There is a long article in tomorrow's NY Times about the popularity of the new young Brit stars. Everyone is mentioned, including Daniel Craig, a favorite of mine, EXCEPT --- Clive Owen, Rufus Sewell, and, of course, CF, who is still unfairly ignored in this country. (There is an opening paragraph about the earlier bunches, including Ralph F and Kenny B.). I could post it tomorrow if anyone is interested. Murph Going to see Croupier today.

Sorry about the OTs. I should have posted at 127. (Still getting used to getting around this great place.) Murph

Thanks Allison and Arami for the premiere pics...he looks better than Regis in the matching (grey?) shirt and tie... ~~~~~ How do you get the Sunday NY Times on Sat., Murph? ~~~~~ Eager to get first-hand reports of MLSF from our UKers.

Thanks, Arami and Allison! I like his MD look, and am relieved that his hair is not parted in the middle. Happy to see that the shirt and jacket fit! Hooray! ;-) Happy Mother's to all the Firthettes.

(Karen) Colin looks awfully good when he cleans up and puts on suit. He doesn't have to bother for me...

Didn't say it was necessary. Just a statement of fact. ;-)

(Mari) He doesn't look uncomfortable at all, at least from these stills. Was it something in his manner which made you feel otherwise? Sort of. Hard to put a finger on it, really, but it's the way he just doesn't go for "Bbbbbhhhwah-ha-ha! Slap yer thigh!" sort of merriment. Reserved. Watchful. You have seen him in the Donmar and he was exactly the same there.

Review from The Scotsman on Sunday: Adapted from the 1990 autobiography of Sir Denis Forman and reuniting the Chariots Of Fire team of producer David Puttnam and director Hugh Hudson,My Life So Far (12) probably carries an unfair burden of expectations. It was filmed some three years ago and has become the subject of much speculation and delay, now emerging as a modest, unassuming portrait of a privileged Scottish childhood in the years between the two world wars. Beautiful scenery provides the visual allure and gentle nostalgia sets the tone as we follow the ebb and flow of family life on a vast country estate owned by young Fraser�s grandfather and run by his eccentric inventor father Edward (Colin Firth). Isolated from the concerns of the wider world, the estate is an adventure playground in which the curious lad gains a wide-ranging education in everything from fly-fishing to the temptations of the flesh and the hypocrisies of the adult mind. Family gatherings, exotic guests, the annual curling championship and other rituals provide snapshots of a lost age. What little drama the film possesses comes in the form of Irene Jacob�s Heloise, Fraser�s new aunt and an object of forbidden desire for his smitten father. Although there is potential here for a childhood memoir in the manner of My Life As A Dog or Hope And Glory, My Life So Far has too genteel and fragmentary a narrative to merit a mention in the same breath. Always pleasant, it lacks those extremes of light and dark that distinguish a great drama from a merely decent one. ~~~~~ Note: the only review to mention curling I think. ;-)

Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF, and although it is charming, the photography wonderful, the acting very good, and many wonderful slow-mo moments, I have to agree with many of the reviews and the one above and also with Barry Norman who said that it didn't amount to much. In fact Aishling and I had inteded to see it twice before we came home, in case we had missed something the first time around , but really we felt that there was not need so saw it only the once. It was a very hot sunny day in London yesterday and there were only about 10 of us in the cinema. There were some very amusing moments and the small audience laughed in all the right places but not enough happened. I felt it would have suited television better than the big screen but then we wouldn't have had the full benefit of those wonderful close-ups of CF. Sorry but I just feel it needed something more. Also I don't think anything happened in the hay-loft, I am sure Heloise would have been much more upset f it had. I would still love to own the video, if only to fast-forward and to slow-mo. Sorry to sound so negative and I am sure that any CF fan here will love it, but also I think the only reason to go to this film would be if you are a CF fan.

BTW I though young Robert Norman was very good and I thought he played the scene at the dining table so well, he really couldn't understand why what he had said was so wrong "what, why what's wrong!" he says when his father tells himto go to his study.

Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF, and although it is charming, the photography wonderful, the acting very good, and many wonderful slow-mo moments, I have to agree with many of the reviews and the one above and also with Barry Norman who said that it didn't amount to much. In fact Aishling and I had inteded to see it twice before we came home, in case we had missed something the first time around , but really we felt that there was not need so saw it only the once. It was a very hot sunny day in London yesterday and there were only about 10 of us in the cinema. There were some very amusing moments and the small audience laughed in all the right places but not enough happened. I felt it would have suited television better than the big screen but then we wouldn't have had the full benefit of those wonderful close-ups of CF. Sorry but I just feel it needed something more. Also I don't think anything happened in the hay-loft, I am sure Heloise would have been much more upset f it had. I would still love to own the video, if only to fast-forward and to slow-mo. Sorry to sound so negative and I am sure that any CF fan here will love it, but also I think the only reason to go to this film would be if you are a CF fan.

(Ann) Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF No we're not! :-)

Ann, you know no one gets lambasted for their opinions here! ;-) If you and Aishling thought it was mediocre, that's fine. I will disagree that it was not better suited for television, at least not our television. To me, MLSF is representative of many period British films that look extraordinarily good, have wonderful acting, but don't have a lot going on. For me, they are "slice of life" portraits and very satisfying. Having Colin up on the screen for so much of the time is an even bigger plus.

That's right. Your review isn't negative at all and I agree with you that the film is a lightweight. It still has its charms (and we know who they belong to). I do think it's worth seeing a second time simply because it often takes a second viewing for me to catch everything and with our DB, you don't want to miss a thing. IMO it's better than SLOW though they're both choppily edited which makes you wonder what you're missing. Glad you saw it ladies and hope to hear more.

Ann) Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF ... (Donna)No we're not! :-) Speak for yourselve.;-);-)(Only kidding, of course) Seriously, I think we spoiled it for you. First of all , the film is three years old.And you've had to hear us talk about it for a year now...so it's old hat. The film is such an improvement on the book, that frankly I was elated.The book was a yawner of the first order.IMO the film is a charmer...but agree that one would not wish to see it except for Colin....but truly, isn't that the reason one sees any of his starring films? The films on their own merit are never riveting.The TV ones are, however. You didn't think he looked gorgeous in those outfits...the navy blue dinner suit ? LOL ...You must think I'm an obsessed nut to have flown down to Dallas to see it...

AnnW - I'm deeply envious that you got to see MLSF. I'm just going to have to have yet another night out in London town to see it, as it is unlikely that it will reach me here in deepest Kent ;-( Allison many thanks and ditto all the comments about the GMTV pics. He does scrub up well doesn't he? But I have to agree with Arami - I rather go for the unkempt look a la Donmar (ah memories, memories!) It is v. encouraging to read so much about MLSF (good or bad) I was quite surprised at the sheer volume of the stuff given that it's not a huge film..but I suppose the Hudson/Puttnam connection and (no doubt) publicity machine didn't do any harm!

I'll see MLSF in about a month, when it wends its way up north. I don't mind if not much happens....I quite like a gentle pace! Just caught the end of the oh so boring BAFTA awards ceremony....Sue Birtwistle's "Wives and Daughters" had quite a few nominations. Michael Gambon got Best Actor, so SB has an excellent track record for her productions...JE was Best Actress for P&P. If CF does "Armadillo" (and I'm sure he will), maybe it will be three in a row! Although I don't think that BAFTA like CF....what was the unofficial reason quoted for his not winning for Darcy?..."that he just stood around and didn't do much". Very unfair really!!! But I'd like to see him get something...I still think it was a shame he didn't get an Olivier nomination!

Just caught the end of the oh so boring BAFTA awards ceremony. What???They ignored Jodi "Mouth-Ajar" May in TTOTS?. In fact....they ignored TTOTS,period? ;-) ~~~~~~ Michael Gambon got Best Actor Saw him recently in "The Insider"played a tobacco company executive...sporting an almost flawless Kentucky accent....barely southern.

I imagine that CF may be like MG (in status) in his later years: modest, shy and respected. what was the unofficial reason quoted for his not winning for Darcy?..."that he just stood around and didn't do much". That reminds me of what he once said in an interview: (I quote from memory) "I'd love to do cartwheels and dazzle, but I have no capacity for it..."

(Tracy)I rather go for the unkempt look a la Donmar Okay you can have that version, I'll take the suit, I thought he looked fabulooous.

(Tracy)I rather go for the unkempt look a la Donmar Okay you can have that version, I'll take the suit. I thought he looked fabulooous.

Sorry about the double post. I think fabulooous is just the right word.

I go along with Ann's comments of MLSF. It was charming but not enough to tempt me to watch it a second time 45 minutes later at the prices we have to pay. It was very comical in parts and we laughed along with the other eight people in the cinema. I also don't think anything much happened in the hay loft. I think Heloise would have had far more to say than "Don't you ever do that again". I did enjoy the film and would see it a second time in a couple of weeks if it was released locally. No chance of that.

Its sad so few attend in U.K. it did so well in Aust. Nine weeks in Perth. I saw it twice and second, third time round on DVD really came to appreciate it. Don't give up in the U.K. it grows on you.

I'll take the suit, I thought he looked fabulooous. I am with you, Allison. :-) I really enjoyed MLSF. It is a CF treat and that big smile of his at the end is worth the ticket price. I can not imagine preferring SLOW to MLSF.

Ditto the suit. I can not imagine preferring SLOW to MLSF. Who said that? Surely, not anybody I know...

Murph, that NYT article was about British actors who have taken Hollywood by storm. Although I also searched for mention of CF, I wasn't surprised at the omission. CF really hasn't taken H'wood by storm (yet?!). Though I don't think CF needs to clean up alot (as opposed to the likes of Tom 'won't you pleaasssee cut that skanky hair' Cruise), I agree with Karen and Allison, he does look fabulooous in a suit. I'm disappointed that you're disappointed in MLSF, Ann. It is a flawed film. Yet IMO it has more going on than Eyes Wide Shut (my eyes were wide shut during that yawner. And all that hype! ZZZZZZZ).

Thanks for the pics, Allison and Arami. His smile is always so good to see.

A few tidbits in the papers.. Sam Mendes is to direct a new play at the Donmar , opening end of September, a poignant story of World War 1, focusing on a group of soldiers on the eve of battle. Good vehicle for CF if he's free! The Telegraph lists as one of its events of the week the start for the shooting of BJD (they must have been just rehearsing last week?). "British cast - HG and CF - excellent". Also there's another news item on RZ, and all the Cannes reports give her raves for "Nurse Betty". There's a lot of pre-shoot buzz about BJD, which is good. The same applied to "Notting Hill"...everyone knew about it.

I imagine that CF may be like MG (in status) in his later years: modest, shy and respected. (Arami) It's a good comparison. One thing that struck me about Michael Gambon is that in the week that he wins Best Actor for a major TV drama, he is also starring in a film "The Last September" that opened to minimal attention in one theatre, and the couple of reviews I saw barely mentioned him. I think that for certain actors (over 40!)and types of acting and types of drama, television is often (not always) the better medium....I'm looking forward to seeing CF in another quality 5 hour adaptation (hopefully!). Also the "British" film industry is changing rapidly. The new Film Commission say that they will only support movies which cast actors who are global in their appeal and can put bums on seats. For example in a new gangster movie (spare me, please!) set in Liverpool (can hardly wait), Samuel H Jackson will co-star with Robert Carlyle. I can see why they are doing it...you gotta make money...but a certain type of film will die. However, if talent is diverted into good television, I don't see any problem.

Ann and Aishling, thanks for your reports. Sorry you didn't enjoy the film more, but we can't all like the same things. I'd still like to hear what you thought of the cast, which I thought was uniformly good. (Bethan) The new Film Commission say that they will only support movies which cast actors who are global in their appeal and can put bums on seats. Maybe (hopefully) they will use the profitable films to subsidize production of the more discriminating fare. That's pretty much what happens here, where Scream 3 helps pay the freight for a SIL, and Godzilla pays for The Winslow Boy. And face it, it is a global marketplace; I know most U.S. films don't turn a profit until they are distributed overseas. RE: shooting on BJD. It's nice they've had the luxury of a two-week rehearsal; seems like they're trying to do it right. Hughie is in the U.S. this week, as I see him listed for some of the talk shows, to promote his new Woody Allen film. (God forbid WA would ever condescend to sell his own films!) ***** Is anyone here watching the Jesus miniseries? It's on-topic, since John The Baptist is being played by none other than our pal Clive from DQ--David O'Hara. Didn't recognize him at first under all that facial hair, and he's lost the Glaswegian accent (as well as his head at the end of Part 1;-) The show is well done, BTW, and I very much like Jeremy Sisto, a newcomer who is playing the title role.

Eileen, MLSF is a million, billion, trillion times better than EWS!! and actually I didn't say I didn't like MLSF, I just felt it lacked something, I know not what. The cast were uniformly excellent as Mari says, and again I was very impressed by RH. The scenery was stunning and makes me what to book a holiday in the Highlands, what a lovely location. I just felt it didn't go anywhere or amount to much but it was charming, the acting excellent but some things just didn't ring true, for instance I can't really believe that Moira? would really have created such a fuss in fronrt of all the staff, she would have done it privately and I really think Heloise behaved really oddly with the boy and with Edward, throwing moss all over the boy, I don't think so. Anyway minor details, I did love it and will buy the video and add it to my collection.

(Mari) God forbid WA would ever condescend to sell his own films! Ah, fooled you this time. Woody just did a whirlwind, nationwide promotional tour for the film; he took the film to three college campuses: Stanford, U of Chicago and can't remember if it was NYU or Harvard. Of course, he just might be looking for someone to replace Soon-Yi. ;-)

(Ann)Anyway minor details, I did love it and will buy the video and add it to my collection. Whew....for a minute there I thought you didn't like it...and that you liked SLOW more.We all brought up those same details..and sadly so did the critics. Those coming -of-age films never have a real story...little vignettes in Fraser's life.But to see ODB in a starring role on a large screen is always an event....Moreover, one never knows when the next one will occur.

I can not imagine preferring SLOW to MLSF. Who said that? Surely, not anybody I know... Haven't seen MLSF yet, so can't make any comparison...but, although I'll be in a minority, I must confess to actually liking SLOW. And (to make matters worse!) I thought most of the dialogue was fine. I actually (and most unusually for me) watched the video with my DH. We lived in Nigeria for several years, and I thought he might enjoy it. And he did. Particularly the exchanges between the women,and some of the supporting performances (Nimi's mother), in addition to the main roles. Costumes and highlife music were a pleasant bonus. Call us odd! But there it is. :-)

The option called Chat (even though it is just a message board) is operational at the Relative Values site. People have posted to ask whether Julie Andrews will be at the premiere (duh!) and when it will open in the US, Canada and Australia. The webmaster answered, saying they would attempt to find out within the next couple of days. http://community.relative-values.net/community/scripts/directory.pl

A few news items From The Sunday Observer, an article about Irene Jacob:Her latest role in My Life So Far, starring Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, is definitely Jacob post-Kieslowski. In this amiable yet hardly substantive family drama set in the inter-war years, Jacob plays the elegant, spirited Gallic fiancee who sets pulses racing amid a mildly eccentric Scottish gentry family. 'I thought the character was very inspiring and liked the way she interacted very honestly with all the children,' she says. 'It reminded me of Au Revoir Les Enfants when I was the piano teacher and all the boys were inspired by me as the only woman in the place.'but then ends with:it's clear Jacob still hankers for those 'big, probing parts'. At 34 she is well respected, works around the world and is undoubtedly a directors' favourite. But she is unwilling to make the choices and calculations that would lead to greater fame. Post-Kieslowski, kudos counts, but having fun is important too. She likes to play with her image and confound audiences. 'If I choose a part, it's because I'm moved by it and I like the director. It's only for that reason now. I have to be curious about the part whether it's nice, not nice, mean, jealous, generous, aggressive. Who cares? If it moves me, I'll do it.'What in there explains Londinium? ;-) From The Scotsman on May 12: NORMAN'S CONQUEST BY GARETH MCLEAN Robert Norman doesn't want to talk about his new movie. It's not that he's a fickle film star, reluctant to speak to the press lest his personality overshadow his character's motivation. Rather he's a 14-year-old boy whose big-screen appearance in My Life So Far, which is released tomorrow, makes him ever-so-slightly embarrassed in that awkward, teenage kind of way. Not that it shows all that much. Sitting in his living-room discussing his co-stars - Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Malcolm McDowell - and the film-making process, Norman has composure and maturity beyond his years, yet isn't a bit precocious. "I knew the others were someone but I didn't recognise them, I didn't actually know who they were," he says. Last week's London premiere, it transpires, was one of Norman's favourite experiences so far. "The best bit was driving up in the Mercedes with the blacked-out windows and the guy opening the door to the red carpet and all the press being there. That was so cool." Norman's down to earth attitude is the result of an otherwise normal life full of exams, sport and a happy family life. His candour about the hype surrounding the surreal world of the movies is refreshing. "At the premiers, I met about 80 Lords. And Cherie Blair and her children. They were all bowing to me, which was a bit weird." Based on the autobiography of former Granada chairman Denis Forman, My Life So Far charts the lives of a family growing up on a post-World War One Highland estate. Firth and Mastrantonio play Edward and Moira, the unconventional parents of Norman's character, Fraser, and his older sister, Elspeth, played by Kelly MacDonald. Their pastoral idyll is thrown into disarray when suitors begin to approach Elspeth and Moira's brother Morris returns with his nubile wife, Heloise. Norman got the part after the casting director took an exhaustive look round schools in Edinburgh. Eventually, she turned up at George Watson's College. "It was through drama club that we heard about it. We had a chat and she asked me to go along and audition, which I did, and it resulted in me getting the part." Screen tests and meetings with the director Hugh Hudson, who also directed Chariots of Fire and Greystoke - Legend of Tarzan, followed and it wasn't long before Norman and his family were ensconced by Loch Fyne waiting for filming to start. Once filming began, getting into the spirit of things meant hard work and more than a bit of mischief. "There's a picnic scene we did - which isn't in the film now - of me on a raft and I kept accidentally-on-purpose falling into the water. I got in trouble for that because they only had a limited amount of kilts for me to wear," he guffaws. "And kilts take ages to dry. Maybe that's why they cut the scene." Yet appearing in a film is not an experience he would like to repeat. "It was great and the acting thing is glamorous, but I don't think I'd like to do it all the time." But now that the film is set to pass before the public eye, how does Norman feel about the inevitable interest? "My friends have all been really cool about it. I don't get teased at school or anything like that. In a couple of weeks, everyone will forget about it and things will get back to normal." However, Norman maintains his brush with fame hasn't changed him. "I think I'm a bit more confident. At the time, it didn't seem so special, though now I realise how lucky I was. Apart from that, I'm exactly the same." The best experience Norman has had as a result of filming My Life So Far was a sheer fluke which occurred the night after the London screening in the hotel's breakfast room. "We were sitting and there was one other family there, and there was this Australian girl who we thought was a supemodel because she was so nice. But then we realised it was Anne from Neighbours. That was really weird because she looks a bit ugly on the TV. That was the most exciting thing that happened. She is so pretty." So far, Robert Norman's life has been one less ordinary. You get the feeling whatever he does, he'll always be a bit of a star. And what would he say if he was approached to be in another film? "I'd say after school. Not now," he says firmly. ~~~~~~~~~` Finally, a short but cute item from The Herald (May 12): Ask a silly question ACTOR Colin Firth had been in Argyll filming My Life So Far, which goes on release today, when he was approached by a local who had a small part in the film asking for an autograph. Happy to do so, Colin took the proffered book, wrote the word 'To' then asked the local 'What name?' The puzzled Argyll man told him: 'Yours.' At the end of the four-month shoot in Scotland, the actors and crew got together for an impromptu talent show, with the child performers acting as judges. High Road stalwart Eileen McCallum, who plays the cook in the film, sang a searing jazz number about being a red hot momma. As she finished her turn, one of the 14-year-old boy judges turned to his mate and said: 'I don't know about you, but she still does it for me.'

Well it was a first for me....the first time I have been the only person in a cinema! It was however a blisteringly hot Monday afternoon and in a country like hours you don't spend a precious sunny day sitting in a cinema. My DH flatly refused to go with me to our local cinema on Sunday - that was also a beautiful day! So off I went to the Curzon all alone. I am with Ann W. There was something unsatisfactory about the whole thing. One of the problems was that it was meant to be seen through the eyes of Fraser but that wasn't carried through cinematically. The editing had obviously been severe and meant the whole thing was disjointed rather than episodic. It was so obviously twee. All those rosy cheeked servants sitting around going ee and arghh or whatever the Scottish equivalent is. But ODB was to die for as usual. Loved the clothes.

(Bethan)The new Film Commission say that they will only support movies which cast actors who are global in their appeal and can put bums on seats. I can see why they are doing it...you gotta make money... I should think that movies that can make money by themselves would not need the Film Commission's support... (Ann)Anyway minor details, I did love it and will buy the video and add it to my collection. Will you let me know when you do (and SLOW too), please, Ann? ;-)I liked SLOW too, Bethan :-)

Gi) I should think that movies that can make money by themselves would not need the Film Commission's support... Quite ;-)

I have been thinking about MLSF and another thing that just didn't ring true was when Heloise told Fraser not to listen to his father, surely not, not in that day and age and I could quite understand Edward being annoyed at that. Gi, I will certainly let you know when I get the video.

I should think that movies that can make money by themselves would not need the Film Commission's support... Well, it's their tax money..and they obviously don't care. I'm just a wee-bit disappointed in the UKers so far missing the charm of MLSF. Maybe, I'm odd;-)

I really thought it was charming Evelyn, but to be honest I like something with a beginning, a middle and an ending and actually I think I could have sat through Sunshine again rather than MLSF, it's just that I had seen everything the first time around because that's all it took, whereas something like Sunshine, and I don't mean because it was 3hours long, had much more to it and it was possible that one could have missed something the first trime around, I just didn't feel this with MLSF. Sorry. It was more like a pictorial diary, not really a story with a plot. Hope that makes sense.

I also think that perhaps for us in the UK we have been brought up on a diet of stories which take place in big houses with eccentric people and quaint servants. It really didn't have any extra dimension for me...sorry...again. On another note I managed a very quick peek at OK magazine on the stands. They seem to be putting stars into various categories with big glossy pictures. Colin came in the category of those who are still wowing them in spite of getting older. There is then a small picture of him in a goatee looking quite lined and tired so that it completely belied what they were saying. Grhhh.

Wasn't Saura supposedly going to be the director for Maid Of Buttermere? Looks like it may not happen any time soon. This is from AICN: - Carlos Saura will direct a biography of Luis Bunuel; BUNUEL AND THE KING'S SALOMON TABLE will look at some episodes in the life of the surrealist film-maker. And Gran Wyoming , comic star from Spain has been contacted to play Bunuel young while Francesco Rabal will play him older. Catherine Deneuve, who was in different movie from Don Luis (BELLE DE JOUR, TRISTANA) might also take part in this film that will be shot in Tol�de and Aragon from next October.

small picture of him in a goatee looking quite lined and tired Did it look like one of the pics from Londinium?

Did it look like one of the pics from Londinium? Certainly nothing I had seen before. It did not look as if he was in character. It could have been during the SIL filming or perhaps Londinium. Do you think he grew his own whiskers for SIL? I would have bought the magazine but it was such an awful photograph that I didn't bother.

(Allison), I also think that perhaps for us in the UK we have been brought up on a diet of stories which take place in big houses with eccentric people and quaint servants. I subscribed to BBC/Amarica thinking this is what I was gping to get, instead they show all those riff-raff shows that are so popular in the UK. (Ann), It was more like a pictorial diary, not really a story with a plot. Do biographies really have a plot? It seems to me it accomplished its purpose quite well.

Typing quickly, excuse spelling.

(Moon) I subscribed to BBC/Amarica thinking this is what I was gping to get, instead they show all those riff-raff shows that are so popular in the UK. Oh dear, I've been bemoaning the fact that I can't get the channel. I'm not missing anything? Were you able to watch something like the Baftas?

Do biographies really have a plot? If they don't, they should be given one when they are adapted fot the screen, as it makes things more interesting. If there's no plot, there's obviously nothing to tell - so why bother? In any case, MLSF seems to be just an episode from Forman's childhood and not a whole life - therefore not a biography. It's a sketchy story, a misty recollection of a few incidents: mildly amusing in places, but not very exciting. Perhaps it looked better on paper?

If there's no plot, there's obviously nothing to tell - so why bother? There is a very long list of films in the history of Cinema that have no plot and are highly acclaimed. Resnais, Bunuel and most recently, Time Code. MLSF is much more terra/terra than those films and it worked for me. MLSF seems to be just an episode from Forman's childhood and not a whole life - therefore not a biography. True. It is a short story, a small part of his life. I am not sure how far the book it is based on gets to because I have not read it. (Donna), Were you able to watch something like the Baftas? No BAFTAS. You are not missing anything. I have e-mailed them several times requesting better types of programs which to me would be the ones that Allison had mentioned above, but to no avail.

films in the history of Cinema that have no plot and are highly acclaimed. Resnais, Bunuel But these films have a strong imagery content. The difference, in crude and simple terms, can be compared to the difference between traditional, "realistic" paintings and, say, impressionism. You may think there's no plot in the traditional sense, but in fact there is something going on. There must be. It all boils down to the quality of the contents and the ultimate impact.

...mildly amusing in places, but not very exciting. No one ever said it was exciting...or even mean't to be. But there was a lot of family warmth, bonding,and as Harvey said..."forgiveness"...it's an old-fashioned film that people keep saying they want to see. Perhaps it looked better on paper? If you mean the book...it was dreadfully boring. Thank God they were not faithful to it.Yes...there are lots of holes in this film...it isn't perfect.Perhaps due to editing or directing. But it's a film he can be proud of ....And as I've said many times, he can't afford to have another film tank. Wait til you see it,Arami...or have you?

Hi, I'm new around here. Just noticed all the discussion about My Life So Far. I guess it's been messed around with a lot. I saw it last year, so I was surprised to learn there is a new big release date. I don't know what the latest version is like, but I have to be honest about the one that I saw. I was disappointed. It almost worked for me, and yet somehow didn't quite. Like others, I'm not sure I can put my finger on the reasons. I'm not bothered by lack of plot. I've loved many movies that were not dependent on plot. I plead 'muddled'--- the film, not me. I'm merely confused. But that's another story. . . I would say it was a film that couldn't decide about itself. In the version I saw, there was an element of darkness to the partially onstage/partially offstage encounter between the Colin Firth and Irene Jacob characters that didn't fit with an otherwise fond nostalgic tale from the point of view of the guy's son. I didn't think the implied rape was intentional, nor did I believe that that's what happened. But, my partner really thought it did. And I do believe there was enough ambiguity around the incident to support his interpretation. So, either the movie was muddled, or I was experiencing a weird flashback to the 1920s --- underlying attitudes embedded in the film's ideology, as much as the story setting! But that would be too creepy, so I'll settle for muddled. You know, I believe the version I saw would have been better if they'd dropped the pretence of a child's point-of-view altogether, and allowed the adults to play it as an emotionally and morally ambiguous piece. (Although I think they'd still need to make it clear that no rape occured.) With so many talented actors, what a shame to restrict the performances through an unfocused camera eye. How does the newest version compare to what I've described here? I'm curious, how does the film's 'coveting thy brother's wife' theme compare to the book?

Welcome Elizabeth. Glad you joined in. Many of us saw MLSF last year as well, when it played here in the US. We discussed it on another topic (#121, which was setup just for spoiler discussions of MLSF). Also just FYI, there's nothing in the book about the father (Adam) lusting after any other woman; he has a very healthy relationship with his wife. So this is totally fabricated. Perhaps having read the book (*yawn*), I really appreciated the movie more. ;-) I too wasn't bothered by lack of plot. I thought it was charming and enjoyable. When I compare MLSF to other costume pieces I've seen recently, it comes out on top. Take Tea with Mussolini. Could you put together a bunch of more stereotypical people in a situation we've seen umpteen times before. Egad!! Worthless. MLSF wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, had lots of holes due to many factors, but the performances were wonderful and I guess we don't see many kilts as you do. ;-)

Welcome, Elizabeth! What you described is what the rest of us have seen. Are you in the U.S.? Anyway, I'm a big fan of this film. Just looking over some of the comments here, I have to add that I'm not a particulaly big fan of costume drama or period pieces. I like a lot of those "dark underbelly of life" films (maybe I should get BBC America, eh, Moon?;-) But MLSF totally drew me in, and not merely on charm. I was drawn to the parallel themes of Fraser growing up and losing his childlike innocence and the Pettigrews' world as they knew it coming to an end, in effect losing their innocence as well. Shots such as Edward's kite not getting off the ground juxtaposed with the Emporer Of The Sky's soaring plane, drove home the inevitable intrusion of the outside world, later evidenced further by Heloise's arrival. Just as Fraser would struggle in his march toward adulthood, the Pettigrews would struggle to leave their safe, insular emotional place but hopefully fashion more realistic adult relationships. The film is definitely not plot driven, but the anecdotes did a good job in revealing the characters. For example, I think of the scene where Fraser sees his mother gazing wistfully into the mirror, whispering in French and comparing herself to Heloise. She made my heart want to break. Well, enough outta me for now:-) To each her own.

Thanks for the welcomes. Help. How do I log off? I can't find it anywhere!

You don't need to log off. When you close down your browser, you are off.

Thanks! I could have sworn that initiation rite included a logging-off ritual! It's an entirely different experience than merely reading responses. So many more buttons, and topics I've never seen before. . .I appreciated hearing about the book. It's surprising that they completely fabricated the father's obsession for his brother's wife. But you've probably discussed and reconciled this point long ago. Now that you mention it, I remember liking the parallel theme of innocence to experience. I'm north of the US Mari! And west of Scotland, although there are lots of kilts. :)

Oh boy, I can see Evelyn shaking her head at this one. BTW, Overseas owns Relative Values. Certainly explains why it wants someone else to purchase the rights to distribute in the US (needs cash): Overseas crosses into negative A decrease in the sale of film and video materials pushed Overseas Film Group into the red Tuesday, as the indie film distributor posted a first-quarter net loss of about $104,000. The loss compares with a profit of $100,400 in first-quarter 1999. Revenue dropped to $6 million from $6.7 million a year earlier. The Los Angeles-based company, distributor of such films as "Titus," "A Map of the World" and "Waking Ned Devine," said the declines were partially offset by improved direct-to-video sales and an increase in service-fee revenue related to First Look Pictures theatrical releases.

I liked Tea w/ Mussolini

(Laura)I liked Tea w/ Mussolini That's because you have yet to see MLSF ;-)

(Karen)I can see Evelyn shaking her head at this one. BTW, Overseas owns Relative Values. Certainly explains why it wants someone else to purchase the rights to distribute in the US (needs cash): Wrong!Evelyn is on her knees (again) praying RV doesn't end up on a bank shelf. Maybe I should alert Imperial Bank that "Overseas Film Group" is coming... "Make room on the shelf"...they already have SLOW;-) But, hey,...I'm saving the hair- shirt for "Londinium."

But, hey,...I'm saving the hair- shirt for "Londinium." LOL! But that reminded me. All this talk by Jasper about Colin not filming in July and August is so much tosh. He filmed Londinium in London in August didn't he? But then it was probably too good a project to pass up;-)

(Allison) He filmed Londinium in London in August didn't he? *tapping the ol' memory bank* I think he filmed Londinium and Blackadder in June-July and RV in August, on the Isle of Man. All this talk by Jasper about Colin not filming in July and August is so much tosh. Makes you wonder about the rest of the article's content, doesn't it? Not that things are untrue, but perhaps not *always* true. Agree with Moon about BBC America. I have it and never watch it. Nick at Nite is better ;-D As regards the 'plot vs. plotless' MLSF discussion--I may not be the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but *I* thought there was a plot. I've seen better films and I've seen far worse. I am truly surprised at the overall disappointment expressed by those who have just seen it. It sounds like those of us who saw it last year liked it better (I liked it the first time I saw it but liked it much more on second viewing). Oh, well, each to his own. Welcome, EAG (from EHG)!

(Elizabeth) I'm north of the US Mari! And west of Scotland, although there are lots of kilts. :) Hmmm . . .unfurling ye olde atlas here . . . found you! Greenland, right?;-) (Evelyn) Maybe I should alert Imperial Bank that "Overseas Film Group" is coming... LOL! Oh, too funny, Evelyn. Sad, but funny.;-) I'll bet those sharpie distributors at the Cannes market will now try to get RV for, like, a buck ninety eight.;-) In real estate parlance, Overseas Film Group would be known as a "motivated seller." MARSHWOOD HOUSE--Mrs. Clean lives here! *Bring your toothbrush* Not sure about the Londinium filming, Allison. I thought he had pretty much wrapped that up by the end of June/early July, but I could be mistaken. Does anyone recall? I'd love to hear that there's more flexibility in his work schedule.:-) (Karen) Take Tea with Mussolini. Could you put together a bunch of more stereotypical people in a situation we've seen umpteen times before. Egad!! Worthless. I thought it was even worse than worthless. Bunch of clueless, self-absorbed, incredibly naive ex-pats fiddling while Rome (and much of the rest of Europe) burned. Ugh.

Actually Mari, true confessions. I live in Canada. Lots of kilts. Lots of celtic music, that certain something found in the French sensibility . . . shame about our politicians. I liked Tea with Mussolini, although I agree that the 'English Abroad'or 'English Broads Abroad'theme wears a little thin after awhile. Maybe that's what really drove the fascist movement in Italy --- just kidding. Although the movie does reflect the historical. What I like about this film was Cher.

the 'English Abroad'or 'English Broads Abroad'theme wears a little thin after awhile. Maybe that's what really drove the fascist movement in Italy LOL! Welcome/Bienvenue EAG! While on the subject of the English in Italy, I saw "Up at the Villa" and liked it. Better than "End of the Affair." I believe Londinium was filmed in June. In any case, Colin was in LA quite often last year because of SIL and probably saw a lot of Will, so he can be forgiven for filming RV in August.

Two more photos of Colin published recently: http://www.geocities.com/threedeers/Archives/tatok.html

Thanks Arami. In the first one he looks like the guy in "What me worry?" Second one is yummmmy.

Thanks Arami. I use to say that I wasn't fond of goatie beards, but I've just changed my mind :-)

You know, with the beard, Colin Firth kinda looks like a friend of mine --- although my friend is older. As explained on BJD board, I go by Liz. I'm not an idiot normally, but I lost track of which name I was entering for which purpose, and then was too tired to change what I ended up with yesterday. I hope this doesn't cause confusion if there are other Lizs, but it's too weird to keep staring at my initials.

Do we have any other Liz's? I don't think so. Thanks for the pictures. Am trying to decide if that second one was probably taken last summer when he did Londinium and that the facial hair was his, instead of paste-on:

(LizG) I hope this doesn't cause confusion if there are other Lizs No. You are very welcome under your own name :-)

(KarenR)Do we have any other Liz's? I don't think so. They have other aliases, I think. You are probably right, Karen, about the facial hair.

According to a fan who was there, the second picture was taken outside the Jongleurs in Battersea (South London) where Colin took part in a charity evening last year. The facial hair is definitely his. I have the picture too, thanks to a Firth/Rufus S. fan. I cleaned it up a bit.

oops again...

From The Telegraph's article on Julie Andrews...nice to see Colin's name first in the list of co-stars, although we know that's not how it will be billed: This is rather a different look from the glossy one she reveals in her new film, Relative Values, based on the No�l Coward play. "Being a woman and being my age now, these kind of parts don't come rushing past my nose every second. It was marvellous," she says. Starring alongside Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Alec Baldwin, Andrews is cast strictly to type as the Countess of Marshwood; crying "Oh, bother!" and billowing around a country house in a selection of big frocks. "Oh, my! How flattered can a lady get," she says at this, her fastidious English enunciation - how fleh-ta-d! - making her sound as if her throat is hosed down with rose water before each sentence. "Being glamorous is a huge effort. It takes at least two hours to get really glammed up for a movie, it is not an easy thing for me to do. But, sometimes," she says, slapping her thigh appreciatively, "it's just great to think that the old bod can still get it together."

oops, wrong box!

Update on Overseas Filmgroup: Its situation has not yet advanced to that experienced by HandMade. According to business reports, OFG has received an infusion of capital (and new majority ownership) from an investment group (Rosemary Street Productions) and has commitments for new credit lines from Chase. Still doesn't mean they will release Relative Values here. Would still prefer someone to buy it off of them, rather than sinking more money into it.

(CherylB) Alas no, that was not I. That would have been CherylE, and I know her only from old posts, as well. She was also more astute and articulate than I. Her spelling was better, too. Sorry about the mix-up. Don�t sell yourself short, CherylB. Nice to �meet� you, too. Have read the thread on MLSF with great interest. I really loved the film, and could easily overlook its imperfections. I enjoyed the leisurely, slice-of life feel of the MLSF, as well as the engaging quirkiness of some of the characters. Really liked the father-son �woof-woofing� for some reason. Would I have enjoyed the movie as much if ODB had not played the lead? Perhaps not, although the rest of the cast was strong. Loved seeing that big CF smile and ODB nicely suited-up. Am v. depressed about the potential US distribution problems for RV. Surely we have not turned into such a nation of philistines that would not appreciate a bit of NC?

(Karen)Update on Overseas Filmgroup: Its situation has not yet advanced to that experienced by HandMade. According to business reports, OFG has received an infusion of capital (and new majority ownership) from an investment group (Rosemary Street Productions) and has commitments for new credit lines from Chase. *getting off my knees*... "Well, that worked....so far so good...";-) But I would rather have Imperial Bank, I have contacts there;-) Anybody know Rosemary St. Productions?

Whoof!! All this trouble over the UK's collective reaction to MLSF! It just shows to go you that it's all in the eye of the beholder. To those closest to the project (psychologically or professionally), it seemed a very enjoyable experience. What Sir Denis, the guy whose story was being told, had to say reflected his evident satisfaction, at least with some aspects of the final result: (Sir Denis Forman on ODB's Edward:) For the Firth portrayal, Sir Denis has nothing but praise. "He is my father to a T - the way he walked, the way he talked. I did send them some old home movies, which I assume he saw, but it really is almost uncanny. A wonderful performance." He saw his father in it and also had nothing to say to the bends made in the tale to satisfy those who felt it necessary to invent some intense conflict source in order to spice up the story a bit. But even this amount of spice didn't seem to satisfy some plot afficionados ... ( Ann) Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF ... (Donna)No we're not! :-) (Evelyn) Speak for yourselves.;-);-)(Only kidding, of course) ...Seriously, I think we spoiled it for you. First of all , the film is three years old. And you've had to hear us talk about it for a year now...so it's old hat. I think Evelyn has something here, but in more ways than one. Not only were you introduced to every little detail ahead of time (not only pre-revealed, but handily pre-explained [Viola! Instant Opinion...]), but as someone pointed out, you've had a plethora of films about big houses, kilts, quirky servants, and eccentric characters, etc. (I want to make an announcement at this point: The following is pure theorizing on my part and may be taken with a grain of salt for those inclined...) Just as a computer cache, having already accessed a site cannot, by itself, detect any change in it (It is sort of set to that first glance, i.e.: "I've already seen this page so I won't bother to look again because I already know what's there.."), I think some of the UK people are suffering from the same cache-like pre-set ... they feel they already seen this before, and needn't bother to look for anything especial, because they've already seen what's there -- the "Been There, Done That" - syndrome, I uess. Maybe they need to go back, hit their internal "Reload" button, and try to look at things through fresh eyes. ;-) (AnnW) ..actually I didn't say I didn't like MLSF, I just felt it lacked something, I know not what. When I saw it upon it's release, I came away with a reaction similar to Ann's too. I was touched and charmed, but felt a frustration at missing something ... Part of it was an awareness that a lot of the subtle details had gone right over my head because I hadn't understood the some of the dialogue at first, or caught some of the quick cuts, or the details within them. I knew I needed more watch time just to understand what was there. But to add to that feeling of missing things because they were slipping by me, was a deeper frustration: (Allison) I am with Ann W. There was something unsatisfactory about the whole thing. \...\ The editing had obviously been severe and meant the whole thing was disjointed rather than episodic. We already knew t at the movie had lost nearly 30 minutes of the original footage due to really brutal editing to make the thing "move better". It showed. ...And I felt cheated. (Irene Jacob): "Hugh [Hudson] decided to do something simple, that he could relate to. He told us this film was an appetiser. It's not a big meal, just something which gives you a taste, enough to want more." That is it in a nutshell, for me. The trouble was IMO that we DID like it, were charmed by it, moved enough to be truly interested in these characters and what might happen to them in their various and several situations ...moved enough to want more. But no more was to be forthcoming. And I truly resented it. I didn't want it to be an appetiser -- I wanted at the least a brunch. Instead, I am only allowed to pick over the intriguing details of the story still remaining, but I can never know the answers to a lot of my questions. Consciously or unconsciously, I believe the audience and the critics all came away feeling more or less cheated. It all depended on their ability and willingness to forgive what was taken away, (Mari, LisaJH and I can forgive a lot "apparently";-D) and their level of appreciation of what was left, that determined their final judgment of it . That and pressing the "Reload" button. **Heehee**)   8-D   KJ

Hello Liz (EAGrace). You have impressed me in two comments you've posted. (Actually, the post in question is on the Odds and Ends board.) They are: 1. You can't spell very well and wish this board had spellcheck. Me too. 2. You really enjoyed "The Advocate/Hour of the Pig". That's one of my all time CF favorites. Another is "Apartment Zero", one of his best films, I think. I'm also developing a great appreciation for "Donovan Quick", a really good showcase for him as an actor. It is nice to meet you, virtually speaking.

From Pandora's column/chest in The Independent on May 15: Absolutely anybody who is anybody is, apparently, off for a haircut in thecoming few days. Top people's coiffure (one is not allowed to say crimper), John Barrett, is making his annual pilgrimage from New York to London to shear the great and good ladies who lunch, and all for a good cause. Informed folk will know that Irish Johnney is such a whiz with the scissors that devotees will especially fly to his salon, overlooking Central Park, for the once over, deserting the much dischuffed Nicky Clarke. But for the next week, for a mere pounds 500, they can avoid the trip and have it done here. A special party tonight to mark his state visit is only the prelude to a stint of manic activity, which will raise funds for Rapt, the charity devoted to rehabilitating those in the stir who have problems with drink and drugs. Organised by Emma Soames and Amanda de Cadenet, the Knightsbridge bash will be attended by Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Joley Richardson and, to continue the theatrical theme, former left-wing firebrand Vanessa Redgrave. It seems that getting involved in celebrity snipping turf wars is all that is left to a girl once the end of the Cold War has rather done away with her causes celebres.

From my morning newspaper column reviewing videos: VIEWERS CAN 'COME OF AGE'WATCHING "MY LIFE SO FAR" In today's weird, twisted world, a "coming of age" film has come to describe movies that include a teen's weird use of an apple pie. [For those who don't know..the teen in the movie shags an apple pie..] This genre actually includes some less raunchy , quality flicks that include last year's "My Life So Far". {Reviewer gives synopsis of story]. "My Life So Far" has some hilarious moments and is beautifully filmed in Argyll, Scotland. I strongly recommend it for parents with children 12 and older. ~~~~~ My bold,BTW. But it looks like this film has found a new target audience...a film for a family to watch together... and possibly could become a classic in that genre.

Hi Cheryl B, thanks to you and everyone else for the welcome. In addition to spelling, I'm also terrible at remembering names of people and things --- I call it noun burnout. Apartment Zero is an old favourite of mine --- saw it back in the days when I'd say "hey wasn't that the actor who was in ---? He looks so different in this other film". I'm always impressed with actors who are chameleons. Favorite CF scenes in Apartment Zero: when CF character (you see, I've forgotten his name) is kneeling, hugging his mother. Really creepy, yet not Norman Batesish quite. The use of his hands really made it chilling somehow. And I love the final scene. Goulishly humourous. CF looks like he's really enjoying himself, relishing the madness. Scenes like that must be the most fun to do. I liked the tone of this film, and think its one of the more intelligently done thrillers. Had me on the edge of my seat without insulting my intellect (my complaint about Fatal Attraction, for example).

Liz, do save these comments for ou AZ film disc. which is slated for this autumn. I hope you join us. It is also one of my favourites. :-)

Uh oh... can only find MLSF playing at 3 theatres: Mayfair Curzon and two in Scotland (Edinburgh's Dominion and the Perth Playhouse) From 17 to 3?

Oh, I am glad it is still playing at the Curzon, because I meant to say that there were some MLSF posters on sale there. At least its still playing somewhere!

MLSF is just showing at 4.00pm and 6.30pm at the Curzon, no evening showing (not suitable for grown-ups?) It seems to have disappeared completely from London after one week. Am very, very disappointed by this. Infact, I don't want to express my thoughts. Too depressing. The reviews were okay, more than okay....oh, well. I'll see it in a couple of weeks and am looking forward to it. I'm not sure whether any other provincial cinemas in the UK will be showing it...maybe just Bradford because of the Film Festival? Strangely enough, I don't think box office success/failure matters particularly for a British actor or for CF. They can always move between live theatre,TV and film. Reasonably good critical reviews are a must. Excepting comedies, most British films "flop" at the box office, and it doesn't matter who's in them. For example Ewan McGregor's latest film "Nora", based on the life of James Joyce is showing in just one cinema in London.(it's not Star Wars!) But fortunately, CF is doing "Bridget Jones", which is guaranteed to be a nationwide hit. And "Armadillo"(must be!) which I think is perfect...exactly the right blend of contemporary drama/humour. And should be very successful. And DQ will also be a success...have no doubts about this. You win some, lose some. I don't know what will happen to "Relative Values" in the UK. Probably the same reception as MLSF, polite reviews, no-one goes to see it, will do well in video rentals (this is a most important market in the UK) and very well on TV if shown!! Thus ends my thought for the day!

But it is so sad. As I said before it was on for 9 weeks in Perth, Australia (which is considered Philistine) and indeed was showing for some time longer in Adelaide - each major city showed it and was showing in major cinema chains in some cities. The audiences were good - when I went two times the cinema was more than half full. Once in an evening and once midday on a Sunday. Good films are not favoured! What have the Brits come too. But as you say video rentals and sales will do well. People stay at home I suppose because it is not always safe to go out. But the theatres seem to attract an audience - strange isn't it.

Meant to ask, Ann, what poster were they using for MLSF (there were several versions)? Thanks, Anne, for the above. Cheered me up!

(Anne) The audiences were good - when I went two times the cinema was more than half full. Goes to show that Oceania always shows their good taste when a Firth production opens. Liz, let me add my welcome too. As Moon says, hang onto those AZ comments for our long-delayed film discussion but don't ever think that means you can't mention it here either. We LOVE discussing all aspects of his films - inside, outside, upside down. Favorite CF scenes in Apartment Zero: when CF character...is kneeling, hugging his mother. Really creepy, yet not Norman Batesish quite. The use of his hands really made it chilling somehow. Hands fluttering all over her. Good eye! And I love the final scene. Goulishly humourous. Now that is Norman Batesish. ;-) But of course the final final scene was Adrian coming out of his adult cinema and lighting up that cigarette ala James Dean. What Adrian has become should turn into a good discussion...one of these days. So Colin's going to get a hair cut? I want pictures. ;-) And I refuse to believe that Vanessa Redgrave's become redundant.

May I give you my thoughts for the day.... Strangely enough, I don't think box office success/failure matters particularly for a British actor or for CF Strange indeed...and I hope you are correct.... But producers do look at what an actor's bankability is at the box office. When CF says: "I want to be well thought of. I want to make money from this. I want to be prosperous. I want to be respected..."I wonder how he feels to have the starring films tank.Oh, he can always do TV, but he's not going to be v. prosperous or respected in that media alone.And time limitations prohibit his stage career except at the Donmar.Most West End theatres want a play to run more than just a few weeks. I am heartsick over this film...you might as well know it.This is quality stuff whether you think so or not. RV and BJD are not his films. He's in a supporting role, other people are carrying them. MLSF was hisfilm.DQ And Armadillo are TV roles..sure they're bound to be stellar. But it's TV. Frankly, I think it's a disgrace that the British public let him down. You should feel depressed . I'm not sure whether any other provincial cinemas in the UK will be showing it...maybe just Bradford because of the Film Festival? Good luck....and I really mean it.

These boards are not working properly today!!! Internal server error shows on all internal links and one has to hit reload repeatedly to get through and not many visitors know that... I'm not even sure if I can post...

I can - but only by hitting Reload repeatedly!

I can - but only by hitting Reload repeatedly! Where there is a will, there is a way. ;-) I had the same problem.