...must be age setting in. I get a feeling in my bones when there is news of this movie!! Just like the trailer being at the Miramax site. Or maybe it's just logic (Cannes premiere=site update; planned US releases=TV review) Maybe I should call into Oprah and talk about my spiritualism with this movie? ;-D

The new picture is marvellous! Father and son are just too cute! Especially father...those white trousers are going to be most distracting! I don't think there's a more powerful reviewer in the US than Ebert And he loved it....better and better. I liked the Oscar link with Rosemary Harris. Harvey loves Oscars....maybe he'll start pushing RH for Best Supporting Actress and throw a few dollars into the promotion! :-) Nice little pipedream...I've always wanted a sequel. If we can't have P&P2, we could perhaps have "My Life Continues"? !

Thanks Karen....Our girl is always out there!!!! (Bethan)I liked the Oscar link with Rosemary Harris. Harvey loves Oscars....maybe he'll start pushing RH for Best Supporting Actress and throw a few dollars into the promotion! :-) Harvey knows RH's talent....she received a Supporting Actress Oscar nom for Tom and Viv another Miramax film.

re: the Jay Leno show, if any of CF's agents read this site, I'd like to remind them that during a Gwynneth Paltrow appearance, CF's name came up and I clearly remember JL saying he "loved that guy (that played Earl of Wessex)"......and I don't think Leno is on re-runs anytime soon... So, it seems that the invitation to appear would be out for CF?!! (I hope hope hope so!). With the tie-in to the success of SIL, it could only help the "general public" (as opposed to those of us with the superior taste and ability to support ODB and see MLSF a few times!), to get out and see this film, esp. after the S&E review. well, here's HOPING!!!

Karen reminded me.... If you go to the S&E website at the URL she gave us: http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/siskelandebert/reviews.html And click on to : "When to Watch"...and select the city closest to you... They give you the next time this week that the program is repeated with the review of MLSF.

Karen, thanks for the heads-up -- the S&E show reviewing MLSF was on in the Boston area this a.m. Was so glad to see my assessment of the film concurred with Ebert's and Mark's and it wasn't just my rampant Firtholism making me biased. I thought Mark's comment that "this is the type of film people say they want to go see... and then don't" was very astute -- hope that isn't the case, but fear it may be in this summer of "American Pie" and other juvenile gross-out movies. RH's performance reminded me very much of her role in "Tom and Viv" -- can definitely see her being nominated for a supporting Oscar. The Boston Globe doesn't list MLSF as opening here this week, so guess it will be July 23 (hopefully), regardless of what the person at Kendall Sq. told Laura. Just a thought... with CF and Irene Jacob working together on Londinium at the moment, maybe Miramax will fly both of them to NY for the MLSF premiere -- sort of a "two MLSF costars for the price of one" deal;-)

An article in Sunday's Observer about Puttnam: From Sir... with lots of love He's just made his final film. Now he wants to shower Britain's neglected and vilified teachers with affection - and money. Euan Ferguson meets David Puttnam. Sunday July 11, 1999 The Observer She is, he enthuses, his soft beard bristling with passion, 'astonishing, wonderful, beautiful, our jewel. If she didn't exist you'd have to invent her.' The one-time head of Columbia Pictures, producer of some of Britain's most fizzingly dramatic films of the past 30 years, once on nodding terms with half the stars of the Hollywood firmament, is getting most excited indeed about a lady, which is fascinating, given that Schools Minister Estelle Morris - while doubtless every one of these things, and more - has not hitherto been noted as the kind of lady who would, as they say in Hollywood, incite bishops to kick holes through stained-glass windows. But passions change. And for David Puttnam, happy and sunned and ennobled, and enthused in a way he says seldom happened in films, his new and brimming passion is education, and it's likely to fill the rest of his life. Which starts about now. Yesterday he was promising me the 'finest coffee in all of London' as we sat baking outside a Knightsbridge cafe, and trying to pitch education reforms - software potential, teacher-training ideas - with the manic enthusiasm of a teen auteur granted one three-minute spiel. Today brings the culmination of a year's work with the live broadcasting of his 1999 Teacher's Awards, a kind of schools Oscars to reward the likes of 'best new teacher in a secondary'. Tomorrow he flies to New York for the launch of his latest film, My Life So Far. It will be his last film ever. 'That's it. Last one. Clapper down.' There are no second thoughts. 'No, I can't conceive of being tempted back, ever. Over the past year or so, travelling round all these schools, I've met more astonishing people than I ever did in the film industry. And the problem they're struggling with is so intractable, so difficult - they'll be struggling with it for the next 50 years. And when you're 58, as I am... it's going to see me out, this battle, and there's something rather exciting about that.' His resentment at the film industry is obvious. After leading the last British assault on Hollywood with some of the most charmed films of our age - Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields - he was spat out by Columbia's owners, Coca-Cola, and ended up with ME and accompanying depression. The frustrations, these days, of wrestling with the twin horns of what he sees as the schools problem - Middle England's prejudice against teachers, and teachers' prejudice against change - are nothing compared to his occasional frustrations at the shallowness of Hollywood. 'Last week, trying to get a particular star to help present these awards tomorrow, I had the most infuriating conversation I've had in the past year. Not her fault: I couldn't even get past the PR. Oh, it was just infinitely depressing far worse than anything else.' His resentment against the teaching profession, on the other hand, has almost completely abated. His own education, at a grammar school in north London - his best friend there was Mirror editor Piers Morgan's father - was 'not great.' He left at 16 to become a messenger boy, and has said since that the lack of a university education left him with 'resenment and a slight chip for the rest of my life.' Eighteen months ago, then, when invited to oversee the BBC1 project to find the most improved schools, he threw himself into it with keen fascination. Now it consumes him. He talks, at length, of his welter of ideas: of the desire to harness the 'astounding deftness, the razor-sharp thinking' of a child perched on a PlayStation to that child's education, and of 'multiple intelligence'; though he doesn't want to be labelled too 'hip', and accepts some Sixties educational theories stand up today about as well as the one about the world sitting on the back of a turtle. In fact, he resists and resents any categorising as 'traditionalist' or 'moderniser'; what he's mainly against is 'bad teachers'. Which means? 'A bad teacher is anyone who consistently - and I mean year after year, for we all have bad years; God knows I had a couple - but consistently fails to engage attention.' It's also a question, very much, of leadership. 'I hope this doesn't sound too snobbish, but you can tell as soon as you arrive at a school. You're either met by someone who knows you're coming, who smiles and takes you inside to meet the head, or you find yourself talking to someone who hasn't a clue, and mumbles something about the room at the end of the corridor. The difference between those two schools, everything about them, is phenomenal.' But there aren't, he insists, that many bad teachers - and he insists on insisting on this to Estelle, and to David Blunkett and Chief Inspector of Schools Chris Woodhead, both of whose ears he regularly bends, and both of whom he counts as friends. 'I was reported recently as saying I thought Chris should go. That's rubbish, absolute rubbish. On the other hand� Chris has said that there are 15,000 poor teachers. Well, he's probably right. What people forget is that this is 3.2 per cent of the whole profession. If 96.8 per cent of people in, say, journalism, or - please God - the film industry were either good or brilliant, we'd see it as an absolute triumph.' Didn't it depress him, then, when his 'own' government, the party which ennobled him in 1997 and invited him to become an informal adviser on education, seemed to spin so often against teachers? He sighs. 'It can be� frustrating.' Only 'frustrating'? 'Well, there's a legacy,' he says very carefully - he is, remember, despite his kind eyes and inherent honesty, a man at the heart of New Labour, which for men like this can bring the need for some particularly painful moral gymnastics. 'There's so much baggage people bring to this. It's astonishing. I've spoken to many businessmen, and it's always the same; they agree they need a well-educated workforce - but they won't admit this means we start paying for good teachers; the link is made really grudgingly. 'Of course we should be paying them better, and we should also accept some teachers get more than others. A physics teacher for the next century is so much more crucial than a history teacher, and so much harder to keep out of the private sector - so we must start to pay accordingly. 'But, in general, we should be loving all our teachers, celebrating them. We must stop this blame-and-shame culture.' Much of which, surely, was introduced by his chum Chris Woodhead? 'Well... as I say, there's an awareness of a legacy; of the way people see teachers. It's time to end it. That Middle England prejudice against them, that Daily Mail stuff - that's pretty much exactly what these awards are here to counter.' And he's off into the sunshine, looking forward more to tonight's awards than the glitz of New York. At this stage in life, with his new passion, and his house in Ireland, he seems to be that good and pleasant thing: a man finally happy in his own skin, the genuine article. He's also a man of his word. The tiny cafe of Baker & Spice does, in fact, serve the finest coffee in London. It's almost enough to make you forgive him for so often encouraging the career of Nigel Havers, when one might have argued instead for him to be taken behind the barn and hit with an axe. But not enough, not quite enough, to ever win forgiveness for that bloody Vangelis soundtrack. ******** What's the matter with Nigel Havers anyway? He could clear the hurdles without spilling a drop of champagne. Don't think anyone is going to want to put Puttnam on any talk shows, except maybe Charlie Rose.

Anne Thanks for your message. I tried to email you at the address on this board but it came back "undeliverable". My address here is the correct one if you want to contact me. Thanks. There was a picture of Elizabeth & Mr Darcy in a Brisbane paper over the weekend. I nearly fell over when I saw it. Its because P&P2 is showing on Australian television at the moment. I haven�t read the article as yet but if there is anything worthwhile (ie: Colin related) I will post it later. At a quick glance it looks as though it is discussing Jane Austen rather than the actors involved. Where do I go to find out the meaning of the various symbols used at this board? Eg. =P or :-)D. Thanks.

Don't think anyone is going to want to put Puttnam on any talk shows DP is, I am afraid to say, a bit of a political bore. We heard him speak at a dinner just before the last general election. We all wanted to hear about the British film industry, a subject on which DP might have some unique insight, instead of which we were given a lecture on the Labour Party policy on Europe! It was not even well delivered. He droned from notes, which was totally inapropriate for the occasion. RH's performance reminded me very much of her role in "Tom and Viv" -- can definitely see her being nominated for a supporting Oscar. Oh dear. Does that mean that even if this film is a critical success, Colin will be overlooked again in favour of others (like JF in SIL)? Cannot stop looking on the downside :-)

BTW I was wandering among the CF sites recently and came upon the picure of JF kissing CF (on firth.com) and I noticed for the first time that Colin is wearing a rather unusual watch. It has a black oblong face and what appears to be a red strap. Is anyone knowledgeable about watches? No detail about ODB is too small to be of interest!

Another review for MLSF at http://www.culturevulture.net/Movies/MyLifeSoFar.htm - so-so, mentions Colin.

The Boston Globe doesn't list MLSF as opening here this week, so guess it will be July 23 (hopefully), regardless of what the person at Kendall Sq. told Laura. ] Kendall Square doesn't advertise it's movies. They have a listing but it goes in on Thursday's, that's when they update their movie listings. How many movies do you know are playing Kendall Square? Run Lola Run, Edge of Seventeen, The Winslow Boy, Cookie's Fortune, Get Real. These are movies that don't generally advertise. They change their schedule on Thursday nights in time for Friday's opening. So we'll see. I

Good on ya, Karen--you've been a busy girl. Thanks for keeping us so up-to-date. I bet Siskel also gave MLSF a thumbs up from the big movie house in the sky! (Karen) Is there some kind of special holiday going on in NY that we don't have here? Argh!! Hillary's listening tour? It's probably best that the shows are in repeats this week since MLSF's opening has been pushed back. I'd *love* to see Colin on Rosie (but am not holding my breath--he is working, after all. His appearance on talk shows is possible but isn't a given). She can gush like the rest of us gals (Dave and Jay wouldn't be the same) and I'd like to see how he would handle it. Thanks for the cultureventure url, Ann. The reviewer dissed the movie (not ODB) but it was nice to see his pictures all around the text. Have Regis on right now. The flashback of Regis cooking with Miss Piggy is over (now I know why I don't watch these shows on my days off). Harry Hamlin's on now. Ho-hum...bring on MEM!! Bring on a clip of the movie which predominantly features ODB! C'mon!

Cathey, the symbols are called emoticons and most of the ones we use here are smiles, smirking smiles, big smiles, etc. Here's a decent list of them: http://members.aol.com/bearpage/smileys.htm If you search in Yahoo under emoticons, you will see tons and tons of symbols, but very likely no one here will understand them and I think of them are jokes or attempts to be clever. Thanks AnnW for the review. This guy is definitely a vulture and not necessarily of culture. ;-) not very likable uncle (Malcolm McDowell). Thank goodness it's not Colin this time. It seems a shame really, since the film is so pleasing to look at and so much first class talent has been rounded up. Colin Firth...only gets the opportunity to display some serious thespian skills near the end of the film, leaving one to think that had this been a more complexly drawn character, the entire proceedings might have been a whole lot more interesting. First class talent and Colin is first named. How appropriate. I wonder about this vulture guy and the type of films he likes. Laura, as far as I know most if not all theaters change their shows on Friday and do have listings in the newspapers. With anticipated films, ads will go out usually the week before or at least on Sunday before to say "Opening Friday." MLSF wouldn't be that type of film. However, I cannot believe that one movie theater in Boston would be able to show a film before it opens in NY and LA. Boston is in the Top 10 and should be showing it on August 6, unless Miramax changes its schedule. I have no doubt that the film reels are sitting there, but it could be that the person you spoke to wasn't aware of the change in release schedules.

Heide, don't read this if you haven't watched your tape yet. Good news: MEM mentioned CF: "...played by Colin Firth, who is a dear friend of ours..." Bad news: no CF in the clip :-( Robbie and Irene are at the piano, playing and singing 'Sunny Side of the Street' when joined by MEM. It was rather short. Kathie Lee got 'Limbo' mixed up with MLSF--thought MLSF was written by John Sayles. Regis did say "[MLSF] is from Miramax, so you know it's got to be good" (or words to that effect).

However, I cannot believe that one movie theater in Boston ] The Winslow Boy opened at the same theater the same day it opened in NY/LA, this cinema does it all the time. Does it make it right? Probably not. Kendall Square is not Boston, but Cambridge, there is a distinctive difference. Most likely MLSF will NOT open in Boston. (Remember, Boston is small approximately four cinema's in Boston Proper, and not many in outlying Boston areas) I'm heading down there today to find out exactly when the movie will open. Shakespeare in Love didn't open in Boston (agai , Boston proper) until just before Oscar time, then it played at the Copley Square Cinema (Which is a Sony/Lowes theater.) However, it played in Cambridge (Harvard Square for quite a long time.) So Boston, shouldn't be the market, it should technically be Cambridge. Like I said, this Kendall Square Cinema is a two-shot theater owned by Landmark, there is another one in Waltham, MA, but that place is non-existant when it comes to viewership.

Eileen: MEM mentioned CF: "...played by Colin Firth, who is a dear friend of ours..." I was hoping she would say something like "a great actor", or "a gorgeous actor", but at least she mentioned his name, and of course they had to mention Malcom M. as her co-star! Most irritating... I have emailed three shows requesting Colin as a guest: Live!, Jay Leno and David L. Probably nothing will come of it, but it makes me feel better.

Where do I go to find out the meaning of the various symbols used at this board? Eg. =P or :-)D. I ignore them....The others are CF films, co-stars etc.You'll catch on after a while. Thanks Karen...for the article on David Puttnam...sounds like a guy with a chip on his shoulder."My -way -or- the- highway" type! I don't think RH's chances of getting an Oscar nom for MLSF would weaken CF's...on the contrary. Am I the only one disappointed at MEM on Regis& Kathy this AM?Who cares about her life in London!! And someone should have told Regis that MLSF starred CF not Malcolm Mc Dowell!! (Talk about somone with a chip on her shoulder....me,)

..the screenwriter..telescoped the source memoir by Sir Denis Forman (a television executive) for purposes of dramatic cohesion. He achieved the cohesion, but the drama is conspicuously absent. Obviously the Culture Vulture didn't read the boring "source memoir" or he'd be raving about the screenplay.

David Puttnam is, I am afraid to say, a bit of a political bore (Allison) Agreed. I think he's very worthy, but a dull speaker, and could be accused of perhaps taking himself too seriously. There's a lot about him in the press at the moment, in connection with the Education Awards. MLSF is usually mentioned in the context of "Puttnam's last film" before he went on to his new life. I sincerely hope that when it comes to promotion of MLSF in the UK, we get photos and interviews with Colin, not DP!! I note that DP is going to the NY premiere. Does Colin get a ticket also? Will he/ an he attend? The reviews seem to be coming in for MLSF. I have a feeling that a lot will depend on the taste/preference/gender of individual reviewers...it may not appeal to everyone, and so reactions may be mixed.

Eileen, will you be going to see MLSF when it opens in NY on the 23rd, I am so looking forward to hearing what you ladies think of it. BTW I see that it is to open in Singapore (of all places) on the 26th August, and yet no date for the UK, I don't know. I wonder if it will be shown at the Edinburgh FF, a perfect opportunity I would have thought.

(Evelyn) Am I the only one disappointed at MEM on Regis& Kathy this AM? Me too, although it was nice that MEM made the comment about CF being "a very dear friend of ours", having made no comments about the rest of the cast beyond mentioning their names. I only wished she had said what a fine actor he is (she couldn't really gush over his looks). The clip chosen is not going to pull in crowds; wouldn't you think, since the audience for this show is primarily female, that the clip would have shown a seriously handsome CF with MEM instead? ODB certainly looked lovely in the S & E clip of the dinner scene. M & S looked as though they really enjoyed MLSF as they spoke of it. BTW, has anyone called MIramax yet?

I'm really hoping that CF will do a talk show. He has a great smile (rarely seen on camera) .... and it would be his chance to say, hey I'm the star (not just the husband!) and I've got another movie coming out! He's the only one who can do this. And the Earl of Wessex/Prince Edward connection is still topical and a good opening gambit. But isn't he known to be very reluctant to appear on chat shows?

(Evelyn) Am I the only one disappointed at MEM on Regis& Kathy this AM?Who cares about her life in London!! But it was MEM sitting there in the chair, so the chit-chat (and the clip) was about her. And in the minds of the promoters, US audiences will recognize MMcD from his stint on the ill-fated 'Fantasy Island' series moreso than CF. I'm afraid we'll have to get used to this until ODB makes these appearances himself. (Ann) will you be going to see MLSF when it opens in NY on the 23rd I probably won't be seeing it until Monday, the 26th--depends on where it's playing. Will be glad to share my opinion (something I never do, hee hee) on the most appropriate board. Lastly... One positive Roger Ebert review outweighs one negative Culture Vulture review by at least a million to one!

(Allison) Colin is wearing a rather unusual watch. It has a black oblong face and what appears to be a red strap. Was near major shopping area, so checked out men's watches. Nothing even close. Will probably have to visit jewelry district. BTW, Evelyn, the cows will still be on display when you're here!! (Laura) Kendall Square is not Boston, but Cambridge, there is a distinctive difference. (My final comment on the subject) Let's not get pedantic. When a film opens in Chicago, it will also open in Evanston, Oak Park, Oakbrook, Rolling Ghettos, Flossmoor, Highland Park, etc. Cambridge may not be Boston proper, but it is also not NY or LA proper. ;-) (AnnW) I see that it is to open in Singapore (of all places) on the 26th August, and yet no date for the UK All that means is that someone had that information (which was verifiable) and they made the effort to submit it to the IMDb. As I recall, there are dates for release in Australia too. (Eileen) Kathie Lee got 'Limbo' mixed up with MLSF Could anyone be ditzier? How much prep work do these *hosts* do? I think none is the answer for Kathie Lee. (Evelyn) Obviously the Culture Vulture didn't read the boring "source memoir" or he'd be raving about the screenplay. LOL!!! So true, so true. (Lynda) The clip chosen is not going to pull in crowds I've always noticed that the clips run on talk shows showcase the actor who is there. A scene where that actor is doing the majority of the talking or acting or kickboxing or whatever. It's not intended to entice the audience, but rather make the actor look good. But I do agree that one with Colin would have been better. (Bethan) And the Earl of Wessex/Prince Edward connection is still topical and a good opening gambit. We think alike. I used that in my last email to Phaedra!! A strike while the iron is hot approach. (Eileen) US audiences will recognize MMcD from his stint on the ill-fated 'Fantasy Island' series Thanks, Eileen. I had forgotten about that show. ;-D

Kathie Lee's preparation: 1. Show up. 2. Open mouth. After show: Return home and let Frank out of his locked room. (Karen)I had forgotten about that show. ;-D You and the rest of us who had any sense (actually, the show did do well critically). But why else is MMcD getting mentioned when CF's the star?

But why else is MMcD getting mentioned when CF's the star? He's older? ;-)

(Bethan)..I'm really hoping that CF will do a talk show In your dreams, Bethan But who knows...Jennifer did three in February...one was good:-)

From Time magazine (courtesy of Mari) MY LIFE SO FAR Directed by Hugh Hudson Is it gently celebrating eccentricity or mildly deploring familial dysfunction? This story, told by a 10-year-old boy growing up in a Scottish castle in the 1920s, can't quite make up its mind on that matter. Or what it thinks of its central figure, Edward (Colin Firth), an impractical inventor trying to make a go of moss farming. He is at once lustful (his determined eye is cast at his brother-in-law's pretty French fianc�e), a good father to his numerous brood, yet sometimes abrupt and heedless of th m. He's a stormy character, all right, but an unfocused one, and this well-cast adaptation of a memoir by a British TV executive is disjointed, only queasily humorous and too casual about its dark undercurrents. --By Richard Schickel There is a photo of Colin from the Miramax press kit (wearing a white jacket and carrying a walking stick). ***** Ladies, not to worry. Time rarely likes anything and Schickel has been criticized of late for his EWS article. EWS is Warner Bros. of Times-Warner.

From the LA Times (also from Mari) Sunday, July 11, 1999 WHATEVER. DAVID PUTTNAM / PRODUCER By STEVE HOCHMAN With 1981 best picture Oscar winner "Chariots of Fire" topping his resume, producer David Puttnam--Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, C.B.E.--has had a full life. But when he says "My Life So Far" (reuniting him with "Chariots" director Hugh Hudson) is his last as a producer, he's not retiring--at 58, he's got three Blair government appointments in addition to his House of Lords duties. CIVIL SERVANT: "This genuinely is my last film as a producer. I may executive-produce. But I love the jobs I've got with the government [including chair of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts] and would be jolly sorry if someone took it away from me." TOGETHER AGAIN: "Working with Hugh Hudson again was a real treat. He's got a lovely sense of period, comes from a family not dissimilar to what we have in the film. He brings something extra--doesn't just direct a film, but lives it." FAMILY VALUES: "I found 'My Life So Far' as a very funny book ["Son of Adam" by Sir Denis Forman, based on his own eccentric family]. It's a family that hung together through all this craziness. I've had enough of films that pretend life is a series of simple choices." POSITIVELY: "What is inexplicable to me is how anyone with a brain would write, direct or participate in a film that promotes violence. They have a clear image of what a civil society is like. Why not spend your career promoting that vision rather than working against it?" RIGHTS AND WRONGS: "The tragedy is it's the irresponsibility of artists that invites the government to take a position on artists. Freedom from censorship is very recent and fragile, and if you abuse it, you lose it." SHARP SHOOTER: "Charlton Heston is a very nice man, but his position on gun control in this country [Great Britain] would be considered an obscenity. People would regard it as completely insane. We had two major killings here last year. People just don't use guns in Britain. There is no gun culture here, I'm happy to say." NEXT UP: "I have three scripts at Warner Bros. which I would executive-produce. One is with Anthony Minghella, 'Fade Out,' which I think will be made. One is with Taylor Hackford, called "Serenade,' and there's 'A Very Long Engagement,' which Hugh Hudson loves, a marvelous, bleak look at the First World War."

Don't like the TIME review....not a good sign. V. powerful magazine with humongous readership. Harvey better get in overdrive.

He says it is well cast and then kind of contradicts himself, I don't quite understand this review - still so far I have seen 3 for and 3 against, I think Bethan has got a point that it is going to depend on whether the individual reviewer likes this kind of film.

From today's Philadelphia Inquirer, in Marilyn Beck's syndicated column: FILMMAKER PUTTNAM QUITTING MOVIES FOR POLITICS Esteemed filmmaker David Puttnam is calling it a day. "There'll be no more movies for me," says the onetime Columbia studio chieftain, whose long credit list includes Chariots Of Fire, Midnight Express, The Mission, The Killing Fields, and Miramax's current whimsical drama about an eccentric Scottish family, My Life so Far. Speaking after a day's toil as a member of the British House Of Lords, Puttnam says: "It's become evident that the political work I'm doing cannot co-exist with the demands of making a movie. In one case or another, you're letting someone down." That realization hit him, he says, when he was in post-production on My Life So Far. He relates that, one day, he found himself "with an orchestra waiting for me on one side of town, and legislation awaiting me on the other"--as a vote was about to take place for which Puttnam, a whip, had to be present. Puttnam is glad to be going out on My Life So Far, which reunited him with Chariots Of Fire director Hugh Hudson--and which Puttnam considers "in many ways the nicest film I've ever done." Still, he does have five or six scripts in development at Warner Bros. Turning those projects over to others, "I suppose, will be like relinquishing my babies."

And here's the one you've been waiting for. The bellwether publication Mademoiselle (August issue). I think Mari sat at the newsstand all day! ;-) BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS My Life So Far--Starring Colin Firth If your vacation plans are less than postcard-worthy, this gorgeous movie may be your ticket. Set in a picturesque Highland castle in 1930s Scotland, it's the story of the MacIntosh family as seen through the eyes of ten-year-old Fraser. His father (Firth) is an inventor, but with less-than-astute business skills. the family's idyllic life is threatened when Fraser's successful uncle (Malcolm McDowell) returns for a visit with his fianc�e (Irene Jacob), with whom his father has fallen in love. Although the plot unwinds clumsily, see it for the charming glimpse it offers of manor life. (3 stars out of 4) ********** I think it bases its review on the clothing! ;-D

Huh! Can we have less of David Puttnam, and more of Colin please. Talk shows....I tend to agree, Evelyn,....."in my dreams"! But I think self-promotion is his Achilles' heel. His unassuming nature makes him attractively non-showbizzy, but it's a competitive world out there, and there are only a few decent roles available. If JE can do it, so can he! For someone who is "retiring" DP seems to be involved in some interesting projects. Anything for Colin? The Time review is odd...I thought the whole point about Edward was that he is a contradiction. "well-cast" is okay though! And even CultureVulure seems to approve of the cast!

(Bethan)isn't he known to be very reluctant to appear on chat shows? Indeed he is. (Allison) the picure of JF kissing CF (on firth.com)... Colin is wearing a rather unusual watch... Is anyone knowledgeable about watches? Good pic, isn't it? ;-) There is a Hugo Boss range of watches which look very much like this one: prices are about �350.

this well-cast adaptation of a memoir by a British TV executive is disjointed, only queasily humorous and too casual about its dark undercurrents. Further thoughts on this "review"....what dark undercurrents? Was Edward planning to murder Morris and incarcerate Heloise in a dungeon? Or poison his wife? And "queasily humorous"? This isn't "Something about Mary"...all the instances of humour I've read about seem disarming and rather innocent. And Denis Forman was Chairman/Managing Director of Granada Television (More than a mere exec!) "Disjointed"...well, perhaps it's intended to be meandering..it relects a child's perpective. Why can't we review reviewer? "Woefully inaccurate effort by Time's movie critic!" :-) There is a Hugo Boss range of watches which look very much like this one: prices are about �350. Present from Livia?

a Hugo Boss range of watches... about �350 Present from Livia? More than likely. I believe the watch he was seen wearing previously was a boring regular round white face affair.

Time Magazine's review doesn't bother me. How many people read anymore? As Eileen said, One positive Roger Ebert review outweighs one negative Culture Vulture review by at least a million to one! or almost any negative review (as long as they don't come in droves). I for one am waiting for Cosmopolitan's ;-) Another Kathie Lee gaffe - didn't know who MEM's husband was. You're right, she does no homework.

(Bethan) what dark undercurrents? Was Edward planning to murder Morris and incarcerate Heloise in a dungeon? Or poison his wife? Were those chapters missing from your copy of Son of Adam? ;-D Actually, most reviewers write about the movies they'd like to see as opposed to the film they did. I give no credence nor weight to culturevulture and his ilk. Anybody can set up a website and call themselves a critic. He's probably a chiropractor during the day.

Ugh! A movie opening in Cambridge doesn't necessitate it opening in Boston. THAT was my point. If a movie opens in Chicago, yes it will open in other suburban locations, but that's not how it works in Boston/Cambridge. Cambridge gets the artsy flicks and Boston gets the action flicks, because of the patronage. End of subject.

Given the timing relative to "Relative Values" and the start of "Three Days of Rain" previews, I'd keep an eye on this one. Producer Weldon's offices are at Suite 4, 11 The Aldwych, London WC2B 4DA (or they were a few years ago). Phone is 836-0186. From What's On London theatre news, 9 July: The No�l Coward Gala will top the year-long festivities. Held 24 October 1999 at the Drury Lane, the event will include star appearances from Richard Attenborough and Hugh Grant amongst others. It will be directed by Gillian Lynne with musical direction by Michael Reed and produced by Duncan C Weldon. All proceeds will be donated to the No�l Coward Scholarship Fund, a new charity set up for students applying to drama schools.

Strange, very strange, must be that Blair Witch;)

Time Magazine's review doesn't bother me. How many people read anymore? I'm not despondent...but unfortunately the people who read Time Magazine are probably are the people who would go to see MLSF. I don't exactly see this film drawing the under 25 crowd!!

But why else is MMcD getting mentioned when CF's the star? Maybe the Stanley Kubrick connection; there seems to be a revival of interest in The Clockwork Orange because of EWS. I do not care what lures people in to see MLSF as long as they do. 10 screens in the U.S. is awful, though. However, we do need to lighten up a little. At least MLSF is getting some attention and is being shown (so at least there should be a video release). Perhaps Miramax is going to a bigger push in the fall in Britain, because it is the proper time for a film like this - maybe they never expected MLSF to do well in the U.S. anyway, but their marketing strategy (!?!) pretty well ensures its failure at the box office there. I don't know why Toronto is being ignored (maybe it will be released in the fall here, oo). I only wish Miramax would be specific about where those 10 screens are. I called them in NYC this morning, and was put through to voice mail in the publicity dep't. I'll try again later in the week - how about every one else calling and being (pleasantly) insistent? On the plus side, the reviews have been mixed, at worst. The Time review mentioned Colin having the central role and his character as being stormy (more interesting than being bland). Nobody has said the film is awful and S & E did give it a great review. As far as ODB goes, at least we aren't seeing him, as the bad guy no less, in the awful Wild, Wild West or, god help us, Inspector Gadget. I wouldn't see those films even if CF had the lead.

Thanks to Mari for scouring the newstands and to Karen for typing up the articles. (Evelyn) but unfortunately the people who read Time Magazine are probably are the people who would go to see MLSF. I have to agree. I just breezed through my new 'Newsweek' and didn't see anything on MLSF yet. (Ann) He says it is well cast and then kind of contradicts himself, I don't quite understand this review My interpretation: the movie's plot/storyline is poor but the acting is good. I don't exactly see this film drawing the under 25 crowd!! The 'Ent Weekly' summer preview issue had MLSF pegged for the 'older, art-house' crowd. Perhaps the Mademoiselle review will nudge a few younger, art-house crowd members into the theater. Given the mixed reviews, what MLSF needs is publicity, publicity and more publicity. I hope there's a TV and print campaign kicking off in the very near future using the banner "Roger Ebert gives it thumbs up!" You've got to AC-cen-tuate the positive, E-lim-inate the negative...

10 screens in the U.S. is awful, though I didn't see your post until after I submitted mine, Lynda. It's ten cities, not ten screens--I sure hope it's playing in more than one theater in each city! As far as ODB goes, at least we aren't seeing him, as the bad guy no less, in the awful Wild, Wild West or, god help us, Inspector Gadget. I wouldn't see those films even if CF had the lead. Read a scathing review of WWW which said Kenneth Branagh's beard was more interesting than his character. Bombs away! I'll take "bad plot, good acting" reviews any time over this sort of thing (until such time as we can read "CF is terrific! Run to the theater!" Some day...)

OT: Got a lovely postcard in the mail from our dear Moon, who is in Urbino. She will be back with us in August, from what I gather.

I vow not to say another word about MLSF until I see it. The doom and gloom here is depressing the hell out of me. 'Nuf from me on that subject other than I'll start the new Spoiler topic on the 23rd.

Yes lets cheer up. It as least going somewhere - when I was in Singapore last year I was surprised how quickly they received films thus the same with MLSF and hopefully hear in Oz it will at least be in the main cities -

From the NY Daily News. I won't including most of the *boring* bits about the state of education, but at least we know others who attended the dinner after. 'Chariots' Big Exiting Biz One of the movie industry's most colorful figures is quitting the business. David Puttnam, the former head of Columbia Pictures and the Oscar-winning producer of "Chariots of Fire," says he has had it with Hollywood � especially now that it has gone tabloid. "What happened to newspapers in Britain is the same thing that happened to cinema in America," Puttnam said at the Box Tree restaurant Monday. "In the early 1980s, newspapers in Britain turned into comics and they started to celebrate stupidity.... "That's why he's calling it quits. But not before releasing "My Life So Far," a comedy he produced for Miramax about forgiveness that stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Malcolm McDowell. It opens July 23 and was screened Monday for a crowd that included Mastrantonio, Matthew Modine, Harvey Weinstein, British Ambassador to the United Nations Sir Jeremy Greenstock and his wife Lady Anne, and British Consul-General Sir Jeffrey Ling.

I see that Harvey brought out the Big British Guns of the NY Diplomatic Corps. Too bad the newspaper didn't mention Colin....but that happens when one doesn't attend one's premiere. Who is Matthew Modine? "Third fairy from the left"? Anyway...good for him for attending.

According to our Teletext, Stephen Fry is to star alongside David Suchet in a black comedy about Napoleon (Suchet) called Sabotage, filming is to start on August 1st in Spain, I guess RV must have been put on hold what with Colin doing Londinium and now this. SF is a very busy at the moment, I believe he has just finished something for the BBC, then L maybe RV and now S.

SF is to play Wellington.

...and SF was also reported to be at some party recently in N. London for the guy who wrote "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe." (Richard Curtis too!! Where is Colin? Why doesn't he go to parties like this? Especially as in his neck of the woods...enough moaning...) Thank you, Ann, for the update. Lots of Denise Richards in the news as "Drop Dead Gorgeous" had its premiere party the other night in LA. She is very young. Somehow I can't picture her as the Miranda Frayle character in RV. ****************** From Liz Smith's column in Newday today: GREAT FILM producers never die. They go to England and help the teaching profession! At least that's what David Puttnam will do. The man who gave us "The Killing Fields," "Midnight Express," "The Mission" and "Chariots of Fire" insists that his exquisite "My Life So Far," soon due from Miramax, and another collaboration with writer-director Hugh Hudson, will be his last movie. If so, it is a ravishing and moving swan song, an aching film about forgiveness, coming of age (whatever your age) and moving on ith life. It stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Colin Firth, Malcolm McDowell, Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob and young Robert Norman. At the Box Tree restaurant after the film's premiere on Monday night, Puttnam was feted and talked about his new appointment in Tony Blair's government. His assignment: To make life better for Britain's teachers. "I will set about recruiting new ones and appreciating the existing ones." Not quite 60 years old, Puttnam says "My Life So Far" could be the title of his own autobiography, if he ever had the time or inclination to write one. But he is too busy looking ahead to bother looking back. Oh, one of the many pleasures of "My Life So Far" is another opportunity for Mastrantonio to reveal her beautiful singing voice. When this movie screened in Cannes, the audience broke into applause when she sang. (The versatile MEM also sings in John Sayles' dark and controversial "Limbo."). ***************** Oh, one of the many pleasures of "My Life So Far" Evidently, she didn't want to state the obvious!! And singing it isn't!!

I rather think this film is going to appeal to lady revieweres rather then the men (R. Ebert excepted), so far the opinions have been very varied but I am sure that if Miramax promoted it more vigorously then it could do well with people seeking an alternative to Star Wars etc. I must say I can't wait to see it and for the video to be released, just right to watch on a cold wintry Sunday afternoon!!

Where is Colin? Why doesn't he go to parties like this? Because he prefers to go to parties that HE chooses to go to. :-)

Ladies another review for MLSF by Christopher Null (who is he ,he obviously has no taste!!) at Deja.Com search Colin Firth, not good but at least it didn't get 1star - unquestionably awful. Thank goodness for Karen's above posting, it evens things up again.

(Ann W) Ladies another review for MLSF by Christopher Null (who is he ,he obviously has no taste!!) at Deja.Com search Colin Firth, not good but at least it didn't get 1star - unquestionably awful. Thank goodness for Karen's above posting, it evens things up again. Not to mention Liz Smith isjust a little more influential than Christopher Whoever. That being said, I can't say that I was thrilled with the creepy comment that little Fraser made about his mom servicing his dad and the "lubricious ministrations" and the laughter that seemed to follow Dad's (I imagine) reprimand. Wasn't my idea of funny because of the actual words the 10-year old boy used about and in front of his mother and father. It's okay for a boy to be curious, but at his age, he should kno better than to speak like that at the dinner table. Maybe it plays better in context, but I sincerely hope that there aren't too many bits like that. And I am no prude - but I would have been utterly mortified, and entirely unamused, if my son had spoken like that about me in front of my family.

I have a feeling that views on MLSF are going to be very polarised..loved it/didn't like it, depending on age and gender. I think a lot of males, under 25, just won't see the point of it...no special effects, no-one gets killed, no females in the buff, no action-driven plot. Unfortunately, they're the ones who write the reviews, on the Internet certainly, and in most movie mags. Those who like this film...Roger Ebert, Liz Smith...(and there was an outstanding Internet review by Harvey Karten a couple of weeks ago) really do love it. And so, it would seem, do fans of CF who have seen it. And being a fan can make you more (not less) critical (I've still not watched ATA through to the end!...does MPf die?) I'm very puzzled by Colin's absence from the Premiere (and where's Hugh Hudson?) He's always struck me as a team player (witness his support of SIL)...and it's not just his film -it's DP's, Harvey's, Hugh Hudson's etc...and so I really thought he'd make it. As it is, MLSF seems to have turned into the David Puttnam roadshow (am thoroughly fed up of reading about him and his busy (boring) new life!), with MEM starring, but Colin has let this happen. The only thing I can think of (with difficulty!) is that he must have the lead in Londinium and is needed on set. It can be very difficult to shoot on outside location in London...you really have to start about 4am, when it's often quite dull. The weather over the last few days has been magnificent...bright and sunny from daybreak, and absolutely perfect filming weather (Today we're back to dull, trying to rain). BUT, he's missed (I think) an ideal opportunity to promote himself in the US. Tut! And tut again! According to our Teletext, Stephen Fry is to star alongside David Suchet in a black comedy about Napoleon (Suchet) called Sabotage, filming is to start on August 1st in Spain, I guess RV must have been put on hold what with Colin doing Londinium Didn't SF say he only had one day's work in Londinium? But it certainly looks as though RV is no go for August. Londinium will have finished by then and so I hope that BJD will be up and running...Working Title told me it would shoot late summer (if it was this summer). They can't delay forever.

(AnnW) Christopher Null (who is he, he obviously has no taste!!) No and he has the attention span of a gnat. Have checked out his site and formed certain conclusions. He gives quite a bit of background info about himself in the "About the Critic" section. Is a computer dweeb, aged 27, and has written extensively (although mainly in the tech area). He's trying to become a screenwriter and was just quick-enough on the draw to that domain name. If you look at his reviews and ratings, he is soooo true to form for what he is. He gave "Go" five stars (perfection), The Matrix and Election (four and a half). This is one boy who waited in line to see TPM on the first day. The only aberration is The Winslow Boy, which he gave 4-1/2. But if you read the review, he has no real appreciation for it. Then I checked out his older review (when he was a wee bairn) for The English Patient. He has no patience. Can't take a longer movie. Talked about it i the same vein as Out of Africa, which he didn't like. From his review of Notting Hill: So far, sounds like an everyday comedy - but NOTTING HILL wins its real points in the details. Director Michell's London is every bit is real as a Beatles album. And, big surprise, it's the cast of completely unknown supporting characters that really carry the film. Special kudos to Rhys Ifans as Spike, William's pig of a roommate, who carries large chunks of the film on charm (or lack thereof) alone. I give him an early Best Supporting Actor nod. He must be joking?! piggish-loutish roomies up for Academy Awards?!? But it doesn't surprise me in the least. A gnat.

Lynda, I haven't seen the movie, but in the book "Son of Adam" the young boy is a voracious reader and works his way through The Encyclopedia of Ethics without really understanding a word of it. He thinks that prostitition is a good way of raising money for the local church, and thinks his mother could do it. It's all very innocent and the boy is of course growing up in an idyllic little world, detached from all outside influences.

Somehow I can't picture her as the Miranda Frayle character in RV. Definitely too young... unless they're goin to cast Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon orMatthew McConaughey as Don Lucas. *** Would someone pl. enlighten me on who is Matthew Modine who attended the MLSF screening and dinner? Impt. enough to be listed with the elite. ***** ..the young boy is a voracious reader In the book Brendan is also v. precocious and inquisitive about s-e-x. ***** (Bethan)... MLSF seems to have turned into the David Puttnam roadshow .. True.Any day now I expect to read..."MLSF starring Sir David Puttnam" Wouldn't he love it!!

According to AnnD at VV, there is an excellent review for MLSF by Rex Reed in Yhe New York Observer - "The film has wit and charm .....COLIN FIRTH is especially skillful in exposing the unctuous Edward Pettigrew with edgy contrasts both as moral reformer and sweaty philanderer. Beautifully acted, superbly photographed and carefully directed.One of the best films so far in this awful year of sorry disappointments. See it and cheer." I AM CHEERING!

Go her to read the full review, you may have to go to Arts & entertainment and scroll down to a sub -heading (which I can't remember) but the article is by Rex Reed - http://www.observer.com/ Another older gentleman who likes it, seems you theory is right Bethan.

goes straight to the review,no searching necessary

Oh goodie, Ann! Is the NY Observer influential? (More influential than Christopher Null? :-). "See it and cheer!" "Two thumbs up"...hey, we're getting there. Forget the Intergnats. BTW if you read any account of a privileged upper class boyhood in the 1920's/30's (for example, Gavin Maxwell's "House of Elrigg") learning about sex from extensive reading of old-fashioned libraries seems to have been the norm....leading to much confusion!

I am really looking forward to MLSF coming to the UK, and to seeing how it will be reviewed. Can't see Mr. Tookey (Daily Mail) liking it but you never know he seemed to approve of Fever Pitch

(Evelyn) Would someone pl. enlighten me on who is Matthew Modine He has been around for several years, but I think he has never been in a blockbuster movie. I remember these, Gross Anatomy, Married to the Mob (with Michelle P), and Cutthroat Island (sp?) with Geena Davis. I have only seen Married to... . He is very tall and has blond hair. Photo of MM

YIPPEE! A positive review which not only mentions ODB, but points out his acting skill. (Bethan) Is the NY Observer influential? It's not on par with the NY Times, but Rex Reed has been around for ages and carries significantly more credibility than that gnat-come-lately, Ch. Null. Forget the Intergnats. Precisely. Heck, even I can post my own opinion and call myself a critic :-) Ebert and Reed have experience and influence. (Evelyn) Would someone pl. enlighten me on who is Matthew Modine Don't forget he starred in Kubrick's 'Full Metal Jacket.' He also starred (in the early '90s) in 'Memphis Belle,' a WW II movie. IMO he's terrific. He's been trying to break into indy directing/producing and is having a rough go of it. Perhaps that's why he's hangin' with Harv.

(Eileen)Re: The NY Observer..It's not on par with the NY Times, but Rex Reed has been around for ages The NY Observer carries a lot of weight in NY, not nationally. Actually, except for USA Today we don't have a national newspaper like UK.TIME Mag is as close as we get to a national news periodical.But the ads for MLSF will be able to use Rex Reed's comments along with Eibel.That is the best review yet...Thanks Ann *** Thanks for the info on Mathew Modine....still don't know him...but if he went to the MLSF screening....I like him.

Forget the Intergnats. LOL!! Brilliantly coined, Bethan. Exactly what I had decided. I'm not reading anymore of these so-called Internet movie critics. In the future, I'm only reading *paid* journalists. The Fatman and Myra have spoken. ;-D Thank you, AnnW, for picking up on the latest. "unctuous" - here we go again, although that has to be better than "lech."

OK...Here's a Biggy... The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER (The Industry Paper) "My Life So Far" is a gem. Magical and wise, witty and sentimental, this film from producer David Puttnam and director Hugh Hudson is one of the most engaging pictures about British family life since John Boorman's 1987 autobiographical tale "Hope and Glory." Miramax Films may have a boxoffice hit here that could cross over from the specialty market into mainstream venues. This film marks a triumphant reunion for Puttnam and Hudson, who collaborated on the 1981 Oscar-winning best picture "Chariots of Fire." Right from the opening shot -- of a bright-eyed baby grinning in a crib -- the film casts its spell. Within moments, an enchanted world in the misty Scottish Highlands opens up to the viewer. Like "Hope and Glory," "My Life So Far" derives from personal history. The film is based on a memoir, "Son of Adam," by British television executive Denis Forman. He relates the story of a tumultuous year in the life of a wide-eyed 10-year-old in which he sees his world and his family change forever. Young Fraser Pettigrew -- played with charm and spunk by newcomer Robert Norman -- lives on a bucolic Scottish estate in the early 1930s where a storybook castle named Kiloran House crowns a verdant hill. This kingdom of animals and crazy gizmos is benignly ruled by Fraser's eccentric inventor-father Edward (a buoyant Colin Firth). "It's just bedlam -- like a zoo!" grouses Fraser's more practical-minded Uncle Morris (a debonair Malcolm McDowell), making one of his frequent visits to the ancestral home. It is indeed bedlam, but what a place to grow up! Edward, a lover of Beethoven and hater of jazz, forever pursues hopeless schemes and a passionate belief in the medicinal properties of sphagnum moss. He has turned the estate into Europe's only moss factory, much to the distress of Uncle Morris, who would plant Norwegian pine for the publishing industry. Indeed, Uncle Morris hints darkly he will throw Fraser's family off the estate once he inherits it. Holding Kiloran House together are twin towers of feminine strength: the family matriarch, Gamma Macintosh (a serenely handsome Rosemary Harris), and Edward's wife, Moira (lovely Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). Into this idyllic world comes Uncle Morris' "child bride," the utterly beautiful and utterly exotic Heloise (Irene Jacob), a French musician who brings with her a whiff of continental sophistication. What's more, she likes jazz. Everyone falls in love with Heloise, especially young Fraser. Unbeknownst to the others, however, the highly moralistic Edward has also succumbed to her charms, which nearly leads to disastrous consequences. The story is narrated by the 10-year-old whose sensibilities grow more adult as the year skips by. Events force him to alter his image of his seemingly God-like father whereby Edward becomes more of a flesh-and-blood man and less of a role model for his adoring, impressionable son. British playwright Simon Donald has crafted a wry screenplay from Forman's memoir, filled with surprises and rich in the details of extraordinary lives. Donald, Hudson and Puttnam along with the terrific cast make certain the story contains no villains. People may behave in less than perfect ways, but they remain true to their passions. Young Norman's performance is a miracle, but the entire cast is a complete delight. This extends to even smaller roles such as Tcheky Karyo's "Emperor of the Air," an aviator who literally drops onto the estate to amaze the Pettigrews, and Kelly MacDonald as the eldest daughter who is bewitched by the Emperor. French cinematographer Bernard Lutic fills the screen with the beauty of misty Scotland and a country house that designer Andy Harris has turned into an ancient family seat. One senses the Pettigrew ancestors still inhabit this dwelling whose large rooms remain somehow homelike. Young Fraser's childhood is filled with enchantment -- the wild man lurks in the nearby woods, devils allegedly dwell in the attic, bizarre inventions (all designed by Alain Chennaux) clutter the lawns. But most fantastic of all are the secret books and drawings of naked women belonging to Fraser's late grandfather, which the young lad devours without fully comprehending their implications. Hanging over this idyllic world is the specter of the coming world war that will forever shatter its splendid isolation. This specter gives the comic events a gentle scent of nostalgia for what has been lost. Such innocence could never have lasted. But this magical story celebrates the memory of that innocence as few films have done. ***** OK gang....now sit back , smell the roses, bring on the Chardonnay....we're on Easy Street:-))

Thankyou for that Evelyn, what a lovely thing to wake up to. When the reviews are good boy are they good. Hope thye keep coming.

WOW! Thank you Evelyn. That's a real gem, and the Hollywood Reporter no less. Just a thought...maybe Miramax did have a strategy in releasing MLSF at about the same time as EWS. From what I've read of EWS (there's quite a build up here at the moment), irrespective of whether it's good/bad/brilliant, it's a disturbing picture of a destructve marriage, featuring explicit sex. MLSF on the other hand ultimately celebrates the joys of a good lasting marriage/relationship and the joy of innocence in childhood, and only hints at sex, does not show it. Perhaps Harvey saw MLSF as a potentia counterbalance to EWS? Perhaps...

Yes, thank you Evelyn (and belated happy birthday)! RE MLSF scheduling: I wonder if there is method behind Miramax's madness? They must be planning to draw the distinction between MLSF and EWS. Its scheduling either means that they had that in mind as a strategy, or they just thought "lets get this thing out there, when is there a spot we don't want to waste on anything worthwhile?" I had feared the latter but these reviews have definitely changed my mind. Has there been any EWS backlash yet? Shaun Usher in the Daily Mail today has a review of EWS. He says that it is great work of art etc but is it enjoyable and do we care about these people or believe in them for long? What has the reaction in the States been? Is there a window for Miramax to show up the contrast with MLSF?

Bethan! We should go into business together! I had a telephone call in the middle of posting mine, so I did not see yours. We must have been typing the same thoughts at the same time.

From AICN: Marty McFly looks at MY LIFE SO FAR Hola folks, Harry here and I'm here to introduce Marty McFly's review of MY LIFE SO FAR, the latest film from the director of CHARIOTS OF FIRE. Sounds like an interesting cast, though I'll hold off any anticipation till more reviews come in on it. But for now... Here's that hoverboard kid floating on the power of love.... Hey! Marty McFly here, and I'm feeling pretty good right now since it looks like Back To The Future 4 will happen. Anyways I'm back from seeing another delightful little indie gem called My Life So Far. I've been hearing a good buzz on the film and if it ever opens around your local theaters, you should check it out. The film stars many talented actors like Colin Firth, Malcom McDowell, Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio, Irene Jacob, and Tcheky Kayro (sp?). It's based on a novel I never read and can't remember the name of. Sorry. The story is told all through the eyes of a little boy living in Scotland named Fraser. He lives with his father, mother, and many siblings on a huge estate and he narrates the film as a teenager, looking back on his life so far. I've never seen this young little actor who plays the boy but he is very natural. As he becomes older, he learns about many things in life. He learns about love when his uncle (played by Mr. Alex DeLarge himself, McDowell) brings home his younger fiance (Jacob) and the young boy falls for her. This young woman also captures the eye of Fraser's father (played by Firth) which causes trouble in his relationship with his wife (played by Mast ontonio). Brendan Gleeson, who I just saw today also in the incredibly entertaining Lake Placid, is underused in a very small role. It's a great coming of age story and it has just the right blend of comedy and drama. The film was directed by Hugh Hudson, who most of you know directed Chariots Of Fire. He received an Oscar nomination for that film and don't be surprised if this film gets some Oscar attention when the 2000 Oscars come along. ************ Indie film" A novel? So he got a few facts wrong. But Oscar mentions!!! Wow!! And this from a site that caters to the TPM crowd. What a coup!!

Great news to wake up to (the NY Observer and The Hollywood Reporter reviews) !!! And mentions of a "bouyant" and "skillful" Colin! I'm glad to know that I misread the dinner scene clip. The film does sound delightful. BTW, I got dragged to Arlington Road last night. Predictable plot, acting only so-so (thus neutralising the ending), the inevitable car chase, no Colin.

Just missed your post, Karen. More good news. Thanks. BTW, what is does TPM and AICN mean?

Sorry about the acronyms, Lynda. TPM is The Phantom Menace and AICN is the Ain't-It-Cool News website run by Harry Knowles. BTW, if you go to the review, you can leave feedback. Haven't checked back to see if there is any yet, but it is usually quite raunchy. To participate, you have to register and think up a silly name. Well, the latter is not a requirement, but you wouldn't want to post with your real name. Maybe I'll change mine to Passionata... ;-D AICN Review

CF's fame is spreading....at least in Sweden. Lisbeth's timeline site is the 17th most popular web site there. http://findanisp.homepage.com/top100/by/country/se.html

Great minds think alike, Allison! Isn't Harry Knowles "Ain't it cool site" the one which can makes or break movies and is much feared in Hollywood? Hope Harvey notices the word Oscar and steps up promotion!

Re Matthew Modine -- And don't forget "Birdy" with Nicholas Cage. Modine is a good, sensitive actor. The MLSF reviews are grand -- from Liz Smith to Ebert to The Hollywood Reporter to a young groovy kid on AICN. I think we can relax a bit, and just look forward to seeing it ourselves. (Though I am hoping the NY Times is favorable). WHOOPEE!!! Murph

Harry himself hasn't jumped on the bandwagon yet. In his preface to Marty McFly's report, he said he was reserving judgment until more reviews were in. Thought he made up his own mind. And whose reviews?

Thanks for the reviews ladies. I can't wait for MLSF to get to Australia. Please please please let it come to a theatre near me - anywhere within 100 miles if OK. I'd like to add my favourable opinion of Matthew Modine. I haven't seen all his movies, but have liked him in those I have; especially "Memphis Belle" and "The Band Played On".

Good to hear from you Murph on Spring...we enjoy all the creative additions to your website....now, get back to work!!:-) **** I must be living in a cave...not to have heard of Mathew Modine.... But if he showed up at the MLSF screening....the guys a prince!!

(Bethan) Hope Harvey notices the word Oscar and steps up promotion! Good thought; if the "heavies" were to use it, perhaps he would. He'd better step it up anyway--only 8 days until it opens in NY/LA. Murph--I'll race you to the newsstand for the NY Times on Sunday (I buy mine right next to that famous ice cream store you love). There had better be a stellar write-up in this week's edition. This is Maslin's kind of movie!!

From The Independent: `STAR WARS' DEGREE IS MORE FACT THAN FICTION YOU'VE SEEN the movie, bought the light sabre, now do the degree: Star Wars studies is an official university course. Darth Maul, Skywalker's paternity and the fate of the universe have been included in what is thought to be the world's first degree in science fiction. The University of Glamorgan in Wales has decided to include the study of Captain Kirk's multi-racial crew, little green men and the X Files in a new degree aimed at tempting more students into science. Interest in the BSc in Science and Science Fiction has been phenomenal, and the university expects the 100 places to be filled when the course begins in September. More than a third of the inquiries have been from the US, with others from Australia and Russia. But as well as studying the link between science fiction and science fact, UFOs and futurology, the students will have to complete modules in maths, physics, astronomy and chemistry. Still, the coursework appears to be a sci-fi buff's dream, with students expected to watch the Star Wars trilogy "to explore modern mythology" and sit through Star Trek re-runs "to understand the ideals of utopian societies". It is just one of the latest degrees that veers away from the traditional. There are modules in stand-up comedy at the University of Kent at Canterbury, perfumery at Plymouth and gambling at Salford. Others include herbal medicine, brewing and football management. The University of Leeds even offers a module on how to change a double duvet cover as part of an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification). But the leader of the Glamorgan sci-fi course, Dr Mark Brake, said the curriculum was not frivolous. "Science fiction is an integral part of delivering science fact to people," he said. "The world of science fiction can be a good model for theoretical science in an imagined environment. Films like Star Wars are modern morality tales with strong elements of good versus evil. "Equally, the growing interest in UFOs indicates a vacuum that religion has not been able to fill and these are themes we will also deal with." Dr Brake said students would be expected to produce clear, strong work on these issues. "Put it this way - they won't be watching 2001 and listening to Pink Floyd. "Well, not in my lectures. I can't abide Floyd." *********** Can a doctorate in Firthology be too far off? ;-D

I hope everyone (even the lurkers among us) is going to post at the Ain't It Cool News site. BTW, did you read the Feb.25/99 review posted there. It was so-so, but reserved final judgement by referring to MLSF as a "work-in-progress". The review also singled out CF's performance: "Colin Firth is especially good as the flawed father figure". A belated welcome to you, Cathey, from another newbie.

That's Harry Knowles site, he's one of our Austin guys. He was on Gene Siskels show recently and is rumored to have his own tv movie review show in the works! http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com

Just a little reminder for those who missed it or those who don't get the show outside the U.S. You can hear the Roger Ebert and Norman Mark reviews of MLSF at the Siskel & Ebert website. You will need to download the Shockwave player to hear it. Only took 5 minutes and it plays beautifully. Here's the url: http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/siskelandebert/

STAR WARS' DEGREE IS MORE FACT THAN FICTION Puh-leeze. (Karen) Can a doctorate in Firthology be too far off? ;-D Now you're talking! We'd all graduate (as Bullwinkle would say) summa crappa crappa ;-P

Not surprised about the ever-growing popularity of pop-cult. film courses. In college, I took an entire course on Blaxploitation movies (Shaft, Cleopatra Jones, Blacula etc...) I wouldn't mind a Firthology course, though. What might the syllabus look like? FIRTH 101: The Man, the Look, the Legend Week 1: -lecture: "Intro to Colin Firth, or...Why all the Hype?" -film: Pride and Prejudice (and later....) -Week ?? : lecture: "After all, He's only Human" film: The Playmaker

Week 2: Making a Career off the Fiennes Bros. films: The English Patient and SiL

Week? ONE WEEK ONLY? Ladies, ladies... there's years and years of material to study there... sigh

Week 3: The Role of Animals Film: The Hour of the Pig

My Life So Far is definitely not going to be shown at the Edinburgh Film Fest. The entire program (programme) is now available and it's not there. Listings will also be in the Sunday Mail.

Thanks for the tip on AICN, Karen. Another excellent way of indicating support for MLSF is via the IMDB. If you register (takes about 24 hrs to receive confirmation) you can then give your own review (viewers comments) and give a score out of ten. I often check out movies this way (and am planning to give MLSF an unbiased 10!) Colin needs some promotion/support here....no-one seemed to notice him in SIL, and even for The Advocate I noticed that it was the supporting actors who got the praise, not him. Def nitely some need to mould opinion and give some highly biased support! I'm beginning to feel that the opinion making business in movies is entirely male dominated. In the UK, all the film critics are male. The Telegraph has just got a new critic - he introduced himself by saying that his youth was shaped by Star Wars! Spare me, please! I read somewhere that MLSF finished its shoot on 31/6/97....which means that Colin must have got married during the shoot. I remember reading that the shoot was prolonged for a few weeks because Hugh Hudson injured his hip, and also an interview with Colin mentioned that he was packing to dash off somewhere for something that couldn't be cancelled. Look out for an extra sparkle in his eye! Loch Fyne is an ideal place for a honeymoon! Also read that we'll get MLSF in the UK in the autumn. J-e-e-ze, what an incredible wait! The problem with MLSF is that it's not Son of Trainspotting or a low-life gangster movie and no-one gets tortured or raped. Maybe, if it's successful, there may be some interest in this more gentle genre of film, and SLOW (very similar - comedy/drama, young boy, relationship with father figure, married man attracted to other woman, beautiful setting) will finally be released! Hope springs eternal! Any news of Londinium? I think this one will be okay. I was impressed by "American Gothic" which Mike Binder directed, and these days I don't like much (anything?):-) And any news of further casting for "The Lion in Winter"? I know Anthony Hopkinns (20 years too old, thought he'd retired anyway) has the lead, but there's still his son, Richard the Lionheart. And with Pat O'Connor directing...