fit into this model. We've all said how much we admire JN, not just the Mr Knightley persona. He genuinely appears to be bright, witty, funny, talented(classically-trained-Royal Shakespeare Society), confident, and at ease with himself. Any further comments/suggestions?????

BTW-(since this still is primarily a drool topic)Serena: I love the pic above, that tossled, casual look. OOH BABY!!

I once posted the unimaginable question, is there really life after JN's Knightley?? Cassendra..there might be no cure for this JN infatuation unless someone writes an all-powering letter and gets asks to join the queue and pay-up..and reports it at drool. But until something happens to break his usual charming interviews, reality check is all I have going for me. I'll even settle for an autographed something or other!! God, I must be insane!! Perhaps he's not spotted as much in the celebrity circle yet and so there's NO horrific tale to break his charm .. this brings to mind one of his usual realistic, yet witty interviews where he said that he's not really recognised in public at that time and so could get about fairly easily. On a parting note of another interview where he spoke of a failed-romance after nine years and he ended with "maybe I don't have the Knightley charm.. There is no cure for me at this stage!! I don't want to get over t is yet anyway.. we're having too fun in here.. Move aside David Duchovny!! Phew!!,,never thought I would get over him..

Is there life after JN's Mr KNightley? That is a good question. LIke you I'm having too much fun and JN is just so irresistable and delightful! I think this is the longest "crush" I have ever had-another testament to our JN's magic. As my dearest Kali said: Jeremy is a safe object of obsession, until some real-life Mr KNightley comes along, riding in the rain. I too read that article about his not having Mr Knightley's charm. I'm also certain that line was delivered with one of those bewitching, bewildering KNightely smirks, ie: pianoforte scene. You know, I think I've figured it out; That's it!! The MAN is too damned charming!! Kissenger was wrong. Charm is the greatest aphrodisiac.

Just to continue the "crush" discussion, I'm just interested in why we develop crushes anyways? Does it fill some secret, deeply-hidden longings/desire? Are we just bored? Or are we hungry, perversely attracted by the "unattainable"? Like poor Scarlett, we want the most what we can't have. I'm probably all three! Perhaps a better question, then, is why we, along with so many other women, have fallen so madly in love with one George KNightley. WHat is it about this character? And what is it about JN as MR Knightley that has sent us fluttering and trembling like Mrs Bennet?

...and we dress the object up in a fine suit of clothes of our own creation, even if it doesn't really fit... I think there's a direct correlation between stressful periods in life and crushes...

Defintely Kali! Good old Yeats had it right on the money "we clothe in the colours of our longing..." Hemingway wasn't too far off either. I like the way he ended The Sun also Rises: Lady Brett tells Jake that they could have had such a wonderful time together. And of course, Jake's retort is: "Isn't it pretty to think so?" You know something dearest, I think that in addition to being Emma/Marianne, there's a lot of Gatsby: "he knew that when he kissed this girl and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God." Hmmm, how about Jeremy as Gatsby????

Kali-You were dead on when you said that the magic of Emma is how this deluded, ,"doomed to blindness", young woman suddenly realizes that the perfect, most charming man is right beside her. And the torture that she might lose him! Only, to have her affection returned in the most complete and romantic way. That's what we all long for and want! I'm not willing to accept, yet, that, it's just an illusion. "So we beat on, boats against the current..." I think we're starting to depress everyone!

Thanks. BTW, I got the "suit of clothes" paraphrase from Scarlett herself, when she goes home to Rhett after Melanie's death and her subsequent epiphany re: Ashley...but I must admit, it applies to many of our situations. Jeremy as Gatsby? Could work. I see myself more as Gatsby...building myself up to be worthy of somebody who can never appreciate me. But that's WAY in the past now...best not to think about it anymore.

Re: Roxanne...that woman must be an allusion to Penelope...waiting at the convent, embroidering, even, for Pete's sake...waiting...and then Cyrano comes back...Maybe I just have The Odyssey on the brain, Cass...;) Hey, speaking of Homeric heroes, what say you all to Jeremy as the Trojan Prince Hector...? What a guy.

Best not to think about it anymore:I've tried to put Gatsby behind me too and it never works. I used to believe too that the rock of the world was founded securely on a fairy's wing, but life changes you/hardens you. For which, I am eternally thankful-you need to be tough to survive. I don't think I would recognize the girl I was five years ago, nor would I desire to. However like Nick, that heightened sensitivity to the promises of life always move me:re-creating himself in his own image, from Jimmy Gatz to Jay Gatsby stretching his arms out to the green light on Daisy's dock. I think all of my favorite characters are essentially deluded: Gatsby, Scarlett, Emma.... As for Roxanne-I tend to feel the way some people feel about Fanny Price: superficial, silly witch: The voice in the dark, that was you... Cyrano deserved better. He was deluded too. You know Jeremy might make a wonderful Cyrano-he has that VOICE! I think I'm in love with Cyrano, Rhett Butler, Mr Knightely and Mr Darcy. But, that's another story and it's scary how much in common they have.

REg. Jeremy as Prince Hector....My knowledge of the Iliad and the Odyssey is pretty pathetic. I pain over it during my quiter hours. They're fighting over Helen of Troy, right??? I'm certain, though, he would be wonderful-the costumes most becoming to that gorgeous physique! HEy KAli-tell us about Fatal Inversion?

Thanks, Cassandra. Why do we like them deluded?

Yes.. Kali, put your schoolwork/ thesis aside.. it'll still be there later. FATAL INVERSION FATAL INVERSION FATAL INVERSION!!!! be descriptive ..please.. pretty pictures too!!

Cassandra, I've been trying to e-mail you with no success. Please e-mail me and tell me how --- I want to apologize!

Susan Darling-apologize for what???? You know I adore you! Good Question Amy! I think I'll wait first for Kali's reply before I try to answer that one. There's something terribly romantic about deluded heroes/heroines and stories of unrequited love. Call me Marianne. Emma was one of the lucky ones. That's why we love it so. It has the perfect ending with the perfect match.

Fatal Inversion - sex and full-frontal nudity. 'Nuff said. Deluded heroes/heroines...Hell, I don't know...it's the question of the ages. There's something bewitching in the thought that you can achieve and attain exactly what you desire, I think. We like to see people like Gatsby create life - play God - become master of their own lives. There's also the fact that we're all deluded to a certain extent, and we appreciate seeing it in others we admire...no one sees the truth with perfect clarity...if we did, life would be boring...we'd sit around like Q's, knowi g all the answers, knowing all the questions. life, love, pursuit of happiness - the romantic and democratic ideals - would mean nothing. I think the definition of humanity is our imperfect vision, our imperfect knowledge...Even the most remarkable beings...perhaps ESPECIALLY the most remarkable beings...are defined by their endless red-herring chase in pursuit of perfection. It's late. I gotta go to bed.

There's a wonderful short story, my all-time favorite, by James Joyce("Araby") that articulates, better than I ever could, the deluded/romantic hero and his eventual disullisionment. The hero is a male equivalent of Marianne Dashwood. He lives in this dark, book-filled house and is obsessed by two things: the town fair or araby and his best friend's sister. Like the fair, he imposes his own romantic, idealistic dreams on the "girl": "My body was like a harp and her every word and gesture were like fingers playing along the strings." Anyways, he does get to go the fair and it is a complete sham-noisy, insidious...Plus, he sees his beloved there and she's far from the good catholic girl he placed on the pedestal. End of story. Joyce must be rolling over in his grave. As my father says, I have had plenty of Araby's, although I'm not sure this completely fits the Jeremy situation. Any thoughts???

"SEx and full-frontal nudity..." I can almost hear the mad dash to the video store. How did Kathleen get her copy?

Cassandra: How did Kathleen get her copy? I purchased it from a catalogue. I was trying to find it in my current video catalogues, but the best I can see is Fatal Inversion as part of a 3-video set: BBC Mysteries (Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine mysteries), for $59.95. I remember paying about $15 for just FI. (The order number is A4644 in Public TV Videofinders Collection: telephone 1-800-799-1199, btw.) And, Kali, is that all you have to say? No other comments on his own delicious looking self? :p

I have had plenty of Araby's, although I'm not sure this completely fits the Jeremy situation. Okay, 'splain! As far as the Jeremy obsession many of us have, I think it does...we get obsessive about people, famous or otherwise, because we think they're PERFECT...we think they're better than what we are or what we have, or because they will take us someplace better than where we're at. We're bored, confused, stressed, or upset, and they're an escape...a pleasant alternative to the maddening coldness of reality. But what are they, really? Illusions. They're not perfect...they're not what we made them out to be. We dress them in the suit of pretty clothes whether it fits them or not. And then when we finally look at them straight on, we see how silly they look in those stupid outfits we squeezed them into, and realize that they aren't any better than we are. Call me faithless, but I'm just waiting for the man to prove himself to be a jerk...

Kathleen dear-THANK-YOU for the information! I can't wait to see FI! And KAl-this is starting to feel like confession! Well, what I meant was that being the Marianne Dashwood/Emma/Gatsby girl that I am, I tend to build things/people/events up in my mind, so that they could never hope to meet my expectations. I'm forever disapointed. A sub-Araby would be my PB tale, and on a bigger note, I once admired this famous Canadian poilitician: she was a first in everything. But, when I finally met her, she was far from charming! As for the Jeremy situation, I think the story does apply. I think I am like you-waiting for him to slip up and tarnish the Knightley armour. Isn't that perverse/an eternal contradiction? I think he's wonderful and charming, but I expect him to disapoint me. One problem: at least for the moment, the more I read about him, the more enamoured I become. HIs wit, in particular, impress me. That's in short supply today! Usually, distance is savoury. The closer you get, the more imperfections you see(the suit o clothes doesn't fit) and the illusion is lost! Or, on second thought-you just get bored. Maybe we're over-intellectualizing. Like you said-the MAN is gorgeous!

Anyone know what Jeremy's next project is??

Anyone know what Jeremy's next project is?? You mean, after MIMIC? I really don't know. I'm still hoping that they finally release VOICES FROM A LOCKED ROOM, which got good reviews at Sundance last year, but has never been released (and also features full frontal nudity). BTW, I got FATAL INVERSION for about $25 from CD World - http://www.cdworld.com/

it's winter's time to drool! got the copy of "fatal inversion" from kali (who got it from kathleen), and i'm just about to settle down in front of the TV with a nice big bowl of capn' crunchberries and the remote control within easy reach for those pauses and rewinds one usually needs in order to witness Jeremy in his full glory. this has been one GREAT week, everyone: Monday I got my copy of "the making of P&P" in the mail, Wednesday I got my copy of "Darcy's story" (thanks to Maud for selling me her extra copy) and TODAY, I get this wonderful package in the mail from Kali... from the happy mood i've been in all week, no one would be able to tell that I'm also in the midst of preparing to submit my MA thesis propsal! as linda richman would say, "You're like buddah..." I'm swimmin' in Land 'O Lakes!! (my Fatal inversion review to come soon)

Winter, do you by any chance go to USC? --- As far as illusions, yes...I've been disappointed enough times to be wary. But you're right - we are overintellectualizing...for why should we CARE? Oh well...I guess I'm not so jaded that I've lost my sense of hope...I do wish that life will bring me happy surprises after all...whether or not one of them happens to be Jeremy! ;)

hello all! my fatal inversion 'review' will probably be posted this afternoon... i've got a couple of errands to run, including mailing the tape off back to kathleen. kali: i did my undergrad at usc, and now i'm at ucla, just across town. do you know anyone at usc? yes, yes, i realize the two campuses are sworn enemies (just like cal and stanford rivalary), but it doesn't mean too much, especially when you're not into football at all! BTW, i noticed (from the pkg) you are in berkeley. i grew up not very far from there-- richmond to be exact. 'i think it the dearest place in the world!' (but, most people wouldn't!).

WE are all breathlessly awaiting your review-Winter. No one is better equipped to write it than you. And Kali-I never want to become jaded. Wary and skeptical-Yes. But, people who fall back on cynicism-are doing just that. It's a cop-out for not living, following their dreams. I don't think I see la vie en rose, nor would I want to(that's dangerous). But, I understand what you mean about "happy surprises." I doon't ever want to lose hope or give up. I'm kind of glad I haven't reached my "peak" yet, like a certain Tom Buchanan: everything else is anti-climatic. Its been my experience that even at low poin s, something, sometime always happens-counterbalance effect. You really have to know yourself and hang in. And Hell-keep believing in and reaching out for the green light. The alternative, after all, is pretty dismal and BORING!!!

"Fatal Inversion" (1992, BBC) Adam Verne-Smith has just inherited a fairly large estate from his great-uncle, who has died. At the age of 19, Adam is hardly ready, or even responsible enough to keep "Wyvis Hall," and so decides to put it up on them market promptly, and keep the profits. It�s the summer of �79, he�s on holiday from Cambridge, and plans to go to Greece before the school term begins again. �Enter Rufus (Jeremy Northam�sigh). Best-friend, pre-med student(aspiring OB-GYN) and ultimate baddie (!). If you thought YOU had it rough with junior high school, peer-pressuring friends, Rufus is by far, the worst. He drinks and smokes like there�s no tomorrow, wears sunglasses both indoors and outdoors and looks devastatingly beautiful in all scenes, and is just one of those guys who heartlessly picks up women and sleeps with them, cares for no one but himself, takes every chance he can get to be cheek , and most of all, unconsciously makes you fall in love with him. I won�t give you the details, but this is basically a mystery, with scenes cutting between the summer of �79 and 12 years later. Present day, something�s been dug up in the backyard of Wyvis Hall, and that something traces back to that carefree summer, when Adam and Rufus have the time of their lives in the English country with some other guests, rather than go off to Greece as previously planned. It�s drool time: JN is HOT in every scene: by look, mannerisms, dialogue and overall presence. Though I wouldn�t say he�s the main character, he still get more than ample time for you to drool. As a 19-20 year old, he plays it off very well. Cheeky and obnoxious are the two words that come to mind when I first got to know his character. But don�t worry, he grows on you. Maybe the way Harrison Ford seems sexy when he plays the same sort of a**hole renegade in �Star Wars.� You�ll love their "frolicks" through the countryside--- two scenes come to mind: 1) Adam and Rufus go hunting wearing nothing but their briefs, socks and a rifle slung over their shoulder! 2) The swim! Absolutely, 100% butt-nekkid! Frontal nudity and all. (and I must say, JN was NOT a disappointment in the least!) We flash back to present day, where Rufus is a practicing OB-GYN in London. He�s still single, but I�d say a bit more polished around the previous "rough edges". He LOOKS great in suits,broad-shouldered, slicked-back hair, confident and if you watch it, look for the scene where he wears a pin-stripe suit with the trenchcoat on top. He�d make a really great detective! I don�t usually catch mysteries on TV, but this is a good one. I�d recommend it, even if you just want to see JN, the plot will keep you involved. Jeremy�s best line (IMHO): "and there I was preserving the idea that I might be charmingly unpredicatble." (Rufus� response when a girlfriend tell him he�s too private; his personality is too �pre-programmed.�)

Yes, I go to Berkeley. Richmond? Ooch. Sorry. Oh, and you should know that even non-athletic-booster-types are into rivalries. And since you are a SUCKLA student, I'm obligated to tell you to "get your own fight song (proper key, please), get your own colors, and get your own bear!!!" --- Winter, we could use this kind of depth in our Austen adaptation review topics. Why is it always sex that excites?

because sex is so primal... so natural, and such an immediately gratifying stimulus in such an impersonal, fast-paced, "everyone for themselves world.' which probably leads me to MY contribution to that "why have such a crush on jeremy northam" thread: i think i find him appealing because he immediately gives you the impression that if he cared for you, he'd care in such a way that you know he'd be honest and sincere about it. Even in the net, when he walks down the beach with angela, and wraps the hanky 'round her waist, you see that look in his eyes that just say, " i'm not supposed to care for you, but i hopelessly and helplessly am." now i'm trying o be cautious with this next statement, and please, remember this is IMHO, but: I don't get that impression from Colin Firth at all. It may have to do with that string of women he has met over the years on various sets. As for JN, well, after going out with someone for nine years, that's some real commitment going on.

"primal and natural-immediately gratifying": you have a keen/perceptive insight-Winter. An appropriate and thought-provoking list of adjectives. reg the scarf around the waist touch in the Net: JN looked, at least to me, as if he were going to strangle Angela. But, maybe that's the Rebecca/Xenia in me-Kali!

Winter, I guess you got in without my having to wipe out a second layer of your login names? Tell how you did it? Do you suspect it was your browser saving old passwords?

well, i logged in the same way i always have. and as usual, i've had to get into "forgotten" to access the CF and JN drools. i've had to download ALL the messages from both JN and CF, which means having to sit for a few minutes till i get to the latest. how can i access just the newest messages for these guys? the "acitivty since this week" and the "new' options in forgotten won't let me o that. downloading JN messages aren't so bad riht now, it takes about 2 minutes, but the CF ones are driving me crazy! in other words, I still need help!

Amy, I am still having to sign in again under a different name to get CF and JN myself. I can't even use Forgotten. If you figure out a way to help Winter that might work for me, I'd be eternally grateful.

I don't know if this will work for you, but I had this same problem with some other topic last week. I was able to access the topic using the Fogotten option, then I reset the "Remember" button at the top of the topic. In order to "save" it with the other topics, I changed the "forgotten" in the URL location line (under the back, home, reload, etc. buttons on my screen) to "all" and got back to the all location with the topic back in place. Hope this might help.

it worked!!! it really worked!!! thanks kathleen! after a minute of figuring out exactly which buttons were located where, i managed to get CF and JN back in the original list again. i'm just crossing my fingers and hoping that it will stick for good.

winter: t worked!!! it really worked!!! Hooray! I couldn't believe I had actually figured something out, so I'm glad to be of service. :-) (I just re-read my explanation, and I have no idea how you figured out what I meant . . . clarity needs improvement!)

I love this...what other medium could offer you technical indifference and unbridled lust all in the same thread? ;)

Winter, your narration just sold Fatal Inversion to me. Now I cannot get this off my mind. Oooh.. and I cringe at the thought of JN as my personal ob-gyne. The heart beat quickens and the mind thinks up excuses for visits. But in reality, I'll probably bail-out in the consultation room.