And thank you Mari! Very much!!

Thanks, Mari! Great pictures! (Karen) Then, again, check out where her hands are anchored in the flying yoga pic. I'd pay cash money to do same. I suspect there'd be quite a line of us waving our cash.

Thanks, Mari, for the great HS pics. Where do you guys find these new things? (Maria)and her nose in his hair!! Looks more like chin in his MPB ;-)...butI'd take either. Both are v.v. fine ;-);-). Can't wait till HS comes to US!!!

Thank you, Mari, for adding to my difficulties...But I love them. Can't you guys just wait until I come down from Heaven...I'm still in HD and stubble mode. Sheesh. (Evelyn)And where does Colin Ware have his left hand in the fifth pic? Exactly where we're all paying extra for him to have it:-)

Wonderful pictures, Mari. Thank you so much. Seems we are all on the same pace (understandable?) as to where we would like to replace HG with each and every one of us (sound of running feet coming from me, hurrying to stand in line. No elbows allowed among firthettes, mind you ;-)) Love your comments, ladies;-)

ROTF, Mari! These are such teasers. Can't wait to see it.

Ananova: Hope Springs (12A, 92mins) Romantic comedy. What the critics say: Neil Smith, BBC: The love triangle throws up some amusing situations that compensate for the numerous lapses in logic and pacing. FilmFour: There are no revelations here, and the tone of the film sits uncomfortably between stock US romantic comedy and the more wry UK equivalent, but it's passably endearing and generally gentle. Starring:Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver, Oliver Platt, Mary Steenburgen, Frank Collison, Chad Faust. Director: Mark Herman. Released: May 9. Affable British portrait artist Colin Ware (Colin Firth) is unable to contain his shock when he receives an invitation from his fiancee Vera (Minnie Driver) to celebrate her marriage to another man. He boards a plane bound for America and heads for the small Vermont town of Hope, silently praying he might find a sense of hope among the close-knit community. Colin takes up lodgings at the Battlefield Inn, where match-making Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) attempts to lift his gloom by setting him up with eccentric nurse Mandy (Heather Graham). Just as he is falling in love, Vera breezes into town to tell Colin that the wedding invite was a joke, meant to spur him into popping the question, and she wants him back. Despite a cast doing their best to turn on the charm, this is romantic comedy by numbers and there's never any doubt how the story will end. Swearing: Yes Sex: Yes Violence: No

"Sex: Yes" Yesssss! (Yahoo)" Despite a cast doing their best to turn on the charm, this is romantic comedy by numbers and there's never any doubt how the story will end. " "It's a fairy tale, stupid."

LOL, Evelyn! PG-13 Sex. ;-) I'm very curious as to the HS reviews that will be coming shortly.

"It's a fairy tale, stupid." No, that was WAGW. You have to vary the answers. From Jennie, there are two small items in British magazines so far this week, originating from the premiere. Hello (13.05.03) Hello has a small picture of Colin with the following: Colin Firth - Expecting a new addition to the family. British born actor Colin Firth and his Italian wife Livia are expecting their second child in August. The couple have a son, two year old Luca and Colin has a 12 yera old son from his previous relationship with actress Meg Tilly. The 42 year old star of Bridget Jones's Diary is soon to start work on its sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Hello also has a nice picture of Colin with MD at the premiere of HS. [the "interview" below appears to have been lifted from other material] Bella (13.05.03) Showbiz News - The One Minute Interview You play a lot of romantic roles. Are you romantic yourself? I don't think I'm an excessively romantic guy. Romantic cliches don't appeal to me particularly. I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day for instance, because I don't like an appointed day for roses and all that. I think it's important to be imaginative and to act on impulse. Is it true you nearly turned down the part of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice? I turned it down several times. And then a friend said I had to do it because no one else was capable of being as unpleasant and unsympathetic as I was. That was the hook for me. He was emotionally impeded and that's what I was going for with that performance. Are you anything like Mr Darcy? Of course I'm not. If people expect that when they meet me they'll be disappointed. Do you enjoy being a sex symbol? It's utterly bizarre to hear people discussing me in sexual terms. I'm glad I didn't achieve hunk status until I was 35. It would have been difficult to deal with if it had happened early in my career. You have two sons, William, 12, by American actress Meg Tilly, and Luca, two, by your Italian wife Livia. Do you enjoy fatherhood? Absolutely. My boys are the best thing and the main thing. My life revolves around them. What's this about a feud between you and Rupert Everett? Personally, I've never been able to stand Rupert but on set we managed to get on really very well. Rupert and I hate each other because we are very different. I find him a frightfully sophisticated person. He thought I was too serious, without a sense of humour, which is the opposite of him. We didn't take to each other, but this is a story I would never have revealed to the public if he hadn't done so during the promotion of our film The Importance of Being Earnest in the USA. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Also from Gail, a lurker, a new "bio-ish" thing in The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4661872,00.html

(CF)Absolutely. My boys are the best thing and the main thing. There's that word, again. Can't you just hear him say it. Sorry, just drooling over everything these days. It's utterly bizarre to hear people discussing me in sexual terms He should have been here last week...(stubble winkie) Thank you Karen, Gail, and Mari . Swearing: Yes Sex: Yes I love when he swears...the sex...I'll believe it when I see it. ...And For the Weekend of May 4-6 WAGW managed to stay in the top 20 coming in at #12 Weekend Gross 1.2 million, Cumulative Gross 34.5 million I'm surprised at the low weekend gross only because when I saw it Saturday night the theater was sold out. I figured it was due to the overflow of LMG. I wondered if that would hold true for the rest of the theaters. Apparently, not. The 42 year old star of Bridget Jones's Diary is soon to start work on its sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. ...At the risk of not varying the answers...I'll believe it when I see it:-)

(Me)"It's a fairy tale, stupid." (Karen)No, that was WAGW. You have to vary the answers. No I don't. This is a fairy tale for grown -up women. Esp. if you are a caretaker in a nursing home;-)

I've been told that Colin appeared on Channel 4 breakfast show today. Am not sure of any details, as none were provided. I expect it was a taped bit from before the premiere.

(ODB re: Darcy) I turned it down several times. And then a friend said I had to do it because no one else was capable of being as unpleasant and unsympathetic as I was. LOL...is this one of those self-depreciating remarks that I am now beginning to recognize? Our Oxfam boy unsympathetic? Hmmmm....still...v. v. funny! (Moon) LOL, Evelyn! PG-13 Sex. ;-) I don't know about Evelyn...but I'll take PG-13 Sex! He was pretty hot as HD in a PG film....I may not survive PG-13! (Linda on TEOR) ...At the risk of not varying the answers...I'll believe it when I see it:-) I'm with you sistah! I'm stressed about this one. All the actors are being very wishy-washy. Where's Lola to ease my tension??

Thank you Gail for the Guardian bio! I don't claim to understand the English school system very well, but found it interesting that ODB's O Levels were in English and Religious Studies (makes sense, with his mum teaching RS). I had never heard that before. Discerning observers spotted his talent way back in Another Country long before he hooked the sighing masses by ruining a perfectly good shirt in Pride and Prejudice. Now, now! I wouldn't call it ruining the shirt! That shirt was given a new life...there have been poems and fanfic written about that great moment! "He always had a very natural stage presence and a great control through his vocal range." Hmmmm....he does seem to control something in me with his vocal range! ;-) "He could be very lively and very laid back, a bit of a lad, and great fun to teach. He was popular with the girls." I thought I heard ODB say he went to an all boys school? Or is this in drama school (must be...)?

OA-level in drama. I know of the A levels but what is an OA-level? Thanks, Karen and Mari.

Hola everyone, Quick comments before I have to run again... Don't worry about the Bridget Jones' sequel. I've been saying this for the last year but no one seems to believe me. :) The Renee deal is still being worked on. But don't worry about it. Mari, in answer to your question, the July preview date for Love Actually is an internal preview at the studio after the directors cut is made. It's not a public preview. They are now planning to preview it in June in the UK. Karen, I have lost your email address and need to discuss something with you regarding Love Actually that was brought to my attention at a morning meeting. So could you please email me at the Yahoo address? Thanks! I'm very glad to hear some of you ladies got the pleasure of meeting CF. You can now see what I've said all along that he is truly one of the nicest most down to earth actors out there. Another one like that is Hugh Jackman. Congratulations to you. Take care!

From Sue, who saw a snippet of Colin this a.m. on the Channel 4 breakfast show, another item from Channel 4. Most of it looks like material from the presskit: HOPE WAS NUDE NIGHTMARE FOR FIRTH It's been tipped as one of this year's sweetest rom coms, but Hope Springs turned into a nightmare for director Mark Herman and star Colin Firth. The shoot was dogged by protests from residents of the chosen location, a Vancouver town called Fort Langley, doubling as the fictional town Hope. Cast and crew also had to deal with abominable weather conditions and studio demands for re-shoots. "Stories about objections to filming have been blown out of proportion" says director Mark Herman. "Some people didn't want a bunch of actors and crew there because of past experiences". Eventually shooting went ahead, albeit for a shorter time than planned. "We shot for 45 days, of which for four days there wasn't rain. We created it for continuity. It's soul destroying." Heather Graham's nude scene in HS threw up its own problems. "HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples" says director Mark Herman. "After appearing naked in her past two or three films". The camera had to dodge the plasters. "The scene had no sexual activity" he says "It was cleaner than a Kylie Minogue promo". But the studios demanded a re-shoot. "Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap". In HS, Colin Firth's lovelorn Colin is set up with the local beauty by bored hotel manager Mandy. Bridget Jones Diary star Firth is no stranger to the ways of matchmaking himself. "There was a heartbroken friend and a girl I introduced who I thought would get on very well" he admits. It worked and they fell in love. But it turned out to be the most disastrous relationship. It taught me a lesson". Colin Firth seemed destined to play the dejected artist in HS. "I was recommended the book by a couple of friends. And the coincidence was, that, while I was thinking 'I must find out who owns the rights to this', I happened to be working with the very person who did - Barnaby Thompson". "I was in a good position to lobby for the job, but I was kept dangling with the idea there was a long list of names - of which I was 125th". Colin dismisses the accusation that he always plays the same role. "Most actors are pretty same-ish in what they do, be it representing a particular class, whatever" he says. "HS is about a confused, bewildered, middle class Englishman and I've certainly been that. The most amusing comment I've had from a journalist recently was 'You're always playing the men who are attracted to women'". [Ed note: Durr!]

Thanks Karen for all the articles today...and thank you Mari! "Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap". LOL...ODB suffers so for his art! And thank you Lola for the TEOR reassurance! I'm so needy, I know! But after ODBs remarks on the Blockbuster UK site, I panicked!

(CF) The most amusing comment I've had from a journalist recently was 'You're always playing the men who are attracted to women'". Wow. That's right up there with the EOR interview questions, LOL! (Karen) [Ed note: Durr!] Durr, indeed! :)

"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap". I have written and rewritten a response to this about 5 times now and find I am powerless over the perviness so I will just quietly fold my hands in my lap and say thanks Karen...

(Maria) I have written and rewritten a response to this 5 times LOL Maria, just 5 times? And some! I too have given up and join the "Meekly folded hands, tape my mouth" brigade in saluting you Boss. See I'm going to be enjoying all that sex, naked body doubles and yoga to morrow so much that I might forget to leave the cinema! Thanks Sue for the article and Lola for your calming news . (Tress) I'm so needy it's a big club ;-))

(Maria) I have written and rewritten a response to this 5 times As Lizza wrote, just 5 times? I would rather do as HG and tape my nipples and keep my mouth free for ...... and who's lap did you say to fold your hands into?;-) Oops, get back on track, girl. Thank you for the articles and the reassuring news. (Tress) I'm so needy (Lizza) it's a big club ;-)) Room for one more?

(HS Press kit via channel 4) "Heather Graham's nude scene in HS threw up its own problems. "HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples" says director Mark Herman. "After appearing naked in her past two or three films". This pisses me off. What did she think they hired her for....her thespian talents, fergodsake? I saw "From Hell" *thumbs down smilie*

"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap". Oh Gawd! That did it, the moment I knew was going to happen since the PEN reading. Have lost all marbles and ability to speak... Well maybe, not. OOOOOOOOOk! Just how does one become a naked body double that sits in Colin's lap all afternoon? Just wondering, pondering, calling personal trainer, ordering work out equiptment, yoga mat. HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples Oh how clever. Well as Colin said, she wasn't as ditzy as she seemes:-) But, on the other hand, it would seem to me that she would have used plaster in other places as well. Like...oh never mind. Thank you, LOLA. Making mental notes not to worry about TEoR anymore. Um, thank you Karen for that v. engaging article. I think.

(Linda) Oh how clever. Well as Colin said, she wasn't as ditzy as she seemes:-) But, on the other hand, it would seem to me that she would have used plaster in other places as well. Like...oh never mind. ROTFL....oh Linda! Ditch the plaster! I can't write anymore otherwise I'll get in trouble...but ditch the plaster!

"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap". (Linda) OOOOOOOOOk! Just how does one become a naked body double that sits in Colin's lap all afternoon? Just wondering, pondering, calling personal trainer, ordering work out equiptment, yoga mat. That's exactly what I was thinking, except I was forced to add "have liposuction, magically lose 30 years..."

Just read this somewhere.... Colin is in Red magazine (UK) this month and in the interview he states that the baby will be born in July and it is to be a boy. He says boys run in the family I'm on a rebellious streak tonight...not going to bother mentioning where I found it. Maybe I'll get in trouble for this,too.

On The Press Junket for Hope Springs with ODB Katie Couric: mmm..Good Morning, Colin. Welcome back to the Today Show...mmm CF: Thank you. It's good to be back. Oh, pardon me! We tend to get our feet tangled up don't we? Katie: I read here in the press kit that you spent an afternoon with a naked body double on your lap. CF: Well, um, yes but the name of the film it's, it's, it's Hope Springs. Katie: But getting back to the afternoon that you spent with the naked body double on your lap- CF: Well yes but more importantly I'd like to say that I star in the film with Heather Graham and Minnie Driver both very surefooted actresses and - Katie:(humming and singing) Thinking of you's working up my appetite, looking forward to a little afternoon delight, rubbing sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite humm,humm,humm. CF: Yes well,um,you know, the source material was very,very,very well written by Charles Webb of Graduate fame. Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? CF: Don't you want to ask me when we start filming TEOR or call me Mr. Darcy? Katie: (humming and singing) Hmm...hmm..Skyrockets in flight...afternoon delight. Do you mind if we do an actual re-creation for our viewers this morning? CF: Matt! Al! Somebody! Help me!

Katie: (humming and singing) Hmm...hmm..Skyrockets in flight...afternoon delight. Do you mind if we do an actual re-creation for our viewers this morning? CF: Matt! Al! Somebody! Help me! ROTHLMAO when I should be getting some shut eye! Catching up here after a 10 day absence has been a killer! But I must go back to a way long ago issue and have my part in the discussion and say that I agree with Joyce about that "bad boy" pic on the cover of that Sunday paper that I'm too tired to go back to find the name of. I think he looks great and dangerous! Yummy! No *just a pretty boy in a starched stuffed shirt* there! Hubba hubba.

(Linda) it would seem to me that she would have used plaster in other places as well. Just making sure you know that a plaster is a Band-aid. OK? The idea of putting them in other places... eowwww! :-( Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? LOL! Discussing plasters in other places resurfaces... v.g. Joyce

Joyce, you're cracking me up!!!!

Thanks Hola Lola for the reassurance about TEOR. It taught me to hope!

Matt ! Al! Somebody ! Help me ! Why calling after Matt and AL (who ever they are) while a bunch of drool ladies wouldn�t hesitate.On the other side his desperation is just too cute to help him :o)

Lots of mistakes by someone that gets to interview him..my new mantra - not fair... http://www.guardian.co.uk/parents/story/0,3605,950590,00.html

(Maria) Lots of mistakes by someone that gets to interview him.. I often wonder how much research is done by the interviewer. Colin Firth, oh yes, Mr Darcy. P&P was made in the 1990's and BJD in the next centuary, so let's just say 10 years... what an idiot.

"The scene had no sexual activity" he says "It was cleaner than a Kylie Minogue promo". Sad. Had they made an effort to make an R-rated film, it might have been different with HG. Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? CF: Don't you want to ask me when we start filming TEOR or call me Mr. Darcy? LOL, Joyce! And he does sit so well a saddle too. ;-) Thanks for the articles, ladies.

(Dorine)Colin is in Red magazine (UK) this month and in the interview he states that the baby will be born in July and it is to be a boy. He says boys run in the family (Mari) Mr. Y chromosome. From the Burpee Seed Company for Immediate Press Release The Burpee Seed Company proudly announced today that it would be introducing a new line of Spring 2003 baby seeds in honor of actor Colin Firth. The seeds will be known as AllwhysNoexes and will be distributed with Sunday Supplement magazines. The seeds are guaranteed to produce a male child who looks very much like a turnip, rutabaga or parsnip for the first year(your choice). When notified of this honor Mr. Firth said," With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?"

(Joyce)Burpee Seed Company for Immediate Press Release LOL! "With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?" With stubble like what you've got, do you think I'd care?

(Joyce)Was the body double sitting western or english ROTFL...I always get the two confused:-)Joyce, that interview was priceless. Thank you. looking forward to a little afternoon delight, rubbing sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite humm,humm,humm. Ohhhh that conjurs up all kinds of delicious images. (Karen)Just making sure you know that a plaster is a Band-aid. OK? The idea of putting them in other places... eowwww! :-( LOL, I did. There is another example of those words that take on a different meaning depending on which side of the pond one resides...reminds me of "fanny packs" but at least we can say plaster in British society.

EMPIRE on Line give HS 2 out of 5 * This is one of those films where you?re mentally recasting throughout - Hugh Grant, obviously, then perhaps Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Zeta-Jones... but the actors shouldn?t shoulder the whole blame for this rather mediocre effort. Early scenes with Firth as a deadpan depressive arriving in a small town, Hope Springs, are full of comic promise. It?s with the appearance of Graham that things start to get shakier. Despite the potential humour in certain scenarios - like her naturist turn in the repressed Englishman?s hotel - both her character and the love match fail to ring true. Bring in Minnie Driver as a manipulative, chain-smoking embodiment of materialism, and the supposed plot tension crumbles. It?s perfectly clear that Colin shouldn?t be with Vera, but this point seems to have eluded the writers as they struggle to convince us that there?s a crucial competition for his affections at play. Any Good? Early laughs give way to bland romance and an uninvolving love triangle plot device. As Mandy says to Colin at one point, ?It was funny at first, now it?s just irritating.? http://www.empireonline.co.uk/reviews/review.asp?8899

Have we seen that review before? Some of the verbage rang a bell. (Joyce) "With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?" You're crackin' me up, Joyce! But I bet he'd be adorable with a baby daughter.

The seeds will be known as AllwhysNoexes and will be distributed with Sunday Supplement magazines. Too bad they've only mass-produced them now. I know some people who would've loved them. When notified of this honor Mr. Firth said," With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?" Adorable, Joyce. Thanks (Guardian) That's wonderful," he said. "Most people who meet me tell me it's their mums who fancy me." Lucky we kept quiet about the magnetic image of Firth as Darcy that adorns the fridge of my producer's 80-year-old mother. ROTF! Magnetic image? So producer's mother shops on eBay. ;-) Thanks, Maria, for posting. v. cute.

New Cardiff has been published in paperback in the UK, retailing at �6.99, with the Hope Springs Movie Poster on the front cover.(No other stills from the movie are featured). - Waterstones are doing a buy 2 get 1 free deal, just in case you want to buy a copy for your friends!

(Dorine)...in the interview he states that the baby will be born in July and it is to be a boy. He says boys run in the family.... Hopefully they'll walk too! Gotta have that Firth stride passed down...;-) This may mean they'll try again (for a girl)...I'm all for filling this world with beautiful Firths. Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? ROTF...Joyce you cracked me up this morning. Thank you! And wot? Katie didn't think to ask about riding sidesaddle? ;-) (Burpee Seed Company) The seeds will be known as AllwhysNoexes and will be distributed with Sunday Supplement magazines. (Karen) Too bad they've only mass-produced them now. I know some people who would've loved them. From my understanding of things, the seeds are massed produced anyway. This just appears to be a means of distribution. ;-D

From EMPIRE A min-interview with Colin and director of HS http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/interviews/hopesprings/ (I don't *think* this has been posted before...if so AAA)

Have just listened to a review of HS on Front Row on Radio 4 and it was bad :-( They seemed agreed that CF was making a career for himself as a second string HG in US films and the critic of the Telegraph who was on the show said she wished he didn't look so miserable about it: "you don't have to be a film star, Colin" :-(( They really tore into Minnie Driver, said she looked like an alien. Thought the whole premise was ridiculous and also mentioned that it was really CF's project. Oh dear... Mind you they are often v critical but in the UK I think people take more notice of the critics. Over the age of 20 we do not automatically go to the movies each week. Most people only go if something attracts their attention so I am not hopeful. Thank goodness he has other things in the can.

I was wearing appliances by the time we wrapped. Appliances? I hate it when he isn't specific. Well at least we know he can still reproduce:-) Thank you Evelyn.

I think the writer may be a bit constipated as well...Raer! It achieves the charm wobblingly aimed at by Hope Springs, based on a novel by Charles Webb, author of The Graduate, but British, despite its American setting and Canadian locations. An enterprise dear to the heart of its leading actor, it gives a glowering Colin Firth the chance to exercise his glum-to-the-point-of-tears appeal, a reticent, throwaway but somehow leaden performance best described as "Hugh Grant constipated". He plays a jilted English artist who flees his "London land", to quote the strangely EFL publicity material, to nurse his grief in a small New England town. Here he falls for a "beautiful caregiver", though their idyll is threatened when his fickle fianc�e tracks him down from London land. Minnie Driver has the best lines, a running gag about smoking in America, and, in place of former hamster-cheeks, a square jawline ideal for burgeoning hard-boiled, wise-cracking talent. Heather Graham's caregiver is on autopilot, rather like the rest of the film, leaving me a negative damngiver. http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1051389829560

Thanks, Allison, for the preview of what will likely be the prevailing tone come Friday... Dire news indeed. :-( Have had confirmation that Naomie Harris does play Ben's wife in Trauma.

(FT) leaving me a negative damngiver. Oooow! Good one. Let's see, if Mari can be the Colonial Strumpet, then I can be the Negative Damngiver. Seems appropriate. ;-)

Oops..Remiss in gratitude.. Joyce , hilarious! OMG! Western or English..too funny and now I'm heading back down the dusty highway to pervyland... Thanks for the interview Evelyn, like the gerbil line... (Tress) This may mean they'll try again (for a girl)...I'm all for filling this world with beautiful Firths. I hope they don't stop until they get a girl...

(Karen)... Dire news indeed. :-( And you know, Karen how I avoid watching embarrassing CF films ;-)

(Allison) And you know, Karen how I avoid watching embarrassing CF films ;-) Yes, you might not even cross the street if it were playing that near. ;-)

Renee's leading men By James Langton, Evening Standard 7 May 2003 Along with a little black dress, a goodlooking British co-star is this year's essential accessory if you are a Hollywood actress. For Oscar nominee Renee Zellweger, the choice was Ewan McGregor at the world premiere of their new romantic comedy Down With Love last night in New York. Trainspotting star McGregor drops his Glaswegian brogue (my note: no he doesn't) to play dashing reporter and confirmed bachelor Catcher Block in the new film, which is a tribute to the classic Rock Hudson-Doris Day comedies. He and Zellweger are following Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes in Maid in Manhattan and Hugh Grant, who paired up with Sandra Bullock in Two Weeks Notice, in the new Hollywood passion for Anglo-American screen partnerships. Even Colin Firth, who won Zellweger's heart in Bridget Jones's Diary, is replaying the role of a well-bred heart-throb. In the new hit comedy What A Girl Wants, which opened in the US two weeks ago, he plays a wealthy English aristocrat who discovers he has an American teenage daughter from an earlier affair. Not since the days of Cary Grant and David Niven have so many cut-glass British accents dominated the US film industry at once. Even Sean Connery, who as James Bond set the standard for sophisticated, tuxedo-clad Brits, will be back in the act later this summer. He plays Allan Quartermain as the leader of a group of literary superheroes that includes Tom Sawyer and Dorian Gray in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Sadly for Zellweger, whose new film opened at the second Tribeca Film Festival in New York, the romance is only in front of the cameras. The Chicago star is said to have burst into tears recently at a dinner party in Los Angeles saying she was "desperate for love''. Texan Zellweger, 34, who split with Jim Carrey three years ago, is said to have complained that she could not find a boyfriend, adding: "I feel like I'm going to grow old alone." Fellow guest Demi Moore is reported to have consoled her, promising to take her out on the town to look for a man.

(Radio 4)"Thought the whole premise was ridiculous and also mentioned that it was really CF's project." Thanks Allison. Am cringing. If you go to see this one, Allison, once again you might be the only one in the theatre;-(

Thanks for the reviews Maria, Evelyn and Allison. I don't understand the attitude toward CF. What is the attitude and why? Not to mention the Guardian interviewer being so lame in general. No wonder he doesn't like to do press there. By the way I don't think that the CF offspring look like turnips. CF said that. : )

These critics can all go pound sand. :-( Are you anything like Mr Darcy? Sorry, didn't catch the name of this publication--was it Frontal Lobotomy Monthly? HOPE WAS NUDE NIGHTMARE FOR FIRTH I must have missed the part where it explains how this was a nightmare for him.;-) HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples" says director Mark Herman. "After appearing naked in her past two or three films". He's full of crap. What shows and how much of it shows and when a body double is to be used are all spelled out in the actress's contract; there'd be no surprises on filming day. (Joyce)CF: Don't you want to ask me when we start filming TEOR or call me Mr. Darcy? LOL! See, Colin, it could always be worse! Funny stuff, Joyce--enjoyed this and the AllwhysNoexes Burpee seeds!:-)

Review from the Scottish Herald: Hope Springs (12A) Dir: Mark Herman With: Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, Heather Graham, Oliver Platt, Mary Steenburgen Look, just because Richard Curtis can make British box office history by mismatching a bumbling American hero with an adorably free-sprited American sex object doesn't mean everyone can get away with it. Colin Firth has no trouble at all making the protagonist suitably woolly and charming - the character is even called Colin, to clear up any potential confusion. However, his love triangle with girlish Mandy (Heather Graham) and vampy Vera (Minnie Driver) never convinces, largely because there's no real question regarding which way he should jump. Colin has fled to Hope, Vermont, to get over his girlfriend Vera's impromptu marriage to another man. Blonde, kittenish Mandy makes him very welcome indeed, but Vera's on his trail: cigarettes, stilettoes, bad attitude and all. Neither Graham nor Driver is accomplished enough to build a good performance on bad lines; and while Firth gets better treatment from the script, a romcom hero needs more conflict than this scenario provides. Vera is just an annoying obstacle to a not particularly engaging romance; and efforts to buoy the plot with wacky minor characters fall flat, despite the efforts of Oliver Platt and Mary Steenburgen.

(Joyce) By the way I don't think that the CF offspring look like turnips. CF said that. : ) Of course you didn't. He said it on the Rosie show. A few more magazine reviews from Jennie: Now There are lots of lovely little touches, many supplied by the eccentric antics of the locals who add colour and comedy to the film. Firth has a permanent look of panic on his face, but he doesn't glower and smoulder here like he did as Mr. Darcy. His character is too wet for that. It's Graham, playing a dippy hippy, who doesn't work - she simply comes over as annoying. She's totally upstaged by Minnie Driver, who appears on the scene like a rocket just when the plot begins to wear thin and delivers a deliciously catty performance. Driver's always in control, even in her underwear (a scene that will make male members of the audience get all hot under the collar). Also worth the entrance price is Oliver Platt as the pompous Mayor of Hope, who wants Colin to paint his portrait. The film is another light romantic comedy of the kind we've had plenty of this year. But, in the light of world events, why not lose yourself in something warm and cuddly? Now rating *** A soft warm wisp of romantic whimsy Also a comment on Colin and yoga: We've seen him as the dashing Mr Darcy and watched him woo Bridget Jones, but in Hope Springs we see Colin Firth, 42, as we've never seen him before - getting to grips with yoga. No doubt his lotus position will earn him even more swooning female fans. "You can be quietly smug about it," says Colin, who was voted one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, "but I've never really thought I was particularly good looking." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New: Miscast and misguided with a few laughs here and there (given two points) Heat: We know director Mark Brassed Off Herman can do better than this - but even a great cast couldn't help him pull this off (they give it two stars)

http://www.moviemarket.co.uk/empire/501478.html Nice Memento: And Evelyn, I was just going to post that Empire interview. Here is a cute picture that went with it. Sorry if old stuff.

Although the initial signs were good, I think :-( that HS and CF are going to be put through the mincer by the UK critics. Par for the course for most Brit films (killed stone dead before they even reach the Box Office!) Rom coms always get a drubbing. Roll on GWAPE and Trauma!

OK Ladies, I'm fresh from a preview viewing of HS ( the film that affects you so much you can't actually find your car in the parking lot to drive home;-0) Sorry British press ...... but I loved it! It has it's faults and MD is a massive one but as my companion, who has seen me thro' many of his film said, "you must have been so thrilled that his face got so much screen time!" and there is more than his face too;-)) (No Spoilers, I promise) Also loved the setting, wouldn't have appealed to me so if set in UK. great stubble shot too and I can't recall anything where there appear to be so many close ups of his face! Good response from audience, lots of laughs thro'out, very mixed audience too. Was a novelty to have so many men in the audience at a CF showing, quite a few positive comments on the way out.

Thanks Lizza for the encouraging news. Too bad you don't work for a newspaper. Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen;-(

OOOHHH Yes! But come while it's showing , think it might not be around for long. Guardian will slate it on Friday I expect but who cares;-)) So much fun hearing him called Colin on screen too. And he does one or two expressions that will melt your heart (not that any of us need encouraging) but not , I fear, the heart of a hardened critic:-(

(Lizza)...the film that affects you so much you can't actually find your car in the parking lot to drive home;-0 Oh! I have that trouble when seeing ODB films. Sometimes I just take the train, so I don't have to worry about finding the car! ;-) I'm glad to hear that you liked it! Also good to hear that there are plenty of yummy close-ups (and stubble too)! I wonder if the bad reviews in the UK will effect a US showing? I do want to see this one (I want to see all of ODB's stuff, but I'm one of the ones who actually laughed at the book)!!

(Evelyn)Thanks Lizza for the encouraging news. Too bad you don't work for a newspaper. You took the post right off the tips of my finges. Thank you, Lizza. I'm thrilled that you liked it. Sounds like the audience liked it as well. How full was the theater? I always find it strange that the critics never hear the laughs/reaction from the audience. Are they in the theater at all? (Lizza) the film that affects you so much you can't actually find your car in the parking lot to drive home;-0) Oh no, this one is going to kill me. Better plan to paint my car a nice neon color before it opens here:-)

(Lindak) How full was the theater? It was a "free" preview, for Times readers and was about 85/90% full. lots of couples, mixed groups of friends/families. I only spotted two ladies together (apart from us!) who might be classed as typical audience. naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex, but there are some good lines which got great laughs. You must remember that it's at least a year since TIOBE here and the last time I went to see that there were 8 in the audience, so I'm probably on a bit of a high due to combination of stubble, yoga moves plus actually getting to share it with an audience who aren't CF diehards, but still enjoyed it!

(Tress) Sometimes I just take the train LOL! very wise, to let the train take the strain. Haven't admitted to wrong turn taking on return journey either! Inspired of course by Colin's driving skills in HS.

(Lizza)naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex, Oh holy J---s! This gets better and better. I cannot wait.

(Linda) I always find it strange that the critics never hear the laughs/reaction from the audience. Are they in the theater at all? The critics I have known have private screenings prior to the opening date. They usually sit in an empty theater or with one or two other critics...so...they really don't hear an audiences' reaction. (Lizza) naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex... (Linda) Oh holy J---s! This gets better and better. I cannot wait. My! Oh my!

Thanks for your reivew, Lizza! It gave me a boost. (Tress)I wonder if the bad reviews in the UK will effect a US showing? Sure, especially if bad box office follows. (Evelyn)Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen;-( Hey, wait for me! Here's The Times review: By Barbara Ellen Hope Springs 12A, 92 mins WATCHING Mark Herman�s Hope Springs, it comes as something of a shock to realise that this is an adaptation of New Cardiff, the long-awaited novel by Charles Webb, who gave the world The Graduate. It�s a curiously stifled affair, ostensibly a gentle romantic comedy of the Anglo-American persuasion, but everyone appears to be acting with socks stuffed in their mouths in case any real emotion or humour tries to seep out. In particular, Colin Firth, the leading man, spends the entire movie looking paralysed, as if he�s just been fatally bitten by the Bad Script spider, which requires him to make dry clipped remarks in an English �still cheaper than Hugh Grant� kind of way, occasionally look gooey-eyed, and very little else. As Hope Springs also requires that Firth pretend to be some kind of tortured artist he often spends scenes thoughtfully hugging a huge pad of sketch paper and a couple of charcoal pencils. Sometimes presumably because the role demands it, other times, one suspects, for comfort. Firth plays Colin, an English artist who has been dumped by his fianc�e, Vera (Minnie Driver), and so runs away to America to start a new life in the New England town of Hope. Naturally there are a lot of mild puns regarding the name of the town Colin has chosen (the road signs bear the legend: �18,459 people live in Hope�). When he arrives, he is both jet-lagged and devastated, and his improbably kind landlady (Mary Steenburgen, done up like a Hallowe�en fancy-dress take on Cher meets Erin Brockovich) asks her friend, Mandy (Heather Graham), a carer for the elderly, to come around and try to heal him. Mandy does this by downing a bottle of whisky in one, babbling incoherently, stripping off her clothes, pulling Colin into bed and generally behaving like the kind of wild and crazy chick you get only in movies or mental institutions. The badly matched pair fall in love within about 20 seconds and Colin decides to stay on in Hope, doodling drawings of local townsfolk for some exhibition or other (Colin being one of those movie characters who never seem to need to earn any money). Then Vera appears, full of remorse, apologies and Brit bossiness and determined to get back her man. What is Herman (Brassed Off, Little Voice) doing making this tripe? If it was the lure of working with material from the author of The Graduate it doesn�t get him very far (unless you count the feeble little homage featuring Graham�s bent leg when she is attempting to seduce Colin). Hope Springs is a slight tale with a weak script, a formulaic dead-cat bounce and an ending that could make gorgonzola smell like roses. The love triangle doesn�t work very well (chemistry-wise, Firth and Graham seem allergic to each other, while Driver looks as if she�s more interested in her fags, and who can blame her?). What humour there is seems to come from the insinuation that Colin does not wear underwear, and Vera�s foiled attempts to light up (producing the one funny line: �You can�t smoke in this area.� �What, America?�). If kooky American townsfolk happen to be a weakness of yours, then there are plenty of those around too. Other than that, this is a horribly stiff, underwhelming effort that staggers from beginning to end with as much expectation of entertaining an audience as a tap dancer with his throat cut.

The Scotsman: Movie Review: Hope Springs ALISTAIR HARKNESS Hope Springs ** Director: Mark Herman Starring: Minnie Driver, Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Mary Steenburgen, Oliver Platt DOES Heather Graham have nudity clauses written into her contracts? Within ten minutes of appearing in this British-American romcom she disrobes for a befuddled Colin Firth for no other reason than her character - a professional carer for the elderly - likes to get naked whenever she�s happy. Women needn�t groan though: Firth soon drops his drawers, too. He plays a British artist called Colin who�s escaped to the small Vermont town of Hope to get over the humiliation of being dumped by his fianc�e Vera (Minnie Driver). There he ingratiates himself with the locals by drawing their portraits, while the kooky (and naked) charms of Mandy (Graham) help him overcome his heartache. But when Vera turns up seeking reconciliation, her presence threatens Colin�s new-found happiness. Especially when she refuses to leave. After the abysmal Purely Belter and Brassed Off, director Mark Herman goes the Richard Curtis route with this fluffy little effort (there�s nothing remotely resembling social realism here) and proves that romantic comedies are more difficult to pull off than they look. His pacing is the main problem. By allowing the relationship between Firth and Graham to develop too quickly, the rest of the movie is left in a strange kind of limbo, and once Driver arrives on the scene she finds herself with little else to do except smoke and be annoying. Luckily, Firth is appealing as a romantic lead and the film demonstrates that there�s still plenty of mileage left in his Mr Darcy/ repressed-but-smouldering Englishman routine. A couple of excellent supporting turns from seasoned pros Mary Steenburgen (as a garish motel owner) and Oliver Platt (as the egotistical town mayor) also inject proceedings with some much-needed belly laughs. Yet, overall, this movie is a pretty disappointing effort. Driver and Graham are seriously miscast and, coupled with a weak script, this means there�s very little, beyond their obvious physical attributes, to suggest why Firth�s character would be interested in either of them. The film also conforms to the predictable tropes of the genre, which on the whole is fine (critiquing a romcom for being formulaic is like complaining about the violence in a John Woo movie), but there are huge sections of the plot that make absolutely no sense. And with a film like this, the last thing you should be forced to do is question its logic.

(Scotsman).. a weak script (Times)... Hope Springs is a slight tale with a weak script The book wasn't. Mark Herman should be humg upside down, and Colin should have walked off the set. I wonder if he took this one without reading the script like he took WAGW.

(Lizza)and there is more than his face too;-)) (No Spoilers, I promise) Lizza, Quite the contrary. I'm sure Spoilers would be greatly appreciated ; )

Great to hear you liked it, Lizza, and it left you as ditzy as Mandy. Fess up about that flask of peach brandy you took along? ;-) Another lovely review from the ever-lovely Barbara Ellen of The Times, who cannot be budged from her Huge fancy. Thank goodness Colin has finally left the comedy/rom-com arena. All those comparisons to Huge make me ill. He shouldn't be considered another HG or HG-lite. He should project his own image and be known for that...or at a minimum the great Shakespearean actor he's been billed as. *snicker*

Good ole Barbie ("Hugh's my man") Ellen! Ironic that this is the paper offering free previews and 12 hours after the showing she comes up with that! (Karen) That flask of peach brandy you took along Hey when you don't pay admission there's money left over for a bottle;-)) Actually HG does a great job knocking back the booze. (Karen) Left you ditzy as Mandy better than being as bitchy as "alien" Minnie or should that be Barbara :-)) Mari, thanks for reviews.

I thought Barbie Allen would go for the jugular and she has...a b-a-a-d review, but I expected something like this. Thank goodness Colin has finally left the comedy/rom-com arena. All those comparisons to Huge make me ill For UK film critics, Huge is the rom com/leading man king. CF is either "Mr Darcy" or support actor cuckold. After the abysmal Purely Belter and Brassed Off Was Brassed Off abysmal? Purely Belter wasn't great, but was a definite "okay".

Thank you so much everyone for all the most interesting articles and reviews. Great work and great reading.

(The Scotsman), Women needn�t groan though: Firth soon drops his drawers, too. (Lizza)naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex, and there is more than his face too;-)) (No Spoilers, I promise) Please Spoilers, Lizza! That would never spoil our viewing. :-) Glad you liked it. Hell, we've seen WAGW many times and that was not such a great film either. he often spends scenes thoughtfully hugging a huge pad of sketch paper Yeah! And I claimed it first! ;-) (Scotsman).. a weak script (Times)... Hope Springs is a slight tale with a weak script (Evelyn),The book wasn't. I beg to differ, Evelyn, the book was weak too. (Evelyn)Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen;-( (Mari), Hey, wait for me! Just think, all those close-ups, some nudity, and we may never get it on the big screen here. :-( (The Times), Other than that, this is a horribly stiff, underwhelming effort that staggers from beginning to end with as much expectation of entertaining an audience as a tap dancer with his throat cut. Wow. This sounds more like a review from Mr. Cranky. :-( (The Scotsman), but there are huge sections of the plot that make absolutely no sense. And with a film like this, the last thing you should be forced to do is question its logic. LOL! This is the reason for the delay and why it might not come to the US. :-( (Evelyn), I wonder if he took this one without reading the script like he took WAGW. This was "his" project, remember? The one he believed in, the one he wanted, the one he wenrt after, the one his friends said he should do. The one that left me asking why? Thanks, Mari for the reviews. I feared this.

Bethan and Allison, I am waiting to hear what you think of HS. You do plan to see it?

As expected, there *will* be special effects in Trauma by Yves Debono, who also was in charge of the UK f/x unit for Pearl Harbor.

I went to one of the Times' screenings of HS last night (thanks Karen for the tip) and here's the all important review: the boyfriend who only likes James Bond movies. He liked it. He thought the acting was good, except that Oliver Platt was over the top. He laughed a lot. The audience laughed a lot, although I felt they were slow to start. Mostly CF's wittiest lines got the laughs, and MD's. Me, I liked it even less the second time. Heather is just really bad. It's such a shame that it turned out that way really. He's just acting his ass off while the rest of it is a bit too weak. I had wanted tickets for Finchley Road but they were gone Saturday night. We ended up at Shepherd's Bush where it was about 75% full.

At first, all that bad press about HS made me really sad but Lizzas comment gave hope. I think that britsh press is well known for excoriating sometimes and as bethan says, rom coms always get a drubbing (I don´t know why, I love rom coms).In the end, the viewers make movies blockbusters or not. On the other side, comments like chemistry-wise, Firth and Graham seem allergic to each other, while Driver looks as if she�s more interested in her fags, and who can blame her?). agitate me because this is more significant than something like ...the movie is not funny..or..it make no sence.. But can a movie Colin was so interesed in and wich was realtively important to him end in such a disaster ? But no matter what I want to see the movie and form my own oppinion.

A little reminder, topic 126 should be used for discussions of the movie itself. What you liked, what you didn't like, who sucked, who didn't, witty bits of dialogue, inane dialogue, shapeliness of a certain person's calves, etc. OK? :)

Ireland Online has a review of HS. You can go there if you want. Not worth it, IMO. http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=29670594&p=z967x896

A little reminder, topic 126 should be used for discussions of the movie itself umm *Absolutely* clear...pulling lip, scratching hair.

There's also a review with this, but you have to pay for it and I won't.;-) Does anyone here subscribe? Or can get hold of the paper? Don't call me Hugh By Genevieve Fox, Evening Standard 8 May 2003 Mention Colin Firth and most women will swoon, blush and think back fondly to that wet-shirt moment in Pride and Prejudice. Firth would rather they didn't. That was eight years ago. They will also think of Hugh Grant, since the two are constantly compared. Firth would rather they didn't do that either because, as the 42-year-old pin-up is anxious to point out, he is not simply a laugh-a-minute box-office wonder boy. He can do "serious", too. He reminds me during our interview at the Dorchester Hotel, that's all he did between leaving drama school in 1983 and playing Mr Darcy 12 years later. It is time, he feels, to get serious again. Colin Firth with Heather Graham in Hope Springs Other stories: Stars flock to the Matrix Don't call me Hugh Knights in amour All talk, no action One bad tooth fairy A dollop of Europudding Low jinx in high school There's no hope of that with his new movie, the romantic comedy Hope Springs. Blue-eyed, tousle-haired Firth plays yet another hopeless heart-throb, the sketch artist Colin Ware, who has just been jilted by his fianc�e Vera (Minnie Driver) and is seduced by local nurse Mandy (Heather Graham). Firth reflects on Ware's preposterous behaviour, with absurdity underlining the character's emotional vulnerability. "I find it irresistible that someone who is emotionally at rock bottom is able to be wry about themselves and maintain his sense of the absurd," he says in his quiet, clipped voice honed by a Hampshire childhood. Although he feels it's time to move on and do serious roles again, Firth is anxious not to be seen as a soul-searching luvvie. "I tend to be earnest in interviews," says the son of lecturer parents, "because we go down a certain route, but I think humour and flippancy are important." He can do more than that, though. His non-comic roles have included Falklands War survivor Robert Lawrence in Tumbledown, a pilot in The English Patient and a Nazi in the BBC's Conspiracy. Soon we'll see him play the painter Johannes Vermeer in the forthcoming film of Tracy Chevalier's novel, Girl With a Pearl Earring - "not," as he puts it, "a barrel of laughs." The trouble is, it is the comic blockbusters, such as Bridget Jones's Diary, that we remember him for, hence his unshakeable reputation as a poor man's Hugh Grant. Firth insists they are not in competition. "I can't touch his territory, really," he says. "I know that the part I am playing would stand on its own, but because Hugh exists everything is compared to him. "I remember thinking when I first saw Four Weddings, that might have been my territory and I am sure Hugh has written his name on it forever now. He does it with such flair - there's nobody who touches him. I find him good fun to be around. I don't think we could ever be in serious competition." The two are together in Love Actually, Richard Curtis's comedy which opens later this year. "When we met up on set we went through a recap on how our year had been. I asked him about his latest film and he said something like, 'The good news for you was that it went down badly with the test audience.' It's all handled in good spirit." Hugh Grant is hearty in real life and as funny as his on-screen characters. Firth, whether he likes it or not, goes a bit deeper. He's spokesperson for Oxfam and is an advocate of Fair Trade. People listen to celebrities, he says about his role; they do not listen to disadvantaged coffee traders in the Third World. He is also a self-confessed member of the "work just pays the bills" club. Firth has two sons, Will, 12, by his first wife, actress Meg Tilly, and Luca, two, by his second wife, Livia Giuggioli, an Italian film producer whom he met on the set of Nostromo in 1995 and married two years later. "There's a way in which children take the pressure off the work," says Firth. "Suddenly it's not that important." As for how he meets those family commitments, "it's been a juggle, ever since children came into it", he says. "I would choose not to take the job that means eight months in Honduras if I can do a job which is here." Livia, he says, "is a complete example of patience". Firth was sent a copy of New Cardiff, the novel by Charles Webb (author of The Graduate) on which Hope Springs is based, by his friend Nick Hornby. "The dialogue," he enthuses, "is written with such �lan," adding that he writes fiction himself when he can. But he's not giving up the day job yet. "It's all rather convenient to have other strings to your bow. I would love to write stories and I do have a go, but then a job comes up. It's something I enjoy, but things remain in drawers. It's a fantasy, not an ambition." Female fans with their own fantasies to take care of will breathe a sigh of relief. As for Colin, he may be a funny man trying to break free, but his public image is not keeping him awake at night. He's too grounded and self-deprecating for that. He also knows when he's on to a good thing. When he finished filming Hope Springs, he had enjoyed himself so much he didn't want to leave. "I chased after that job and loved it. I went away feeling if you get paid to do that, life's not too shabby." If you're Colin Firth, I don't suppose it is.

This one is v. kind: from Yahoo: Thursday May 8, 03:04 PM Hope Springs By by Karen Hyland Colin Firth in an aesthetically delightful love triangle with Minnie Driver and Heather Graham. Artist Colin Ware (Firth) wakes one morning to discover an invitation to his girlfriend's wedding on the neighbouring pillow. Distraught, he flees to a sleepy town called Hope, in New England, USA. There he makes plans to etch portraits of the town's eccentrics to take his mind off lost love Vera (Minnie Driver). But he is soon paired off with the over-zealous town kooky beauty (Graham). Life is peachy until Colin's ex arrives ? and explains that there never was a marriage to another man. It was merely a ruse to prompt her lover into proposal ("Marry me, or I'm leaving you," might ultimately have been less drastic). What ensues is a bittersweet tale of chasing lost love and discovering new joy after heartbreak. Based on the novel by Charles Webb, author of The Graduate, and written by Mark Hermann, of Brassed Off and Little Voice, Hope Springs has a strong pedigree. Firth is charming as the broken-hearted protagonist, happily betraying the stiff upper lip characters he normally portrays, while Minne Driver is delightful as the spiky, upper-crust, long-term girlfriend. The fatal flaw is the mismatched characters. It is impossible to believe that the forthright Driver would stoop to such depths to get her man to propose, not least travel across the Atlantic grovelling for his return. And sweet-natured as is, it is no more plausible that Colin could find long-term happiness with the one-tiered beauty. Also lacking is any real character exploration. We've scarcely caught her name before Heather Graham's bored care assistant has stripped off and jumped around on the bed, and the script is achingly predictable. Is there really any question of which girl Colin will choose: snooty Brit chick, or all-American golden girl? That said, Firth and Driver carry the film with (surprisingly) gifted comedy timing and endearing banter, the direction is gentle yet heavily considered, and the settings are undeniably glorious, with burnt-orange leaves and blue skies. An honourable mention for Mary Steenburgen's cameo role as Joanie, the matchmaking hotel owner. Hope Springs provides an enjoyable enough way of passing 90 minutes, if not a memorable one." http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/030508/128/dzjdy.html

his unshakeable reputation as a poor man's Hugh Grant. Firth insists they are not in competition. "I can't touch his territory, really," he says. "I know that the part I am playing would stand on its own, but because Hugh exists everything is compared to him. Then stop doing rom-coms. Is v. simple. He is also a self-confessed member of the "work just pays the bills" club.... "I would choose not to take the job that means eight months in Honduras if I can do a job which is here." Livia, he says, "is a complete example of patience". Yeah, I can see how she's probably made lots of sacrifices. *snort* Thanks, Mari, for posting. Someone really should pick up the actual Evening Standard because this article might have other pics in it. Is anyone scanning the new pic from the magazine Red? The issue will eventually make it here.

I wonder how many sites HS is opening in UK. The good news is that there aren't any big block busters competing. From Screen Daily on Friday's releases: "BVI?s Hope Springs and Columbia?s horror Darkness Falls as well as a 76-location release for Momentum Pictures? I Capture The Castle, " The bad news: X2:X Men opened last weekend to 7M UKP ($11.5M) in 449 sites:-(( But maybe the gals will bolt for HS:-))

Blue-eyed, tousle-haired Firth plays... Hunh? Blue-eyed?

(Ada) Hunh? Blue-eyed? Yeah, the same eyes that Daphne had. ;-)

(Evelyn)Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen I swear I didn't plan things to work out this way but I'm going to London in 2 days and have been doing my happy dance all morning!! HS will be playing 2 blocks from my hotel, and I Capture the Castle is out, too. I'm in absolute heaven :-) (Now if only the Isle of Man were closer.) Female fans with their own fantasies to take care of will breathe a sigh of relief. Is that legal in public in England? I'll let you know ;-) because Hugh exists everything is compared to him This sounds like "It'a a Wonderful Life", where Colin wakes up in a world where Hugh doesn't exist. Imagine the possiblities and career opportunities. Except I bet Hugh would kill to be offered things like GWAPE & Trauma. I can't see that happening anytime soon. That's probably why HG is often whining about how he hates acting. Word of the Day: �lan Sorry to go off topic for a sec, but does anyone know if the Minnie Driver play is having previews yet? Would love to see that as well.

Hello! Haven't posted for a long time. Thanks for all the wonderful features, articles and pictures. Just happened to see at amazon.com (when searching for any info on release date of WAGW DVD), that GWAPE is opening on 14 Nov (limited release), and 25 Dec (national release). I suppose that's for the US. I remember reading here that it will be released in Dec. Hope the earlier release is true...lucky ladies

Sorry, I meant "It's a Wonderful Life". I can't get my hands to stop shaking! (Mari's Times review)a formulaic dead-cat bounce Could someone translate that? The Barbara Ellen review is trying too hard to be clever, but she just comes across as a bitter shrew. Why is the landlady "improbably kind"? I imagine Babs doesn't inspire much kindness in her own life ;-) (Alistair Harkness)critiquing a romcom for being formulaic is like complaining about the violence in a John Woo movie Now that makes more sense. It doesn't always make for good movies but we want the big kiss at the end just like we want the action hero to save the world. I'm just happy HS didn't do the whole 'going-back-to-England' ending. (BE)as much expectation of entertaining an audience as a tap dancer with his throat cut. Ouch! Way too harsh! Thanks, all, for posting the reviews, etc.

From google, Coventry News: Hope Springs (12A) By Mike Davies, What's On Starring Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, Heather Graham. Dir: Mark Herman The Story: Arriving in the quaintly eccentric hamlet of Hope Springs, New England, in a state of heartbroken shock after learning his fianc�e Vera (Minnie Driver) is marrying someone else, English portrait artist Colin (Colin Firth) takes a room at the local motel where matchmaking landlady Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) sets him up with "trained care-giver" Mandy (Heather Graham) and before you can say booze and nudity, they're a romantic item. Then along comes snooty Vera, announcing her supposed wedding was just an attempt to nudge Colin into making the commitment and refusing to leave unless he goes with her. The Verdict: Any good? Depends how demanding you are on your romcoms. With Colin having no interest in getting back with Vera, the film's drained of all dramatic impetus and you're left with a love triangle with just two sides that runs out of ideas mid-way. Oliver Platt chews the scenery hilariously as the egotistical, money-grabbing mayor (though the bottled water sub-plot is barely a sketch) while Driver is on splendid quintessentially bitchy English comic form as ciggie addict Vera, milking the no-smoking running joke for all it's worth. However, Graham's got little to do but be cute while Firth seems to have wandered into a leftover Hugh Grant role by mistake, right down to the Notting Hill style postscript montage. Adapted from a novel by Charles Webb who wrote The Graduate and directed by the guy who made Brassed Off, this slight affair falls well short of those golden moments and desperately tries to end. Sweet enough, but that's it. Released: Friday 9 May 2003

(Ada) Hunh? Blue-eyed? (Karen), Yeah, the same eyes that Daphne had. ;-) LOL! What were they drinking at the Portobello Hotel? Colin Firth in an aesthetically delightful love triangle with Minnie Driver and Heather Graham. Was she referring to the aesthetically pleasing orange colours? LOL! Thank you ladies for the reviews. At this point, the new pictures would be a treat. Will someone please scan them?

Belfast Telegraph HOPE SPRINGS (12A, 92mins) Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver, Oliver Platt, Mary Steenburgen, Frank Collison HOPE certainly doesn't always spring eternal when you're talking about the British film industry but this offering from Brassed Off director Mark Herman ranks among the better efforts - though that may not be saying much. It's a romantic comedy starring Colin Firth as English illustrator Colin Ware whose fiancee Vera (Driver) gives him the boot. Devastated, he retreats to America to start anew and ends up in the small town of Hope in New England. There his matchmaking landlady (Steenburgen) sets him up with local nurse Mandy (Graham), who is soon providing him with some tender loving care. But just when Colin is beginning to cheer up, Vera turns up on his doorstep looking to give it another whirl. Hope Springs is a light, undemanding concoction, that provides a moderate amount of amusement. Yorkgate, UGC, Warner Village, Belfast Strand, Derry Strand