The second difference is that men are more likely to have a better opinion of RC than they do CF. Lastly, and this is a biggie, RC plays the game. He is countlessly interviewed, photographed, and plugs away relentlessly at the publicity for his projects. (Cheryl) I think that one of CF's problems in the UK is that most men don't like him, and as virtually all reviewers are male, the hostility spills over into dismissive reviews (which do have an impact). Men admire and prefer actors like Tom Cruise, Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle etc because they play macho roles. CF's other "problem", if you can call it that, is that he is just not a natural self promoter. I just hope that BJD is a huge success in the States, and he gets the opportunity to experience some genuine US enthusiasm! Although apparently Kathleen Turner has been receiving standing ovations every night...we just don't give them to homegrown actors slogging their guts out for �25 per performance (�200 divided by eight!)

(Moon) And that is why TC is going to fight all the way for this part. His MI2 just landed the #2 spot for all time high gross during the Memorial weekend. TC is just as hot now and it will be interesting to see who gets it. Russell Crowe is ascendant right now, and his asking price is lower. Big advantage. Finally, he is, at the very least, twice the actor Tom Cruise will ever be. He (Colin Firth) is happy as a character actor. That I do not understand. I can understand it, to a point. He wants his life to be his own. I really don't think he has the stomach, or the personality to play the publicity game. I think he may well find it distasteful and dull. Acting is his job. It may well be a job he loves, but when he's done with a character, he's done with the project. He wants to move on to something else. As noted acting is his job, not hawking his wares.

But such is the precision and polish of the performances that it's obvious everyone is acting, instead of inhabiting their long-gone world. This is Noel Coward...it's not the real world, never was. However, Relative Values has taken nigh-on half a century to reach the screen, which tends to suggest that it's not on par with its peers. I read that the copyright to RV only became available in 1999, enaabling it to be freely adapted for screen. As CF would say "Do. Your. F****** Homework." Those still scarred from Eric Styles's previous directorial outing, last year's Dreaming of Joseph Lees, could be forgiven for approaching this with trepidation. "Joseph Lees" actually got quite good reviews for direction/photography, and Samantha Morton got a Best Actress award for it... the screenplay was criticised, and the plot was rather bizarre.

Regarding Colin wanting to be a character actor - perhaps he views character actors as having more longevity in the business? And could this be an influence of working with the likes of Donald Pleasance, Lawrence Olivier, Peter O'Toole and Anthony Hopkins so early in his career? Could his problem with self-promotion be related to the fact that he had such great roles and reviews early on in his career? Was early success too easy, so that he didn't have to chase roles? He never learned how to play the game because he didn't need to? Lots of questions and speculations, no answers... Blah blah blah :-)

He deserves it. I don't think he's so happy in his professional career...I think he's sadly resigned to the current state of affairs.But he wants more. I think he wants/needs more challenging roles and more critical recognitition. I always remember the camera panning onto him about 15 minutes after he hadn't won a BAFTA....you could see how disappointed he was. And I don't really believe he wants to "haunt the margins"!

Agree with you about character actors, Donna...they have a very long shelf life! And it's true it is all speculation, but I quite enjoy it (even though I'm most probably wrong!):-)

Meant to tell everyone that thanks to Martine, I have the RV poster on my news page. He is on it! http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/news2.html Thanks everyone for responding to the CF/RC/BL thing. All most interesting.

(Evelyn) Hi everybody...I am just back from NY and I only have one thing to say... I want Colin on Broadway SD is getting the biggest reception imaginable...At the end of TRT the audience went wild. And Colin certainly has the looks and talent to be a success on Broadway, not to mention that the US reviewers wouldn't be biased against him! Quite the opposite, I bet they would love his easy manner and droll sense of humor. He just needs a bit more theater experience under his belt and the right vehicle. And Rosie O'Donnell would go ga-ga over him! Gone would be Tom Cruise as her favorite cutie-patutie. I bet he could charm the panties right off her, with just a flash of his slight overbite and those gorgeous dimples :-) I think the thing that Stephen Dillane and Ralph Fiennes may have in common is their extensive stage work and cultivating relationships in the theater, working with respected companies or directors, repeatedly. So when a plum role comes up, they are immediately considered for the part. Colin stayed away from theater too long, so he has some catching up to do. I hate to be repetitive, but Evelyn is right. The audience loves SD. I suspect he is getting a standing-o daily at this point (I saw again on Sunday, a few days after E., and up went the audience to their feet). He has become the talk of the town, so all the Hollywood biggies are showing up in the audience. I am sure he and the rest of the cast are quite overwhelmed by the response. So I'm hoping that Colin's role in BJD, however small, will open the doors the way they were opened for Rupert Everett after My Best Friend's Wedding. And if it doesn't, I think he should go back to the theater and plug away. Ok, I'm done :-)

From the Independent on Sunday (28 May 2000): IT WAS 12 YEARS AGO TODAY: FALKLANDS DRAMA 'TUMBLEDOWN' PROVOKES PUBLIC OUTRAGE BY CHARLOTTE EDWARDS Britain was still licking its Falklands War wounds when, this week in 1988, the BBC broadcast Tumbledown. Based on Scots Guard Robert Lawrence's account of the assault on Mount Tumbledown in June 1982, the film starred the then little-known Colin Firth as Lawrence, who had sustained serious injuries in the attack. Was Tumbledown based on fact or fiction? Before the film was screened, Captain James Stuart contested a scene which, he felt, clearly identified him as an officer who encourages desertion. Stuart won a legal battle for the sequence - which "just did not happen" - to be cut. Tumbledown's director, Richard Eyre, said the film deliberately rejected a "balanced" account of events, and was intended to be "deeply political" (Sunday Telegraph). But producer Richard Broke insisted: "Tumbledown is not meant to be a documentary. . . It's a play acted by actors" (Sunday Times). Government ministers worried that the film would question Britain's involvement in the Falklands conflict, despite assurance from the BBC that the content was "absolutely non-political" (Sunday Telegraph). Response to the drama - shown on 31 May - was mixed. Some viewers claimed its criticism of army officials was "blatantly unpatriotic" (Star) and "an insult to the brave lads who fought for this country" (Daily Mail). But others applauded Tumbledown for raising questions about the treatment of Falklands veterans. Former Scots Guard John Clark said: "I am chuffed that at last the horrors of the war are coming out" (Daily Mirror). There was little assessment of Tumbledown's merits as television. Colin Firth - later to set pulses racing as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice - hardly got a look-in. But Mark Lawson commented that, were it not for the film's "deliberate ambiguity", the occasion would have been hailed as "another night for British television to be proud of" (Independent).

(Nan)If it's okay with him, then it's okay with me. I'll watch anyway and I'm sure you will too ;-) Nan, I agree up to a point but I do wish he would appear in films that were of interest to my DH or friends. SIL and EP, fine, but SLOW, MLSF, Londinium, and also RV unless it gets some really good reviews - I am really getting fed up of going to the cinema by myself!

Could his problem with self-promotion be related to the fact that he had such great roles and reviews early on in his career? Was early success too easy, so that he didn't have to chase roles? He never learned how to play the game because he didn't need to? You might have something there, Donna! (Bethan), I think he wants/needs more challenging roles and more critical recognitition. I always remember the camera panning onto him about 15 minutes after he hadn't won a BAFTA....you could see how disappointed he was. Charater actors only get challenging roles when they break out of being character actors. That is the point I was trying to make before. That is why I do not understand why he would say he is happy to be a character actor. (Donna), I think he should go back to the theater and plug away. I agree! I am interested in seeing what SD does after his big Broadway success.

(Donna) Colin stayed away from theater too long, so he has some catching up to do. Yes -- and he has more-or-less attributed this to his inability to do long runs. That, BTW, is something that's always puzzled me a bit -- I'm not sure what he considers a "long run." In its Donmar run, TRT opened at the end of May and ran till August. Seems like that kind of run -- school vacation months --would fit nicely into his parenting schedule.

I meant to add -- it would fit nicely assuming he was able to have his son with him during that no-school period -- i.e. he wouldn't have to worry about the run preventing him from making visits to L.A.

I think he and Livia now take Will to Umbria for the Summer don't they? Either way I agree that stage work is an excellent way forward, and it will certainly be interesting, as Evelyn says, to see the impact TRT has on SD's career. I mean no one exactly remembers him for his Joanna Trollope adaptions do they?? It would be a great move for CF to be directed by Sam Mendes back at the Donmar.

That is why I do not understand why he would say he is happy to be a character actor. Consistency in his interviews is not one of ODB attributes. He tends to change with the wind.

VCR Alert "Another Country" will shown on the Sundance Channel this Saturday @ 7:30pm (EST), again on the 6th and 25th. http://www.sundancechannel.com/category/tin#screenings "Camille" will be shown on the Romance Classics Channel tomorrow @ 6pm (EST). http://romanceclassics.com/programming/index.html

The Sundance Channel misdirected to me the wrong page ... just click on the Sundance Channel, then program guide, film finder, and feature film ... hope that works.

Evelyn, do I detect some disenchantment with ODB?

(Gi)Evelyn, do I detect some disenchantment with ODB? No...after all these years, I know him too well. One time he says he's happy and the next he has an insurmountable list of "I want to be..." I don't think he means to be diliberately disingenuous, I don't think he has a clue

Wonderful review for RV in this month's "Film Review" 4 stars out of 5 stars "NC was a playwright, screenwriter, director and songwriter of genius. He wrote camp, bitchy, contrived, furiously-plotted little farces and comedies which more than stand the test of time. Even the most ambling third-rate, am-dram production of say, Private Lives, exudes a wit and verbal sophistication that comes straight from the words the great man put on the page. The plot is simple English Earl plans to marry Hollywood actress. He takes her to meet his family, while pursued by her ex-lover, chaos ensues. It would be so easy to put the success of adaptation of Coward's Fifties comedy of manners down to The Master himself; easy, but unfair. No the enjoyment to be had from RV (and that enjoyment is considerable) is due to the sympathetic adaption of the script, the "sunhy day" atmosphere of the country retreat setting, and terrific ensemble casting. It has been an age since JA graced the silver screen and she clearly relishes her typical Coward matriarch figure, but brings to her a warmth and yes, light sexiness that works wonderfully. JT makes me drool, frankly, and as Miranda Frayle, Hollywood superstar, she gives a knock-out self-mocking turn that might rank as her best screen work to date. WB also demonstrates an admirable ability to laugh at both himself and the cliches of his profession, while hinting at the humanity behind the stardom. In Coward's own role of Peter, COLIN FIRTH, sex symbol and TV icon, is cast against thoroughly against type - and clearly revels in it. Whether changing sly looks and pink gins, sneering at his family or conspiring with the maid, FIRTH IS A DELIGHT. The family butler is SF. He could do this in his sleep, but no one else could do it so well, so it's nice to have him on board. Everyone else chips in with bright, convincing, appropriate performances and the period detail is exquisite. As well as examing an older type of film making, RV evokes it. Simply done, charmingly played and clocking in at just under an hour and a half, it's an absolute pleasure. Jim Smith"

Now *that's* the type of excellent review we want to see! Thanks Ann.

Thanks Ann. How happy and proud I feel for ODB. And looking forwards to seeing this film :-)

Some positive news Ann, thank you. Here's to more of them. Renate, thanks to posting the site for preview tickets. Sadly I'm out of area but hope that someone will go on June 11th.

Now *that's* the type of excellent review we want to see! Yeah...'cept I don't like to see him viewed as "Sex Symbol and TV icon". And I wonder if he does....

(Evelyn) I don't like to see him viewed as "Sex Symbol and TV icon". I guess he is, though... So why not accept and make the best of it? :-)

Ah, that's what I like to see! This could be a winner...at least for those over 21! "Film Review" has a slightly more mature readership, I think. BTW..re. that rather churlish and incoherent "Empire" review....what on earth is an LA luvvie? I'll be seeing MLSF next week. Hopefully, RV will go on natiowide release. To see two CF movies in a month would border on a miracle!

Re: Encore Media Group and Relative Values Yes, cable rights have been sold to Encore, but RV is NOT going straight to cable. Encore will have it AFTER the theatrical release. No US distrib yet; are still screening it for potential buyers.

Whew! Thanks, Karen. I couldn't fathom how this one would go straight to cable and am greatly relieved to hear they're shopping it for the big screen here. Will be even more greatly relieved when big screen buyer is found.;-) And speaking of RV . . .has anyone checked out the new poster on Murph's site? Bet the Ed Atterton fan club (if there is such a thing) is up in arms!;-)

Sorry, more about the RV poster. Can anyone read the name of the publication in the lower right corner, from which they've pulled a great review quote?

Looks like "New Woman" Here's the poster from Murph's site. Hope she doesn't mind. BTW, Atterton IS the guy who used to be with Salma Hayek.

Actually, shoulda pushed Billy Boy off poster. Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Can't keep track of them. ;-)

(Evelyn) I don't like to see him viewed as "Sex Symbol and TV icon". (Gi)I guess he is, though... So why not accept and make the best of it? :-) IMO this dilutes his stature as a serious actor... Besides...I nevah accept what I don't approve of;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Actually, shoulda pushed Billy Boy off poster. Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Looks like he's on drugs.Cute of Colin though...

Karen: Re the RV Poster: I don't mind at all. Martine sent it to me, and I reduced it in size. I'll ask her for the bigger file again to see if we can read the small print.

I have just recieved my application form for tickets to NC Relative Values Uk Charity Film Premiere in "the company of Julia Andrews, Colin Firth (thank goodness), William Baldwin and Stephen Fry". yippee

Ann, enjoy and have a wonderful time - we will be with you in spirit if not in the flesh (sigh)! We await with anticipation all you experience.

Ann, you did a great job at the SIL premiere and we expect great things from RV. Thanks and have a ball! Love CF in the RV poster, but you all know how much I adore Geoffrey and it does come very close. :-)

Ann, how wonderful that you'll be going to the premiere! Do you think you can ask CF whether they'll film any BJ scenes in Albufeira?0-)

Here is that close up from the RV poster. It is New Woman Magazine.

Ann...you are really racking up the Premieres....SIL,SLOW...now RV. Proud of you.Sounds like a terrific show. As they say on Broadway "Enjoy the ride";-)

Premiere in "the company of Julia Andrews, Colin Firth WOW Ann! Just to imagine seeing Colin again in the flesh and having a chance to watch his movie in the same audience with him....wonderful. And if RV really is as good as is expected, it�s going to be a great experience.

Thanks Elena, wish all my Reunion friends could be with me though.

Hi Ann Just want to add my "have a great time". Have to admit I'm a bit jealous ;-)

It sounds as though it will be a marvellous evening, Ann. A night to remember! We might even catch a glimpse of you on GMTV. I think that there will be a lot of publicity for Dame Julie..and the rest of the cast, of course! I was very impressed by JA when she was interviewed after receiving her damedom from the Queen. A very gracious lady. I really like the RV poster, although it reminds me of "there were six in the bed, and the little one said 'move over'"......a tight squeeze! Colin looks very youthful. He and Ed Atterton look as though they could be cousins...some similarities in looks.

Yep, that says New Woman--that will be a good review to look for. Thanks, Karen and Murph. (Karen) Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Can't keep track of them. ;-) IMO, they're all the same Baldwin. No one has ever seen them in the same room at the same time.;-) Colorful poster, if a bit crowded; not sure if Peter is gay but he sure is uxurious.;-) Still feel bad for poor Ed, doesn't even get his name on the thing. Ann, so happy for you getting to go to the premiere! Very exciting--you're a great rep for Spring!

Just seen another very good review for RV (4 stars), CF mentioned specifically..and very positive. Also long interview with JA, with interesting RV mentions. Pics of CF/JA in both. Am busy...will post later!

A young Firth fan from Hong Kong found this Japanese actor book at a used book stall and sent us the scanned pictures. I have them on one page. It is slow loading, but worth it, I think. The beautiful final picture is the one the Three Deer had on their site earlier on. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/cfyoung.html

Is that a young Kenneth Branaugh in the pix with the girl? Who is the girl? Bethan look forward to seeing those pictures.

Moon: That's Natasha Richardson in AMITC with Branagh and CF. Murph

But of course! Thanks, Murph.

Thanks Murph...I think that Hong Kong fan used to come to the chat room.

My DH woke me this morning with a cup of tea and the newspaper (nice man) and I blearily opened it to be confronted with two large photographs of Tony Blair next to our very own DB. Finding it difficult to focus so early, I feared that finally Colin had become a labour luvvie or had signed up to cool Brittania. However the story concerns plans by the BBC to make a film which follows the take over of the modernisers within the Labour party and the election of Tony Blair as leader. It finishes with the general election landslide. It says that that the role of Tony Blair has been linked with Colin. The star turn of Peter Mandelson they are talking of Kevin Spacey (where is the Beeb going to get that sort of money). Jeremy Irons is also being talked of for a role (I would have thought that he would be a much more credible Tony Blair - sorry). Lots more on this but too long to post. I'll pop over tot he Times website and see if it is there.

Andrew Pierce on new Labour theatre � Tony Blair may find his part in the drama played by Colin Firth, who won plaudits for his dashing Mr Darcy Photograph: SAMANTHA PEARCE / PA Labour drama to upstage Tories THE BBC is heading for a fresh row over alleged political bias after commissioning a television drama about the triumphant emergence of Tony Blair as Labour leader, to be shown in the run-up to the general election. The programme will dramatise the tensions among the modernisers during the two-year leadership of John Smith and will conclude with the election landslide of May 1997. Senior Tories predicted last night that the programme could trigger one of the biggest rows between the party and the BBC since the selection as Director-General of Greg Dyke, who gave �55,000 to new Labour. "The programme will be monitored very closely," said one senior Tory last night. The programme, which has no agreed title, will be directed by Peter Kosminsky, one of Britain's most prominent film-makers. Last year Mr Kosminsky directed the award-winning Warriors, the powerful series about British peacekeeping operations in Bosnia. Neil Kinnock, Mr Smith and Mr Blair will all have starring roles in the drama-documentary, but artistic licence will be used in depicting their actions and their characters will be given different names. "They will be easily identifiable," one BBC executive said last night. "You will be able to tell Kinnock, Smith and Blair from a mile off." Colin Firth, who played the dashing Mr Darcy in the acclaimed BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, has been linked with the role of the new Labour leader. The Oscar-winning Jeremy Irons, who has impeccable Blairite credentials and has been to the Labour luvvie parties at Downing Street, has also been named in connection with the project. The star turn in the programme will be the character based on Peter Mandelson, the orchestrator-in-chief of Labour's modernisation. The name of Kevin Spacey, star of the Oscar-winning film American Beauty and an old hand on the London stage, was being touted around the BBC yesterday as the ideal candidate to play Mr Mandelson. The programme will be shown in prime time on BBC1 next year. The precise timing will be determined by the date of the general election. The extraordinary rise in importance in Labour Party politics of the pager, the spin doctor, and public relations advisers will be charted. But while the drama will give off the whiff of the corridors of power, it will unfold in true kitchen-sink style. The writers plan to tell the story of Labour's modernisation through the experiences of three friends who share a house and plot Labour's rebirth from the rubble of the 1983 election disaster. The Friends-style arrangement of apparatchiks at home is modelled directly on the Eighties living arrangements of Mr Mandelson, his ally Colin Byrne, who was a Labour Party press officer, and Mr Byrne's former partner, Julie Hall, who was Mr Kinnock's press secretary. The drama will use the different personalities to help to bring alive the rows within Labour over which direction the party should take, with re-creations of the strategic discussions on the minimum wage and income tax levels interspersed with high personal drama. The BBC research team is talking to people who worked for Labour between 1985 and 1997 to ensure that the script is as true to life as possible. Some of their targets, however, have already been written into the script. Philip Gould, the advertising millionaire who conducts Mr Blair's focus groups and persuaded Mr Kinnock to stop smoking in public, will be easy to spot. "He will be projected as a shiny-suited adman who has the gift of the gab," the BBC source said. Some of the BBC's most informative sources include figures no longer constrained by the need to be discreet. One such is Derek Draper, who worked for Mr Mandelson, but fell from grace after becoming embroiled in the cash-for-access row involving paid lobbyists and ministers. The writers of the drama acknowledge that David Hare's play Absence of War has trodden similar territory, with its thinly veiled depiction of Mr Kinnock in the 1992 election. The new project will bring the story of Labour's modernisation bang up to date, but even though the drama will end happily for Labour this time, there are still risks. The detailed nature of Mr Hare's portrait of the Labour leadership led to the left-wing playwright being shunned by the party establishment. Mr Hare had been given unparalleled access to Mr Kinnock in the run-up to the general election. John Thaw played Mr Kinnock at the national theatre, but the Labour leadership was appalled by the result. Mr Kinnock was projected as a verbose Welshman, uncomfortable in the double-breasted suits that his advisers had ordered him to wear, a leader who no longer knew what he stood for. Mr Hare was banned from the 1997 Labour Party election bandwaggon by Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's press secretary. The writers of the new BBC drama are taking a risk themselves by giving Mr Campbell a starring role in the programme. Mr Kosminsky, however, is no stranger to controversy. He has built a formidable career, having directed a documentary on the Falklands war and a harrowing film on child abuse. Nevertheless, there was still nervousness within the BBC last night about the expected political fallout from the programme. "It is hard to see how the young Labour leader, who changes the party, wins a landslide and who is easily identifable as Tony Blair, can come out in anything other than a favourable light. The plan is to do it before the election. In the run-up to polling. I suspect the Conservatives will kick up hell over this one," said one BBC source. � Tony Blair may find his part in the drama played by Colin Firth, who won plaudits for his dashing Mr Darcy Photograph: SAMANTHA PEARCE / PA Here it is: Labour drama to upstage Tories THE BBC is heading for a fresh row over alleged political bias after commissioning a television drama about the triumphant emergence of Tony Blair as Labour leader, to be shown in the run-up to the general election. The programme will dramatise the tensions among the modernisers during the two-year leadership of John Smith and will conclude with the election landslide of May 1997. Senior Tories predicted last night that the programme could trigger one of the biggest rows between the party and the BBC since the selection as Director-General of Greg Dyke, who gave �55,000 to new Labour. "The programme will be monitored very closely," said one senior Tory last night. The programme, which has no agreed title, will be directed by Peter Kosminsky, one of Britain's most prominent film-makers. Last year Mr Kosminsky directed the award-winning Warriors, the powerful series about British peacekeeping operations in Bosnia. Neil Kinnock, Mr Smith and Mr Blair will all have starring roles in the drama-documentary, but artistic licence will be used in depicting their actions and their characters will be given different names. "They will be easily identifiable," one BBC executive said last night. "You will be able to tell Kinnock, Smith and Blair from a mile off." Colin Firth, who played the dashing Mr Darcy in the acclaimed BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, has been linked with the role of the new Labour leader. The Oscar-winning Jeremy Irons, who has impeccable Blairite credentials and has been to the Labour luvvie parties at Downing Street, has also been named in connection with the project. The star turn in the programme will be the character based on Peter Mandelson, the orchestrator-in-chief of Labour's modernisation. The name of Kevin Spacey, star of the Oscar-winning film American Beauty and an old hand on the London stage, was being touted around the BBC yesterday as the ideal candidate to play Mr Mandelson. The programme will be shown in prime time on BBC1 next year. The precise timing will be determined by the date of the general election. The extraordinary rise in importance in Labour Party politics of the pager, the spin doctor, and public relations advisers will be charted. But while the drama will give off the whiff of the corridors of power, it will unfold in true kitchen-sink style. The writers plan to tell the story of Labour's modernisation through the experiences of three friends who share a house and plot Labour's rebirth from the rubble of the 1983 election disaster. The Friends-style arrangement of apparatchiks at home is modelled directly on the Eighties living arrangements of Mr Mandelson, his ally Colin Byrne, who was a Labour Party press officer, and Mr Byrne's former partner, Julie Hall, who was Mr Kinnock's press secretary. The drama will use the different personalities to help to bring alive the rows within Labour over which direction the party should take, with re-creations of the strategic discussions on the minimum wage and income tax levels interspersed with high personal drama. The BBC research team is talking to people who worked for Labour between 1985 and 1997 to ensure that the script is as true to life as possible. Some of their targets, however, have already been written into the script. Philip Gould, the advertising millionaire who conducts Mr Blair's focus groups and persuaded Mr Kinnock to stop smoking in public, will be easy to spot. "He will be projected as a shiny-suited adman who has the gift of the gab," the BBC source said. Some of the BBC's most informative sources include figures no longer constrained by the need to be discreet. One such is Derek Draper, who worked for Mr Mandelson, but fell from grace after becoming embroiled in the cash-for-access row involving paid lobbyists and ministers. The writers of the drama acknowledge that David Hare's play Absence of War has trodden similar territory, with its thinly veiled depiction of Mr Kinnock in the 1992 election. The new project will bring the story of Labour's modernisation bang up to date, but even though the drama will end happily for Labour this time, there are still risks. The detailed nature of Mr Hare's portrait of the Labour leadership led to the left-wing playwright being shunned by the party establishment. Mr Hare had been given unparalleled access to Mr Kinnock in the run-up to the general election. John Thaw played Mr Kinnock at the national theatre, but the Labour leadership was appalled by the result. Mr Kinnock was projected as a verbose Welshman, uncomfortable in the double-breasted suits that his advisers had ordered him to wear, a leader who no longer knew what he stood for. Mr Hare was banned from the 1997 Labour Party election bandwaggon by Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's press secretary. The writers of the new BBC drama are taking a risk themselves by giving Mr Campbell a starring role in the programme. Mr Kosminsky, however, is no stranger to controversy. He has built a formidable career, having directed a documentary on the Falklands war and a harrowing film on child abuse. Nevertheless, there was still nervousness within the BBC last night about the expected political fallout from the programme. "It is hard to see how the young Labour leader, who changes the party, wins a landslide and who is easily identifable as Tony Blair, can come out in anything other than a favourable light. The plan is to do it before the election. In the run-up to polling. I suspect the Conservatives will kick up hell over this one," said one BBC source

Sorry that was a bit of a double posting mess. Hope you can fathom it out.

wow!I hope this doesn't mean the postponement of Armadillo but thanks Allison.

For someone who has just woken up, you've been very quick off the mark, Allison! I saw the news item but had to read it several times to understand it! I thought that Colin had gone into politics! It all sounds very interesting. As far as I can understand, the BBC has commissioned a major drama about events leading up to the Labour victory in 1997, with characters based on Labour personalities, but not called the same name. ie there will be a dashing young Prime Minister designate, a Machiaveilian figure etc. CF is mooted to play the PM, Kevin Stacey his Machiaveili. The programme will be directed by Peter Kominsky, one of Britain's most prominent film makers who directed "Warriors" for the BBC. "Warriors" was very good (about the Bosnian conflict) and very serious. This implies that the new drama would not be a light-hearted affectionate satire, but have serious targets amd be very well written. All-in-all, it is guaranteed to be hugely contraversial in the UK (although not globally) to generate enormous interest/discussion (is the BBC biased etc), and to attract a large audience, especially if CF is "Blair". Could also attract some attention internationally. A thumbs up. Back to RV (am distracted by Blair Firth!)... New Woman gave RV 4 stars, its highest rating. It panned Madonna and RE's latest, also Minnie Driver and David Duchovny, but was all praise for RV. "Great performances make RV a compelling comedy which will really crease you up." The role of Peter "is played hysterically" (ie he is hysterically funny not subject to hysteria!) by CF. Woman and Home had long interview with JA. She loved making RV. The cast became very close knit...bonded like a family. She became the "mum" figure (they used to call her "mum") and dispensed advice even when it wasn't needed. RV is described as "charming". JA and husband attended a special screening in LA. Review and interview have the same pic (heads only) of CF and JA together... the one where Colin is grinning. It's already up on the net.

The programme doen't have a title so far..how about the Blair Mandelson Project? I would think CF would be very keen to do it...it's in the same mould as "Tumbledown" and "Hostages"..playing real contemporay figures.

Me again.....this is all so-o-o interesting. "The plan is to show it in the run up to the General Election" This would be next year 2001, when? June? Makes it even more controversial, and politically significant.

I`m feeling sad: today will be the last episode of P&P and then- no more Darcy/CF ! Well, next time I have to record it and I have seen it 3 times already (but that`s not enough!). Now I just have to comfort myself by hanging in here :)

Television, more television? Gaaa *shaking head* Well, at least I can console myself that this is probably just spin, using name names to generate some interest in the project. Come on, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons and Colin! Same as they do for all Hollywood projects, using the name of whoever is the current hot properties. Might as well say that Matt Damon (has Tony Blair's ears) and Ben Affleck (Mandelson) are being considered for the roles. ;-)

Here are the pics of Colin and Blair, accompanying the online article (are they the same as in print?):

yes. What's wrong with TV Karen, at least we get to see it in reasonable time and we can always record it for our US friends.(DQ excepted)

What's wrong with TV Karen, at least we get to see it in reasonable time and we can always record it for our US friends.(DQ excepted) I'm not Karen...but I hate to see him pidgeon-holed into UK television. I know we get to see him...but who else? Do we matter? Aren't we being a little selfish? Time to graduate, Colin...Take the theatre/film route

As far as I can see, this is the full review from New Woman: Julie Andrews plays an aristocrat who's peeved when her son introduces a classy Hollywood actress (Jeanne Tripplehorn) as his fiancee. Turns out Jeanne's a sham from Stepney, and the sister of the maid. With the butler (Stephen Fry) , his nephew (played hysterically by Colin Firth) and Tripplehorn's ex (William Baldwin), Julie sets about exposing Jeanne as a working-class bint. Great performances make it a compelling comedy that will crease you up. ******** (Ann) What's wrong with TV a) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. b) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. c) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. at least we get to see it in reasonable time If Colin were in better films, they wouldn't sit on the shelf so long looking for distributors. Hot properties get on the screen as fast as possible or are plugged way in advance for prime release season (December).

I'm not Karen...but I hate to see him pidgeon-holed into UK television. Character actors get a lot of TV work. I agree with you, Allison, Jeremy Irons does seem like a better choice to play Blair. I can only think of Mrs. Blair insisting CF play her DH because like us she loves Mr. Darcy. ;-D I hope RV is still playing in in London when I visit in July.

I'm not Karen...but I hate to see him pidgeon-holed into UK television. Character actors get a lot of TV work. Not ones that do starring roles.And that's what I want him to do.. But I seem to be in the minority here....

I think Moon was being facetious

Which isn't quite the same thing as being a sea fish.

I think Moon was being facetious Sorry....hey Moon...you gotta put a *winkie* or I think you're serious. Oh...heck I don't care...he can always go on to be on "The Eastenders" or be Daffodil's co-star on "Keeping Up Appearances" or if he's lucky take over from Mr. Bean... and then they can see him nightly!!!

Oh...heck I don't care...he can always go on to be on "The Eastenders" or be Daffodil's co-star on "Keeping Up Appearances" or if he's lucky take over from Mr. Bean... and then they can see him nightly!!! Evelyn, I think your winkie is missing. ;-)

co-star on "Keeping Up Appearances and next time he meets Karen "oh no, it's that Bucket woman again!";-)

I'm calling it "The Bouquet" these days. ;-)

I dunno, am I the only one who's really keen on the New Project? These politico-dramas are always done very well (it's ages since the BBC has done anything like this) are thought-provoking and have lots of teeth. They are not just mild bio-pics...there's an edge. And this will undoubtably get a huge amount lots of publicity and will be taken very seriously by the media. Eye of the storm stuff, not haunting the margins. And if CF, Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons (too world-weary looking for Blair) are involved it will be even more high profile (and should be sold world-wide). And the director is very well respected. I actually don't see anything wrong in mixing good TV, film and theatre. Ralph Fiennes appeared in a one hour drama about Marcel Proust on BBC2 a couple of months ago (so he does do TV!). CF's got BJD and RV up-coming, so his film profile is high. And compared with the Brit movies which are sucessfully hitting the multiplexes at the moment (puerile would be an understatement!) even "Londinium" may not be as bad as feared! Might surprise you yet! RV is being promoted by Classic FM ( a very popular UK radio statio, featuring classical music, 6 million listeners.) Ann, I don't think the Blair programme would upset plans for "Armadillo" ...there's lots of time ahead!

Actually, Bethan, I am with you, a good mix of television, film and theatre and actually not counting TTOTS when was the last time he was on the TV, Nostromo? so he is hardly over doing the TV. I hope, however, that it does not affect Armadillo as I think it will be great for him to work with SB again.

I agree too, Bethan, on those political type series. The Politician's Wife garnered a BAFTA for Juliet Stevenson, didn't it? This seems like a heavy duty production, but I am a bit confused. Is this seen as a coup for Labour? Will they use it to help in their campaign? I'm not sure I think that is quite fair...but then I'm an old political activist, and nothing is fair in politics! Evelyn -- you are not alone in wishing every day that the man would get going and seek out one of those block buster projects - on screen or stage. Look at Gabriel Byrne - a wonderful screen actor now up for a Tony tomorrow for Moon For The Misbegotten, or at Clive Owen, who made people note his presence with Croupier, or at Russell Crowe, for heaven's sake, or the aforementioned RF. This is IMO, of course. Others seem to be satisfied with his character actor status. And maybe BJD will give him that big push he needs. Murph

( Bethan)I dunno, am I the only one who's really keen on the New Project? No. I was quite happy with it too. (Murph)...I am a bit confused. Is this seen as a coup for Labour? Will they use it to help in their campaign? Most films about politics and politicians are not usually very favourable...I can't see Colin agreeing to play a faultless Blair, God's gift to Britain, besieged by old corrupt politicians but able to keep his purity through all the battles... Arrrgh!

Most films about politics and politicians are not usually very favourable...I can't see Colin agreeing to play a faultless Blair, God's gift to Britain, besieged by old corrupt politicians but able to keep his purity through all the battles... Arrrgh! Agreed. One of the guys the writers/researchers are talking to is Derek Draper who was Mandelson's hennchman and then unceremoniuosly dumped. He is now well known for his dislike of his former boss...and for his knowledge of inside dealings in New Labour.. This will be "warts and all" and cutting edgse stuff, and could be political dynamite. "The Politician's Wife" was pure ficion, this will be fact as fiction...maybe nearer to "To play the King" (Ian Richardson as Francis Urquardt) which had several thinly veiled attacks on leading politicians. Playing Tony Blair in the run up to the election could be extremely challenging for CF, in more senses than one. This will be a programme that will be centre stage.

Sorry...done in haste! S-o-o many typos!

The RV website now has a section of news items about the movie. They're mostly one liners so far and about Julie Andrews. Go here to check the list (need to pick up Tatler and Harpers & Queen for June): http://www.relative-values.com/news/summary.html One of interest was from Baz from March 3rd: "Julie Andrews ... displays marvellous comic timing in the film of Noel Coward's Relative Values." "Director Eric Styles gives the film, which opens in the summer, a glossy lustre ..." "Sophie Thompson, Colin Firth and Stephen Fry are also spiffing."

(TO)I`m feeling sad: today will be the last episode of P&P and then- no more Darcy/CF ! Oh no, I missed it! Totally forgot it but luckily I have the video. TO, I�m sure you know that you can order the two-pack video via the internet if you like. Haven�t seen it on sale anywhere in Finland. Try www.videoplusdirect.co.uk (Karen)Television, more television? Gaaa (Karen)a) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. (Karen)If Colin were in better films Careerwise, I don�t see anything wrong with more TV work if it�s as good as this Blair Project sounds to me. Ralph Fiennes wouldn�t do it because he�s getting good roles in good movies all the time but as we know, Colin isn�t so it�s great if he�s getting them in the TV. Let�s face it, Colin has to do what he�s offered and his biggest international breakthrough so far was in the TV, not in films (yet). (Moon)Jeremy Irons does seem like a better choice to play Blair. But I do think there�s something similar in Tony and Colin but I can�t say exactly what. It has happened to me a couple of times that TB�s face in a paper has made me blink for a fraction of a second because I�ve thought it�s Colin!!

The New Project Cool! Blair should be flattered as hell. And what great company. I agree, Elena, I think Colin and Blair aren't that far off and in 1997 Blair was what...44? 45? Catching up on the interesting comments on CF's career. I agree with most of what you said but one point that may not have been brought up is that the roles that Colin chooses may look a lot more interesting than what we end up seeing on the screen. Colin finds the complexity in each of his characters and usually manages to convey the many layers. Some of his films have turned into dogmenat but I'm sure he expected more from them. As far as being a character actor, I don't think that's his goal at this stage. I think his facetious nature is misinterpreted (again) by the interviewer. We know he wanted the Will Shakespeare part but became too old as the project dragged on. He took the next most interesting part and will continue looking for interesting parts whether they be star-making vehicles or 6th banana roles. It's our loss, I suppose, but I think he's very happy. That's not to say he's not dissappointed when the end result's not what he expected. I don't think Relative Values will be a hit. (OK, you can stop counting how many times I've been wrong before.) It was a chance for Colin to bring Noel Coward to the screen and you can bet he found something about the role that's different from what he's done before and I don't mean the hairdressing part. If he doesn't go to the premiere because it's on his anniversary, then he's a big wussy. Maybe that's why the date is now changed to June 23. '-) Ann, you're a doll to go to the premiere and bring us back a report. (Karen) Actually, shoulda pushed Billy Boy off poster. Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Pretty ugly but I think Stephen (the blonde one) is even uglier. (Mari) Still feel bad for poor Ed, doesn't even get his name on the thing. Sure, Mari. Let's see if we can wring out a few leftover tears after we're finished feeling bad for poor Colin when his name is omitted time after time. ;-) I hope BJD is a break-out role but I would so love to see him on stage. The Donmar and Same Mendes sounds like a wonderful combo for him. Forgive all this opining. It's all based purely on conjecture and gut reaction, as always. ;-) Thanks for the film channel updates, Marianne. I don't get either and am crying in my coffee that I can't see Camille. Donna, I'm with you on Colin changing Rosie's heart. He is indeed a "cutey patootie" as you so eloquently put it. ;-)

I think the new project sounds promising, if it comes about. The disappointment you hear from these shores has to do, I think, with the fact that this show is unlikely to be broadcast outside the UK, and therefore does not raise his international profile as P&P did. Granted, it's a selfish position.;-) I think behind-the-scenes political stories are fascinating, but that they don't travel well outside their home countries. We've had a number of good TV dramas here, on FDR, JFK, Truman, and most recently an award-winner with Gary Sinise as George Wallace. I doubt it those were shown in many places abroad, if at all. TV does seem like the better venue for this type of topic; Primary Colors, a very good film, did poorly abroad, and underperformed in the U.S. as well.

(Mari)I think behind-the-scenes political stories are fascinating, but that they don't travel well outside their home countries Pssst... They don't do well in-country either....I never watch-em. They get poor ratings.Boorrrrring. Bad enough to have to put up with the antics of politicians, without having to hear about 'em for entertainment .At least in our country. But UK probably find politico's lives fascinating .

Just a quick reminder to those in the UK. Channel 4 are screening CoF tonight at 9.30...time to set those VCRs!!

The disappointment you hear from these shores has to do, I think, with the fact that this show is unlikely to be broadcast outside the UK, and therefore does not raise his international profile as P&P did Frankly, I don't care *what* the subject matter. It's television. Actors here graduate from television and only go back when they're no longer bankable on the big screen (e.g., the upcoming Geena Davis series). Kevin Spacey doing television in the UK? Puh-leez, he did his television here (the wonderful Mel Proffit); has graduated and is done for it. If Colin says he wants to be "respected," then it has to be stage or screen and that never means little screen, unless of course he wants to be a Dick Van Dyke. ...and Proust? Come on. Fiennes hasn't done television for ages (except perhaps for lending his voice to animated features) and this was more in line with a contribution to art and literature, much in the same vein as his doing the two Shakespeare plays now and Onegin. This Blair thing is no more than a made-for-TV movie. "Playing the King"? I liked it, but who saw it? The Masterpiece Theatre crowd. Sorry if my view offends you all, but when I read in the trades that Universal Pictures is wooing Colin to star in huge quality production starring high calibre actors, then I'll get excited. An actor appearing in a TV movie barely gets a mention.

but if he isn't being offered "huge quality productions starring high calibre actors" ...... well

very sad then, but he could do something about it. All I have to console myself is that (1) this TV movie hasn't even been written yet so no one has agreed to be in it and (2) BBC is probably just trying to create some buzz and can sit there smoking whatever, dreaming about its dream cast. Using those names guaranteed it got into the papers (wouldn't here). Doesn't mean anything.

Maybe the perception of TV and movie work is different in the US and UK. I think some of the best writing and performances are to be seen on British television, and not in British movies, which currently are mainly geared towards adolescent tastes. (And I like the pace of a five or six hour adaptation and I like politico-dramas!) British actors seem to move freely between big and small screen and theatre and radio. The likes of Ian Holm, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon have always done this and are still going strong in their sixties. I'd love to see CF in major international projects, which are seen by everyone worldwide, not just in the UK, and hopefully he will be offered them, but I have to say I like the projects he is getting involved in at the moment. Maybe we'll have to beg to differ on this! :-)

Kevin Spacey doing television in the UK? Puh-leez, he did his television here (the wonderful Mel Proffit); has graduated and is done for it. ********* Karen: I had forgotten about Mel Proffit. What a role that was! Wasn't he in love with his sister too? Who played her? The only show I can think of on TV recently that might say actors do come back is George Clooney's try with Fail Safe. It was not a success, however. Bethan, you are right about British actors moving easily back and forth. Over here a big hurdle is moving successfully from television into film. Not too many make it. I think of my poor David Caruso (though he does have a pretty big part in Ryan/Crowe's Proof of Life) and Jimmy Smits.

I have to agree. I much prefer T.V. plays and I suppose because here in Australia we get a lot of BBC stuff on our ABC we are used to political plays such as to Play the King etc. Ian Richardson was magnificent. If it is ever made I have no doubt it will reach here! Maybe even first like Donovan Quick!

No comparison. Most British TV is far superior to Hollywood Productions IMO.

YIPEE....THEY WON!! THREE TONY'S....OUR GANG CLEANED-UP. Welcome to Broadway!! BEST REVIVAL TRT BEST ACTOR SD BEST ACTRESS JE Big Night......So take that, Olivier's!!

Joan Severance. Fail Safe was an event and highly successful one from a critical standpoint. The actors it attracted (excepting one who shall remain nameless) and the director...it is the exception to the rule.

I want Colin on Broadway, so he can win a Tony too

Wow Evelyn, break open the champagne!!! You must be just so thrilled, congratulations to them both and TRT. C'mon Colin, what a way to go!! Now he's smelled the coffee, we need to make sure it's a double expresso.

(Bethan)but I have to say I like the projects he is getting involved in at the moment. Maybe we'll have to beg to differ on this! How couldyou say that? This distinguished British actor , whom I consider the best in this generation has had his last TWO starring films tank. SLOW took in 2,000+ UKP!! And 300 of those were from Spring & FOF!! Embarassing. His current projects are stagnant and will get him no where except more stagnant televisions roles, and excuse me..."supporting character roles." He isn't getting any younger and meanwhile the world is passing him by. He is watching all his peers get all the best roles and all the awards. I bet he feels like a million bucks.

I want Colin in this picture next year.... The Best of Broadway....Best Actor and Actress in a musical, Best Actor and Actress in a Play ...Both from THE REAL THING... JE & SD.

Evelyn it is not the material point. I do not believe he is interested. He works to live, to have a nice home, a happy marriage and to pursue what he believes in - in doing good where he can. I think we have to face the fact he will never be a 'star' in the Hollywood sense - I truly believe he is not interested. As long as he is true to himself, I believe he is satisfied. He is from a strong religious background and it shows. (IMHO) Of course living in Australia we do get his T.V. stuff and it is sad that it doesn't make it in the U.S. Unfortunately commercial t.v. is all important and where the BBC and ABC do well in U.K. and Australia it does not happen in the U.S. We need to educate the masses to watch the good rather than the crass. Please Evelyn do not be offended but that I truly believe is how it is.

We will never know what for certain he wants or if he is happy with his career. But the statements in the last three newspaper articles had undercurrents of melancholy and wistfulness, as if the boat had left him behind. He wants to be a respected actor. For that to happen, he has to make a commitment to stage or screen and prove his stuff. Sorry, but your television doesn't count for much in the grand scheme of things. Those are the things that must be faced.