To keep the flow from 119 going, I'm pasting Karen's latest news on DQ here: Topic 119 of 123 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 5) Response 1966 of 1975: Karen (KarenR) * Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (11:03) * 14 lines Donovan Quick was screened on October 12th at the Cork Film Festival. This review from the October 15 Irish Times discusses several other films, so here are the relevant portions: QUIXOTE AMONGST THE STREET KIDS European cinema's current passion for portraits of petty crime and casual violence among disaffected urban teenagers has reached Cork Film Festival. Hugh Linehan found himself rooting, instead, for a quirky Scottish drama. Both From the Edge of the City and Schpaaa go to some pains to emphasise their modernity, extensively featuring hip-hop and dance music on their soundtracks. In contrast, the BBC Scotland production, Donovan Quick, ignores such contemporary trappings. It's often been a valid criticism o British (and Irish) films that they avoid the modern world, even when they're supposedly addressing it, and the last year has seen a rash of bland, anachronistic Full Monty-lookalikes to reinforce the point, but David Blair's quirky, likeable film is too individual and unusual to be lumped in with the rest of that crop. As the title hints, this is a modern-day Quixotic tale, which pits the little man against the overweening forces of authority. Colin Firth plays the eponymous, mysterious hero who shows up as the new lodger on the doorstep of the Pannick family, led by alcoholic Lucy (Katy Murphy), and including her learning-disabled brother (David Brown, who is himself learning-disabled, giving a terrific performance). To the Pannicks' bemusement, they find themselves caught up in Firth's crusade against the ruthless corporation which runs the local public transport system, and Murphy's cynicism is challenged by his idealistic "madness". Donovan Quick is the kind of film which, in the wrong hands, could have ended up as the most awful sort of sentimental mush, but the screenplay (by Donna Franceschild, who wrote the recent adaptation of Robert MacLiam Wilson's Eureka Street for the BBC) and direction are too intelligent for that. Blair was responsible for the under-rated TV drama, Vicious Circle, based, like The General, on the life of Dublin gangster Martin Cahill, and here he convincingly creates a cast of highly believable, sympathetic characters who you find yourself really rooting for.

Yippee for the good review of DQ. I probably be in my grave before that gets where I can get hold of it. Something interesting--just came back from American Beauty, and they thank the Donmar Warehouse at the end of the credits. Anyone know what the deal is there?

Have we really drooled this much?! Incredible...but, so is the man. He is worthy!

(Cymbeline) they thank the Donmar Warehouse at the end of the credits. Anyone know what the deal is there? Wasn't that cute? Yes, Sam Mendes, the director of American Beauty, is also the artistic director of the Donmar. You can bet those people had to do extra while Sammy boy was in Hollywood. ;-D

(Karen)Wasn't that cute? Yes, Sam Mendes, the director of American Beauty, is also the artistic director of the Donmar. You can bet those people had to do extra while Sammy boy was in Hollywood. ;-D Karen you're amazing--we will never have to want for information as long as we have you around. Thanks!!

I was so disappointed that I could not join Eileen and Heide, and all the other firthettes for Saturday's viewing of FP. But I was able to slip away to Montclair, NJ today for the5:15 show. I enjoyed FP immensely. Some of the dialog was very difficult to hear/understand, probably due to accents and the differences in idiomatic English usage between the US and UK. But no more difficult to understand than "The Full Monty" for example. Any film with CF is a visual treat for me. However I must say I prefer a clean-shaven CF, not the grungy look he sported here. Although I must admit the extra growth did enhance his left dimple. Those who are concerned about ODB's hair can relax, there is plenty here. (His hair, Louisa! His hair!) And now for the bad news. I did see the crowd (and I use that term loosely) for the 3:25 show exiting the theater, all 6 of them. And I was joined by 4 others for the 5:15 show. I didn't stay to see the 7:15 audience. Sure hope they're doing a better business at the other three theaters. Perhaps this is why films like MLSF never make it to the Garden State. The word must be out that New Jerseyians are just the cineplex sort of movie-viewers.

Karen. I do think BBC Scotland is striving for a theatrical release for DQ Why are all ODB projects so complicated nothing is simple, last August I thought we would have 3 TV projects to look forward to and now all we have is a 10min cameo in TTOTS possibly at Christmas, DQ is to most likely get a theatrical release and the one I was really looking forward to, a whole series with ODB in the starring role and in uniform ie Flashman is no more (althoughj I am still keeping my fingers crossed, there as too much information in The TV Times article for there not to be something in the story). I continue, Londinium, has it got a Distributor?, we have been waiting ages for news of SLOW, and thankfully it is at last out of the Bank Vault but how long has it taken, MLSF is still to be seen in the UK, May 2000, I won 't hold my breath, both of these made in 1997!!, Relative Values well this one seems okay but personally it is the one I am least excited about seeing, Blackadder, 20pounds to see a 2min cameo, oh well thank goodness for 3DOR, we know it starts on the 9th November, and ends on the 22nd January, a nd that ODB will be there acting his little heart out. End of rant, it must be that Monday morning feeling!!!

(Ann), oh well thank goodness for 3DOR, we know it starts on the 9th November, and ends on the 22nd January, a nd that ODB will be there acting his little heart out. End of rant, it must be that Monday morning feeling!!! And lucky you that will attend! I would trade any film of his to see him on the stage.

Yes, of course, that's true Moon, but I feel better now that I have got it off my chest. I would dearly love to see MLSF however, after everyone's comments about the close-ups!!

You want a rant? At least you're in the same country with him. No matter whether he's in London or LA, he's always 3000 miles away from here--well, maybe sometimes he's 30,000 feet overhead, but I haven't learned to spot his plane yet. There are *no* ODB films playing in the DC area. I've gotten every video I could wring out of my local rental stores. There was one, yes one, copy of P&P for rent in my humble burg, but they put that in the warehouse and no they wouldn't get it out for me. I'm so sorry, I thought you were a video RENTAL store, not a video STORAGE FACILITY. They do have the 1940 version with Oliver Lawrence, as the knowledgeable clerk put it. Imagine to yourselves how many times someone's rented that in the last decad . Imagine how much more money they could make with ODB's version. But I guess they're not in it for the money; they'd rather see how much they can frustrate their would-be customers. The county library system has all of four of his videos and don't get me started on how they've cataloged P&P so *it's impossible to get all 6 tapes at once or even in the right order*! As for Hostages, Tumbledown, Wings of Fame, and Femme Fatale--if I ever get a chance at those it will be on that big video screen in the sky. I know, I know, if I really loved him I'd buy every video, and it's rapidly coming to that. But the thought of the ever-increasing list of new work that swirls out of my reach--MLSF, FP, DQ, TTOTS, RV, Londinium--has me unhinged. Most of those will never open in the US, or if they do it will be for two minutes like MLSF. It would probably be best if ODHost just wrenched this revolting lardbucket of self-pity right off the screen, but this is a support group, right, and you all know what it's like to live without him, right? You may address me as Ginny from now on--not the Ginny in the bed of the pickup, the Ginny wandering hopelessly under the window calling, I love you, and receiving no reply. Yes, this Christmas he'll be acting his little heart out in London and so will Rufus as Macbeth, and I'll be here. I know that by now there is not a wet eye in the house. I too am going to face Monday morning. So let me shift for myself, and someday, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Bruce Willis.

Is Rufus doing Macbeth again, I didn't know and am surprised as the reviews weren't very good and Ginny my problems pale into insignificance compared to yours, I feel ashamed, as you say I do live in the same country, get to see him on stage, and will see some if not all of his future projects. Sorry!!

Ginny , you can buy some of CF's videos through reel.com , previously owned, almost for as much as you can rent them . I got FF for $6.00.Worth the price of gas alone. ~~~

Oh my!! What have I stepped into this Monday morning? ;-D Time for some virtual slapping. Buck up, buckees! Yes, the wait to see Colin's works is interminable, but at least Ann you will be seeing SLOW before us in a lovely theatre full of people (compare that with MLSF's dumpy venues with 3 people on average in the audience). For DQ, nothing is certain about where it will play. Remember, BBC said "early next year" for transmission was the original game plan. At some point, they will make a decision for airing it. Efforts to sell to foreign countries would continue however. On the Londinium front, I'm due to check in with those people at the end of the month. I have a copy of Binder's The Sex Monster on tape now, but haven't taken a look at it. Ginny, Femme Fatale has been on TV (called Fatal Woman) as has Hostages (history channel). And there have been several reports that TTOTS will be on Masterpiece Theater in it's winter-spring 2000 season. You will love seeing 3DOR and Colin on stage is worth many unreleased movies in the bush. ;-D

You are just like my sister Karen, you seem to put everything into perspective.

Heide, it was great to finally meet you! You are the runner-up for the "I'll Travel a Million Miles for One of Firth's Smiles" Award--sponsored by Evelyn--since a member of the Firthlist drove 5 hours to NJ to see it, surpassing the 2 hours you drove. I was glad you made the trip! It's much more fun seeing his movies with other fans. We were sorry to have missed you, Sylvana, but I'm glad to see you made the trek up the Parkway to see it. Yes, the dialogue is difficult to make out in several places and there are alot of colloquialisms (I probably murdered that spelling) which fly over the heads of us Yanks. I found this page quite helpful: Clare's Fever Pitch Page There is an excellent glossary which will help you out. If you're really into it, you can pick up Hornby's book from your local library or bookstore (non-fiction section). There's no Paul [:-(] and no love story, but it does help. (Sylvana) Perhaps this is why films like MLSF never make it to the Garden State. The word must be out that New Jerseyians are just the cineplex sort of movie-viewers. Those tiny ads and mixed reviews in the NY papers didn't help. Besides, we all read the Ledger over here. Of course those 10 and 12-plexes on every corner are stiff competition. And last but not least, everyone is up to their eyeballs in baseball :-). Isn't the Wellmont a lovely theater, though? As Heide mentioned, the movie suddenly got dark about 2/3 through our viewing. Slyvana, did this happen to you? It was hard to see faces, particularly when Paul and Sarah have their fight in the kitchen. We could barely see Paul's mother's cat wearing the little Arsenal shirt! Thank goodness the film didn't melt before our eyes as MLSF did, and it did brighten up before the end. Everyone in our group had seen the video countless times, but we managed to notice something new on the big screen: as Heide mentioned, CF's scruffy face, pierced ear and Ruth's freckles; others noticed the vintage Arsenal lamp next to his bed and tears on his face when he thinks Arsenal are going to blow it (during the dark kitchen fight scene). What struck me was how funny the movie is. Yes, I've watched the video countless times and heard all the jokes before--perhaps it was the men (all 2 of 'em) i the audience laughing it up that influenced my reaction. I love, love, love that restaurant scene. It's one of my all-time Firth favorites. (Sylvana) His hair, Louisa! His hair! We all had that same reaction! Those who are concerned about ODB's hair can relax, there is plenty here. Oooh, I hate to burst your bubble, but...in one of the scenes where Paul is sitting at his desk (the one in which the principal comes in to tell him about the head of year job interview arrangements), I'm afraid there's a definite scalp-sighting to be had (from behind and on top). His hair wrangler must have had that day off. (Cymbeline--er, Ginny) well, maybe sometimes he's 30,000 feet overhead, but I haven't learned to spot his plane yet. LOL! If you figure out a way, will you let me know? :-P and someday, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Bruce Willis. LOL even more...bite your tongue, girl! FYI--you can purchase a boxed set of P&P videos for a song these days (most of us paid around 100 clams; it now goes for $39.99 and under). Check out Sam's Club/Price Club/Costco, Best Buy or even Sam Goody. You never know when you might happen upon Darcy's big brown eyes staring up at you! Yes, Ann, do snap out of it! You'll see MLSF! If the video comes out in the US in Jan. '00 as promoted, you can see it before May (with a little conversion magic). Heck, if it wasn't for the generosity of a certain person here, I wouldn't have seen FP until last Saturday--some 2 1/2 years after it was released in the UK. Don't worry, you'll get by with a little help from your friends!

This was posted today at the FOF: 10/19/99 - From the "Going Out" section of Womens Journal (UK) November 99. LONDON FILM FESTIVAL FIRTH GOES FORTH Ladies, it's time to get over Darcy. Colin Firth is far too talented an actor to be pigeonholed. This month his new film Secret Laughter of Women premieres at the London's Film Festival. It's a touching love story set among the Nigerian community in the South of France. Playing a lazy colonial drawn to a single mother, Firth is terrifically funny (Sample line: "Never follow a girl in Clarks shoes. There's always a father with a shotgun behind"). And , yes, he smoulders in true Darcy style. Then in December, Firth returns to London's Donmar theatre to repeat his dazzling performance in Three Days of Rain with Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrisey. Tickets were like gold dust last year, so book now. In the first act, Firth plays the dysfunctional son of an American architect; then in the second act , we see his father (also played by Firth) on his first date with his mother. Heartbreaking stuff - and not a pair of breeches in sight. The 43rd London Film Festival runs from 3rd-18th November. For a programme call 0906 6132000. 3DOR opens at the Donmar on the 9th November. To book call 0171 369 1732 Murph Re FP: So lovely meeting Heide for the first time, and Eileen for the second. I saw the freckles on Ruth, and the unshaven chin on Paul, but clean missed the lamp, the tears, and the sparse top of head. I also loved his rapport with the kids. He made a perfect teacher. And isn't Mark Strong great too?

Thanks, Murph! Was there a picture to go with it?

LOL!! 'Fess up Ann and Cymbeline - you feel better now, don't you? A little healthy ranting never hurt anybody. Cymbeline, you stick around with us, youll see all his videos. Sylvana, sorry we couldn't meet up with you but I'm so glad you got to see it the next day. How'd your sparse audience react? Any men? Murph, thanks for the info on Colin. Do we dare feel optimism for SLOW?

Of course I feel better--that's what support groups are for. None of this stiff upper lip nonsense for us Americans. Where I come from complaining is an art form. I knew I could count on you all to hold me up when my Firthlessness reached desperate levels. Besides I spent the afternoon power watching Circle of Friends again, and he really is marvelous. There are sentences and inflections in it that could have been said by Darcy but b/c he had such command of his facial expressions and body movements he comes across as a dorky cad instead of as a man violently in love. BTW has anyone noticed that there is a part near the beginning of Another Country where Tommy is talking to Guy, and it could be Darcy talking to Bingley when they were at school (if you leave out the Bolshie rhetoric). I've decided that they met at school, D and B that is--what does anyone think or is that a question better directed to the Republic of Pemberley? Anyhow, the wonderful thing is that ODB had that voice by the age of 23, probably by the age of 15. I shall try, with your help, to be patient and content myself with knowing that somewhere on this planet ODB is doing something, and of course it's wonderful.

At the end of support group meetings, one should get presents to make up for the pain and duress. So here's my present to you all. Paul Ashworth looking mighty good on my small screen and not at the multiplex:

Now you tell me! Is that brooding or petulant? See? Hair color doesn't make a bit of difference. 8-D

Ohhhhhhhhh. Thanks Karen, I needed that. It gets so frustrating reading about everything he is doing and wondering how much we will get to see and when.

Hi everybody, it is a lovely Autumn Tuesday morning, Colin is already getting publicity for 3DOR and SLOW sounds great, how is that for the British stiff upper lip. Sorry if I was a bit over the top yesterday, it came out all wrong in print but it can be frustrating being a CF fan, I think we will all agree but he is worth the wait and I am sure I will get to see MLSF somehow , thanks to my friends and support group at Spring. I can't wait to see SLOW in November, and will give a blow by blow account. I am so glad you got to see FP on the big screen Heide, I understand that it will only be playing in NY for one week, is that correct and will it still go to LA & San Francisco, Karen?

I think that we just have to accept that multiplexes/movie mags/marketing and promotion etc are geared almost exclusively to movies like "American Pie" and "Big Daddy" and all small films are going to struggle to reach an audience. But just hang in there! But DQ and SLOW are actually being screened and have both got very good reviews! I understand why DQ would be pushed for a theatrical release (carries more kudos and chances of US/international exposure) but as a BBC film it will eventually be also shown on television. And I'm sure we'll get video releases of both (and PAL can be converted!)

Thanks, Karen! He looks a bit like Rupert Everett there IMO--no bad thing in itself. And wouldn't it be fun to see them do something together again. There is only one thing worse than thinking about ODB all the time, and that is not thinking about ODB all the time.

Thanks, Karen! He looks a bit like Rupert Everett there IMO--no bad thing in itself. Heeheeheehee....................................

I checked the box office results for last weekend, and Fever Pitch is not on there...all the way down to 104th place, which is a film that is playing on like one screen. Have to conclude that Phaedra didn't report its take. Who knows if they will take it to LA now. :-(

It's good to see UK publicity that begins with the line Ladies, it's time to get over Darcy. But then they blow it with And, yes, he smoulders in true Darcy style. Clearly the author has not gotten over Darcy yet. Thanks for sharing, Murph! (Karen) Have to conclude that Phaedra didn't report its take It must have been miniscule. There was too much going on this weekend to lure sports fans away from their TV sets (we sports and CF fans found a way, though). I hope Phaedra hangs in there and moves it to other US cities anyway. (Bethan) I understand why DQ would be pushed for a theatrical release (carries more kudos and chances of US/international exposure) but as a BBC film it will eventually be also shown on television. IMO this is the best position to be in. I'm hoping for theatrical release so we can see it on the big screen over here. Either way, we know we'll see this one!

Hi Karen, according to Yahoo Movies Top Movies site Phaedra did report the takings for FP, which stood at 2,519dollars , at #94.

Thanks, Ann. FP didn't appear on THR's listing and they all come from the same company, Exhibitor Relations.

Just read that Phaedra is pulling FP from the NY area on Thursday (10/21) due to disappointing results. So we should know shortly where (or if) it's headed next.

I think this is the Flashman cover that Bethan seemed to like (a lot):

LOL, Karen you were on Jeopardy at the wrong time. One of the catagories tonight was Spam.

The Chameleon strikes again: The Tumbledown Archives Here's a new section of the threedeers archives on cf.com, with a heap of Tumbledown pics, some of them never seen before online. Brace yourself, this is not Mr. Darcy. ;-) http://www.firth.com/arch/tum/tn-tum50.htm

(Renate)Brace yourself, this is not Mr. Darcy. Oh no? What about in the dress uniform? I am sure that is him. Wonderful pictures! many thanks.

Great pictures! Thanks, Renate and Arami, for resurrecting the archive. I like the separation of pictures and edited text. Will we see more? ;-D

8-o What do you mean, "will we see more"? Of the text? 22 large pics not enough? Hmmm...... could it be possible that you only found the thumbnails, and did not click on them? BTW, not only the thumbnails are clickable, but the large one's, too. And I would like to hear which of the pics is the favourite here.

"will we see more" Pics and text from other film/TV roles.

I don't know if this review has already been posted but there is an excellent review for MLSF and for Colin in The San Antonio Express News http://www.expressnews.com/pantheon/index/rat-review.shtml and Evelyn there is also a very good one for B&H, have you seen it before. Scroll down the page to find the MLSF review. Thankyou very much to the 3Deers for the lovely Tumbledown page update.

Cogratulations 3deers! You have done a wonderful job.

Karen, yes that is the "legs akimbo" cover picture of Flashman! Not my favourite Flashman book though, although it does contain some of my favourite dialogue....an exchange with ol' Abe Lincoln (when he was still young!) "I said I was a good dissembler... "You must be," says he "And I speak as a politician, who knows how difficult it is to fool people." "Well" I said "my own experience is that you can fool some of the people all the time - and all the people some times. But I concede that it's difficult to fool all the people all the time". "That is so" says he, and a great grin lit up his face... Flashy is a must-do role. All my fingers firmly crossed on this one. Mind you, CF may have no other option soon but to do television work. There's a report in today's Telegraph on how "Hollywood have delivered a devastating blow to Britain's film industry when Universal Pictures announced that it was taking over the lucrative distribution business of UPI in London." Industry observers believe that UPI will now coninue as a video distributor and will not have the budget to turn small British films into international successes....."It's the final nail in the coffin....Hollywood thinks it should control the world". Oh well, things can't get worse...and to be honest I think that a lot can be achieved within the confines of good television drama! Ann, I phoned Buena Vista and asked about MLSF. The Disney (why Disney?) PR person said that the release date is "tentatively" May, but there's no confirmed date. At least they are talking about releasing it, but the "tentatively" beats me! By the time MLSF hits our screens, wee Fraser will be a six footer and studying for his Scottish Highers! But we will see it...we just need patience!

Promise!!thanks Bethan.(I can't wait to see those close-ups on the big screen) I really can't understand why they can't be more definite though, can you?

"will we see more" Pics and text from other film/TV roles. Probably. Eventually. Please be patient. :-)

Thanks so much for the lovely Tumbledown shots, esp for those of us this side of the pond who will have to wait till the next life to see it, even though the events it concerns took place in our very own hemisphere. The rugged sooty-faced look is very nice too, don't you all think. And I do like those boots he's wearing in the shot with him and Robert Lawrence. Well, even though we live on crumbs, what crumbs they are. I watched Another Country again today, and it is a great movie in itself. But the voice, Louisa, the voice! If I could make an audio tape of his lines and just walk around with a walkman glued to my ears for the rest of my life I'd die happy. As I've mentioned before a lot of the time he sounds like Darcy talking to Bingley in their schooldays.

"will we see more" Pics and text from other film/TV roles. Probably. Eventually. Please be patient. :-)

(Bethan)Ann, I phoned Buena Vista and asked about MLSF. The Disney (why Disney?) Buena Vista is owned by Disney and is the international arm of the company that distributes all Disney films (Miramax etc.) ~~~~~ "Hollywood have delivered a devastating blow to Britain's film industry when Universal Pictures announced that it was taking over the lucrative distribution business of UPI in London." Another view is that the Industry might have gone "belly up" without Universal. .."It's the final nail in the coffin....Hollywood thinks it should control the world". But any other company (UK or European) could outbid them, I'm sure. ~~~~~~ Thank you for Tumblewood Page...Difficult to look at, but tremendous acting. My fave pic is the one in the dress uniform.... ~~~~~ Thank you Ann; San Antonio came through for Colin and Jennifer in their reviews. Let's hear it for Texas!! Out west, we know good quality films:-D Bring on FP!!

(Cymbeline) If I could make an audio tape of his lines and just walk around with a walkman glued to my ears for the rest of my life I'd die happy. You and me both, my dear. His voice, *shiver* and his then there's his eyes, *sigh* -and his hands... *slowly melts into an overstimulated puddle of drool*

Good to be part of the sixth board, thanks Heide for setting it up. 3 Deers ,as usual you have done a marvellous job, putting RL in our midst. Thanks. It is lovely to come out of lurkdom and find all these goodies.

I have enjoyed your tales of FP and meeting up to see it. You have reminded me that I am the proud owner of a lifesize FP poster, kindly obtained by a very empathic friend. I must go and brush the dust off and unravel it!! BTW I think the OBSERVER is running a comp this Sunday to win tickets to LFF. Maybe MLSF will be on offer to the winner!

Good to see you here again, Lizza!

I have enjoyed your supersleuthing for DQ too Karen. As ever you have the CF facts at your nimble fingertips!!

Lizza, didn't you have some story for us about Wessex's cod piece? Do tell! :-) Another view is that the Industry might have gone "belly up" without Universal. (Evelyn) I can see that point of view! Marketing and distribution...the British film industry never quite realised the significance of this! Great Tumbledown pics.

I fear big companies destroy the making of different films to want they believe the public wish to see. They forget their are millions of us out there that rarely go to the cinema because we do not wish to see their offerings. Anne H

Great Tumbledown pics. This is a movie that I can't watch in it's entirety at one sitting. I always have to watch it by halves. It is a great movie and CF gives such an outstanding performance, a little too good for me. He brings it to life so well that I can't stand to watch it without a break. I know from experience on rottenly some of the vets have been treated after a war is over and they no longer are needed by the higher powers, so this really gets to me.

I have wondered many times where R.L. is now and how he is doing. Colin brought him into my world and I just can't forget him.

(AnneH) They forget their are millions of us out there that rarely go to the cinema because we do not wish to see their offerings. Sometime I think this is a chicken and the egg situation. Many of us do not go to the theaters period, but wait until films are out on video to watch from the comfort of our own homes. I see many films and, if I like one a lot, I may see it twice (as I did American Beauty or Eyes Wide Shut)--we won't count the number of times I saw MLSF. However, can we compete with teenagers who go to see movies 30 times! Or Star Wars films 100 times? I don't think the studios will miss my $8 from NOT seeing the tri e they put out during the summer. ;-D

Good news! I just phoned Optimum Releasing (distributor of SLOW) to ask about release dates. They are very friendly and helpful (unlike Miramax!) and confirmed that it will open on November 26. I asked if that would be London only, and they said that it would be "nationwide". I'm really pleased about this....I honestly only expected it to show in London and maybe two or three major independents like the National Museum of Film and Photography. "Nationwide" could still be a select release, but a select nationwide release is much better than select London. Aftter SLOW has opened, I'll get back to Optimum R. and ask about video release and any possibility of release in USA/Australia and other markets.

Great news Bethan, thanks, (hope that includes Brighton)!

Good news indeed about the nationwide British release of SLOW. Bethan, let them know that we droolers this side are just as firthful and will turn over our last dollars, pesos, etc., just as eagerly if they will only allow the Secret Longing of the Worshipful Company of Firthettes of the Americas to manifest itself in pilgrimages to the cinematic shrines there to lay our hearts at his glorious feet. Yes, I admit it, I've just rewatched Another Country, and my heart is Juddering. "I don't have to try; I am clever." Sob.

(Bethan) any possibility of release in USA/Australia and other markets. Actually yes. :-D SLOW has been sold for US release. That's what Optimum told me last week. Have been waiting to find out some more about that, but many industry types have been in Milan at the film market.

Correction: There is a US company acting as sales agent for SLOW, which doesn't mean it will be shown here. Sorry, if I've gotten anyone's hopes up.

Bethan, wonderful news!!! Thanks for cheering me up as I can't do LFF. An early Xmas present. You are quite right, I do have a codpeice anecdote to relate and must try to scan in the exibition poster that I procured. Watch this space.

MLSF is enduring in Miami! They just added a second week. I was told that if it did well they would extend the run. Cymbeline, have you check out www.reel.com yet? They have other CF films too or do you also have an admiration for Rupert E? Karen and I have a running joke about him. If interested, you will have to check topic 72, to our respective birthday parties. ;-)

I just got November edition of Woman's Journal so I could see the article and pic of CF. It's so inaccurate because they say he will be on stage in December and then give the November opening date!! Journalists should come straight to us. But come to think of it , when they do, like Sarah Toyne from Sunday Times, they never use the info properly anyway!!! I am going to contact a couple of independent cinemas to see if SLOW is coming here. This has quite made my evening!!

What great news about SLOW! Just knowing that it is finally getting a release makes me hopeful that it may finally work its way to the U.S. I certainly hope in less time than the record set by FP. Speaking of FP, I see that it is no longer playing in 3 of the 4 theaters in the New York area. (It is gone from Montclair, NJ. So glad I saw it when I did. There are no second chances with this one!) Does anyone know where the other 3 prints have gone? Have they materialized in other parts of the country? It is still playing in the CC Village East Cinema in Manhattan, however. And I need to apologize for not responding to questions posed to me by other posters (above). It has been some kind of a week around here. Glad it's over. To Eileen: thanks for the link to Clare's Fever Pitch Page and Gossary. Even though some of the dialog went right by me, it did help to fill im some of the gaps. Yes, the movie did darken about halfway through. But not having anything to compare it to (never say the video), I cannot judge how much darker. I did see the little kitty Arsenal shirt, so it couldn't have been too dark. There wasn't much laughter in the theater, with all 5 of us. There were two (apparently) married couples seated with me in the audience. I did laugh out loud during the restaurant scene. I think they did too. It was very well done slapstick, and cleverly written. I did see some of those fleeting images you mentioned--the Arsenal lamp (reminds me of my sons' rooms) and Ruth's freckles. But I did miss the sparse hair on top (just as well) and the pierced ear also got by me. Yes, very glad I made the trip to Montclair to see FP last Sunday.

I see now America has got their own Colin at last: Colin Hanks, 21, following in dad Tom's footsteps. The name alone is worth drooling over... ;-)

A good omen for SLOW,... Nia Long's new film "The Best Man" has gotten v. good reviews...."A witty, warm comedy about a half-dozen college pals who reunite for a wedding".Reminscent of "The Big Chill".

Let's hope that this film can carry more weight than the film Soul Food. That role didn't help SLOW get noticed. Isn't it awful that we're reduced to hoping that Colin's co-stars can carry the publicity for a film since it's obvious (in America anyway) that Colin's reputation means squat? Still, it is good news that SLOW's distribution in England will be wider than London. In the States we were perfectly satisfied to live on just the video for Fever Pitch. I'm sure we'll be just as satisfied for SLOW's video. Fingers crossed.

Question:Ann/Bethan: If you know that MLSF will be distributed by Buena Vista.... ...why do you keep calling Miramax? ~~~~~ ... Isn't it awful that we're reduced to hoping that Colin's co-stars can carry the publicity for a film since it's obvious (in America anyway) that Colin's reputation means squat? Anyway it gets here, baby...is OK by me :-D

f you know that MLSF will be distributed by Buena Vista.... ...why do you keep calling Miramax? The last time I checked, I did ring Buena Vista and got "release set for May..."tentatively"....but no confirmed date". Still puzzled by the "tentatively" and, of course, May!

Ann/Bethan ...why do you keep calling Miramax? because until I called the last time and was told by Miramax that they had a date of 5th May, I had not known about BV., the spokesman informed me then that "we only make the film BV decide on its release date" and following that Bethan, I believe, telephoned VF who confirmed the May date as above. I shall definitely not bother Miramax again!!

VF?=BV

Heide - How did you get the video for Fever Pitch? Was it available when it first came out but no longer? It's not listed on Amazon although they have Hornby's book. I just found out FP was made in 96! It's three years old, and here we are biting our nails hoping the film distribution gods will see fit to release it. Don't the fans want to see it? Don't the actors want it to circulate? Why must Firthettes live subject to this system of economic oppression by greed-crazed Philistine middle men? This would drive Tommy Judd crazy! Let's call BV and thank them for the good humored restraint with which they exercise their power, but we'd appreciate a little less rest aint and a bit more chance to see the man. And why is everything italicized?

Hmmm, just noticed that "An Ideal Husband" (completed 12 months after MLSF)is now out on video in the UK. I'm going to have a mini-rant about MLSF...as we are a self-support group! Please ignore if you prefer positive thinking!! I'm really pleased that MLSF is still showing in the US and is getting good reviews, but I do feel strongly that post-Darcy this should have been Colin's "breakthrough" movie in the UK ...moderately big budget (FP cost under �1.5million).. good cast, period drama, beautiful setting, Puttnam/Hudson, Simon Rattle soundtrack...it had an awful lot going for it, in terms of pre-promotion and publicity. It would have been possible to create quite a buzz about it, even if the actual film was only average in qual ty. And it seems to be better than average, and by all accounts Colin gives a good performance. But a release date 3 years after completion effectively kills the film. I've really never heard of such a long delay!!!!! Unprecedented! Fortunately, may the saints be praised, SLOW has popped up to fill the gap, and there's 3DOR. But I get the feeling that, in career terms, Colin is now lagging behind the likes of RE and JN, mainly because he hasn't been seen in the sort of lead roles he used to play before P&P!! Right, that's my rant over. Positive thinking hat back on. There was a nasty piece in the Times about Harvey and the failure of Talk magazine, which I won't repeat!!

Get Real, Bethan. MLSF was not going to be a break-through film in any country. It was a sweet film and he looked gorgeous....but break-through... non. RE made it in My Best Friend's wedding with Julia Roberts. JN made it in Emma with Gwynnie. Anyway, does Colin need a break-through in UK? Wasn't P&P enough of a break-through for him? The guy's a household word over there. He's married....He gets good reviews... He's working in TV, Stage, Films. He's happy...leave him alone!!

Cymbeline, My order of vidoe Fever Pitch is on the way to me :-). I ordered the used video tape through www.reel.com last week. The FP video only costs $4.99. I only hope the quality of the tape will not be TOO bad.

This is going to be interesting. Xian, are you sure that the Fever Pitch you are ordered is the one with Colin? There was another movie by the same name in the '70s or '80s with Ryan O'Neal that typically comes up in searches. Fever Pitch has only been released in PAL format in the UK, which our VCRs can't play. That being said, a Canadian video place shows a newly released NTSC Fever Pitch for $80. I haven't checked to see if it in fact exists, but it would be more realistic for the Canadian distributor to have put it out on video a year after its theatrical run in that country. Do let us know, Xian, what shows up? BTW, I once order "Another Country" from reel.com and got a music video by Willie Nelson. Twice!! ;-D

Oh Evelyn, you know we're happy if he's happy. Let's not get into that again. There's just frustration that he's unappreciated by the filmworld at large. But I wouldn't say Jeremy Northam's career is ahead of Colin's. An Ideal Husband's given him a little edge but the man has made some bad film choices. He's not Teflon Man yet. Xian, is your FP tape a PAL copy? The videos are out there, Cymbeline. I bought mine from a UK video store and had it shipped, then converted. But if Xian's is already NTSC, then I'm sure you'd want to check out reel.com too.

He's married.... Yes. He gets good reviews... Yes. He's working in TV, Stage, Films. Yes. He's happy... Yes. (We hope.) leave him alone!! Never. ;-)

(Heide)Oh Evelyn, you know we're happy if he's happy. Let's not get into that again. (Arami)leave him alone!! Never. ;-) Sorry to have offended everyone....I shall not mention that he's happy ever again....I promise:-) evelyn, crossing her heart

Of course we hope he's happy, at least I do. And I'm sure he's capable of managing his own career. I just want to see his films and follow that career and be able to drool over his latest work, and I don't see why we should have to work so dadgum hard to be able to do it. How many of us are there, anyhow? And does his agent know we're here begging for the chance to see him? Don't we have any kind of leverage? Are we just too insignificant a market force to make a difference? It would be one thing i one had to fight to get any videos at all, but when we're drowning in swamps of rubbish panning for those pearls sinking into the muck under the feet of the swinish hordes of Bruce Willis swillers ... It's not fair. MaMA! Tell her it's not fair. Picture me at the dining room table. I stamp my foot. I throw my napkin down. I groan petulantly. "Oh, I want to see all his videos!" And down at the other end sit the ogrish distributors, smugly saying, "And yet I am unmoved," and stalking off to their study, slamming the door and leaving me with unendurable feelings of Firthlessness. How do you get a PAL video converted--that is, where would you go to get it done? I checked out reel.com. They didn't have anything. Thank the gods you all are here. Where would I be without you?

Cymbeline, write to us at nomdedrool@yahoo.com ;-D

He's married....He gets good reviews... He's working in TV, Stage, Films. He�s happy....leave him alone!! I sure hope he�s happy and in case he is, he�s a great optimist. I�d like to know what he�s really thinking about his career because to me it looks modest at the moment and it�s not at all what he deserves. Obviously I�m having my Sunday morning blues and please do not let it affect you ladies but I think there are quite a lot of big disappointments in his career and I�m only wondering how he has been able to handle them all. Valmont failed so badly even though it was a good film, ATA was such a big flop, Nostromo was a 100 % failure, SLOW has been in the bank vault this long, MLSF ended up being a very small movie it seems, FP never became very popular.....trouble is, I believe they all must have looked highly promising to him, beforehand.

Heide- There's just frustration that he is unappreciated by the filmworld... well put Heide that is what I was trying to say a few posting ago but it came out all wrong and sounded like a moan which it wasn't meant to be I am pround to be a CF fan but we do seem to have to work so hard to get any information on our DB whereas other British actors such as Anna Friel (who just lately is on the front of every magazine and TV listings magazine going), Robson Green, Richard E Grant, Hugh Grant,JN. RE , ara Fitzgerald, I could go on and on, seem to be everywhere in the papers on our TV screens and in the news. For example take that recent Film 99 programme where they did a bit on Relative Values and Julie Andrews, it is a British TV programme and who do they interview apart from JA, but two American actors not our DB and Stephen Fry, why!! Lets hope that with a theatre play coming up and SLOW being released we will get to see a bit more of our DB. I am not moaniong I would just really like to see more f him in the media but I am also happy with things as they are if that is not to be.He is such a good actor that I wish more people knew about him and not only in this country.

Obviously I�m having my Sunday morning blues and please do not let it affect you ladies but I think there are quite a lot of big disappointments in his career and I�m only wondering how he has been able to handle them all. (Elena) there's just frustration that he is unappreciated by the filmworld... well put Heide that is what I was trying to say a few posting ago but it came out all wrong and sounded like a moan which it wasn't meant to be (Ann) I hope I haven't umleashed a strain of negative comments by by MLSF comments as I think there's a lot to be positive about...a return for 3DOR which did get excellent reviews and an unexpected release for SLOW. But I agree with Ann, Elena and Heide. He seems to be a very unassuming man and I'm sure he's an optimist (has to be!) but his career does have ups and downs. "Breakthrough" film was perhaps the wrong description for MLSF...I just meant a nice little potboiler that would keep his film career (leading man) bubbling along. British film critics aren't kind...and any film that reaches our screens nearly 3 years after completion will not have a favourable critical reception....or will certainly struggle. MLSF may not be a great film but so much rubbish gets released (apparently without any problem) that I do despair. I certainly want Colin to be happy....but I can see why he says that all he wants is recognition as a "good actor" (not apparently as God's gift to trousers, or that guy in the wetshirt!) Having said all this, I'm very hopeful that his 3 month stint at the Donmar (for the princely sum of �15 per day after taxes...barely enough to pay for his Kentucky Fried Chicken (and less than the cost of one ticket!)....) will remind everyone that he can ACT! And SLOW, DQ, even RV all sound very promising. And hopefully he'll do Mark Darcy in BJD, which will be a major release! Positive thinking!!

I was going to tell you all about the directorial/writing/acting abilities of Mike Binder, as displayed in The Sex Monster, but will hold off until you're all in a better mood. I hate to add to this doom and gloom. Besides, the marathon is about to begin and I have to go outside to cheer on the Kenyans and the Brazilan guy and then later watch for the jokers with Halloween costumes! ;-D

Look, let's not worry about our moods. I'm a Brooklyn Dodgers fan; I've been in a bad mood since 1958 which is to say before ODB was born. IM arrogant, conceited, and selfishly disdainful O, I don't think anyone with half a mind can be in any other most of the time. Yet we have been given a great gift, and that is the cinematic record of the work of Colin Firth who is one of the best actors working in the English language at this time. The fan of Colin Firth must have such sources of happiness necessarily attched to her position that she could on the whole have no cause to repine. Yet the frustrations inherent in trying to see that work are so many and so unceasing that there are times when only an existential rant among fellow Firthettes can get you ready to face he day. So I say let us rant, and maybe our collective energies will become strong enough to bust the vaults open and let the films out where the worshippers can actually get to them. I can only add God bless you.

So I say let us rant, and maybe our collective energies will become strong enough Did it work to bring the Dodgers back to Brooklyn? ;-D

....until you're all in a better mood OK, I jogged a few kilometres with hubby and baked some mushroom rolls and thus am feeling slightly better now :-) Remember what a big agony went on here after Christmas 1999 and we were speculating the terrible possibility that Colin was planning to retire? And then suddenly we were hit by the terrific news of 3DOR, an opportunity to see Colin live in a first class play! I guess his career will always be like this: it�ll make us despair and rejoice by turns. Btw I�d be very interested to know if the tickets to 3DOR are selling well. The play is one of the not-so-many successes of his so it�s very important for Colin that the house is full every time.

...and had to watch Fever Pitch last night. Lamp in full view and could tell there were tears, but where oh where could you see his ears were pierced? I rewound and freeze-framed and sat about 3" from the screen! Ted's lines: "About which part? The clandestine affair? The accidental pregnancy? And Paul's response: "Not those bits maybe. But me applying for the job. That's good news, isn't it?" Still make me LOL!! :-D

All right, Karen, kick me when I'm down. No, it didn't bring the Dodgers back to Brooklyn, but 40 years of devotion to a hopeless cause is good training for being a Firthette. We shall conquer this--we SHALL!

Ah, but you mustn't forget. I live in Chicago. We are eagerly awaiting the year 2000 because we have a feeling that it might be a better century for the Cubs! ;-D

(Elena) after Christmas 1999 I meant xmas 1998, hope not 1999!

(Cymbeline) How many of us are there, anyhow? And does his agent know we're here begging for the chance to see him? Moon? I'm surprised you haven't jumped in here yet. ;-) Just when we're on the edge of the cliff ready to jump off, we're thrown a lifeline. So judging by the mood around here, I'm expecting good news any moment. Or just read Bethan's Response 87, last paragraph. Karen, you're going to have to see FP on the big screen to see that little hole in his left ear. I'm humbled that I can't remember which scene it is because re-viewing it for the umpteenth time on my TV screen does not help find that pierced ear one bit. Still, if the search brings you such pleasure in those wonderful little scenes again, then go to it!

(Heide) ...I'm expecting good news any moment. I like it! Anyhow, no matter what they do to us, he's still dynamite!

I've been in a bad mood since [...] before ODB was born. I'm arrogant, conceited, and selfishly disdainful Are you my long lost twin sister? ;-) take that recent Film 99 programme where they did a bit on Relative Values and Julie Andrews, it is a British TV programme and who do they interview apart from JA, but two American actors not our DB and Stephen Fry, why!! Calm down and remember that there are two sides to a coin - it is just possible that neither Colin nor Stephen were actually available when the interviews were filmed.

Well...if you enjoy this "Whine Fest"...who am I to spoil it? "Go to it"...if it turns you on. It beats a blank board,I guess:-)

(Heide) you're going to have to see FP on the big screen to see that little hole in his left ear. No, I can check it out in person in January since I'll never see FP on a big screen. Am already thinking about a series of pictures of earlobes as we move on from hands! ;-D Still, if the search brings you such pleasure in those wonderful little scenes again, then go to it! That does go without saying. I went back to the FP tape in the car yesterday too. Can't get enough of it. (Evelyn) if you enjoy this "Whine Fest"...who am I to spoil it? While you prefer Chardonnay, may I remind you of your published letter to Movieline. Don't you think that he's in London now and rehearsal has started for 3DOR? OK, recommence whining... ;-D