Mark how nice of you to ask your wife to post. I hope she does. Glad you had a positive Theatre experience after what I heard happened with The Real Thing. We enjoy your objective posts.

The theatre experience was good but the Spring experience was better! It was really Karen & Evelyn who got Anna interested in posting, not me. What they said about TRT was that the incident was really very funny, rather than any worse. Apparently JE collapsed from a kneeling position until she was ROTFLHAO. :-)

The theatre experience was good but the Spring experience was better! Spoken like a true gentleman. We are quite envious. I look forward to hearing their accounts of TRT. But first we want all the news from 3DOR. ;-D

HI Mark! It was nice to meet you and your wife. I thought beforehand that I could watch 3DOR with open eyes and objectively from every angle this time and not only our dear boy but that�s really almost impossible for a firthfanatic like me, to be honest. So I kept devouring him and his every body movement and face expression and other physical details with my eyes and listening greedily to his articulation and breathing, and enjoyed it ruthlessly! It again surprised me how close the first row really is to the actors. It was my first time in row A on Friday and it really is something else. You can almost feel the breeze in your face when Colin leaps here and there as Walker and waves his hands in the air. Btw I was a little in panic on Friday because I had a very ill stomach and was afraid that I would suddenly have to rush out in the middle of the performance! It would�ve been a catastrophe for me because I didn�t want to lose a second of it, and e pecially not disturb the performance. Like I�ve said, Colin was very good on Saturday, and very energetic and athletic too! I loved it how he ran to get the photo and the diary to show Nan etc. with his feet loudly stomping. He also took risks with his breathing technique and once almost couldn�t make it to the end of a very long sentence with one draw of breath (when he said to Pip how he�d like to hear what an expert like him.......has to s-a-y.) That stuggle even brought a little color to his face! oops, gotta go, I�m at work....some more comments later.

Heide: So does Anna think we're mad? (Mark)Far from it. You may yet see her post. Ooooh, a potential convert. Please tell Anna that we love newbies and are very gentle :-). Mark, I'm really glad you and Anna got to see 3DOR and meet all the gang! It sounds like a lovely evening was had by all. And everyone, thanks for sharing your thoughts about the play. We Firthless few are living on all the details you throw our way.

Another little observation.... After the play we talked about his habit of looking straight into people�s eyes during the bows. That�s what happened to me as well on Friday when I sat in the front row, directly in front of him when he bowed. He seemed to look directly into my eyes every time he straightened his back and believe it or not, I felt difficult to just look back and I turned my head! Anyway, I knew from that gaze that he enjoys being intensely watched (just like every ambitious performer does) and during the bows he sort of thanks for our attention with his own gaze. And he knows very well what it means to his fans to meet his eyes. It�s a lovely moment.

Also during the the monologue at the beginning I felt that he looked directly at people in the audience.

(Elena) He seemed to look directly into my eyes every time he straightened his back and believe it or not, I felt difficult to just look back and I turned my head! I suppose this was an involuntary reflex to keep your eyes from popping out of your head! 8-D (Gi) Also during the the monologue at the beginning I felt that he looked directly at people in the audience. Yes, I've read about this before. He certainly does know how to connect with an audience, doesn't he? I echo Jana2's sentiments--thanks for all the details. Elena and Gi, what are your thoughts about his performance this time vs. last March? Which did you prefer?

Hi, Personally I preferred last March's performances, maybe because it was so thrilling and so new but I just felt he differentiated between Ned and Walker more in March and I wasn't so keen on all the arm waving this time, also there were times when I couldn't quite hear what he said which is surprising as his diction is usualy so clear. Having said all that though, he has such a stage presence that the stage lights up when he is on it and dims when he is not.

I want to thank Mark and Ann for coming to the Spring Reunion. When I said on #123 that the reunions are getting better, it's because of all of our new friends.They were both real troupers to stay with us til the end and even go for drinks afterwards at the hotel lounge ( we took it over!) The lobby was a madhouse....maybe 50 to 60 people.But not unruly..excited and loud, yes.I had spotted ODB on the upper level and had decided that if he didn't come down ,I personally was going to go up and drag him down.It would have been a dismal disappointment had he not.He was all charm and grace, although surprised at the number of people.

Thank you Lynda, for your comments on 3 DOR. I happen to love this play per se...and having Colin in it is just a bonus. However his performances have been uneven. I have seen it five times total. On Friday night I thought he gave the best Ned ever....I prefer his manic Walker and on Saturday he accentuated the arm-waving and twitching. Ned, not so good. In contrast, I have seen TRT also five times...and it has been constant and seamless.(Except we could not hear him clearly on opening night.)But the guy plays Henry consistently.Does that make SD a better actor? No. But he has had more stage experience than ODB, who has conscentrated on TV and films.And Mark, we got to see "The Lady in the Van"with Maggie Smith. WOW!

( Sorry for the different postings..but I'm doing doubles on Explorer.) About the Glass House: K&I and others had decided we wanted to give him a remembrance from all of us on Spring.A glass house...A Janeway House....K. found one around Christmas and lugged it to London. We had a florist make an arrangement of flowers in it. We have pics and K. will scan them on later. We had it sent to the Donmar. KJArt made an original card which we enclosed. Also K. had found a crystal windmill (for DQ) and we enclosed it in the house. On Saturday night I asked him if he had received the Janeway House ...his f ce lit-up, he turned smiled and said "Yes, thank you"".

Welcome Evelyn! Elena thought his performance on Friday night his worst ever, he seemed to just go through the lines, but she loved Saturday's. Funny, huh? We still want to hear about what happened at TRT opening night.

Welcome back, Evelyn! I had spotted ODB on the upper level and had decided that if he didn't come down ,I personally was going to go up and drag him down. Now that alone would have been worth the price of admission!

Re. the uneven performances....maybe the disappointment of not being one of the five to get an Olivier nomination got to him on the Friday and he felt "flat"...he's only human after all. And despite all the fuss that has been made about him (Darcy in a wet shirt etc), he has said that all he wants is to be regarded as a good actor. (And Anthony Sher didn't get good reviews for "A Winter's Tale") I'm sure he was delighted by his reception on Saturday!!!

Didn't you post some time ago that you were seeing 3DOR toward the end of its run, Bethan? Are you still planning on attending?

(Evelyn) K&I and others had decided we wanted to give him a remembrance from all of us on Spring.A glass house...A Janeway House....K. found one around Christmas and lugged it to London. We had a florist make an arrangement of flowers in it. I'll bet this looked gorgeous, especially with KJ's wonderful card. Thanks for all your efforts (lugging, finding a florist, etc.) on our behalf. Can't wait to see the photos of both flowers and card. Did you send flowers to JE as well? (Moon) We still want to hear about what happened at TRT opening night. Yes, am interested to hear this as well. (Guess we should do that at Odds & Ends.) There was a glowing article about TRT in Yahoo's Theatre section today (article made it sound like last night was press night?) -- after K's initial report I was fearing disaster.

(Evelyn)I personally was going to go up and drag him down. LOL I believe you would have done that! (Ann)he differentiated between Ned and Walker more in March Yes, that�s true. I really think that Colin started doing Ned like he did Walker on both nights, and he shouldn�t have. I remember Ned stuttering more and having a masterfully bad posture in March. Wonder why Colin has made this change. (Bethan)maybe the disappointment of not being one of the five to get an Olivier nomination got to him on the Friday and he felt "flat" He actually had bags under his eyes on Friday = tired, obviously. I do believe that awards mean something to him, why wouldn�t they! Everybody needs praise. But I hope that he�s not the sort of person who would let a thing like that actually disturb his work on stage, in front of a very admiring audience.

Did you send flowers to JE as well? Will take this up on #127. I'm sorry that I posted all about the house etc. on this board. I know better...still jet-lagged. Also we did a Bridget Jones tour of her favorite haunts in Notting Hill...we'll do that on #80. and The Dome on #127 ... some other day. ~~~~~~~ I do want to thank all the Firthfans in UK who made us feel so welcomed...Mark, Ann W., Aishling , Lizza...you were dears.Arami who made us CF keychain prezzies. You made us feel at home...hope we can reciprocate some day.

I found by happenstance an article on Malcolm McDowell, and he had what I thought were some interesting comments about the filming of MLSF. [This is excerpted, but still unconscionably long!] Reel.com Interview: His Life So Far: Malcolm McDowell by Pam Grady McDowell returns to his U.K. roots with his latest project, My Life So Far. In this atmospheric period comedy-drama from Chariots of Fire director Hugh Hudson, McDowell plays the hardheaded businessman Uncle Morris whose return to his mother's Scottish estate with young beautiful fiancee Irene Jacob spells trouble for his sister Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and her husband Colin Firth. In New York recently to promote My Life So Far, McDowell paused to speak to Reel.com's Pam Grady about the movie... ~~~~~~~~~~~ Q: Let's talk about the new film, My Life So Far. How did you get involved with this? What was it about the script that appealed to you? MM: To be honest with you, it wasn't really so much the appeal of the script, although I liked it. It was the fact that Hugh Hudson is a great old friend of mine. And Hugh called me up and asked me if I would do it, really as a favor to him. I said, of course, I'd do it. If you can't work with your friends, who can you work with? So, I was very happy to do it. Then I heard who he'd cast in it. Colin Firth, who I'm a very big admirer of, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio -- not bad! And Rosemary Harris, who I adore and had worked with before. Irene Jacob, who's a delight. Just to throw into the mix, a whole mob of lovely kids from Scotland and the lovely Kelly Macdonald who was in Trainspotting. So, that mix, that wonderful cast, and I met a lot of other wonderful people on that who became friends of mine. One of them was the continuity girl or the script girl, as they're called, called Libby Barr, who's a lovely Scot from Edinburgh. I got to know her very well. In fact, she worked on this film I'm just doing ow called Gangster Number One. I managed to get her on that. I was thrilled that Libby came with me to that. She's a very fine script person and she's also a friend of mine and I adore her. So, that was great. That was about it really. And the fact that it was David Puttnam, who've I've always admired and liked and I'd never worked with him, either. I thought it was about time I went back to England to work. I hadn't worked in England in a while. I really thought it was time to get back home and do a bit of work in the English way ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Q: To get back to the film. Your character, Uncle Morris, is constantly referred to as a hard-hearted businessman, yet he melts whenever he's in the presence of his fiancee and he clearly enjoys a warm relationship with his young nephew. Was that warmth in the script or is that something you brought to it? MM: I think I brought a lot of that, because I just felt that when you play a character, there obviously has to be more than one side to him. Of course, he's rather an old Edwardian, really. Yes, he can't bear to see waste and he feels that his brother-in-law is completely frivolous and has probably utter contempt for him. Which is hard for him to hide. But, of course, he loves his mother, so it's all kind of all under the surface. Of course, he loves his fiancee and he loves the kids. They're Moira's kids -- his sister's kids. And he loves children. I wanted to make him like a sort of favorite uncle that we've all had at some point in our lives or somebody in the family who's turned up every so often and is larger-than-life. And who sort of brings gifts and things, unusual things. And everybody loves that, you know, that kind of person. I wanted to get a feeling of that for the kids. Q: What was it like working with those kids, particularly Robbie Norman, the little boy at the center of everything, because you share a number of scenes with him? Is it hard to work with such small children? MM: No. they were so good. Of course, they'd been very well rehearsed by the coaches. They did a very good job with them. They had a wonderful casting director, called Patsy Pollack. She organized those kids brilliantly and made sure that they gave wonderful performances and took them through it many, many times. They were really wonderful. He has such an earnest innocence about him -- Robbie. He's lovely. He's absolutely lovely. And little Daniel, too, his brother, but he's been cut out of it a bit. He had quite a mischievous streak. You never knew what he was gonna do, and so I'd always have to say, "I can't hear you. What did you say?" It made it real. Like it would be. I think they all were at ease with me. It was fun. It was a lot of fun doing it. You can't take the attitude, I think, with kids that ... you have to be patient and just let it happen. Make them all feel part of it and important and then they come across beautifully. Q: You've said before that costumes help you get into your characters. In the case of Uncle Morris, he has been described as flashy, but not necessarily tasteful. What did Morris' costumes say to you? Did they help you get into the character? MM: Very much. Any period piece that you do, of course, you rely on the costume enormously to give you that sense of -- I don't know -- that sort of dignity and the bearing of the part, the way you move. It's so different with a beautiful costume on. There's one that I had, in fact, I've still got it. It's a lovely old Harris tweed. It was fabulous. Really beautiful. It's very important, that. I haven't done, actually, that many period films, but the ones I have done, I've always relied on the costume. Actually, I'm doing one, now, called The Visitors, playing a wizard. The makeup, actually, more than the costume in that particular part -- because I've got a bald pate with long, long white hair and a long white beard and a long white mustache, which actually feels like a lot of glue on my face, which it is, but it looks spectacular. You don't have to do a lot of acting, just a lot of believing. Q: You've criticized the British film industry in the past, about how it sort of died in the 1970s. Do you think, perhaps, My Life So Far might in some small way help bring the industry back? MM: I don't know. To be honest, with you, I really don't know. I think there is a renaissance in England right now. England is the center of Europe, if not the planet, at the moment. There's tremendous energy there right now. Rawness. A kind of -- there's a lot of money around suddenly, because of -- well, God knows why it is. It probably has something to do with Margaret Thatcher and her legacy is finally paying off. There's tremendous confidence over there, which is very unusual. There's a lot of people on the street -- it's also been a nice summer. That's a rarity in itself. You get the sense that there's a tremendous amount of pent-up energy that's being let loose in London. I've read three terrific scripts that I thought were really fantastic, only one of which I was able to do, because of conflict of time. But I think there is a renaissance right now. There really is. I don't know whether they'll be able to afford to back the films there or what.... This was a Miramax film, which is, of course, a American company owned by Disney. You have to look to the Americans who have the foresight and the confidence to go out and put their money with their mouth is. That doesn't really do the English any good, in the long run. Of course, it gives us, the actors, employment and all the rest of it, but it doesn't do much for the British film industry. Because the profits don't go back to them. Q: I remember reading a quote from you, saying you'd like to see the English make the money on English films. MM: It would be nice. Listen, there's enough to go around. We're not trying to deprive anybody here. Also, I wouldn't want to take away that hand that feeds me, either. If they have the foresight to see it, then, hey, good luck to them. That's the capitalist way. There's lots more about his earlier career ... at; http://www.hollywoodvideo.com/scoop/sa_030.htm

Interesting! I hope M McD and CF did not have too many political discussions:-)

Thanks KJ , really interesting. Unlike you still waiting to see it.

Great find, KJ. Interesting about his mentioning scenes with the younger boy being cut. Another casualty of this film's editing though probably not as critical as any little snippet of Colin they left on the floor.

(Lizza) Thanks KJ , really interesting. Unlike you still waiting to see it. Still waiting to see it? Whatever made you think that? Did a long drive to Seattle the first week of its release (good thing, too...it only lasted another of reduced showtimes and then was gone), and only just last week rented the tape (this, for me is an amazing phenomenon ... I hardly ever rent videos). Incidentally, this 2nd (and 3rd) viewing only solidified my opinion about the loft scene. But I had a distinct impression that a tiny little snippet of a scene was added to the video that I don't remember from the theatre viewing. My memory is nothing to crow about, however. Maybe I just forgot it. Or perhaps it was put there to solidify one's view of the loft scene. ;-). It was a quick cut back to the loft right after Frazer heard the scream and then was distracted by the Hairy Man erupting out of the leaves just under his nose. Heloise was standing apart from Edward and accused him of acting like a child. Then we cut to the drawing room scene w. MMcD. I interpreted her upset behavior just before joining them to discovering that the precious heirloom choker was missing. Yeh, another thing. Watch when Frazer picks it up out of the hay/moss. He immediately hides it behind his back because a workman LEADING A HORSE past the barn door greets him. The choker is therefore NOT found in the loft, but on ground level below. What does that mean?

No, Lizza is still waiting to see it. ;-) think there was an implied subject in her comment KJ, that scene with Fraser picking up the choker didn't look familiar to me either (bad memory here too), especially with that workman and the horse. The choker is therefore NOT found in the loft, but on ground level below. What does that mean? While they tumbled in the moss, the choker tumbled to the ground? ;-)

(Karen) No, Lizza is still waiting to see it. ;-) think there was an implied subject in her comment Sorry I misunderstood Lizza. And you do have my sympathy (sort of ... I wish waiting were all I needed to do to finally see 3DoR!!;-D). (Karen) KJ, that scene with Fraser picking up the choker didn't look familiar to me either (bad memory here too), especially with that workman and the horse. I remember seeing him pick it up out of the hay/moss and hiding it, but the ground-level bit just didn't register at the time. Only on 2nd watching did I notice it and wonder.

*WARNING* Spoilers ahead! I recently rented the video as well (as an aside, it's probably the best picture and sound quality I've ever seen/heard in a video--perhaps because it was new?). You raise a great point, KJ. I'd only seen the movie once, like you, but I could swear that we heard a full-fledged scream from Heloise, not a truncated little squeal. The whole scene seemed different to me--it's now much clearer there was no rape. BTW, did you notice how the dialogue revolves around the word 'child'? H (to E) "Fraser's a child." E "And you, Morris' child bride." H "You're behaving like a child!" [Those lines not in sequence.] I also noticed Fraser's lead-in voice over, said while he's walking in the direction of the loft (we next see Edward and Heloise in the loft): "I now know more about naked ladies than my dad." (KJ) The choker is therefore NOT found in the loft, but on ground level below. What does that mean? (Karen) While they tumbled in the moss, the choker tumbled to the ground? ;-) Must be. I noticed this in the video also, but could not remember any details other than Fraser finding it. Other things that seemed new to me: - The explicit explanation of who the hairy man turned out to be (Andrew Burns' shell-shocked cousin). I had no recollection of Fraser's voice-over. I agree with Lynda's point made last summer, that he represents Fraser's fears. He only appears when Fraser is frightened or is discussing fear. - The scene in the hallway between Edward and Heloise, when she returns for the curling match (E "Happy?" H "Very. Are you?" [or words to that effect]). - The bull and cow mating scene. Have no recollection at all :-P There are repeated references to bulls and swans throughout the movie. I also missed the end of the Halloween party, when we see Edward through the glass, applying the rod to Donald and Fraser for fighting. But that was because the film had melted. My new favorite line: During the Beethoven's Fifth fishing lesson, when Edward says "...unsuspecting little fishy, hiding in the weeds..." It's the way Colin delivers the line--hilarious. The movie makes alot more sense to me now. This could be due to changes in the video (??), our discussion, or just multiple viewings. It doesn't seem nearly as disjointed as it did on the first go-round. Does anyone else feel the same?

I've yet to see MLSF, but in Denis Forman's book, I thought he made it quite obvious that in some ways his father was a sexual innocent who had only "known" his wife (childhood sweethearts, and didn't recognise or know how to cope with sexual yearnings in himself towards other women (he likes fondling waitresses).

(he likes fondling waitresses) I don't remember that part, but since I picked up the book in London for 1 pound, I'll take another look. ;-)

I read the book and don't remember him fondling anybody. Eileen...I only saw it twice, but the version I recently saw (December 21) included all the scenes you say are new:The hallway scene bet E and H, the bulls and cows....Hmmmm

(Evelyn) but the version I recently saw (December 21) included all the scenes you say are new:The hallway scene bet E and H, the bulls and cows So they were there all along. Thanks.

"Also at the theatre or in the Cally, he would get very friendly with the programme girls or the waitresses and their encounter might end in a playful cuff or a quasi embrace...embarassing, not for him, for he had not the least idea that his antics had anything to do with sex, but for my mother and myself who knew they had". Page 122! Not exactly "fondling" I agree! :-)

thanks, Bethan. So Master Denis/Fraser's recollections of Adam's flirtatious antics have some foundation in reality. Must have forgotten that bit or fell asleep. ;-)

To continue.. (yawn! :-) ). " But such minor irregularities made no dent on the abiding affection between my parents, which must be the root cause of the happy and confident nature of the majority of their children". There's also another comment that his mother tolerated a lot of his father's more irritating habits because the physical side of their marriage was good. Can't find that page! Seems true to the movie.

There's also another comment that his mother tolerated a lot of his father's more irritating habits because the physical side of their marriage was good Now that stuff I remember (couldn't you guess?). Little Denis wrote about when they went upstairs in the afternoon for a slank, that the door would be locked and when they emerged they were rather flushed in appearance. ;-)

Little Denis wrote about when they went upstairs in the afternoon for a slank, that the door would be locked and when they emerged they were rather flushed in appearance. ;-) IMO that was the cutest part of the book. The movie is waaaay better..trust me.

Mixed reactions to Eileens's list: My biggest frustrations upon leaving the theatre was the awareness that there was so much more there than I could possibly absorb in one sitting, and the worry that I might never have another chance... I shared w. Eileen the impression of newness at - The scene in the hallway between Edward and Heloise, when she returns for the curling match (E: "Happy?" H: "Very. Are you?" [or words to that effect]). If it had been there before it completely got by me. But I do remember the others being there, but many details of them being lost in the shuffle. My new favorite line: During the Beethoven's Fifth fishing lesson, when Edward says "...unsuspecting little fishy, hiding in the weeds..." It's the way Colin delivers the line--hilarious. I love that too, but it took three viewings to capture what he'd said. The movie makes alot more sense to me now. This could be due to changes in the video (??), our discussion, or just multiple viewings. It doesn't seem nearly as disjointed as it did on the first go-round. Does anyone else feel the same? Absolutely. But I'm still unclear about what, if anything, was added/ subtracted for the video version. Probably just a byproduct of my terrible memory. Oh, and found another obscure little review at: http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/09.22.99/mylifesofar-9938.html

Have yet to rent the video (maybe today) so I can assure you that all the scenes that are mentioned here are in the theater version. I last saw it after Christmas so those scenes are all still clear in my mind, not an imaginary visual transference. ;-)

(Heide) I last saw it after Christmas... ... And how many times before that? I had but a single viewing to do my comparisons to, and that back in the first week of release... ...but a fleeting glimpse... ;-] KJ

Come to Drool and learn a new word "slank" , thanks Evelyn for completing an innocent's education. Might finally get to see this in the US KJ, but not sure if I can put my ODB thro' renting the vid!!! Actually think he would enjoy it too (well he was very keen to see the Donmar one) so thanks for all the tips.

BTW Evelyn, tell me more about "slanking"!!!

(Lizza)BTW Evelyn, tell me more about "slanking"!!! Me??? I think you're confusing me with Karen....who brought it up. All I said was .."that was the most interesting part of the book." (Alas, they never went into details.

Just saw DQ and loved it. No wonder he chose to do it, it�s exactly his type, and not only as a film but as a view of life, I believe. I�m so happy that Colin has done something that�s worth him for a change (sorry, I sound sour just because right before I watched DQ I saw Hostages and that movie really isn�t one of his best ones.) Anyway, I think everything that Ann has said about DQ is true. Colin looks great in it, very natural and very much like he does in real life, a lot of those familiar smiles and Colinisque gazes. His acting is good because that film allows him to be what he can be at best: true, subtle, innocently funny (and innocently sexy!).

Did you understand the heavy scottish accents in the supporting cast, Elena? I'm worried.

(Evelyn)Did you understand the heavy scottish accents in the supporting cast It really is heavy and it�s not the supporting cast only, it�s everyone except Colin and the Windmill company people. But I suppose it�s much easier to understand for a native English speaker. I like the Scottish accent very much even though I have a hard time with it. I had to rewind a few times just because I didn�t understand the lines first time, and not even the second and the third time, not only because of the accent but because of some of the Scottish(?) phrases that are unfamiliar to me. (Well I did also rewind a few times because Colin is simply breathtaking in many scenes!)

(Elena)It really is heavy and it�s not the supporting cast only, it�s everyone except Colin and the Windmill company people. But I suppose it�s much easier to understand for a native English speaker. That's what you think. I don't ever understand a scottish accent. Missed all of Brodie in the TRT in London..... And if they throw in scottish words to boot.....fergedit! I sincerely hope that some celtic experts around here will do some translating for us.

(Evelyn) That's what you think. I don't ever understand a scottish accent. Missed all of Brodie in the TRT in London.. Ah, but you couldn't rewind that. We'll get through DQ together just as we did Fever Pitch. No syllable will be left unknown.

(Heide) Ah, but you couldn't rewind that. Wot? You don't think Evelyn has memorized the script? ;-)

Donovan Quick is excellent! Elena is right; this part was just made for Colin. The production is top notch and could easily have been a theatrical release. BTW, it has great scoring too. Once in a while, when DQ is revving up for a tilt, you get some Spanish guitar strains in the background. Then it wings along on a Van Morrison song. Terrific. It has dark themes and bit of ugliness, but it's not unnecessary to show the depths of despair of Lucy's character. Colin is...gorgeous, fabulous, gorgeous, perfect, gorgeous. Why don't my bus drivers look like he does? ;-) I saw a lot of Colin's Walker when he first challenges Windmill (pulling the emergency stop on the train and then verbally abusing the company mgt). The dialogue is smart and intelligent. How could anyone not love a movie with this dialogue: Lucy: You must think I'm disgusting DQ: No. No. No. It just wouldn't be right to take advantage of your fragile state. Also I realize that you're spoken for. Lucy: By Clive? That's like saying that the household refrigerator is spoken for. It's just something you use. Something you stuff your salami in. DQ: So why do you let him... Lucy: ...park his salami? ~~~~~~~~ I had to stop the tape with that one and jot it down. ;-)

and someone is going to have to explain the word "slag" to Evelyn. ;-)

I knew you would like it Karen, as I said I think Colin will find he has even more fans after it is shown here, whenever that may be. I really do think he is at his best on the TV screen, and of course, it is good to see him in the starring role. Definitely gorgeous as you say, especially in that grey suit!! "Slag" = "slut", easy, loose woman" !!??

My tape arrived! This is an exciting moment, knowing that I am in for such a treat. Off to see it! :-D BTW, Karen, that dialog had me LOL! Was it an easy delivery for Colin? ;-)

Boo Hoo...my copy hasn't arrived yet.... (Ann)"Slag" = "slut", easy, loose woman" !!?? Thank you Ann...you girls are always looking out for me;-) LOL My dictionary said something to do with a volcano!!!

(AnnW) Definitely gorgeous as you say, especially in that grey suit!! Those flashback suits remind me of ones we've seen him wear to premieres. You know, with the darker shirts. But I liked him in his all-black outfit. *yum yum* Just loved when you could see the shots where those few pics were taken. BTW, we get Donnie in PJs, but not all buttoned up to the top this time. ;-) (Moon) Was it an easy delivery for Colin? ;-) He was the Don at the time. Such things would embarrass him. Wait until you see Lucy the aforementioned slag sing "I Will Survive"!

(Lucy)park his salami? Ach so, it is salami then! I could hardly believe my ears. Everyday British phrases I suppose? (Karen)But I liked him in his all-black outfit. Oh yeah...(I�m drooling....)Actually he looks like a priest and he often behaves like one too, for instance when he looks at Lucy with that silent, almost expressionless compassion. He is a man with a mission. He�s also very thin in DQ, I think I�ve never seen him that slender before and it does suit him. I�ve watched it now enough to have found some things I like less than others and one is the role of Sandy. The performance is fabulous of course and touching at times but somehow I feel funny to be expected to laugh at a "moron" like Clive says. Hm!

Colin looks great in DQ. I agree Elena, I have never seen him that slender before and it does suit him very well indeed! I was always very impatient for Colin to come back on the screen, so that kind of put me off to the other characters. I liked the ending very much and thank everyone who has already seen it for not *spoiling* it eventhough, I had begged for it. :-) The beginning I found awkward and forced. He arrives at their house and he is it seems best friends with Sandy on the first night. Loved the haircut too, longish in the back. Getting back to DQ, I am not sure if it will ever show up in the US. It is for a very select audience and I can understand the problems they are having in selling this film. It is not really geared for the Trainspotting generation.

It is for a very select audience Maybe in the US?? But it�s exactly what Finns love. Realistic, social themes and ordinary ugly people and funny & entertaining, with a positive female survival story. And Scotland is always an extra plus in anything over here. (Moon)The beginning I found awkward and forced. He arrives at their house and he is it seems best friends with Sandy on the first night. I didn�t find it forced, it�s just what happens in farytales! Gorgeous and well-behaving Donovan with his strange ambitions is a fairytaleish element in the lives of the Pannicks. He�s a bit unreal and the P�s surrender to him one after the other, each in their own way.

(Elena)And Scotland is always an extra plus in anything over here. Why Scotland? Their accent is so hard to comprehend.Painful.

Why Scotland? I guess we feel it�s a bit like one of the Nordic countries, especially the Highlands, because of many things. The climate, large inhabited areas, living close to nature, own strange traditions, primitive national pride...! The accent also has a distant ring of the Scandinavian languages, Norwegian especially I think.

Got it yesterday, watched it today. Thanks to all who made that possible (you know who you are). XXOO! (Karen) The production is top notch and could easily have been a theatrical release. Why don't my bus drivers look like he does? ;-) My thoughts, exactly. But I liked him in his all-black outfit. *yum yum* Could his shoulders be any broader? He looks solid and healthy to me. But his IRL habit of wearing the same thing all the time has apparently translated to his character ;-) Your analogy to a priest is interesting, Elena. I knew there was a message behind the black outfit. (Moon) Loved the haircut too, longish in the back. To offset the top...*sob* (Moon)The beginning I found awkward and forced. He arrives at their house and he is it seems best friends with Sandy on the first night. I also felt the same about the beginning (waddaya want, I'm a cynic) but after a bit it all started to click. (Elena) Gorgeous and well-behaving Donovan with his strange ambitions is a fairytaleish element in the lives of the Pannicks Precisely. Didn't you love it when Donovan tells the drunken Lucy that she's beautiful? IMO one of the most well-done aspects of the story was the Lucy-Donovan relationship. She takes the longest to come around. (Moon) I am not sure if it will ever show up in the US. It is for a very select audience and I can understand the problems they are having in selling this film. Didn't Brassed Off play around the art-house circuit? DQ is *much* better. Regardless, I hope it makes it to US cable TV (since networks are spending their money on stellar productions such as Leprechauns and the like). (Evelyn) Their accent is so hard to comprehend. I missed lots of dialogue. "If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" I propose that line be used next time we're in ODB's company :-D Just to see his reaction, of course...

Watched DQ last night and thought it was some of the best acting I�ve ever seen Colin do. Exciting, fresh, didn�t remind me of any of his previous characterizations. The Scottish accents were a pain now and again, but the old rewind button helped. Enjoyed the story line and I definitely will view it again. However, I�m tired of seeing CF get his a-- kicked in his movies! Could someone name one movie where he overcomes his opponent?

At the end of Apartment Zero -- where do you think that corpse came from!

(Eileen) Didn't you love it when Donovan tells the drunken Lucy that she's beautiful? And you just knew he was going to say it, didn't you? ;-) The be-yew-tiful Dulcinea. Could they have found a doggier woman? I doubt it. One of my favs is the DQ: "What do you call this pasta dish?" Lucy: "Macaroni cheese." DQ: (kissing hand) "My compliments to the chef." BTW, weren't you disappointed that it turned out to be Clive? You know which scene I'm referring to. "If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" I was surprised at the universality of that line. Hadn't heard it in ages...eons. ;-) (Jana) I�m tired of seeing CF get his a-- kicked in his movies! But in this one he had to. Old Don Q gets beaten up on a regular basis. Thank goodness, they didn't have him die in the end as he did in the novel.

Closing those italics. :-(

Thank goodness, they didn't have him die in the end as he did in the novel. He died - symbolically, in the spirit.

Yes, I interpreted the ending the same way.

Loved DQ! Agree it's one of CF's best. (Think he actually learned to drive a bus? ;-) Re: Colin's Donovan seeming like Walker -- I didn't see 3DOR, but in the scenes where Donovan is all fired up and talking fast, this is the way I've envisioned Walker to be. (Karen) One of my favs is the DQ: "What do you call this pasta dish?" Lucy: "Macaroni cheese." DQ: (kissing hand) "My compliments to the chef." I loved this, too. After Lucy says "Macaroni cheese," Colin repeats "Macaroni cheese" in the same intonation he uses in P&P2 in his post-swim encounter with Lizzy when he says "Oh yes of course" to her reply that she's staying at the Lambton Inn. Or so it seemed to me. Thought the other actors were marvelous too, esp. Lucy. That scene where she tells Donovan about her past brought me to tears. Re: accents, had no trouble with Lucy, but Clive and Sandy were often tough to follow. Combine the accents with the use of the f-word and that graphic sex scene, and this would seem destined for American cable rather than PBS. (Then again, after Madame Bovary, the sex probably wouldn't faze PBS at all;-) And they could cut out the swears, I suppose.) Was DQ broadcast on "regular TV" in Australia?

(Susan) Combine the accents with the use of the f-word and that graphic sex scene, and this would seem destined for American cable rather than PBS. Our PBS could easily cut out that shooting from the top rumpy pumpy scene. Getting rid of the "fooking" language should also be doable, since DQ is in a foreign language. ;-) As is, it could be broadcast on Bravo (only they have commercials, but so does A&E). In Australia, it was on their PBS-type network, but like in the UK, they show these things. Only in America are we treated like a bunch of babies or Puritans on television. (Susan) but in the scenes where Donovan is all fired up and talking fast, this is the way I've envisioned Walker to be. Yes, particularly when he's lording over the guy in charge of Windmill Transport, Mr. Mackie. Love how "in command" Colin acts throughout. How superior. Definitely built on the foundation of his real life.

DQ is one of those films that get better every time you watch it again, doesn�t it. By now I�m almost in love with it. Colin is such a great Don Quixote, I think he must have read that goddamn book to be able to deliver that crazy character so well. Take that macaroni cheese scene or that "slag" fight with Clive, or the encounter with the bad guys in the bus; he�s just as kind and fierce and totally unrealistic as the original poor DQ. (Susan)Thought the other actors were marvelous too, esp. Lucy. I deeply agree. I think that Clive is a great performance too, maybe the best one. (Susan)where she tells Donovan about her past brought me to tears. The ending brings me to tears, it�s almost painful. I don�t know why really, it is a life-goes-on type of ending after all. But Donovan looks like he�s lost something important and can�t get back to it anymore.

A pause-your-VCRs moment: When Donovan can't get the bus started, he leans his head out of the window and asks Jim if he's going to help. There's a side mirror on the bus. Pause and take a look. *running screaming from the room* ;-)

Waited to read these recent comments until I watched last night for the first time. Did anybody say he was GORGEOUS? ;-) (Karen) I saw a lot of Colin's Walker when he first challenges Windmill Absolutely. He uses his hands a lot for emphasis like Walker. Why don't my bus drivers look like he does? ;-) Truly. How could anyone have gotten on the wrong bus by mistake? Those flashback suits remind me of ones we've seen him wear to premieres. You know, with the darker shirts. And the high buttoned vests. Thought so too. (Moon) I am not sure if it will ever show up in the US I sadly agree with you although some obscure US channels may show it eventually. I can't see it making it to PBS. It's not a period piece and it's not a mystery. It would have to get critical acclaim overseas first to get noticed here. (Moon)The beginning I found awkward and forced. And abrupt. I hadn't really gotten a feeling for the situation and the different roles the family had before Donovan very suddenly showed up. (Eileen) Didn't you love it when Donovan tells the drunken Lucy that she's beautiful? A great scene. She's so beaten down, cynical, and then to be so surprised in that way. I think we see her in profile, sort of shadowy at that moment. "If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" I propose that line be used next time we're in ODB's company :-D I think you've just committed yourself, girl, and I don't mean into the looney bin. (Karen) BTW, weren't you disappointed that it turned out to be Clive? Not really. Such a ridiculous shot. But she would have looked a lot happier if it had been Donovan. When Donovan can't get the bus started, he leans his head out of the window and asks Jim if he's going to help. There's a side mirror on the bus. Pause and take a look. *running screaming from the room* ;-) I know exactly what you mean, honey. And there are a bunch like that too. In particularly like when he and Sandy run through town putting up their flyers. There's one broad grin he gives to an older woman as they're crossing the street. I imagine her not knowing this was being filmed and calling out to him, "Aren't you Mr. Darcy?" ;-) Have seen it just once but will watch again tonight. I obviously have to re-read Don Quixote but some questions/thoughts: I know Quick & Pannick is not a profitable business. In one scene we see Donovan look at his stash of money and we see it's noticably depleted. I thought at first Clive had found it but there is no later evidence of that. So my assumption is this was not only unprofitable but a money-sucking operation. The lapse of time during the film completely eludes me. It is painful to see him beaten again. He lays there offering absolutely no defense. Can not remember from the book if Quixote is as unresistant. Finally, where did he come from? Where did he end up and where was Lucy when she came across him again in the end?

Sorry...fixed.

(Heide) Sorry...fixed. That's OK. You could've done the whole thing in your big red font and we wouldn't mind. (Heide) And there are a bunch like that too. Most were of the wide part variety, but this one was a big old round patch. (Heide) In one scene we see Donovan look at his stash of money and we see it's noticably depleted. He said that, when he escaped the institution, he got a hold of all his liquid assets (cash) before they froze them. We don't know how much it represented, but you can be sure that his cash outlays to fix up that bus would've cost a pretty pence. I'm guessing that the route was not in business long enough to recoup his outlays or that he gave a substantial portion of the receipts to the Pannicks. He would have to pay for his stellar customer service rep and the use of the family's telephone line. I've had a few discussions about the lighting of the film. I don't believe it is the tape. Note the outdoor scenes or the ones in the Windmill offices. I think the use of darkness within the Pannick home was intentional. Haven't a number of people mentioned this is a "dark" show? Initially, I thought they meant it was dismal or cheerless. But now, I think it means the lighting or lack thereof. Colin is often in shadows or illuminated by a single bulb or a crack of light from a window.

Heide. There's one broad grin he gives to an older woman.. I too liked this grin, Heide, a Colin grin I am sure, wish he did it more.

(Elena)DQ is one of those films that get better every time you watch it again, doesn�t it. By now I�m almost in love with it. I agree and have only seen it twice. Despite the fact that I don't get much of the dialogue...esp. Clive and Sandy. Some of Lucy. All of Gran, though;-) Great production and story line. Read the book in the original in college. would swear some of Colin's dialogue comes straight out of the novel. A story of love and all it's complications. I was teary when Donovan asks Lucy :"Why do you let him do that to you"? Her answer about looking for love and affection was heart -wrenching. I bet there was some footage cut out of the beginning, making Donovan's first encounter with Sandy a bit contrived. I like the obscure ending....he does this type of a scene so well...the look on his face mirrors his soul I don't think it will have a life in the US....unless it's a big hit on BBC UK.

(Karen) Most were of the wide part variety, but this one was a big old round patch. LOL at me. I thought you meant how good he looked in the mirror, hence my addition of that beautiful grin in the street. Now I see I should have seen a glaring absence of h***. I shall look for that tonight...if I can bear it. (Ann) I too liked this grin, Heide, a Colin grin I am sure, wish he did it more. You saw it too? I rewound on that one quite a bit last night, she sheepishly admits. Ann, have you watched the whole thing several times? (Karen) Haven't a number of people mentioned this is a "dark" show? Initially, I thought they meant it was dismal or cheerless. I was pleased at how many light moments there were in this film. Having heard how "dark" it was, I was afraid it would be unrelentingly downbeat but there are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. A relief that there's another meaning to the term "dark" even though making out some scenes was difficult at times. No reflection on the quality of the tape with which I was very pleased.

(Ann) I too liked this grin, Heide, a Colin grin I am sure, wish he did it more. (Heide) You saw it too? How could anyone miss it! I've got that and mirror shot here, but haven't been able to scan today. Hope to post those tomorrow. (Evelyn) Despite the fact that I don't get much of the dialogue I'm understanding more and more. Too bad there wasn't any closed captioning...or any that made it through the conversion process. Also hadn't noticed that Clive watches Donovan help Lucy at the door after she "trips" over loose paving stone. (Evelyn) would swear some of Colin's dialogue comes straight out of the novel. How about "into the belly of the beast"? Doesn't that sound like it might? Anyone know?

Heide, I have seen it twice so far all through, have also fast-forwarded to some really nice bits. The BBC have got a hit on their hands with this so why are they not airing it, it really is a mystery, especially knowing that people want to see CF back on the TV, there have been many letters to this effect to Teletext and Ceefax. My favourite shot of CF is the closing minute of it where he looks over his shoulder and the captions come up, lovely!!

(Karen) BTW, weren't you disappointed that it turned out to be Clive? You know which scene I'm referring to. You know me too well, dearie ;-P (Susan) Re: Colin's Donovan seeming like Walker It's also like Paul (FP) in the kitchen with Sarah. (Elena) But Donovan looks like he�s lost something important and can�t get back to it anymore. Captured completely by Colin's final, over-the-shoulder shot. As Evelyn put it, the look on his face mirrors his soul. (Ann) My favourite shot of CF is the closing minute of it where he looks over his shoulder and the captions come up, lovely!! Mine, too. As did Evelyn, I also liked the obscure ending (never read the book, saw the movie 20+ years ago and only remember shots of big windmills). (Heide) I was pleased at how many light moments there were in this film My favorite would have to be the 'macaroni cheese' line mentioned earlier by Karen, but I also enjoyed seeing Colin singing (another topic--cheerier, too--for a 'how many times?' list). I've only seen it once so far--will watch out for the big grin next time (as well as concentrating more on Clive's dialogue). As for the rear view mirror shot (his h***, Louisa!), I caught this on the first go-round. It's getting more difficult to avoid :-(

Really must compile a list of "Films in which Colin Runs Up/Down Stairs." My personal fav in DQ has to be quick (blink and it's gone) hop up the steps of the bus. Only catch a glimpse from the rear, but.... worth it. ;-)

(Elena) But Donovan looks like he�s lost something important and can�t get back to it anymore. Captured completely by Colin's final, over-the-shoulder shot. As Evelyn put it, the look on his face mirrors his soul. (Ann) My favourite shot of CF is the closing minute of it where he looks over his shoulder and the captions come up, lovely!! Definitely mine as well as the big grin he gives with the two old ladies. I agree Heide, they must have recognized Mr. Darcy. Karen, I too noticed that ... but he does seems to have patches throughout the film. When the light catches them. I thought of Walker too and I was not even there! See how well you all describe ODB. ;-D

(his h***, Louisa!).... It's getting more difficult to avoid :-( ...he does seems to have patches throughout the film. When the light catches them. Three (only three???) cheers for the man who completely lacks vanity.

(Karen)but this one was a big old round patch. (Moon)but he does seems to have patches throughout the film. (Heide)Now I see I should have seen a glaring absence of h***. I know that you�re complaining about his dear patches out of sheer love and tender concern but....again I want to say that I don�t see what�s so terribly wrong about it that a man loses his hair. I find it easy to accept because it�s just a part of masculinity and that�s what I adore in him, among other things. Please feel free to think I�m perverse again but I can even find those patches sexy!! I would honestly like to take a MUCH closer look! ;-D Am I really the only one here who feels this way? He simply isn�t a boy anymore and oooh I like it.

(if they didn't have a budget for a hair wrangler, a can of spray paint is cheap)

That is the grin! Thanks, Karen. The pic in the middle does not look like him. Maybe he caught that patch in the mirror on the first take and could not help but react. ;-) Yes, Elena, we would all like a closer look, and so many of you have had that closer look.

(Moon)so many of you have had that closer look. Oh no no no com�on we have not, I meant MUUUCH closer! I did not see enough! (drool...*hic* sorry I must sound like having had some b-day bubbly :-D) Seriously I did not look at his patch when I met him.

Karen....you "snapppy" pictures are terrific... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ( Elena)Seriously I did not look at his patch when I met him. I looked up at the left ear for the ear-piercing ...;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Moon) The pic in the middle does not look like him. No, but it *does* look like Tom Jones! Hey, it's not unusual to resemble somebody.;-)

My favorite actor is Colin Firth. He has thinning hair. It has been apparent that his hair has been thinning since P&P at least. That is 6 (count 'em) six years ago! Why is this endlessly being discussed as a new and shocking discovery? IF I HEAR ONE MORE REFERENCE TO "THINNING HAIR" I WILL POST IN ALL CAPS LIKE THIS IN PROTEST UNTIL THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN PUT TO BED -- PERMANENTLY!!! I love you all ... anyway ... honest! 8-) ...KJ

(KJArt)IF I HEAR ONE MORE REFERENCE TO "THINNING HAIR" I WILL POST IN ALL CAPS LIKE THIS IN PROTEST UNTIL THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN PUT TO BED -- PERMANENTLY!!! "Rise Above It". KJ ;-)

Okay...one more reference to "that" topic (craving your indulgence, pl-e-ase!) We should take a leaf out of Helen Fielding's book (literally!) To quote from "The Edge of Reason"...."little kids get one toy that they love more than all the others, and even when its fur has been rubbed off, the little child still thinks it's the most beautiful toy in the world, and can't bear to be parted from it" (Next page) "I stroked his hair, I kissed the bald patch where his fur has been loved off. And I told him what I felt, what I really, really felt." "where his fur had been loved off"...I rather liked this! And final word, thank God he's not vain!

I have this recurring nightmare. That someone has finally convinced CF to visit his sites where fans are discussing his work. What will they be saying about me?, he asks himself. Acting technique? Philosophy behind choices of project. How his agent could better serve him? Nope. You guessed it. I had thought of a great compromise last night. How about creating a new Topic, entitled "His hair, Louisa!!". There, those obsessed with what they see as an increasing problem may remark upon every newly- appearing bare patch, every widening part, every failing Firth follicle, whether it were the North-40 or the South-40 that was defoliating faster, and so on. Other like - minded souls could gather in clots of commiseration -- and it would provide a place to avoid -- a blessed sanctuary from the incessant sobbing -- for those us who have heard enough of the subject to last several lifetimes. That will leave us to discuss more substantive issues like his shoe-size, what kind of fur decorated the hood of his parka, whether the ring were 10- 12- or 14-carat, and so on -- things of importance that have not been covered or settled completely to our satisfaction. That way everybody could be happy. How about it?

I think the ring is 18 carat. And his shoe size 10.5 (US). ;-)

(arami) Three (only three???) cheers for the man who completely lacks vanity. (Elena)...I don�t see what�s so terribly wrong about it that a man loses his hair. I find it easy to accept because it�s just a part of masculinity and that�s what I adore in him, among other things.(Bethan) .."where his fur had been loved off"...I rather liked this! ...And final word, thank God he's not vain! You are all very wise. Like you, I will take him as is. ;-)

So have we heard the last of it now? ;-P

LOL!! KJ The topic is forever going to crop up and we are forever going to moan. Does it make one bit of difference to most of us? No. Noticing new scalp shots is like earning Boy Scout merit badges around here. ;-) Maybe you'd like to design the Follicle badge?

KarenR, thanks for putting humour back into this topic :-)

(Bethan)"where his fur had been loved off"... Thanks Bethan, I also have been thinking about that lovely line today. (Karen)Does it make one bit of difference to most of us? No. I certainly hope so. I�d hate seeing Drool dry up as fast as he�s losing his hair. Shall I be the only one left here in 2010?! And what does a man with such eyes and smile and voice and hands and body do with hair anyway? Nothing! :-)

(Gi)KarenR, thanks for putting humour back into this topic :-) Besides....Our Fearless Leader calls the shots ;-) Let's go back to discussing DQ. Fastly becoming my #2 fave...(and I only get 60% of the dialogue!)

Actually, I think KJ's comments had *me* in stitches. Am trying to coming up with even better trivial pursuits. ;-)