Thanks Karen...and three cheers for Working Title who is keeping BJD in the news.( Wonder who insures her..)

More cast info (using google.com search engine, which I thoroughly recommend) James Faulkner plays Uncle Geoffrey (British character actor, recently played Lenin on stage) John Leguizamo (Tybalt in Leo deCaprio's "Romeo and Juliet) Nora Dunn (Us conedienne, stand-up routines, was in "Three Kings". Who are JF and ND playing? Magda and Jeremy? Perpetua and Richard Finch? Also if you check http://www.pearlanddean.com/films and search for BJD, you'll find a details of cast etc and a breakdown of anticipated audience by age ...26% 15-24, 25% 25-34, 18% 35-44, 31% 45 plus. A very mature audience! 65% female, educated

Hi Bethan, Thanks for the above. Is this a US or UK Film site, only it gives the release date for BJD as 30th March, 2001, and not 13th April, as we previously thought. Coincidentally Possession is also listed as having a release date of the 30th March, 2001, US or UK? or both?

Bethan, I can see where the James Faulkner info came from, but are you sure about Nora Dunn and John Leguizamo?? The Pearl and Dean site is a UK advertising firm. Did you read the description for Possession? Ack!

John Leguizamo??? Don't tell me this is the guy Bridget's mum gets involved with...

Interesting demos - I'm surprised the lowest percent anticipated is in the 35-44 age group.

Remember those are UK demos. That group does telly and videos. ;-)

Karen, the site for the info on BJD is http://www.tribute.ca Just search on BJD. Cast list given. It's a movie site...quite a good one, but there are some innaccuracies. MLSF stars "the late Malcolm McDowell"!! Interesting star bio of CF...

Yes, I did eventually find that info at the Canadian site. But frankly, I don't trust any of the information there. Seems all messed up and there's no other confirmation or article from which quoted as with James Faulkner. If you look at the IMDB, they've updated the cast info and included Crispin BC as Greg and changed Embeth Davidtz to Natasha. But you have to wonder if someone lurking here or at the Bucket decided to submit it.

The site's not bad. Interesting how they ranked his career between Another Country and P&P. Thought this was funny though -" In June of 1997, he married Livia Giuggioli and the two presently live in Vancouver." LOL! Think someone's trying to throw us off his track? It'll never work. ;-)

Btw, meant the Tribute site if anyone wants to read it his bio.

Looks like that site lifted the synopsis of BJD from www.upcomingsmovies.com. I remember seeing that paragraph on the dust jacket.

Tittle tattle from the tabloids. HG has bought a new �2miliion house, just four doors away from the house he co-owns with Liz Hurley. He was paid (allegedly) �4million for BJD (twice as much as RZ?)!

He was paid (allegedly) �4million for BJD (twice as much as RZ?)! Which makes one wonder what CF was paid.

(Bethan) He was paid (allegedly) �4million for BJD (twice as much as RZ?)! (Moon)Which makes one wonder what CF was paid. Who cares? As long as he was in it ;-)

The Hollywood Reporter's Martin Grove has a column, in which he spoke to Working Title's Eric Fellner, primarily about Billy Elliot and then went on to future projects, like...At that point in our conversation, as I asked about �Bridget Jones,� Fellner suddenly disappeared from the cellular radar. Moments later he called back, explaining he was on a mobile phone and, �We just passed Buckingham Palace and their scanners obviously knocked us out.� As for �Bridget,� Fellner said, the film �is also coming sometime in the spring next year. It was a huge international best seller. Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth star in it (and Sharon Maguire is directing). Richard Curtis is involved in writing the screenplay, whom we�ve had enormous success with on �Notting Hill� and �Four Weddings and a Funeral.� So we�re very excited about that. It�s financed by Universal and Canal, but again on this one, Miramax are involved. They�re distributing it domestically and Universal internationally.� Fellner puts �Bridget�s� budget at �about $20 million,� making it one of WT�s midrange productions in terms of cost �by Hollywood standards.�Earlier in the article there's this quote:�We�ve got �Bridget Jones� Diary� with Renee Zellweger (opening domestically next April through Miramax)..." I am assuming the parenthetical comment is supplied by Martin Grove since very few of us speak with parentheses. ;-)

Here's the url: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/columnists/grove/index.asp Was so excited that Fellner actually named Colin as starring in the film!

This is London has an article about Sally Phillips, who will be Shaz. Mentions Colin specifically...Her part as a Sloaney dog trainer in the film Notting Hill was cut (although it is on the DVD version) because, as Emma Freud tactfully put it, she was 'too funny'. Now, though, there's no chance of her ending up on the editing floor. She has a cameo role in the salsa movie Born Romantic, which closed the London Film Festival, and she has spent the summer filming Bridget Jones's Diary with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. She's also about to start filming Terry Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote with Johnny Depp. Lucky Sally. 'I hope I've done something worth watching,' she says of her performance as Shazzer, Bridget's best friend. 'There's a possibility that I won't be properly lit throughout the whole film.' The camera crew took bets on whether she would 'hit the mark', she explains. 'You have to run a certain distance and stop at a clearly marked point because that's where you're lit from. Most actors find this rudimentary, but they put me in clogs and I was absolutely hopeless. If I'm not lit, it won't be the lighting person's fault.' To say that Sally is self-deprecating is an understatement. She seems hell-bent on running herself down, dismissing her comic talents as 'bad acting' and her looks as 'weird'. She is lumpen, boss-eyed, unfit, lazy - by her account. It's very Bridget Jones, she agrees. 'Jones is a woman who wishes she was epic but is banal. It's such an everyman thing to want to break out of the mundane into something truly spectacular. It strikes me that you only ever do anything like that by mistake; like when you accidentally fall off a cliff and it's caught on camera.' Ninety per cent of her humour is by accident, not design, she insists. Take the time when she and Colin Firth (who plays Bridget's potential lover, Mark Darcy) got chatting. 'He said: "Shall we sit in your trailer? Do you have a table in there?" I didn't, because my trailer was really small. He had a huge trailer almost as big as Kansas and said: "Well, let's retire to mine." So we went and had this incredibly erudite - on his side - conversation about theatre. When I came out of his trailer I was flustered because I could see the other "friends" [from the film] peeping out from behind a tree, pointing and whispering. I said: "Thanks for having me in your trailer." I realised it was a double entendre, but it was too late because it was out of my mouth. Do you say: "Oh, I didn't mean that", or do you just sort of wink and sashay as if to say, "I'm the kind of girl who makes those kinds of comments"? So I did just that, really deceitfully.' The Bridget Jones-esque encounters continued when she first met Hugh Grant (who plays Bridget's office boyfriend, Daniel Cleaver). 'The first time I saw him I accidentally screamed. I'd never fancied him or been at all interested in him, really, it was just a real surprise. I said: "Sorry, I didn't expect you to be there," which was ridiculous because I'd just been introduced. It is weird, this transition from seeing a big head on the cinema screen to a small head, if you are as literal as me.' Phillips' comments about Ren�e Zellweger, who plays Bridget, are also vintage Jones. Zellweger was 'winning'; so intelligent ('she would spout sociology and anthropology and current theories of evolution') but, 'most impressive of all', she hardly wore any make-up. 'I had it on with a trowel - I don't mean I went to bed with a trowel. She just had a bit of lip stain and still looked great at four in the morning. She'd put on so much weight for the role and looked just about my size.'Here's the whole thing: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=340206&in_review_text_id=283393

Well, let's retire to mine. Sally Phillips is very attractive...and funny (she recently featured in a "most fanciable female" poll in a Uk magazine). Also, has a first class degree from Oxford University in Italian, which means that she's very very bright! Caught a glimpse of HG on "Filmnight" or whatever it's called. Still seemed to be in floppy haired Daniel mode. Should imagine that his role as Daniel will be very like his role in the new Woody Allen film, just opening here (lukewarm reviews) BJD is getting the drip drip treatment....constant reminders of its existence. Which is good. 99% of the population are usually only aware of the one big picture per week...everything else falls by the wayside.

Thanks, Karen! Bethan the Woody Allen film is vvfunny. I highly recommend it. Also, has a first class degree from Oxford University in Italian, which means that she's very very bright! Maybe she was giving Colin extra Italian lessons. ;-) But, it is a dream to be invited into his trailer, so Hollywood.

Cute article, Karen, thanks. Heathen that I am, was v.v.happy to hear that Colin had a BIG trailer. Though, of course, am now obsessing over probability that Hughie had one the size of Alaska.;-) BTW, the Bravo channel here has been showing episodes of Smack The Pony on Friday nights, 8:30 p.m. I especially enjoy their "dating service" videos of romantic hopefuls. Agree with Moon: Small Time Crooks is *very* funny, but then again I think almost anything Woody is funny and Tracey Ullmann is a fave of mine. Does anyone here watch her HBO show, "Tracey Takes On." Some really inspired stuff there! Speaking of HBO comedy shows, imagine my surprise the other night when one of the HBO channels was showing its One Night Stand program, this time a half-hour of stand-up comedy from . . .Mike Binder. No kidding. Taped at the Old Vic (?) Theater in Chicago. Show was several years old.

Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... Agree about Small Time Crooks. It was v.funny in the old Woody Allen way, and Tracey Ullmann made the movie. Loved those interviews at the cookie factory. Mari: and how was his stand-up routine?

I thought the whole cast was great. Loved that final coctail party and that line about digesting the toothpick, brilliant old Woody there. Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... Really? I hope someone does get the courage to ask about Armadillo. This may still be a go. Remember, we did not find out about his playing MD in BJD till the very end.

Yes, Mari. Is Mike funny, does he pull it off, are they basic babe jokes?

Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... (Moon) Really? Yes, really! Don't you remember the Donna F story about 'having just come out of CF's trailer'? ;-)

DF 'left CF in bed in his trailer', right? Hee hee! I'm with Mari, I was also happy to read that CF had a big trailer (though am also sure it looked like a VW Beetle next to Hughie's). Grr, since he merits such star treatment (rightfully so ;-)), why doesn't he get more...you know where I'm going with this!

(Karen), Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... (Moon) Really? Yes, really! Don't you remember the Donna F story about 'having just come out of CF's trailer'? ;-) That is just two Karen. You scared me, I thought I missed something big. ;-)

Mike's show--mildly amusing. He does have a likable persona and the audience seemed to enjoy him. Then again, they may have been very drunk.;-) No babe jokes, Moon, and the material is very clean by HBO standards. Apparently he had just gotten married so a lot of it was about making the transition from single to married life. No ball and chain type jokes. In fact, his stuff is very self-deprecating. Some cute bits about wedding gift registries--"wait a minute--you mean to tell me that people actually asked what we wanted and we told them . . . china?" That type thing. More smile-inducing than laugh out loud funny, IMO. He ain't no Dennis Miller, that's fersure. But not bad.

(Moon)I hope someone does get the courage to ask about Armadillo. This may still be a go. Remember,we did not find out about his playing MD in BJD till the very end. Put it to bed , Moon. I called agent one day...he said "NOOOOOO".

(Moon) That is just two Karen. You scared me, I thought I missed something big. ;-) The *others* I keep private.

(Evelyn), I called agent one day...he said "NOOOOOO". That strong a no? Something nasty must have happened there. Thanks for calling, Evelyn. The *others* I keep private. What? And I thought you were my friend. ;-)

Evelyn), I called agent one day...he said "NOOOOOO". (Moon)That strong a no? Something nasty must have happened there. Probably annoyed that I called. That office doesn't have the most courteous personnel.

but if they are not now filming until January, then he didn't drop out because of his commitment to Conspiracy, as you say Moon something must have happened between the time Mari first telephoned A& E and the second time. I am really enjoying the book too, oh well.

Since they always shoot out of sequence, it's possible that they are already filming, but that Catherine's scenes won't be filmed until January when she is available. The Flavia role is not that big (at least in the book). In any event, it's clear that they were very late getting started--perhaps much later than CF anticipated-- and that filming will continue well into January--a much longer time commitment that Colin wants to make at this time of year, IMO. I still have a feeling he backed out for personal/calendar reasons. BTW, not sure this has been reported, but when asked at the most recent Italian reading (in which Elizabeth McGovern read and CF was in the audience) if he had any plans beyond Conspiracy, he said no.

But didn't Sue Birtwistle say that he had agreed to work in A.? She must be tearing her hair out now. There's probably something else behind this. And if he really started backing out of potentially interesting projects because he wants longer holidays at Christmas, then there's suddenly something very wrong with the man's professionalism.

(Echo)if he really started backing out of potentially interesting projects because he wants longer holidays at Christmas, then there's suddenly something very wrong with the man's professionalism. Thank you Echo, now I don't have to say it :-)

I think we'ew all making assumptions here. He worked thru' the winter last year on 3DOR, and there'll always be a break for Xmas in a shoot. And I don't think he would ever tell anyone what he was doing next, even if he knows. My theory, plain and simple, is that he may have decided that it's not a good idea to go back to doing a Brit TV mini-series. He's just done BJD (Big trailer too!) Would Hugh Grant do a Brit TV series (He's doing "The Persuaders" next with Nic Cage), Ralph Fiennes, Joe Fiennes, Rupert Everett, Jeremy Northam...will they do one? I know I've argued in favour of TV, but I can see the drawbacks. All actors with a long shelf life stick mainly to films/theatre. I also think CF may have outgrown the role of young innocent abroad (Lorimer), especially after playing Mark Darcy (successful rich lawyer, probably late thirties/forty) And if you have a ratings flop on TV, work dries up. There's an Andrew Davies scripted seies of "Take a Girl like you", based on the Kingsley Amis book, on the BBC at the moment. To be frank, I thought this was a better book than "Armadillo". But the TV version doesn't really work...some of the characters seem like caricatures. Armadillo" could turn out like this. Also shooting in the winter isn't very good...the outside shots will be dreary. Antonio Banderas has just signed up for the lead in a new film (Fu Manchu) to be made by Lola Films. maybe there'll be news about the project which I'm-the-only one-who-likes!! :-) BTW Catherine who? Not Zeta Jones?

CF may have outgrown the role of young innocent abroad Yes, that's probably it. He said provisionally he'd do it and then had a closer look.

(Echo ) if he really started backing out of potentially interesting projects because he wants longer holidays at Christmas, then there's suddenly something very wrong with the man's professionalism. (Gi) Thank you Echo, now I don't have to say it :-) You mistake my meaning, ladies. Far from casting aspersions on his professionalism, I was trying to give him credit for possibly putting his personal and family life first! It is all speculation, of course, but IMO it's likely that he has made commitments to his son (who, let's remember, lives several thousands of miles away--and I'll refrain from commenting on what I think of *that* situation;-). To me, this is a far more "professional" reason for backing out of a project than, oh, something better came along. Also, he had plenty of time to "take a closer look" at this project and the script so IMO it's unlikely he'd decide at the 11th hour, this isn't for me. But . . .your guess is as good as mine.:-) Bethan, "Catherine" is Catherine McCormick (sp?) who has been cast as Flavia. I think this was mentioned on another board, Odds & Ends maybe, and that she would begin filming her Armadillo scenes in January after wrapping up another current project.

Yes, additional cast for Armadillo was posted at 136 since Colin is no longer associated with it.

Must agree with Bethan and Mari...unfair to malign ODB for not taking a TV mini series role.He has never given any indication of being unprofessional..in fact directors and co-stars on both sides of the pond have said the opposite.

No one is maligning anyone or accusing anyone of actually being unprofessional. One is simply putting forward various views for consideration. It doesn't mean that they are hostile just because different angles and takes are pondered.

Or, one was disagreeing from someone else's view because of the way one could read the attitude as suggested...

(Mari), Also, he had plenty of time to "take a closer look" at this project and the script so IMO it's unlikely he'd decide at the 11th hour, this isn't for me. The material point is that he had more than a closer look at this project. He was working with Boyd on the script, Baz posted the news and even Sue B obliged with a comment. Something definitely went awry here. When an actor works so closely on a project, and every actor knows that the dates for each project are never set in stone, and then does not end up working on it, something went wrong. My take is that Sue could not get the approval from the (other) producers and Colin was cut out. We know that neither Colin or his agent would let Baz print the info unless they were under the impression that he would do it. Baz is a professional and believe it he checks his facts.

But Moon, every major player's contract has a "sell by" date in it, i.e., project needs to wrap up by such and such date or else the actor can withdraw. This protects actors from just this type of situation where pre-production has gone on for eons and late-starts would otherwise ruin any subsequent obligations they may have. They can't tie up an actor forever. BTW, they are *just* getting started today (see Karen's note at Odds and Ends). This will run into February, I'd imagine. Besides, who would have fired CF? Not the Beeb, they are more than lucky to have him. Certainly not A&E--he and Ehle are their poster kids, the stars of their highest rated show ever, and I'm sure they would have loved to promote the "return of Darcy to A&E." And they're the only network to have ever snared him for a sit-down interview, so the relationship must be decent, plus they were enthusiastic about him when we spoke on the phone. I don't know of any other producer involved.

BTW, they are *just*getting started today (see Karen's note at Odds and Ends) Let's take this to #136 to Odds & Ends where it belongs. Since I was the one who started this by telling you that I had called the agent. (Oh miserable day!)

(Moon)He was working with Boyd on the script It could be a disagreement over the script. Btw, it's about CF's career, not "odds and ends"...

Well, it's not BJD. And we're discussing Armadillo in Odds 'n Ends. See today's announcement from THR.

IMHO he may want to do something different... he's "done" the naive lover role. He wanted to do Peter in RV, he obviously wants to to play the Nazi politician in "Conspiracy". Also, although the William Boyd/Sue Birtwhistle connection gives (in our eyes) "Armadillo" a lift, it's not the main BBC drama offering for next year. The BBC are doing a �10 million adaptation of Conan Doyle's "The Lost World" ...shooting in New Zealand from January , and a 4 part adaptation (by Andrew Davies, again) of Trollope's "The Way we live now" about a ruthless Victorian businessman, which starts shooting at the end of the year. And there's the Tony Blair project!! Don't forget that.:-) I'm not conjecturing (heaven forbid!) that CF would be offered these projects...just saying that there are other projects in development and that he might prefer to play an intrepid explorer or business tycoon. He wanted to do Nostromo because of the guns and horses...men see things differently! Also, BJD must open doors surely? Or will it just fuel HG's career? There was something in one of the papers about HG "who has just played BJ's lover" (Yee-u-ch!)being in "great demand" in Hollywood. I thought Mark Darcy was the star role, says she sourly!

(Bethan) He wanted to do Nostromo because of the guns and horses...men see things differently! LOL! There are men - and there are men who are actors... There are subtle differences and even subtler considerations... However, the bottom line is this: there are actors who fiercely resist - and actors who are resigned to - being typecast.

Btw, it's about CF's career, not "odds and ends"... We talk about Colin in Odds and Ends as well. If you don't care to read that topic, that's your choice.

Oh, honestly... One might think it's a "we and you, us and them" kind of private party here.

Huh??

Uhm.

Bethan, so there is a big BJD trailer? Have you seen it? What does it show? I can't wait to see it. (anyone else read Candace Bushnell? I really can't stand her.)

New picture of Bridget at Dark Horizons:

Thanks, Karen. Reminds me of Helen Fielding's line when she was interviewed by Katie Couric. When asked about casting BJ, she mentioned having seen a woman at the hotel gym, sitting on a bike and reading a magazine, not pedaling. "I said to myself, 'That's her!'"

Jeez, could Dark Horizons find a less flattering pic of Renee? Looks like she's pedaling this time, Mari ;-) Was wondering how long it would take for the OT police to raid this topic (like we don't know who Echo is? Honestly...).

From Empire: Carrey And Zellweger Split After a year as a couple, Jim Carrey and Ren�e Zellweger have ended their relationship. Carrey, currently riding high at the box office with his star turn as The Grinch, and Zellweger, who will soon be seen trying out her English accent in Bridget Jones Diary, met on the set of Me, Myself and Irene and had been together ever since. Zellweger's publicist said "As of a couple weeks ago, Jim Carrey and Ren�e Zellweger are no longer in a relationship." Carrey's representative commented "It's a private matter." Speculation about the cause for the split has centred around twice-divorced Carrey's supposed enthusiasm about marrying Zellweger, and her reluctance. Zellweger's publicist commented that the couple wanted different things from the relationship.

Big article on Miramax & Harvey leading off Variety's page, with the following mention: While next year's film landscape remains riddled with questions, Miramax already is placing its bets on several high-profile pics, among them "Bridget Jones' Diary," "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" (a co-venture with Universal), and "Gangs," which could be ready by year-end. Dimension, meanwhile, is readying a "Scary Movie" sequel as well as Antonio Banderas starrer "Spy Kids." Full article here: http://www.variety.com/body.asp?HbkId=4440326&subcat=-1&ArticleId=1117790435

Speculation about the cause for the split has centred around twice-divorced Carrey's supposed enthusiasm about marrying Zellweger, and her reluctance. Zellweger's publicist commented that the couple wanted different things from the relationship. Gee, I thought it might have been the opposite, i.e., that she got wind that there wasn't going to be a ring under the Christmas tree. But, maybe with two failures behind him, she's a bit nervous. Would like to see them work it out; thought they made a nice couple. When JC isn't "on," he comes across as a very thoughtful and unassuming person. One thing's for damn sure: after yesterday's ruling, we ain't gonna get Tipper for the premiere.:-(

that she got wind that there wasn't going to be a ring under the Christmas tree. She already had a ring...JC went to London during the BJD shoot and proposed at The Ivy...don't you remember?

Look who just mastered the Art of Italics! ;-)

Look who just mastered the Art of Italics! ;-) I had a good teacher.:-) No stopping me now; am ready to move on to bolding and small fonts. Pics still scare me.;-)

Mmmmm and this looks to be the front end of the other fight scene: Rest are Bridge and friends and a *cuddly* one. You might want to close your eyes. ;-) Bridge and Shazz Warning! Time to close eyes:

Brava, Mari! Next stop FX. :-)

Thank you for that treat, Karen! No need to close the eyes. Unless you think that B ends up with Daniel. Colin in that pinstriped suit looks perfectly mafioso. Nice cufflinks though. Is that supposed to be the padded suit?

Whaddaya looking at cufflinks for? Love the turtleneck sweater. Can you imagine people not wanting to know who he is based on that photo?! (Moon) Unless you think that B ends up with Daniel. HG is going to be the one promoting the film, so most will think he's the one and only.

Thanks for those pics, Karen! mmmmmmmm, CF is still the handsomest man!

Yessss ....the turtle neck one is it, folks. (Glad they didn't let him pick the black tee shirt;-) And she is an adorable Bridget.

mmmmmmmmm and mmmmmmmm, love the first photo, must go to bed, sweet dreams and thanks Karen. Where did you get these from, they are lovely, can't wait for this film and must own the video. (I am so glad he looks this good, was very worried as he has looked so thin and hollowed cheeked recently .)

(Karen), Love the turtleneck sweater. I prefer the old pic in the red turtle neck sweater. Whaddaya looking at cufflinks for? I am married to a fastidious dresser and I am trained to look at these things. ;-)

Two words for that turtleneck pic: Multi-Orgasmic! Thanks, Karen--these are major YUMS. And this is the best we've seen BJ (but is that Bridge and Shazz havin' a toke? Shocking . . .;-)

Doesn't look like a Fine Cut to me. Guess the film won't be PG ;-)

CF's pinstripe is indeed the one that the "lookalike" had padded.

(but is that Bridge and Shazz havin' a toke? Shocking . . .;-) And, why did Andrew Davis write that in? Mark Darcy would not approve. ;-)

Wonderful pic of CF & RZ (and the others too), thanks Karen. I hope working closely with CF didn't make RZ look at JC in a different way ;-)

Wow Karen, what a treat! But hey spill the beans, where did they come from? Agree about that pic (henceforth to be known as "the turtle-neck") - it certainly does the business for me ;-P~~~~

He looks so protective towards Bridget, don't you think? BTW according to Movies.com news update (12.12.00) BJD's release date has been brought forward to the 6th April, instead of the 13th April, which I personally think is a good move, Good Friday is surely not a good date to release a film.

(Ann) He looks so protective towards Bridget, don't you think? I'm wondering if that's from near the end of the film, presuming the plot kind of follows the book. I've been examining or scrutinizing all the pics, and RZ is also wearing a turtleneck, the same one she's wearing around the train station shots (St Pancras-outside) and Liverpool Street (interior). Maybe she's gone home for Christmas, which would explain her hanging about at train stations. MD is also casually dressed, which never occurs in the book, except when he's skulking in the shrubbery and going to capture Julio or Julian. That pose is a couple together, and that only happens at the end. Cute pic of Bridge sliding down the pole in the fire station. "And now, back to the station." ;-)

Gi: I hope working closely with CF didn't make RZ look at JC in a different way ;-) We can now be sure that in the stoy of RZ's life, Hugh Grant will play Jim Carrey, but who will be played by Colin Firth? ;-) Seriously (well, semi-seriously) could RZ's new Suddenly Single status help the publicity for the film? - oh dear, I just realised this is entirely callous about poor Ren�e's feelings. Sorry. I did hear that "the last straw" in the relationship was a phone call of inordinate length that took place between JC and his most recent ex (Lauren Holly?)

(MarkG)I did hear that "the last straw" in the relationship was a phone call of inordinate length that took place between JC and his most recent ex (Lauren Holly?) Exes can be troublesome indeed...Did you hear it through the grapevine? ;-)

.."..last straw" in the relationship was a phone call of inordinate length that took place between JC and his most recent ex (Gi)Exes can be troublesome indeed.. Isn't there a child in that relationship too? Ug...exes+children=Big Time Baggage

(Evelyn) Isn't there a child in that relationship too? I think he has a child with his first wife. The conversation was with his second, Lauren Holly, no children. I remember seeing an interview with Lauren when they were still together. She said she would sometime have to say to Jim, "Stop making those faces!" Renee can do better. :-)

I think he has a child with his first wife. The conversation was with his second, Lauren Holly, TWO exes and a child...!! Renee can do better. :-) No kidding :-)

italics closed sorry

Via the List (many thanks) raves from a test screening at Aint It Cool News: http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=7721 Earlier this year, across the pond in England, an uproar arose over the casting of a Yank, Renee Zellweger, as Bridget Jones; the much-beloved titular character of two best selling, and veddy British, novels. Once again, it appeared, not only was Hollywood plotting to do a great disservice to another fine piece of literature, they were also setting out to Americanize that which is so quintessentially British. Even when successful with such a gambit (HIGH FIDELITY springs immediately to mind,) why can't our brethren in Blighty, having suffered through the indignity of Mel Gibson kicking their ruthlessly, colonial-minded bums every other year, be extended the courtesy of not having to endure the sullying a national treasure? Allow me to reassure Prime Minister Tony Blair that this is one film that won't require the condemnation of the British Parliament. Under the direction of first-time helmer Sharon Maguire, and adapted by Richard Curtis of NOTTING HILL and FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL fame, BRIDGET JONES' DIARY is a throwback to the freewheeling '60's work of Richard Lester; rapidly-paced, gentle in tone, but with an acerbic wit lurking underneath. What's more, having seen our chain-smoking, weight-battling heroine essayed so confidently by Ms. Zellweger, I'm absolutely clueless as to who else could nail the role so triumphantly. We're first introduced to Bridget as she reluctantly attends a party thrown at her parents' house. Her apprehension, it turns out, stems less from the prospect of spending time with her unconditionally adoring father (Jim Broadbent,) than to navigating the matchmaker tendencies of her overbearing mother (Gemma Jones,) who can't fathom why her over-thirty daughter is still single. It turns out Mrs. Jones is keen to re-introduce Bridget to Mark Darcy, a childhood acquaintance who is now a distinguished barrister. All goes disastrously, of course, sending poor Bridget home to drink herself into a stupor while emoting to depressing pop ballads (reaching a hysterical peak as Zellweger belts out "All By Myself" to her telephone from which, we ascertain, no suitors have called for some time.) Determined not to wallow in her misery, however, a voracious Bridget goes on the prowl, donning sheer blouses complimented by skirts so short as to bring into doubt their very existence; all in a rather desperate attempt to draw the wandering eye of her ladykiller boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant,) who runs the publishing house at which Bridget toils thanklessly as a publicist. It isn't long before Daniel and Bridget begin shacking up regularly, briefly setting her world aright for before her mother drops the bombshell that she's engaging in an affair with the flamboyant host of a popular Home-Shopping program, sending Bridget's father spiraling into a pit of depression. It's also at this point that the aforementioned Mark Darcy professes his genuine affection for Bridget, a doubly-troubling dilemma since he is also a longtime rival of Daniel's. This is even further complicated by Mark's impending engagement to Natasha (Embeth Davidtz,) who, in her polished and proper manner, is the very antithesis of Bridg t. And on Bridget veers, from one calamity to another, seeking only a man who will love her just as she is -- socially awkward, slightly pudgy, but of a kind heart -- while keeping watch over her increasingly melancholy father, who, as he heartbreakingly confides, "just doesn't work" without her mother. It's a wonder how Sharon Maguire, with whom I am entirely unfamiliar, moves so assuredly from one uproarious set-piece to another. So deft is her touch, I often forgot I was watching a work-in-progress, even when confronted with grainy digital footage. Comedies, in particular, are not supposed to work this well in test screenings. Most importantly, Maguire has clearly connected with her leading lady, eliciting a performance from Zellweger that is surely a career best. It's rare to see a relatively glamorous Hollywood actress go to such lengths to look so amazingly plain. It's one thing for Cameron Diaz to frizz up her hair, and forego make-up, but quite another for Zellweger to pack on some pounds, and, then, wear outfits which serve only to exacerbate her less than stellar shape. How, then, is Bridget so desirable that two men would vie for her affection? It's all about charm, a quality which Zellweger exudes effortlessly, lighting up the screen at any given moment with an adorable scrunch of her face, or he longing gaze of her deep blue eyes. If NURSE BETTY was the film that proved this girl's got chops, consider BRIDGET JONES' DIARY the movie where Zellweger, by virtue of a performance that should draw the empathy of women worldwide, became our generation's Kelly or Hepburn. With all of this praise (and not a word of it hyperbole) lavished on the star, I don't want to shortchange the work of the uniformly excellent cast that surrounds her. Playing the cad for the first time that I can remember, the thankfully stammer-free Hugh Grant is as assured as he's ever been. The first moment we meet Daniel, exiting an elevator, Grant does a quick surveying of the office landscape that perfectly sets the tone for his character's predatorial nature. It's the kind of subtle work for which the oft-maligned actor never receives enough credit. He's nicely contrasted by Colin Firth, who starts off as a chilly, emotionless intellectual, but slowly melts when in the presence of Zellweger (especially in an uproarious dinner party scene where Bridget's culinary ineptitude forces some quick improvisation on his part.) Fine work is also turned in by the ever-reliable Jim Broadbent (forever Warner Purcell from BULLETS OVER BROADWAY) and Gemma Jones. I also want to single out the screenplay, which contains more than its share of quotable lines ("Careful, you ham-fisted cunt!" being a particular favorite.) Richard Curtis has been churning out these charming little scripts with astonishing regularity throughout the last decade, and even though he's aided by what I'm told is a very funny novel, I still stand in awe of his continued success. With its scheduled release more than four months away, there is ample time to fine tune what would already be a cinch for my top-ten list of 2000. Is BRIDGET JONES' DIARY perfect? Heavens, no! There's far too much rushing about in the final reel, the temp soundtrack relies too heavily on over-familiar R&B hits to punctuate certain moments, and I'm not sure the ending is right, but, in a way, to paraphrase a recurring line from the film, I think I kind of love BRIDGET just the way it is. Faithfully Submitted, Clarence Beaks

I am so pleased to read this, I had an awful feeling that it would backfire on him and that the 2 male leads would be completely overshadowed by Renee, but she and they sound great. Can't wait. Not bad reviews for the men from another man, either.

Thanks, Karen! Why would Clarence not think it is the right ending? Would he want her to end up with HG? and even though he's aided by what I'm told is a very funny novel, I still stand in awe of his continued success. So he has not read the novel? I want to hear from the women that have read them.

Cynic that I am, if you read some of the Talkback section (most is trash, having nothing to do with the review), one or two people point out that the review was likely posted by someone associated with Miramax. I have to agree. The review was 10 million times better written than anything that would ever posted on that site. The lack of misspelled words, the use of big words (all spelled correctly) plus the use of punctuation, including hyphenated linked adjectives, are all flags to me that it was written by a pro. And equating Sharon Maguire to Richard Lester... LOL! But I'll take it anyway.

It's good to read something so positive..but I take your point about the source, Karen. Why would Clarence not think it is the right ending? Would he want her to end up with HG? That's the one really big doubt I've got about the Richard Curtis version (as opposed to the Andrew Davies version which highlighted the connection with P&P and the Darcy quotient). I can't see HG playing second fiddle...he'll be a sexy charming cad, whilst Mark Darcy will be an about-to-be-engaged (that wasn't in the book) snooty barrister. I doubt if MD will get to do his noble saving Bridget's mum act. So audience's loyalties may be with lovable bad boy Hugh. I say "may "!!

Two things, firstly if Clarence is in the employ of Miramax they still must be pretty confident that this review is pretty close and secondly don't you think it is strange that they mention Bridget's Mum and Dad particularly and not the actresses who play Jude and Shazzer, they surely have more screen time than Mum & Dad, unless their parts has been built up. Still if all the reviews are like this in April, then my cup shall overflow.

I just read it at AICN. Sounds like this was written by a pro...LOL at the person who said in Talk Back that the review was written by Harvey Weinstein, or somewone at Universal. But he answered and said he has never yet cashed a check for Miramax! I too hope they don't tinker with the ending. This sounds like Renee's movie start to finish. performance from Zellweger that is surely a career best. Only one sentence about Colin...too much about Jim Broadbent!! "He's[HG] nicely contrasted by Colin Firth, who starts off as a chilly, emotionless intellectual, but slowly melts when in the presence of Zellweger (especially in an uproarious dinner party scene where Bridget's culinary ineptitude forces some quick improvisation on his part.) "

Oh, I just meant to say that I have watched MLSF again, and I can't get over how much more complete a film is seems this second time around, it can't just be the ending or the fact that it was on the small screen, but I really really enjoyed it and may put it on my Birthday List. That scene where Edward comes into their bedroom and sits down and touches Moira's arm and says "I have been a child..", is wonderful, the look on his face, he was really really sorry, and I am sure I missed it on the big screen. Also when Gamma is tucking into the trifle and "hics" and Fraser looks at her and she sticks her tongue out at him, too funny!!

(Ann) don't you think it is strange that they mention Bridget's Mum and Dad particularly and not the actresses who play Jude and Shazzer The mother,yes, but dad, no. Many people know who Jim Broadbent is, but wouldn't know Sally Phillips or Shirley Henderson if they Smacked a Pony in their face. ;-) I think they are playing up the substantial supporting cast. As to this review being how it might be perceived by a third party reviewer, I doubt it. This is hype, spin, creating buzz, etc. Even though Clarence said he wasn't in Harvey's employ, he really messed up. AICN regulars TRASH movies like this. They aren't at all interested in "chick flicks." They are into comic books and sci-fi and hugely popular indie directors with cult followings.

Another review by Clarence Beaks (to get a feeling for how reliable he is) Last week, I attended a press screening of Conspiracy Theory, a film I had looked forward to seeing based on the teaming of two appealing stars, and, of course, the casting of Patrick Stewart as a villain. Well, what I got stuck with instead was another testament to the waning abilities of the once competent Richard Donner. This movie is an across the board botch job that is no doubt going to be added to the already mountainous scrap heap of summer disappointments. The sad thing is, Gibson might've given one of his better performances, but Donner jacks up the movie with the kind of pseudo-surrealist flashback scenes that you'd expect from an Oliver Stone film (which, I might add, is ironic because one of the only clever moments in the film is a scene in which Gibson's character lables Stone a dis-information crony for the establishment. 'If he was right about any of that stuff, he'd be way dead by now. (Pause.)Probably should be regardless.' Or something like that.) Stewart is fine, but relegated to the background too often for playing the villain, while Roberts turns in solid work. Just chalk this one up to Richard 'Radio Flyer' Donner, aplot-hole ridden script, and check out The Omen to remind yourself that this guy wasn't always a hack." [Review sent in by Clarence Beaks.]

(Ann) but I really really enjoyed it[MLF] and may put it on my Birthday List. See?? I told you so:-D

OK, I've got the word (actually several paragraphs) on the ending to the movie. Totally different from the book. You want *spoilers*? ;-)