Another good Review of MLSF..... from Mari: Here's a good one at James Berardinelli's site. High praise for Colin. Go to: http://www.movie-reviews.colossus.net/master.html . . .and click on MLSF right at the top.

(Karen)my welcome to quimby What a _wonderful_ greeting! The flower opens and closes and everything! I've never seen anything like it! I'm not normally one for exclamation points, but I have used a lot of them since I've tiptoed out of lurkdom. What a nice bunch you all are. I feel quite at home. One good turn deserves another. I'll leap right in and tell you my deep dark secret. It has to do with, um, well, opening and closing, as it were. I got the idea ages ago. Somewhere on these boards--forgive me for not remembering the clever woman who put me up to this... Remember the .WAV file that someone had set up to come on when she turned on her computer that said, "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."? In the past few weeks I saw that someone here had posted (pointed the way? don't remember) more wav files, so I rewired my whole setup. Now every time a program opens, closes, everytime the computer would beep or shriek or burp or whatever, I have a different sound clip. It's awfully fun to hear your favorite sentences over and over and over and over again. And since Windoze 98 is such a piggy operating system, those programs are opening and closing, and things are crashing and leaping like a grass hut in a hurricane, just in the _normal_ course of Windoze affairs. So I hear lots and lots of the e sentences. Warms a girl's ....er...heart. It took a tiny bit of doing to edit a clip or two, but once I got the hang of it it took no time at all. How many times a day to you want to hear him say, "Come back to bed."?

I'll try to retrace my steps and send my thanks to the woman who made it all possible (Ms. WAV) as well as the one who inspired me (My Heroine). I wish I could send flowers along with the thanks but if you're reading this before I find you, maybe it's the thought that counts? Maybe someday I can do moving flowers...

Here's Roger Ebert's newspaper review. He gave it 3 stars http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/life06f.html Quimby, the flowers were nothing. Think no more of it. :-)

BTW, saw Malcolm McDowell on Conan O'Brien last night. He was introduced as appearing in the new film MLSF that opens nationwide, but the conversation was about Star Trek, William Shatner, Stanley Kubrick and Fantasy Island. At the very end, before his segment was up, the movie was mention and out spewed Malcolm's lines: It's funny, good, etc., go see it. About 10 seconds worth of publicity. No film clip either. Was hoping for that as Malcolm's best scenes are with Colin. Can't imagine they would s ow him strolling around the grounds with Gamma. ;-D The Washington Post's review - didn't like it, but did acknowledge (not by name) the fine acting: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/reviews/mylifesofarosullivan.htm

Don't know if this long link will work, but the Boston Globe's Jay Carr loved it, giving it 3-1/2 stars. He was completely taken in by it. http://ae.zip2.com/boston/scripts/staticpage.dll?only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=20572&ck=8074207&version=620632&ccity=Massachusetts&cstate=MA&adrVer=914595068&ver=e2.6

San Francisco Chronicle didn't like: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/08/06/DD30567.DTL Dallas Morning News gave it 2-1/2 stars, didn't particularly like it. Evelyn, it is playing at UA Cine 1&2, 5540 Yale Blvd. Showtimes: 1:30, 3:35... You'll be able to do it. Also, there's a "Map" link! http://dfw.citysearch.com/E/E/DALTX/0001/55/54/cs1.html

Thanks Karen..you beat me to the Dallas review...Not too good from the heartland..but at least they didn't call him a "lustless-lug" which they did for ATA...!!Pigs!!

Minneapolis Star Tribune thought it was OK, gave it 3/5 stars: http://www.startribune.com/ (go to link for "Variety" The Philadelphia Inquirer gave it a positive review: http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/Aug/06/weekend/LIFE06.htm Nearly done... Seattle Times gave it 2-1/2 stars: http://ae.zip2.com/seattletimes/scripts/staticpage.dll?only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=20572&ck=&ccity=Federal+Way&cstate=WA&adrVer=918781678&ver=e2.7 This guy actually commented the most about Colin's performance and seems to know his work and career choices pretty well. Here's the paragraph: "Only when the plot thickens does Edward acquire a human side, and only then does Firth get a chance to plow into the role. Having established himself as a heartthrob with the television production of "Pride and Prejudice," Firth seems to be seeking out parts that aren't conventional leading-man material - the betrayed husband in "The English Patient," the cuckolded fiance in "Shakespeare in Love" - and he once more does an admirable job of portraying a less-than- admirable character." Couldn't find anything in the SF Examiner. SBRobinson?

you beat me to the Dallas review hee hee. Had expected to see all the review links posted by AnnW when I woke up, so I got to work! ;-D Did I miss any of the cities?

Interesting, the Chicago Tribune printed the review from Barbara Shulgasser, the one that referred to Colin as looking like Tim Robbins (where was her review originally?). Strange it didn't print Wilmington's, but another bad review from elsewhere. Somebody in charge there doesn't like the principals from this movie. OK, I think I'm done.

This is from the alternative Chicago paper and Jonathan Rosenbaum is a very well-respected critic. This is all they had up on the site, but will pick up the paper later today for the featured longer review. Don't know what it is as the website still had last week's info there. My Life So Far Capsule by Jonathan Rosenbaum From the Chicago Reader This charming adaptation of Son of Adam, the autobiography of British TV executive Sir Denis Forman, was left on the shelf for a while, and given that it's a Miramax production it's probably been tampered with. But though it fades fairly quickly from memory, it's a pretty flavorsome portrait of an eccentric family in the Scottish Highlands, complete with a crotchety inventor-father (Colin Firth), a more practical mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and lots of children and animals. Scripted by Simon Don ld and reuniting the director (Hugh Hudson) and producer (David Puttnam) of Chariots of Fire, this registers as a class act to be enjoyed more for the performances and period decor than for the mise en scene. With Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob, Tcheky Karyo, and Malcolm McDowell.

(quimby) "Come back to bed." Yippeee! That�s what I want..... um......but I can only imagine what my DH would have to say about such wav files :-( Wonder why men have so little sense of humour. (Evelyn) "lustless-lug" Very funny, you can�t be serious! And anyway, I don�t see why papers put men to criticize movies that are mainly watched by women, like ATA or MLSF. There�s just no logic in it. Do we really need to know what some male ****** thinks about Colin? Ha ha

S.F. Examiner review for MLSF, not so good at http://examiner.com/990806/0806life.html

Colin is mentioned in current PEOPLE'S Mag... Meluchie has it posted in her FOF Periodical section. http://members.xoom.com/firthfiles/articles/99people0816.html ****** Thank you , Karen....for gettin up at dawn to have the reviews for us. And Ann. I haven't kept a good/bad log....Don't care....Am going anyway.

Am I imagining things or is Colin talking about his Mother pretty often? I don�t remember him saying a thing about his dad in interviews but I remember some quotes from his mum, like in the AE interview: "What? That�s not period drama!" (or how was it), and now this crowd scene thing. I like it that he seems to be very close to his mum and remembers what she has said years ago, and is even willing to talk about it in public!! A mother�s boy, obviously.

Wonder why men have so little sense of humour. Would you like him to have his gadgets greet him with a sexy female voice, inviting him to bed and so on? Would you not feel slighted? Don't forget that for men this is more a matter of asserting their male dominance over his territory and reproductive rights. Primitive instinct, yes, but that's nature and not really so funny if one feels threatened in some way. In other words, he doesn't want to share you or your thoughts and fantasies... so maybe it's best not to tell him too much about it... ;-)

A mother�s boy Now that's interesting. I imagine you meant it purely as an innocent description, so obviously in your part of the world (northern Europe?) this expression has a neutral meaning, but where I come from (central Europe), it's close to an insult. Any other (inter)national takes on this one?

his territory and reproductive rights Lol!! And this is his computer too!.....Actually I have already told him too much but he seems to take it like a man, so far. But I guess there is a limit somewhere and those wav files could be it. it's close to an insult Okay, that was a bit provocatory from me, but only the term. I respect a man who respects his mother and my advice to any woman is: keep away from a guy who doesn�t show respect and love to his mother because eventually he�ll treat you the same way.

Just for the Boston people. MLSF is NOT playing in Boston at all. It is exclusive in Cambridge only. Harvard Square Loews on Church Street. That is the only place in MA it's playing. I knew it would not play in "Boston"; and Cambridge is NOT Boston!

A mother�s boy Now that's interesting. I imagine you meant it purely as an innocent description, so obviously in your part of the world (northern Europe?) this expression has a neutral meaning, but where I come from (central Europe), it's close to an insult. Any other (inter)national takes on this one?

Ooops - that crappy program is at it again. I forgot that switching off and on makes it repost automatically. keep away from a guy who doesn�t show respect and love to his mother Absolutey. Yet he must also show the right sense of proportion and priorities. Someone I know got divorced because he always put his mother's and his siblings's needs before his wife's and eventually she refused to play second fiddle. It all boils down to the way one is brought up by one's parents. When a man gets married, his wife shouldn't be forced to compete with his mother's perfection.

Picked up a short review in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Fri, Aug 6, 1999) but I have only a few minutes..I cannot find any online site it might have. It was by William Arnold and was cool toward the movie as a whole even though "it was a quality production all around with a nostalgic glow that never turns into overt sentimentality, a loving feel for place/.../and a keen sense of the special joys of family life". He gave it a B- for what he considered vagueness of the plot, but added, "...the charact rs are individually multidimensional, constantly go against expectation and are well-acted, especially by Firth, a wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff."!!! Obviously a man with good taste and in the know!

Thank you KJArt...that's a gracious comment: ... a wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff."!!! No one has said anything derogatory about ODB...."bumptious"isn't bad. Where I come from ..A mother�s boyis different from "a mama's boy". The former connotes not only respect, but admiration and affection. The latter connotes a co-dependency.

Indeed so, from my experience,too, Evelyn.

Yes, Marcia and Lafn, I come from the Area in which Colin was born. I agree to have a good relationship with your mother implies a good husband mainly because he would respect women. The only downside is the comparison that can be made between mother and wife. Did I read somewhere that C.F. claimed attention from his father and rarely received it. I am not sure about this but his father was a schoolteacher, my brother is one and his eldest daughter went into some rebellion as he never seemed to notice her need for his attention. A thought

Thanks AnnW and KJ for finding the additional reviews. OK, have seen it again at horrible downtown art house--one of the worst possible places to watch movies. argh!! However, they were handing out audience response cards... For the ladies going to see the movie tomorrow, pay careful attention to the aerial shot of the top of Colin's head at the beginning when he rescues wee Fraser and lifts him up to crowd waiting anxiously below. *oh my* it's worse than we imagined. :( (Don't jump out of your seat, Evelyn or Heide!)

The SF Examiner critic appears to know Colin's abilities. He said, "The story of Fraser's philandering inventor father (played by a squandered-again Firth)..." He think like us overall, but I do think Colin does an excellent job with this role. It is so robust, not the least stiff or wooden. ;-p

Another good MLSF review today: the Boston Herald (the other daily in town) gives it 3 stars. About CF, reviewer James Verniere says: "Firth, an actor who has not found his niche, is quite good as Edward. But the role is almost impossible, especially after Edward is smitten by Heloise's charms and must act like a perfect father one moment and perfect fool the next." I'm clueless about how to add links, but the rest of the review is at www.bostonherald.com and click on movies. Karen, loved your MLSF comments. And thanks to everyone for posting all the review links. I must figure out how to do this:-)

*oh my* it's worse than we imagined. But that was two years ago. How can two years ago be worse than 5 months ago? Has he been seeking your services, Gi?

Karen, last night was the official opening night, how big was the audience and how did their reaction compare to Wednesdays and did you fill in another audience response card?!!

so maybe it's best not to tell him too much *****only causes trouble. I turn the speakers off or way down when others are about. keep away from a guy who doesn�t show respect and love to his mother because eventually he�ll treat you the same way his wife shouldn't be forced to compete with his mother's perfection. **********I think both things, myself. Except I'd say, his mother, period. No one sane thinks his mother is perfect, but there is that cloud, that imprint of his wishful thinking and unfulfilled needs that are a pain in the ***. Of course, the same is true for me and my parent "issues". As I get older (and (I'm oh so old now), though, I do watch to see if someone likes or respects his mother or other significant women. It's not a dealbreaker for a friendship, but I keep what I've noticed clearly in mi d as I go about that relationship. I might add, there are other things in the wav files--I was just being dramatic. "Talk to me" is a great one. "Can you keep a secret?" "You have to marry me." "What's the problem?" (that's for when I hit Help. And so on. I'm allowed a phase now and then.

Thanks for all the reviews, and, Karen, for your very enthusiatic report!(And we still have to wait months and months!)It's obviously not everyone's kind of movie, but when the reviews are good, they are always very, very good. And there's never any criticism of the acting...glad to see that critics realise that CF has been short-changed in recent roles. I sometimes wonder (Re the comment about an actor who has not found his niche) whether his versatility means that he doesn't automatically come to mind w en producers are casting. Hugh Grant, RF, RE etc. are associated with certain kinds of roles and get the leads. Re. "mother's boy" (not derogatory!) I remember reading an interview with his parents a few years back. His mum seemed to be the chatty one, and said nice things about him, like he had a great capacity for friendship and was always very loyal to his girl friends. His dad said that he was surprised when Colin said he wanted to be an actor, although he remembered that he had enjoyed pretending to be Batman when he was a little boy! Mind you, given the unreliability of our press, it's entirely conceivable th t neither of his parents said anything! bTW, Karen, basic question. Is he sexy/cute/attractive in MLSF (and more importantly would he also appear so to the unconverted?) and does he, for once, get to wear flattering clothes (as opposed to boller suits (TEP) and pantaloons (SIL)? :-)

(Bethan)The reporter then said something like "Cate is also reported to have been offered the lead in the soon-to-b -filmed BJD..Colin Firth is expected to co-star". I dragged this over from #80. I thought my ramblings would be better here. If CF is to do this and filming is to start in October, he will have been seriously busy. I wonder why? Many of the parts he has chosen to do this year appear to be eminently refuseable, so why has he chosen to be so busy? Mortgages aside, my favourite theory is: 1998, one fat cheque for SIL, rest of the year, househunting. 1999, make as much money as possible, Livia gets house in shape. 2000, another dirth of Firth for paternity leave. Ahhhh!

Allison, of Colin's roles this year which ones do you consider "eminently refuseable", 3DOR, his first appearance on stage in 4/5 years?, DQ sounds good to me and directed by the chap who directed the Lakes? forget his name and it is about time he returned to TV, TTOTS, this also sounds good to me, is with ITV so he should get a good audience and I have a good feeling for this one and again it will be good to see him back on our TV screens, Londiniun, well I get the feeling that he has the lead role here and it sounds as if it already has a Distributor, read somewhere that it would be released next year. (gosh what a long sentence). Finally RV, not so sure about this one, Colin as a drunken blue-blood (BB's description in the Daily Mail) but it does have a good cast and this is NC's year and finally 3DOR returning by "Public Demand".However, I hope your idea of a dirth of Firth is mistaken, long may he continue to be busy. One theory I read somewhere is that he may retire at 40, so perhaps he is trying t fit in as many roles as possible until then!!

Well, interesting theory! "Eminently refusable"...I dunno, I think he's had a good year. Obviously wants to stay at home and work in London though!! A short and long theatre run (and critically acclaimed), Donovan Quick for TV (also expect this to be good), Londinium (could be good) and then two parallel roles squeezed into the summer. RV has an excellent ensemble cast. I think "The Master" will be a supporting role, but TOTS should be a high-class prioduction. At least we'll see him ( says she selfishly!) and can have an instant ideo recording! I know that TV work is considered the "poor relation" of movies, but I think there are quite a few advantages in mixing work...and P&P was TV! Thanks for dragging over my BJD item, Allison! Heard it on Radio 5 yeaterday. Anyway all this activity will mean that he can afford to do the 3DOR run and still pay the bills! Paternity leave? Well, always a possibility! :-)

*oh my* it's worse than we imagined. I can�t take it very negatively, I think it can be sexy and masculine too....and that�s what it�s really all about of course (= dihydrotestosteron (!!). I hereby declare that losing his hair won�t change my feelings for him. another dirth of Firth for paternity leave. I agree, that�s probable pretty soon and wouldn�t it be sweet. Maybe he wants to stay in London because Livia is......?? But whenever it happens, I�m sure that he�ll return to business pretty quickly.

Allison, of Colin's roles this year which ones do you consider "eminently refuseable", Well, not 3DOR or DQ. TOTS I think will be high profile in the UK though probably a small part. Colin dressed as a victorian gent on Christmas Day could do terrible things to female hormone levels in the UK this Yule. Londinium. Well I do not see any sign of a distributor. They say it is to be released next year but in the immortal words of Mandy Rice-Davis...they would say that... RV, like Londinium, has a less than stellar cast and his is not the main role. Will be eclipsed by RE in Blythe Spirit..Cannot see it being big box office. Has more of a TV feel about it. Sorry to disparage but I only meant to point out that neither RV nor L were parts he just HAD to take.

True Allison, how do you feel about BJD, though?

May I just add a thought about the "mother's boy" theory? It is a part of latin male chauvinism for men to respect their mothers and even worship them, but think of *all* other women as trash. I therefore believe that a man's respect for his ex(es) is more indicative of his attitude towards women that respect for his mother.

(AnnW) how big was the audience and how did their reaction compare to Wednesdays and did you fill in another audience response card?!! I went to the first showing at 5:40 pm. The audience was very sparse and on the older side. Initially, it was pretty quiet, but soon enough they realized it was a comedy. Huge laughter at the end scene. I filled out the card, which was slightly different from the ones I've done in the past. This one had a section to give Miramax your email address for notification of upcoming events, etc. Also asked what induced you to see this movie. All sorts of advertising methods were listed, but Miramax barely advertised this movie (no TV, no trailers). Should have indicated that...next time. ;-D There were half-page b&w ads in the Friday newspapers though. The low attendance must in part be due to the theater. I don't know how to explain what an awful place that is to watch films. You have to be a glutton for punishment to go there and to the other "serious" arthouse. Both are very old converted places, with bad screens and hard uncomfortable seats. Moreover there isn't a suffiencient slope, rendering subtitles unreadable. When I've gone to these theaters for subtitled films, as soon as they appear, people are getting up all over the place, changing se ts. Looks like a game. I can think of several better places to show this film. (Bethan) whether his versatility means that he doesn't automatically come to mind when producers are casting. Hugh Grant, RF, RE etc. are associated with certain kinds of roles and get the leads. I think HG went through a period of tryint not to be typecast in roles. Those memorable films like the Man Who Went Up the Hill, the doctor suspense one, etc. But he failed. Now, he's found his niche and appears content to do the Cary Grant screwball thing. Mickey Blue Eyes is going to be very big. There's been incredible audience reaction to the trailers on this one. (Bethan) His mum seemed to be the chatty one Good point! Fathers rarely speak. Moms love to talk about their children and are the ones who remember all the childhood stuff. (Bethan) Is he sexy/cute/attractive in MLSF (and more importantly would he also appear so to the unconverted?) Most definitely, he looks really good, very attractive. To the uncoverted, he should look very handsome. He has no competition in that regard in this film. Sexy? Since there's only one onscreen kiss (and MEM's shawl covers his shoulders so we can't see any action there), it would be viewed more as a romantic, flawed hero. and does he, for once, get to wear flattering clothes YES!!!! All the clothes are great and he wears them so well. (AnnW) Londiniun, well I get the feeling that he has the lead role...and it sounds as if it already has a Distributor I don't know about that. Haven't we seen him listed third? Behind Mike Binder and Mariel Hemingway. I haven't read anything about a distributor. Where did you? Relative Values definitely has one though. (Bethan) Obviously wants to stay at home and work in London though!! Could be that he believes there are enough of the kind of roles he likes for him to stay in London. He's just not interested in vying for Hollywood movies. Another theory, is that he's working so much so that he can take time off to form his own production company and I'm not referring to the production of bambinos. ;-D

Karen"next time-", you mean you are going again, you lucky thing you. Is it only showing at one theatre in the whole of town?!!

Karen"next time-", you mean you are going again, you lucky thing you. Is it only showing at one theatre in the whole of town?!! Also Karen how does it rate amongst other CF films?

MLSF is showing at the smallest theatre in Wash., DC, the theatre seats only about 75, with a huge column in the middle! The screen is not much larger than a classroom blackboard...I'm not complaining, just wished it was showing at a theatre with a larger screen. Yes, db looks dashing in the clothes, and there were some fine closeups, but I missed a lot of the details and really need to go to a couple more shows...

Yes do go a couple more times Emma, and if everyone else does, then it might bt a minor hit and widen to more cities and we may get it sooner rather than later.(There's method in my madness!) BTW Karen, I have not heard anything with regard to a Distributor for "L" but I just assumed that as it said the film would be in our cinemas next year that it had one. Also I have never heard of MB, I just thought he was the writer/director? who was giving himself a cameo role or something.

(Emma) I'm not complaining Oh come on, join the club. I don't want to be the only one. ;-D just wished it was showing at a theatre with a larger screen. I noticed the difference between Wednesday (new, modern theater with huge screen) and Friday (third-rate cinema for masochists). That glorious cinematography was made to be projected on a big screen. [Actually, I was very worried during the previews when that stupid ad starring the NASCAR drivers was showing and all their heads were cutoff. I've never seen that before anywhere.] A column in the middle? Ours were toward the rear of the seating area! Re: Londinium I've never seen anything that Mike Binder has appeared in either. His newest movie, The Sex Monster, has had some limited showings but no mainstream distribution yet. Sounded like he is doing the writing, directing and starring in that one. His brother is the producer. Their production co. is named MollieB Productions. I assume that is their mother's name. ;-D Hey, Miramax is named after Harvey and Bob Weinstein's parents (Miriam and Max), so why not?

re Miramax - That's interesting Karen, you learn something new everyday. I'm confused, is MLSF showing at two cinemas in Chicago and presumably the masochistic one is nearer for you. Do you plan to go again Karen? I guess Evelyn is on her way to Dallas to see it, what a trouper

forgot to say that there is a very good review in the Toronto Sun, where it is is playing at two theatres.

It is only playing at one theater in Chicago. I plan to go again on Sunday as I can find *illegal* parking on the street in that area then, whereas any other day I would have to take a bus or aboveground (tube-type) train there for fear of being towed. :-0 It SHOULD be playing at one of the north suburban cinemas that does art films, like the Evanston or Wilmette (the Northwestern University crowd) or the Deerbrook. People in those areas do support films like this and they hate to come Downtown for a movie and won't! Can't wait to hear Evelyn's and Heide's reactions!

I'm confused Karen because you said one cinema on Wednesday was large and new and had a big screen and Friday's was the masochistic one!!?? Also you haven't said how you rate MLSF.

There is a very good review for MLSF at Entertainment Asylum and you can also rate it, at the moment it has 3stars not bad. Just scroll down page to MLSF http://www.asylum.com/cgi-bin/aggregate?aggregator=movies

I'm confused Karen because you said one cinema on Wednesday was large and new and had a big screen and Friday's was the masochistic one!!?? Also you haven't said how you rate MLSF.

Karen, did you pick up the Chicago Reader with the full review for MLSF and if so what did it say.

(Karen) I don't know how to explain what an awful place that is to watch films. You have to be a glutton for punishment to go there and to the other "serious" arthouse. (Emma) the theatre seats only about 75, with a huge column in the middle! Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? He looked really sinister and threatening in that last shot, and I always wondered what he was up to. ;-)

Wednesday was a special screening of MLSF. It is not playing at that complex. I believe *all* 3 of their screens are showing Runaway Bride! I kid you not. I seem to recall that before they were all showing Entrapment. Very bizarre. Yes, I picked up the Reader and that's all he wrote. The main review was on The Thomas Crown Affair and there were two Critic's Choice ones for Trick and Xiu Xiu: The Send Down Girl. What Rosenbaum wrote was very good. Janet even emailed me to express her surprise and pleasure. Thanks for mentioning the Toronto Sun one. Took awhile to find it. Here is the link: http://www.canoe.ca/JamMoviesReviewsM/mylifesofar_kirkland.html Susan, doing links is easy. Just go to the location bar at top. Highlight and copy via tool bar or right clicking on mouse. Then paste here. Easy as pie. :-)

(Karen) I don't know how to explain what an awful place that is to watch films. You have to be a glutton for punishment to go there and to the other "serious" arthouse. (Emma) the theatre seats only about 75, with a huge column in the middle! Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? He looked really sinister and threatening in that last shot, and I always wondered what he was up to. ;-)

(AnnW) you learn something new everyday and, interestingly, we are back on topic: mother's boys ;-D (Renate) Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? I could see the other one (the Music Box) being owned by Adrian and it is in the right neighborhood. ;-D But this one is owned by the big Loews Cineplex chain. He looked really sinister and threatening in that last shot, and I always wondered what he was up to. ;-) Holding wine tastings at home, perhaps?

Oh, B******! Recalled a nanosecond too late to leave the program before hitting refresh! Ok, there are worse things in life. F.e. having to wait half a year for Edward Pettigrew to come to a theatre from hell around here :-). Thanks for all the reviews, and welcome to all newbies.

(Gi) man's respect for his ex(es) *******very good point. And a good indicator for any culture, I would imagine. (The net is great, to be able to talk to people in far-flung places and be reminded of or learn things.)

Did I read somewhere that C.F. claimed attention from his father and rarely received it Did you? Where, where? :-) "Firth, an actor who has not found his niche..." But has he been looking for one? it's entirely conceivable that neither of his parents said anything! According to Colin - quoted in yet another source... - his proud mother's chirpy reminiscences were conveniently copied (and somewhat modified, as he implied with disgust) by the national press from an interview published in a regional paper (I believe he described it as a village newssheet or something) a little before his Darcy phase. One theory I read somewhere is that he may retire at 40 He was openly musing on this possibility in the Radio Times interview. But not very recently.

(Renata) Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? LOL, I'll look for Adrian when I go back on Thursday. OK, just returned from my second viewing of MLSF, and yes, it's better the second time around. Like most Colin films, it just gets better each time. I'm definitely doing my best to boost the attendence for MLSF, my daughter has already seen it, next up is a friend, then my son and maybe even my dh.

Well done Emma, you could end up going 5/6 times! BTW where is Winter, I wonder if she has seen MLSF?

MLSF is playing in downtown Philly, good location in the historic district, and also in suburban Philly across the river in New Jersey, I believe Mari said in a multiplex. The downtown Philly theatre is a two-theatre arts cinema but is modern, good seats, no columns blocking the view though the sound seemed muted to me. Could be my aging ears. Crowd was mixed, mostly middleaged though some younger - quite a few men though I did notice several men getting up in the middle of the film. Hey, it wasn't tha long...couldn't they hold off to use the toilet? I don't know how many people the theatre holds. I'd say it was half full so maybe 50-75 people were there at the first showing when I went. A lot of laughter at the right moments. People were laughing even at spots that I didn't think were that funny though meant to be comedic. He riveted me in every scene he was in. I can't imagine how anyone else watching the film wouldn't find their attention constantly drawn to him. He looks fabulous. Hang in there, ladies.

We're hanging! Heide,did you like th film first time or will you have to go and see is again like Karen & Emma? Please someone tell me how it compares to Colin's other films.

*****Artfully crafted 'My Life' seems familiar By William Arnold P-I MOVIE CRITIC The most noteworth thing about "My Life So Far" is that it's a reunioun effort by director Hugh Hudson and producer David Puttnam - the filmmaking team that gave us "Chariots of Fire" in 1981, and once seemed the great hope of 'British cinema. Otherwise, it's a fairly standard coming-of-age drama, delicately acted by its well-chosen ensemble cast, rich with '20's - '30's period Highland Scottish detail and nicely crafted in every technical department, but without a huge emotional impact. Based on the family memoir, "Son of Adam" by television executive (and Puttnam friend) Sir Denis Forman, it's narrated by Fraser ( Robert Norman), a young boy growing up on an idyllic family estate in rural Scotland run by his kindly but firmly-in-control maternal grandmother (Rosemary Harris). But the main character is Fraser's life-force of a father, Edward (Colin Firth): a big dreamer, a lover of Beethoven, an incorrigible inventer, the owner of the only moss factory in Europe and, more paradoxically, a fundamentalist Christian, without much tolerance for differing opinions. Trouble comes for Edward and the entire family when his 60ish millionaire brother-in-law Morris (Malcolm McDowell), who disapproves of Edward and his plans for the estate, turns up with a beautiful young French bride, Heloise (Irene Jacob). The plot basically traces what happens when Edward falls madly in love with Heloise and the effect this one-sided affair has on Fraser, his long-suffering mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and his older sister (Kelly MacDonald). As we might expect from Puttnam/Hudson, it's a quality production all around, with a nostalgic glow that never turns into overt sentimentality, a loving feel for place (it was shot on location an Argyll, Scotland) and a keen sense of the special joys of family life. Though the script is not good at establishing the various relationships of one character to another, the characters are individually multidimensional, constantly go against expectation and are well-acted, especially by Firth, a wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff. My only criticism is that, while the film is enjoyable, it never comes together to be anything truly special or memorable. It almost makes you wonder if Hudsoa and Puttnam have been to the movies very often in the 20 years since their heyday. If they had, surely they'd know how formulaic and familiar this kind of coming-of-age material has become. Grade: B- // A Movie Review in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Friday, August 6, 1999.

Did I read somewhere that C.F. claimed attention from his father and rarely received it Did you? Where, where? :-) "Firth, an actor who has not found his niche..." But has he been looking for one? it's entirely conceivable that neither of his parents said anything! According to Colin - quoted in yet another source... - his proud mother's chirpy reminiscences were conveniently copied (and somewhat modified, as he implied with disgust) by the national press from an interview published in a regional paper (I believe he described it as a village newssheet or something) a little before his Darcy phase. One theory I read somewhere is that he may retire at 40 He was openly musing on this possibility in the Radio Times interview. But not very recently.

Thanks for that review KJ, are you going to see it soon?

wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff Indeed......William Arnold seems to know the situation of Colin�s career and his actor quality exceptionally and surprisingly well for a movie critic.

I do like this review especially the kudos to Colin and the description of his character: But the main character is Fraser's life-force of a father, Edward Life-force - a very apt description. the owner of the only moss factory in Europe Don't forget "and the biggest and the best".

Saw this article in the Saturday L.A. Times, titled "London's Doors Swing Open to Lure Filmmakers Outside." "It's not apart of this city you see often in movies, but visually it's a stunning one. On this perfect summer day the branches of a weeping willow tree graze the calm surface of a small man-made lake, which narrows into a system of canal, their banks lined by brightly painted houseboats. For obvious reasons, this part of London is known as Little Venice. Three actors - American Mariel Hemingway, Englishman Colin Firth, and Frenchwoman Irene Jacob - disembark from a tourist pleasure boat and stroll along the towpath, talking animatedly. Director Mike Binder shouts, 'Cut!' and another scene of London looking ravishing is committed to film. Binder, an American screenwriter, stand-up comic and actor based in Los Angeles, also wrote and co-stars in this modestly budgeted independent film, 'Londinium,' a romantic comedy with a story that is effectively a love letter to London." ... "Then there is Binder's 'Londonium,' which is positively giddy in its affection for the city....He has gone out of his way to shoot at sites usually overlooked by filmmakers: the Serpentine waterway in Hyde Park, the South Bank arts complex overlooking the Thames, Regent's Park, Waterloo Station and the British Museum. Binder has found the London Film Commission suportive....'Despite all that it's the hardest city to shoot in.'...Among his complaints: 'There's the traffic. One minute it's sunny, one minute it's cloudy, so nothing matches. There's always planes overhead. One day 50,000 Kurdish demonstrators are marching and half the city's blocked off. We encountered the world's largest gay (pride) parade. The day we shot inat the South Bank, a guy jumps off Waterloo Bridge and commits suicide, so the place is swar ing with helicopters and boats and we can't shoot." I tried looking for the exact site but couldn't locate on latimes.com ... and of the 2 pictures that accompanied the story, one was of Hugh Grant walking down Portobello Road and the other was of MB and MH strolling along the Thames.

Thanks for posting the article, Marianne, and having to type it. Here's the link (it took quite a while to find it!) but alas there are no pics. http://www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/CALENDAR/t000070113.html

Hi everybody, Got back from Dallas too late last evening to post. Loved the film as everyone else did. The clothes he wears? To die for.The man looks positvely gorgeous in each and every ensemble.He stands out....who cares about the stupid scenery when you have Colin to look at.Best he has ever looked in any film or in person!! A feast for your eyes...no kidding. The theatre wasn't exactly a dump...but definitely retro...sound would go and come at times...irritating. Not first class. About 80 people in the theatre..mixed ages, mostly women. There was a Miramax rep at the exist distributing evaluation forms.... I put down I was a 25 yr old Asian... since I didn't see anyone in that category in the theatre.On the question "Where did you hear about this film?" I replied: "Internet"...colinfirth.com (forgot Murph's URL!).Gave us (Susanne and a friend accompanied me)a free MLSF poster. I had called Miramax in NY to ask."Is this film coming to OKC or do I go to Dallas" PR rep answered: "Go".I doubt if MLSF will expand.I complained to dallas Miramax rep. I'll post spoiler parts of my review on 121 later. But it is a sweet movie...and Colin is not a "crack-pot",or a"wack-o" as some reviewers called him...He is an endearing man...sort of a Dr. Doolittle. You'll love him in this.However, IMO the film is Fraser's, not Edward's and towards the end I got pretty tired of that kid.

Karen, somebody called Jan Wahl "TalkinPictures at Http://www.baytv.com/talkinpictures/ has given MLSF 4Hats!! highest rating and there is a review but it requires Real Player which I don't have. Would you take a look and tell us what she says about MLSF?

sorry Thanks.

Karen, somebody called Jan Wahl "TalkinPictures at Http://www.baytv.com/talkinpictures/ has given MLSF 4Hats!! highest rating and there is a review but it requires Real Player which I don't have. Would you take a look and tell us what she says about MLSF?

Ann, you can download the Real Player G2. I don't remember how long it takes, but it's definitely worth having as it plays videos of many types. I'll go check this out.

Here's the review from Jan Wahl: "Today is the day a wonderful movie comes out and I hope you all see it. You know there is a big vast audience of people who want intelligent, witty, entertaining films without insults or no porn, and I got a good one. This is called My Life So Far and it stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Colin in the tale of an eccentric, lovable, crazy family and all they go through, told through the eyes of a charming young boy. My Life So Far. Please see it on the big screen. If you liked the Red Violin, if y u liked An Ideal Husband, this is a movie for you. I'm giving it 4 Hats." The SF television news anchor (presenter) led in with: "She said it's a must." Jan Wahl was a guest critic on Siskel & Ebert in the show that reviewed both An Ideal Husband and the Red Violin back in June (?) She wore a hat and was totally outrageous in her verbal reviews, but she loved both of those. Interesting that she finally gave AIH only 3-1/2 hats, but Red Violin also got 4 as did MLSF. I thought Red Violin was pretty good, but had a major flaw. That just MHO. ;-D

Three actors - American Mariel Hemingway, Englishman Colin Firth, and Frenchwoman Irene Jacob - disembark from a tourist pleasure boat and stroll along the towpath, talking animatedly. Director Mike Binder shouts, 'Cut!' and another scene of London looking ravishing is committed to film. This sounds promising...Colin's character must like women! And with both CF and IJ, it's almost like a sequel to MLSF! 'Londinium,' a romantic comedy with a story that is effectively a love letter to London." ... "Then there is Binder's 'Londonium,' which is positively giddy in its affection for the city....He has gone out of his way to shoot at sites usually overlooked by filmmakers: the Serpentine waterway in Hyde Park, the South Bank arts complex overlooking the Thames, Regent's Park, Waterloo Station and the British Museum. Better and better...and the weather over the last 6 weeks in the UK has been magnificent. Just hope it gets a distributor. This isn't just a problem in the UK...it's a HUGE problem and it's getting worse. When I look at what's on in our local multiplexes, I despair...the same blockbuster movies everywhere and the choice is dire. Not a single indie in sight. I don't think MLSF will open nationwide here, perhaps just London and a few selected Showcases. Well done Evelyn! You certainly take the initiative!

Thanks for posting the article, Marianne, and having to type it. Here's the link (it took quite a while to find it!) but alas there are no pics. **************** To All: I'm enjoying all the reports on MLSF and the theaters in which it is being shown. Eileen and I saw it at a big downtown theater in NY, and the screen was appropriately huge. I DID not see the thinning hair scene, Karen. I only remember vividly the triumph on tiny Fraser's face as he was held high by his dad. It seemed to me they did something to "fill Colin out" in this film. His hair looked pretty all there in most scenes. Anyone want to comment on the running up the stairs scene. Freeze THAT posterior for posterity! To Londinium...I have the LA Times article up on my pages, with lovely pictures of Little Venice. Take a look, and remember this is in the middle of busy London. I wish we knew more about the actual film, though. http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/london2.html Murph

(Mary) I DID not see the thinning hair scene You are going back to see it again, aren't you? Well, focus on what's important! The kid isn't. ;-D Looked like a helicopter landing pad. It seemed to me they did something to "fill Colin out" in this film. His hair looked pretty all there in most scenes. True, but that was the only shot from straight above, a real eye opener. It would also appear that the scene where he's dredging the loch must have been shot toward the end because he hair looks the longest and wildest there, like it did in the wedding pics. You see, if you go every other day, you notice new things each time. :-D

Aargh! What�s this hysteria about his hair? looked like a helicopter landing pad LOL but so WHAT?!

(Evelyn) There was a Miramax rep at the exist distributing evaluation forms.... I put down I was a 25 yr old Asian... since I didn't see anyone in that category LOL, my dear, we're all young at heart here, and I certainly feel 25 when I visit the spring. in the theatre.On the question "Where did you hear about this film?" I replied: "Internet"...colinfirth.com Way to go Evelyn, let them know Colin has some very devoted fans. 'Londinium,' a romantic comedy with a story that is effectively a love letter to London." ... I love romantic comedies�can't wait to get more news on this film.

(Emma)..we're all young at heart here, and I certainly feel 25 when I visit the spring. I do too Emma...but this poor unsuspecting woman(Mirmax Rep) was standing in front of me. (Elena)...What�s this hysteria about his hair? No hysteria, Elena...just friendly comments....we love him in any form :-) .....looked like a helicopter landing pad From the first row balcony (circle) where we sat the 2nd night of 3 DOR one could see a rather larger area then when one is standing in front of him.

Oh c'mon, thinning it may be, but it is still there! But when it goes away, if he wants it I'll get it back for him. I promise.

May I just jump in to tell you some tiny little story re: Apartment Zero, which - as Karen knindly reminded me, (Thnx!) - I did not yet share with you (sorry about the - utterly uninteded - neglection). Actually it's not my but Carola's story (a fellow Firthfan hiding in very deep lurkdom). Since she's too busy at the moment I'll post it for her. So, that's the story in her own words: "Some weeks ago I returned to my old appartment in Berlin which is now sublet but still stuffed with tons of material which I collected over years and years for some unknown reason. Now I tried to become a hero and started throwing things away like old magazines and such stuff. Among theses mountains of paper I unexpectedly found a couple of old programs of the Berlin Film Festival - 1988 and 1989. And while browsing through them I saw that AZ was screened on festival 1989. Not in the competition and therefore there was only a very tiny review in the program but there were also some nice pics which I've never seen before. Strangely enough, I remember that year well and some of the movies I've seen during the festival; I used to go there every year while living in Berlin. Actually, I was very excited by thinking that Colin probably was there. If only I already had known him then. Oh, my.." I've put up the pics and the words from the programm on a small website to be seen and maybe for some of you these pics are new as well. If you like, go to: http://www.firth.com/kirsten/az-berlinale.html. Nothing spectacular, really, and the quality of the paper was poor but I tried to get the most of it. Thank you all for listening. PS: It's great to see how many of you could manage to see MLSF. Thanks for all the wonderfull reports. With every account of you I'm more anxious to get to see this film. If only they could finally come up with a release date for Germany.

I'll get it back for him Bless you. Btw, d�ye think that many actors actually �get it back� in time to be able to do young man roles longer than their natural amount of hair would allow?? I suppose one could be pretty tempted.

Thanks, Kirsten!! (Oh god how much hair he seems to have had on his head back then!!! :-)

Hair!! I seem to remember a question a few posts back asking "what's all the hysteria about hair?" ;-D

...and thanks, Kirsten, for posting Carola's wonderful find. The page looks great.

Look at Sean Connery! ;-)

Seems to be catchy! :-))

For hairstyles, I mean... Elena.

Not hair-loss but hysteria I mean.....:-)

hee hee ;-D

Karen, did you see it for a third time yesterday and if so, how full was the theatre and did you notice anything new. What was the audience reaction like?

The answer to your question, Ann, is on 121... ;-D

Thank you Kirsten for bringing us Carola's "find". The pics of "Apt Zero" are terrific. And all that hair!! (hee ,hee)

Way way back Allison made a comment about "Blithe Spirit" (RE and Nicole Kidman)possibly eclipsing RV. Although there is a movie version of "Blithe Spirit" made in the fifties, it's very much a one location play set round a seance and a dinner party. Funny, yes (although the idea of a ghost which no-one else sees is rather unoriginal now) but not very cinematic.I think RV has much more potential on the Big Screen. Also, "Blithe Spirit" is being updated to the present day...I prefer the period feel of Cowa d in the nineteen forties/fifties. RV has a good chance of success, especially if it comes out first (no 3 year delays pl-e-ease!)

His hair my dear, his hair. Thinning? I've always suspected this ever since Helen Fielding made Bridget comment that as Mark Darcy bent down to get something out of the fridge she noticed that his bald patch was getting bigger!! :-)

You would think that all those Coward films would've been done and ready to show during the centenary year... so much for advance planning. Blithe Spirit is the more well-known of the two, but I would bet most 40-something Americans haven't even heard of it. They rarely go to dinner & show places where it might be staged. And the Rex Harrison/Kay Kendall film? Would mean nothing to most people. The only reason Blithe Spirit could eclipse RV would be in promotions again. Rupert gladly goes on the shows and sits for interviews. Even Nicole Kidman will make herself available. Now let's see of the RV cast, who is a regular on the talk shows??? *clearing throat* Let's discuss the physical attributes of a "perfect English officer or soldier." ;-D fergitaboutthehair