(Sophie)errrrr, thought she was sitting on your lap with her clothes off ? time to get your very own pair of glasses colin ? i am definitely confused here... oh, no, wait ! maybe nudity means only "with bits and pieces showing" ? I paid particular attention to this scene last night, and noticed that the camera is focussed on CF, slightly to the left, and only the body double's left arm and part of her back are seen, slightly out of focus. My memory may be playing tricks with me, but I was sure HG was clearly visible at the premiere in Bradford in March. - Could it have been re-edited since then?

Are you predisposed to adore Firth films? No way, un-uh, nope. 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? Let's just say I'm prepared with an answer for the pearly gates question if I'm ever a guest on Inside the Actor's Studio. 2. Do you know the location of all of Colin's moles? (Add 20 points if you daydream about connecting the dots.) It's important to watch these things according to the American Cancer Society. 3. Does the sight of a navy blue suit worn by a tall man trigger the production of drool? Evelyn's drooling most of the time anyway. ; ) 4. How much time do you spend on the internet on September 10 each year? � 1-5 hours � 5-10 hours � 30+ hours to accommodate time difference between self and England September 10th happens to be Test Your Bladder Endurance Day in my town. 5. Is your Firth film video/DVD collection not only organized by day of week but under lock and key? My OCD medication could kick in any day now. 6. Is there a brass plaque on your seat at the theater showing WAGW? No smarty pants, the seat's been taken away because it wore out. They don't make 'em like they used to. 7. Are your neighbors shunning you because they don't want to see WAGW again? No they shun me in general. 8. Have you mutilated and/or destroyed every copy of Dangerous Liaisons in your city? It was an accident...3000 times. 9. Is there a "The Edge of Reason or Bust" banner hung on your home? That's not a banner it's a chubby RZ voodoo doll. 10. Are you already preparing the GWAPE gift boxes for Academy voters Y/N? No way, I'm keeping them all for myself! Okay Karen, busted bigtime.

(Karen)...if it doesn't get a theatrical release here, it'll be out on video faster than you can "crawl through a cage of rats with waffles on your head." ;-) Won't you be happier with that? (Rika) I'd be really surprised to see it released here, and it seems like it's just as well for ODB if it isn't. So I'm just looking forward to the DVD, and at least we know it'll be available soon. Crikey! I think you are right Rika....we may not see a theatrical release (and I hadn't even gotten the waffles made!). You can sign up to be notified when the DVD is released (and it has the line about "you are also voting for the release. We will let the studio know how many customers are waiting for this title". So...I put my 'vote' in (don't know if they really contact the studio, but it can't hurt). http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/notification-item-request-done/104-6233084-9575925 (Karen) 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? ROTL....You have no idea how much I would pay to see this! Would pay extra if he were barefoot! ;-) The list was hilarious.... (JaneS) The reason HG showed up with 'nipple plasters' must have been so that everyone couldn't see her 'ENs' - c'mon, you know that your Ns would be E if you were sitting nakey on Colin's lap all day!! In my house we call it 'peanut smuggling'. ;-) Though....nekky you wouldn't be smuggling...only when the plasters went on would that phrase really work. Sorry if that was 'off sides'!

The above link may not work (sorry)....try this one: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005JMGR/ref=ase_imdb-adbox/102-7133720-7496931

(Mari)"yeah, well, he's shown his cock before but suddenly for us he wouldn't do it and it, so he wore a sock on it, and it made it hard to film Colonial Strumpet, you rock! LOL. Lost my coffee on that one:-) (Evelyn)If there is anyone who disagrees with the above, let's hear it now. I'm with you all the way, soundtrack and all. Just one more word from me on the bad reviews... I know I'm still fairly new here, but I never paid much attention to any reviews before. Now, of course I do, and not for just CF films. However, I just feel that the punishment doesn't fit the crime. HS seemed to have some really decent reviews after the Bradford. Not totally rave reviews, but certainly more befitting a rom-com. The critics here, seemed to have gone over the top. What did they think they were reviewing? It was never touted or marketed to be "the film of the year" for gawd's sake. I have no problem with criticisim aimed at acting, directing, or anything else for that matter. That's their job, but I really find it a bit disturbing. (Lizza)God these guys must spend hours piecing little bits together from all the reviews instead of going to see it themselves Exactly, just listen to the review by Ebert and Roper from WAGW, I taped it. I really don't think these guys got within five feet of the film. Their remarks about the Chinese waiters and a few other statements about the film made me scratch the grey hairs right out of my head. Nothing they said would convince me that they saw this film. Anyway, I'd still like to see it and and make up my very own biased mind:-) (Karen)Are you predisposed to adore Firth films?, ROTFL...It's funny you should mention... 6. Is there a brass plaque on your seat at the theater showing WAGW When I was at the theater this week, the manager asked if I would let him know on Saturday (today) where I want it placed:-) Yes to all questions. Yes, Yes, Yes. and proud of it. Karen, do you think if it's not released here we'll get the DVD?

Small article from Evening Standard magazine last night (which also included premiere photos): "The end of the affair" Hugh Grant can rest easy. Colin Firth tells me he is tired of appearing in romantic comedies. 'I never watch that type of film myself and I don't really like the genre,' says the man who became famous as Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. 'But I am afraid I can't see myself getting a role as a really juicy baddie, despite the fact that all American directors love to get English actors to play nasty pieces of work. I'm not ugly enough.' IMHO I think the HS reviews are pretty accurate. From the first showing it just left me with a bad taste in my mouth! Janet's dead on, he looks AFG but as I've said, the rest of it is just weak and I would be confused if I hadn't read the book I think. I don't think it had to turn out that way.

I'm moving the discussion of the Quiet American over to 168. Also, could further discussion of HS, the film itself, by people who have seen it, be taken over to 126. If there is any news, it will get buried. Thanks. :)

(Karen)3. Does the sight of a navy blue suit worn by a tall man trigger the production of drool? (Joyce)Evelyn's drooling most of the time anyway. ; ) ROTF. How true. Trust me, no one wears 'em better.*sigh* (CF)..."'But I am afraid I can't see myself getting a role as a really juicy baddie, despite the fact that all American directors love to get English actors to play nasty pieces of work. I'm not ugly enough.'" Whine, whine, whine...Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. The real problem is that there are too many bankable American actors who are competing for such roles.Why should they pick a British actor whose films tank and can't do an American accent to save him. C'mon. Thanks Emma.Actually, the film sounds coarse enough to appeal to American audiences.The book wasn't. I wouldn't be surprised.

(Evelyn) Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. They have and do.

I don�t know if it was already mentioned here but release dates for Hope Springs (beside UK) are Sweden 25th June Norway 4th July Australia 24th July Argentina 21th August

(Evelyn) Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. (Karen)They have and do. We-el, theyre not ugly.... always look so devastingly handsome;-))

I was told by a very reliable source at AMC Theatres that HS was on the list to start in the US next week. That was recently changed and now they have no date for it. :-( The posters are still up everwhere. Cute list, Karen. I would add: 11. Hooked on FF because you can't get enough of FD. ;-)

Neither the Swedish or Norwegian Buena Vista sites shows HS, and there are films going into 2004.

"I feel much better now that I know there is no hope." Seen on a t-shirt at breakfast this morning. Kind of sums up the way I feel about the reviews. At least he got paid for it and maybe that's all he wanted. I'd still like to see it and form my own opinion though. DVD would do. WAGW is down to one showing at my local theater. This will probably be the last weekend.

Great quiz, Karen! When I think of my answers, I'm somewhat alarmed. (CF)..."'But I am afraid I can't see myself getting a role as a really juicy baddie, despite the fact that all American directors love to get English actors to play nasty pieces of work. I'm not ugly enough.'" (Evelyn) Whine, whine, whine...Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. But he didn't say English actors only play baddies in American films. Sounds to me like he's saying, 'I'd like to play a juicy baddie role, but I'm not gonna get the chance.' And in that case, that JN and RF don't play 'em might even strengthen his argument.

(Mary) At least he got paid for it and maybe that's all he wanted. No,unfortunately, he wanted more with this one. This was his baby.

Karen, your "predisposed" list is hilarious! I only have a moment, but a nice friend pointed me to this site--6 clips from HS, plus the trailer, plus the press conference. You might have to register, but it's quick and free. Enjoy! http://www.mymovies.net/trailers/trailer_play.asp?TRID=2604|995

release dates for Hope Springs (beside UK) are No Finland? Not a big surprise:(

Thanks Mari, I enjoyed that. If we piece together all the clips and the trailers...I have this terrible feeling that this is as close as we may get;-( (Moon)I was told by a very reliable source at AMC Theatres that HS was on the list to start in the US next week I asked weeks ago at our AMC...wasn't on the summer schedule at all, but the manager said it changes from week to week...things are added all the time. Uh, I guess that means they can be dropped as well. double s--t.

(what a roller coaster this board is : one day everyone is down with stubble fever, the next one seems like a huge slap in the face with all these bad reviews. well, at least, it's not boring) alllllright, sorry if this is off topic, but following joyce's lead, i thought i'd have a bit of fun answering karen's test... feel a bit like an imposter considering my newbie status though... 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? funny that you mention this, i was just about to found the stage production of 'paris a-to-z' starring you-know-who... (and due to the excellent results of advance booking there might be a sequel, 'volume two, the suburbs') 2. Do you know the location of all of Colin's moles? (Add 20 points if you daydream about connecting the dots.) hmmmm, connecting the dots, you mean, with your tongue ? 3. Does the sight of a navy blue suit worn by a tall man trigger the production of drool? don't mention it ! and burberry ties, and pinkie rings, and... damn! oh, noooo that's another keyboard ruined !!! 4. How much time do you spend on the internet on September 10 each year? hmmmm, can't say : the modem was smoking so much, the computer blew up before i could count out the time 5. Is your Firth film video/DVD collection not only organized by day of week but under lock and key? don't know: the dvd carousel player is constantly playing them 6. Is there a brass plaque on your seat at the theater showing WAGW? yeeeessss, and i'm extremely proud of it considering the film's not even out yet out here (btw, brass is way too common, i asked for silver myself) 7. Are your neighbors shunning you because they don't want to see WAGW again? neighbors, friends, relatives, lovers, cleaning lady, collegues, butcher, baker, pets & even ennemies. 8. Have you mutilated and/or destroyed every copy of Dangerous Liaisons in your city? country would be more accurate 9. Is there a "The Edge of Reason or Bust" banner hung on your home? *that* is not an ordinary banner, just an undersized white bath towel, karen 10. Are you already preparing the GWAPE gift boxes for Academy voters Y/N? cetainly not : am claiming every single item in it back on 113... although i'll leave them the voodoo dolls and votive candles maybe

Good answers, everyone. Most are funnier than the actual quiz. ;-D Thanks, Mari, for the link. Will check that out. Feel as though I've already been to the press conference but a front row seat would be better. I've put up a couple of articles, one is based on same press conference, but there are some new and interesting comments by Mark Herman, plus a behind the scenes pic of Colin, Minnie and Mark from the golf course scene with umbrellas. This article is from his hometown paper again and thanks to Antonella. http://www.firth.com/articles/03yorkevpress_509.html I've also put up the Red interview, which has another shot from the Rainbow ones commissioned by The Times. I can see why this one wasn't selected. His arms look really distorted (won't even say how as it would predate so many of you), but his smile is lovely. The Red article is courtesy of AnneP. http://www.firth.com/articles/03_red_06.html

Ladies, I think we have our answer to the hot question of the moment, "Why do the critics keep skewering this movie?" �It�s been a strange job writing the adaptation because the book itself feels like a screenplay: heavy on dialogue. I thought my job would have been very easy but it was more difficult than I expected. �Even before the first day�s shoot I was still writing, because Colin Firth was so keen to get on with making the film, so a major part of the writing was done while I was holed up in a hotel room in Vancouver. �As it turned out, it was useful to have the cast there to talk through the script in the two weeks leading up to the shoot, in particular about bits that weren�t working, especially with Colin, who had a real grasp of the book.� Before the book was published, Webb had sent Mark three or four potential endings for the story because he couldn�t make up his mind. I was still writing, because Colin Firth was so keen to get on with making the film, so a major part of the writing was done while I was holed up in a hotel room in Vancouver. Even more whining, but sounds like he's blaming Colin this time.

....so we ended in the only place in Canada that was supposed to have good weather at that time of year, on the West Coast. LOL...didn't Colin know better? He lived there...I live just 'down the road'. It rains eight to nine months of the year here. Let�s get one thing straight: Colin Firth is not Mr Darcy. Women, he insists, have never fainted at his feet... That's cuz he hasn't met me yet. ;-) Where Darcy sulked, Firth is easy company, funny, with a startlingly goofy laugh. Ohhhh...I love the goofy laugh. The Valmont/interview laugh. Makes me weak in the knees. �Out of anywhere I�ve ever been, Italy is probably the place I get noticed least. It�s fantastic. I go there and assume that I�ll be able to, you know, pick my nose, or scratch myself, and not have any witnesses.' LOL...If only he knew how many witnesses he has had lately...and by scratch himself...does he mean..??? He's such a 'guy'....but if he starts hawking loogies....I'm outta here! ;-) Thanks AnneP, Antonella and Karen!!! Both articles were very good. Liked the Red photo (distorted arms and all)!

a startlingly goofy laugh. That really got me on the interview tape. *sigh* (Tress) Thanks AnneP, Antonella and Karen!!! Both articles were very good. Liked the Red photo (distorted arms and all)! Ditto! He really seemed to be having fun during that shoot. Smiles don't seem forced or fake.

(Tress)Ohhhh...I love the goofy laugh. The Valmont/interview laugh. Makes me weak in the knees., ...makes me weak, too, everywhere. he fails to remember a time, since Pride and Prejudice, that anyone as even come on to him. Oh, what a waste! Thank you Karen and Antonella, and Anne. I enjoyed both articles as well. (Karen)His arms look really distorted (won't even say how as it would predate so many of you) Ah, come on, boss. I hate it when you do that...please?

he fails to remember a time, since Pride and Prejudice, that anyone as even come on to him I thought we told him to cut that extreme modesty s**t out. ;-)

And the last of the major newspapers, Philip French for The Observer: Hope Springs and Darkness Falls are named after the towns in which they are set, and Heart Sinks is the condition they left me in. Though based on a novel by Charles Webb, the author of The Graduate, Hope Springs is a British romantic comedy, shot in Vancouver but set in Vermont. Frazzled English portrait painter (Colin Firth impersonating Hugh Grant) seeks refuge in a small, gossipy New England town one golden-leafed autumn. He's in flight from his brittle, chain-smoking English fianc�e (Minnie Driver), and on his first day in Hope he's seduced by, then falls in love with a nurse and part-time healer (Heather Graham). Mark Herman, the writer-director of this mirthless romp, gives his actors little worth saying and little direction as they say it.

Thanks to all for the HS reviews (I think ;-)) and articles. Add my name to the list of Firthettes who found NC light on plot and character development. But then again, I find a lot of modern fiction v. disappointing. How sad that HS is another clinker, but I agree that I'd rather it go straight to DVD here than to open and bomb big time. BTW, The Graduate is on Bravo tomorrow afternoon, around 4:30 pm EST. Eeeeeeelaine! Off to light more candles for better roles...

(Karen)2. Do you know the location of all of Colin's moles? (Add 20 points if you daydream about connecting the dots.) (Sophie)hmmmm, connecting the dots, you mean, with your tongue ? I know that's what I'm thinking about! Mr Darcy would never have approved of the casual black ribbed polo neck sweater or the two-day growth of stubble. Stubble? Did someone say 'stubble'????? Oh, sorry. Just went weak in the knees for a moment. ('Red' author) Maybe it will, but I find him a less comfortable screen presence in comedy, as slapstick as this. Firth disagrees. After watching the clips on the site for which Mari posted the link, I agree with the author. I'm fine with WAGW - including the leather pants - but a couple of the clips for HS had me wincing.

Thank you all for links, interviews and all. And the quiz, Karen. Loved the questions and recognized most of the answers;-)

Mail on Sunday � Matthew Bond Rating 2/5 Charles Webb, who wrote The Graduate in 1962, penned a few others and then produced nothing for 25 years. He eventually broke his silence with a novel called New Cardiff about an English illustrator nursing a newly broken heart in a New England town called New Cardiff. That name was either considered too Welsh or otherwise lacking in emotional resonance, so in the movie the town has been renamed Hope which, when a local water garden is taken into account, allows the film to be called Hope Springs. This might just seem a touch contrived were it not for the fact that Sandra Bullock made similarly structured romance called Hope Floats barely five years ago. That makes it look plain lazy. You�ll have to be a pretty big Colin Firth fan to find much merit in this production, which has been adapted and directed by Mark Herman, who may have given us Brassed Off and Little Voice but doesn�t seem to have thought this one through. This is supposed to be a romantic comedy but having Colin Ware (Firth) discover that the cure for a broken heart is a beautiful blonde who is a good ten years his junior and takes all her clothes off on their first date isn�t romance, it�s wishful male thinking. I kept thinking how much more interesting it would be if Ware found love in the arms of the lovely Mary Steenburgen, but then I suppose Webb could fairly claim to have got older women out of his system with The Graduate. So, alas, there is no �Are you trying to sedoos me, Mrs Fisher?� moment here, condemning Steenburgen to a life behind the reception desk of the Battlefield Hotel, where she endeavours to advance the romantic cause of the sweet and eager Mandy (Heather Graham) while repelling the calculating charms of Vera (Minnie Driver), the former fianc�e who arrives from England to reclaim her man. As for the comedy, it�s a far-from-subtle, occasional-hit-but-mostly-miss affair which leaves only Oliver Platt, as Hope�s pushy mayor, able to walk away with any credit.

Now Magazine � 14 May Rating 3/5. A soft, warm wisp of romantic comedy. The Englishman as a fish out of water is always worth a punt at the movies and that�s exactly what we get here, as the Englishman in question jumps out of his own pond and straight into the fire. When bemused artist Colin (Firth) discovers his fianc�e Vera (Driver) is about to marry someone else, he suffers a mini breakdown and heads for the sleepy Vermont town of Hope. Here he finds himself surrounded by eccentric characters, such as the innkeeper Fisher (Collison) and his wife (Steenburgen). These are good people with good hearts and, as Colin settles down to some self-applied therapy sketching the local townsfolk, he finds a certain amount of emotional peace. But his life takes a decidedly racy turn when he meets young care worker Mandy (Graham), who decides to administer her own form of therapy � in Colin�s bed. Things become even more complicated when Vera, in full bitch mode, arrives on the scene and Colin has to make a decision about where his heart really lies. 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? At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com

Thanks for all the reviews everyone. I still wouldn't mind seeing it on the big screen. If it doesn't make it in the States maybe we can arrange a special screening somewhere especially since firth.com is being referenced as the definitive source on the film. (Aishling)At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Quite a compliment Karen.

Mail on Sunday ? Matthew Bond Rating 2/5 Hey, beats 0/5 which ***hole Christopher Tookey gave it on Friday. (Joyce)If it doesn't make it in the States maybe we can arrange a special screening somewhere especially since firth.com is being referenced as the definitive source on the film. LOL. I missed the *winkie* on that one, Joyce. Can you imagine what a special screening would cost in the US?....gag. I predict it will come here and have a moderate success. Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-)

(Aishling) At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Oh dear! Maybe I need to do some "creative excerpting" from the reviews, like I did with WAGW. But then I could hardly be considered the "definitive" source. ;-) Perhaps I could put the bad parts in teensy tiny font... (Mail) so in the movie the town has been renamed Hope which, when a local water garden is taken into account, allows the film to be called Hope Springs. This might just seem a touch contrived were it not for the fact that Sandra Bullock made similarly structured romance called Hope Floats barely five years ago. That makes it look plain lazy. This, plus the invitation to ridicule (hope springs eternal), were all mentioned here as soon as the title surfaced. Imbeciles! Do the studio execs not appreciate "free" focus group feedback when they see it??? (Mail) discover that the cure for a broken heart is a beautiful blonde who is a good ten years his junior and takes all her clothes off on their first date isn�t romance, it�s wishful male thinking. So? 10 yrs is nothing compared to what we regularly see in films, and most films *are* exercises in male wish fulfillment. (Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Thanks for typing up all the reviews, Aishling. The Now review has pics and I'll post them shortly. There's a big one of Colin carrying Heather. Am going to see if I can spot the appliances he's wearing. *snort*

(Aishling)At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Congrats, Karen! You are the source. :-D Thanks, Aishling!

(Karen), Oh dear! Maybe I need to do some "creative excerpting" from the reviews, like I did with WAGW. But then I could hardly be considered the "definitive" source. ;-) Perhaps I could put the bad parts in teensy tiny font... LOL! Or maybe you can give it a "spaghetti" twist and put them under, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". ;-)

(Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) (Karen) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Same kind the studio uses to say they never made a profit on a film that grossed it's cost 6 times over. ;-) Thanks, Aishling.

(Dorine) Same kind the studio uses to say they never made a profit on a film that grossed it's cost 6 times over. ;-) No, that's voodoo accounting because it's still project-based. ;-)

(Now article) At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com (Joyce) Quite a compliment Karen. It is. But how sad that the studio didn't bother to create an official site, so they have to reference a fan site (albeit a really good one!).

(Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) (Karen) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Hey, You....Miss Cranky Pants... ....what I mean't was Lizzie McGuire profits could make up for HS losses.Duh;-) I didn't study no accountin';-)

(Evelyn) ....what I mean't was Lizzie McGuire profits could make up for HS losses.Duh;-) I know what you mean, but it doesn't work that way, except on as bottom-line basis to Disney. However much money LMcG racks up will have nothing to do with the release of HS. Not only are these different projects, but they're from different operating divisions within Disney: Disney (family label) vs. Touchstone. Each division has separte accounting and its profitability is judged that way internally. Then the results are consolidated for reporting purposes only. Should I send you my last annual report from Disney or maybe you can get it from your grandchildren, who you gifted your stock to? ;-)

(Bond Review) You�ll have to be a pretty big Colin Firth fan to find much merit in this production. Bring it on! (Now Magazine) 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. You can still glower and smoulder while wet (see Rika's captures over on Firthology...) ;-) At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Wow! Karen, this is impressive. Will try to watch my language and clean my room now that company is coming! ;-D Aishling, thanks so much for the articles!

Aishling, thanks for the reviews. At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com' Whooo-hoooo, you've hit the big time again, Karen. (Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) (Karen) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Hey, maybe we could ask the Enron guys for some pointers. ;-) I bet they could make HS solvent on paper.... BTW, I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed Karen's quiz and the responses. Joyce, you're really on a roll!

(review)takes all her clothes off on their first date isn�t romance, it�s wishful male thinking. I think I know of "a few" who would gladly do likewise if the guy in question was ODB. In our book it would be wishful firthette thinking ;-) Thank you, Aisling and my compliments to you, Karen, for the "source-titel". (Tress)You can still glower and smoulder while wet (see Rika's captures over on Firthology...) ;-) LOL, you are *so* right!

Sorry, this is only of interest to those, who hasn't seen WAGW yet: The Amanda Bynes fansite has a few behind the scenes pictures from WAGW, which include CF in a tux (a bit blurry but very yummy in my book ;-)) http://www.amandabynesnow.com/whatagirlwants/gallery/bts/bts.htm

Review from the Daily Express by Allan Hunter. 2 stars Laughs? Some hope ... Some films could turn anyone into a grumpy old Victor Meldrew. This misbegotten romantic comedy, full of irritating acts and annoying characters, leaves you longing to quit the cinema with a hearty cry of "I don't believe it!". Considering the pedigree of those involved, it should have been so much better. It is based on a novel by the legendary author of The Graduate. It is directed by the man who gave us Brassed Off. It even stars Mr sodden britches himself, Colin Firth. By the way, that is s.o.d.d.e.n. britches - I'm not that irate. Hope Springs is still a crushing disappointment and fuelled by the kind of idiotic behaviour that only ever happens in the movies. It is a great shame as events start promisingly enough. Firth, reeling from the break up of his relationship with Welsh fiancee Minnie Driver, lands up in the picturesque Vermont town of Hope Springs. Bitter and unforgiving, he only discovered that he was surplus to requirements when an invitation arrived announcing Driver's wedding to another man. It doesn't take him long to move on, especially when he finds a soulmate in local nurse Heather Graham. Then, Driver turns up, determined to win back her man. What follows is a pretty tiresome tug of love in which the outcome hardly qualifies as a big surprise. Part of the problem with Hope Springs is Driver's character. She is such a Welsh dragon lady it is impossible to see what the attraction was in the first place. Bitchy and terminally disagreeable, she's the kind of woman you would be glad to leave behind. Graham's character is at least sweet-natured, although she is hardly much of an improvement. A free spirit prone to unpredictable bursts of spontaneous behaviour, she likes to celebrate the sheer joy of living by stripping off and prancing around naked. Happens all the time. What do you mean, not in your neck of the woods? The film desperately tries to capture a flavour of the old-style Hollywood comedies that might have starred Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn but the supposedly witty banter barely raises a smile, the twists in the plot are wearily contrived and the initial strong impression soon fizzles away. This is a picture in which hope doesn't spring, it sinks. Colin Firth fares best as the bumbling, emotionally repressed Englishman abroad. He has a deft comic timing and a dog-eared charm but there seems a real danger that he has become the actor people hire when they can't afford or obtain Hugh Grant. Driver is too strident for comfort and Graham confirms her reputation for rushing lemming-like to the poorest projects around. The real comic juice in the film is provided by the hard-working supporting cast, especially old pros Oliver Platt as the incorrigible mayor of Hope Springs and a delightful Mary Steenburgen as giddy hotel owner Joanie. It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Steenburgen waltzed off with an Oscar for Melvin and Howard. Time has been kind to her and to her talent and she is just as appealing as ever. If either of the leading ladies had brought as much sparkle to their performances, then we might be discussing a very different film. I also have the review from the Sunday Express which I'll type up later on if people aren't too dispirited at the prospect of yet another poor review (though like this one, it's quite kind to Colin).

(Karen)1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? Please add my name to the waiting list for front-row tickets. Price is not an issue! Loved your quiz, Karen, and congrats on being recognized as the definitive source of CF news. Our Miss Cranky Pants rules! Thanks Karen, Evelyn, Mari, Antonella, Aishling and others for posting the painful HS reviews. My favorite is the one from the Mirror, where the guy makes the statement about women fancying Colin more than HG. Pretty perceptive on his part, IMO. With my half full glass, I'm eagerly awaiting LA.

(Barbara) I also have the review from the Sunday Express which I'll type up later on if people aren't too dispirited Naw, go right ahead if you'd like. Nothing apparently can get this group down, and the rest of us take it in our stride. Let me remind everyone that the movie critics in the UK are well-known for hating pretty much everything and are meaner than junkyard dogs. Nothing in these reviews is going to mean anything to the powers that be at Touchstone. They are going to look at box office returns for a sign of public acceptance for something they had already decided has no target audience in the US. If it does respectably, they might change their minds or it could go straight to vid. (Allan Hunter) The film desperately tries to capture a flavour of the old-style Hollywood comedies that might have starred Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn Oh, I doubt that. :-( Am trying to wrap my brain about the substitution of Heather Graham for Katherine Hepburn. (Annette) The Amanda Bynes fansite has a few behind the scenes pictures from WAGW, which include CF in a tux Thanks, Annette. I'm going to check my BTS tape to see if there are other Colin-only shots. Robair, the webmaster there, owes me big time. ;-)

Antonella has sent a couple of mentions from today's Sunday Times, which we nonresidents can't get to without paying. They are both horrible, so scroll on through if you don't have a strong stomach... Sunday Times Culture magazine by Cosmo Landesman "...I would like to be able to say that I can't remember when I last saw a "romantic comedy" that was a awful as this one, but I almost can. (It was just a few weeks ago and it was How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days.) But the latest film from the director Mark Herman {...} is even worse. You wait in vain for the laughs to arrive. They never do. Hope Springs leaves you feeling a mix of pity and embarassment for the cast and comtempt for the mediocrities who made it. In the Short Cuts column, Question of the week: Can anyone remember when heart-throb Colin Firth, this week appearing in Hope Springs, last made a good film? Could this get any worse? This is the country which strangle its own "children" (cinematic of couse from the cradle onwards) and welcome with open arms everything which comes from the US or even better from France, from which very good films come of course, but also very depressive and awful ones.

Colin Firth fares best as the bumbling, emotionally repressed Englishman abroad. See! There are little gems in some of the reviews.....and then the inevitable comparison.... He has a deft comic timing and a dog-eared charm but there seems a real danger that he has become the actor people hire when they can't afford or obtain Hugh Grant. Oh well...you just know it is in all of them (like a creamy center). Can anyone remember when heart-throb Colin Firth, this week appearing in Hope Springs, last made a good film? Could this get any worse? My 'glass half full' response is going to be.....he'll knock 'em dead with LA, GWAPE and Trauma! Thanks Annette (lovely!), Barbara and Karen!

I hope they don't get these newspapers in the Isle of Man. This takes the cake. Worse than the ones they gave Rafe in Maid in Manhattan . And those were bad.But from reading Michael Caine's interview on #168, these guys expect this from the British press.They take it in their stride.

I read the Sunday Times over breakfast...not a good start to my day.:-( I have to say (seriously) that I've always really disliked Cosmo Landesman's "criticism" and the way he writes. HS is only one of many films to be completely demolished by him. What does he like? contempt for the mediocrities who made it. Too cruel..this goes beyond criticism, and will hurt people. I'll say again...HS *is* okay, and I enjoyed it (glad to see that Aishling did as well!) BTW I spotted the ad in the Guardian (the only one I've seen). Pity there aren't more! And I liked the use of the Cosmopolitan comment.."A character driven charming take on Anglo-American relationships...a sweet, subtle delight. Romantic comedy of the Year no less!"

These reviews are so hostile. As I told Karen, almost a vendetta. Is it b/c it's an American film co.? Maybe if Fragile Films or Little Bird had made it, they would like it better. Surely the public doesn't take these seriously, do they? As one who watches BBC news on Tv, I can tell you they're a loopy lot.

(Evelyn)these guys expect this from the British press.They take it in their stride I sure hope so. Wouldn't want him running off for the next five years or so:-( Aishling)At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Quite a compliment Karen., Excellent, Karen. So proud to be part of this group. (Tress)My 'glass half full' response is going to be.....he'll knock 'em dead with LA, GWAPE and Trauma! Ab-solutely! As Karen said...Nothing apparently can get this group down, and the rest of us take it in our stride. Yep,that's us--The eternal optomists! Thanks Karen, Barbara, Aishling, Mari...and thanking the commie accountants in advance for anything they can do:-) Can anyone remember when heart-throb Colin Firth, this week appearing in Hope Springs, last made a good film? Yeah, April, 2001. (now, now, I'm not leaving out HD but he hasn't crossed the pond yet)*very large gulp, deep breath, and getting ready to refill that glass*.

Sorry to double post. (Evelyn)These reviews are so hostile. As I told Karen, almost a vendetta. I said yesterday that I thought these reviews were over the top. The punishment, it seems, doesn't fit the crime. Like using an Uzzi to kill a house fly.

(Karen)Perhaps I could put the bad parts in teensy tiny font... That would rule me out! 10 yrs is nothing compared to what we regularly see in films, and most films *are* exercises in male wish fulfillment. You said it! LOL! I demand equal time! (Tress)you can still glower and smoulder while wet (see Rika's captures over on Firthology...) Lots of wisdom here today. Tress you are too cute!

It even stars Mr sodden britches himself, Colin Firth. By the way, that is s.o.d.d.e.n. britches - I'm not that irate. Glad you held back with the rest of the review, too, Allan. ;-) rushing lemming-like ROTF! That vision is not beyond my imagination after watching that clip of her dancing around and undressing. Considering the pedigree of those involved, it should have been so much better. Those who have seen it, be honest. Is this fairly accurate? (Barbara) ...if people aren't too dispirited I told ya, these just keep getting funnier to me. ;-) Maybe it is because I see a bit of them trying to see how well they can one-up each other with nasty and clever remarks. But again, I don't believe there's not a grain of truth in them either. Strangely enough, I suspect I'm going to end up really liking MD in this. (I don't mean her character)

(Evelyn)As one who watches BBC news on Tv, I can tell you they're a loopy lot. Is this a reference to the British critics?

(Evelyn) Is it b/c it's an American film co.? Maybe if Fragile Films or Little Bird had made it, they would like it better. It was made by a British company, Fragile Films. But the more important thing to a British critic is that these films are trying to be "American." As the Times' Short Cuts column even admitted, "This is the country which strangle its own "children." I've always described it as eating their young. British critics set their standard against the films of the '60s, when there was a distinctly British film industry of which they could be proud.

(Annette)very yummy in my book ;-)) Thanks for the link, Annette. Very yummy indeed ;-)

Sunday Express review by Henry Fitzherbert. 2 stars Wet Colin cursed by unlucky Heather Will somebody please keep Heather Graham away from Britain's film stars? The vapid actress - Hollywood's favoured sex kitten after Boogie Nights and Austin Powers; The Spy Who Shagged Me - has a Sars-like effect on our talents. Hope Springs is her third film in a row alongside one of our leading men and at this rate we won't have any left. In box-office bomb Killing Me Softly she was paired opposite Joseph Fiennes, playing a kinky blonde. Donald Rumsfeld and "Mrs Anthrax" would have had better chemistry. Next up was Jimi Mistry in The Guru. The movie sucked and poor old Mistry looked mystified throughout. Now Graham goes for the bigger scalp of Colin Firth in this lame romantic comedy. Once again she plays a voracious blonde and once again a hot British talent goes stone-cold overnight. For goodness sake, keep her away from Hugh Grant. It's no laughing matter for the audience or Firth, who is bidding for solo stardom after co-starring roles in Bridget Jones's Diary and The Importance of Being Earnest. Yet opposite Graham all his virtues are vaporised. Here he is wet instead of smouldering, boyish instead of manly, dull instead of intriguing. Firth plays a heartbroken artist, Colin, who has escaped to the small Vermont town of Hope after fiancee Vera (Minnie Driver) calls off their wedding. Here he meets Mandy (Graham), a nurse with a wild side. Graham presumably gets cast alongside Brits because her sexuality is considered an ideal foil for stuffy Englishmen. This dynamic is played out to excruciating effect. One scene has her strip naked in his hotel room - just for the fun of it because she's, like, really crazy and liberated - while an embarrassed Colin looks on. On another occasion they go for a drive and she pulls out a bottle of liquor, glugs it like lemonade and slams Colin's foot on the accelerator. Those Yanks! Any comedy potential in a nurse with a wild side is squandered by Graham. It is not her raunchy behaviour that is the anomaly but her career in nursing. Above all, her pairing with Firth fails because she is so vacuous. Mr Darcy and a bimbo? Not likely. They are done few favours by the script, which is based on a novel by Charles Webb. I can only assume that in the book the relationship had some depth. Here, director and screenplay author Mark Herman resorts to that laziest of devices, the montage. The couple get it together in a few clips, leaving us none the wiser about what they see in each other. But this is supposed to be a love triangle, so enter Vera to mess things up just when Colin is getting his life back together. The point of a love triangle, however, seems to have passed Herman by. Instead of being plunged into turmoil, Colin simply tells Vera, who wants him back, where to go - but politely, since he's a nice chap. With Colin not interested in a reunion with Vera, the plot lacks tension and has no forward momentum. The characters are in the same place at the end of the movie as they were after 10 minutes. The only difference is that Colin comes over as increasingly wet. Despite not wanting to get back with Vera, he relents everys so often and agrees to hear her out. This means we are subjected to a series of dull, talky scenes. Yet somehow, Firth manages to emerge with his dignity intact and is still a likeable presence. Driver drifts in and out of scenes like a spare part and Graham is simply miscast. What may have seemed a dream line-up on paper has soured. Incidentally, I saw a brief interview with MD on an entertainment programme yesterday. The female interviewer asked her what Colin was like, saying he seemed quite shy. Minnie replied that he's not shy at all, has a great sense of humour, is lovely, kind etc and has a filthy mind, with the emphasis on the filthy mind - I think she used the word filthy 3 times. Sounds as if they're good friends.

I hope I'm in the right forum - there's an article in smh.com.au today about P&P being picked the "top book by a female author" in Britain - due in no small part to Colin, I'm betting. Small pic of Colin as Darcy combined with D Radcliffe as H Potter (title says "Jane Austen tops H Potter" s/b "CF tops H Potter") story here: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/12/1052591718611.html

One of the not so bad reviews http://www.iofilm.co.uk/fm/h/hope_springs_2003.shtml According to Jane's article (thank you), Colin is in three of the top-fifties books (in films, that is off course ;-)) That phrase and Barbaras mentioning of Mr Titspervert, no sorry Fitzherbert makes me long even more for TEOR (with or without the boxers from Ms Jones' party ;-))

They are done few favours by the script, which is based on a novel by Charles Webb. I can only assume that in the book the relationship had some depth. This was a problem in the book too. It's no laughing matter for the audience or Firth, who is bidding for solo stardom after co-starring roles in Bridget Jones's Diary and The Importance of Being Earnest. I questioned Colin's choice after reading the book. This is his baby. :-( Thanks for typing the articles, Barb. Thanks Annette.

Sunday Express review by Henry Fitzherbert.... Minnie replied that he's not shy at all, has a great sense of humour, is lovely, kind etc and has a filthy mind, with the emphasis on the filthy mind LOL, that's ODB! So who can blame us?

(Jane) I hope I'm in the right forum When in doubt, use Odds & Ends #168. *hint hint* :) Thanks for typing up Mr Titspervert's review (I immediately thought the same thing, Annette), whose underlying sentiments I can support. He's very pro-Colin and supportive ( to the point of almost being protective) of his career/talent. This man has no axe to grind when it comes to Colin, so I wouldn't be so dismissive of what he has to say. (Fitzherbert) Now Graham goes for the bigger scalp of Colin Firth And we know his scalp must be protected. ;-) for the audience or Firth, who is bidding for solo stardom Up from the ranks of "supporting" actor... Graham presumably gets cast alongside Brits because her sexuality is considered an ideal foil for stuffy Englishmen. That and probably two other things. Above all, her pairing with Firth fails because she is so vacuous. Mr Darcy and a bimbo? Didn't I say from the start they needed an "actress"? I can only assume that in the book the relationship had some depth...The couple get it together in a few clips, leaving us none the wiser about what they see in each other (Moon) This was a problem in the book too. Taking this point over to #126 so that people who have actually seen the movie can comment.

Thanks for typing up Mr Titspervert's review (I immediately thought the same thing, Annette), whose underlying sentiments I can support. He's very pro-Colin and supportive ( to the point of almost being protective) of his career/talent. This man has no axe to grind when it comes to Colin, so I wouldn't be so dismissive of what he has to say. I would agree with you here, Karen. This is good constructive criticism, with sympathy for CF who deserves better (better in the sense of a strong dramatic role with uniformly superior acting) but does very well within the constraints. Any comedy potential in a nurse with a wild side is squandered by Graham. It is not her raunchy behaviour that is the anomaly but her career in nursing. Above all, her pairing with Firth fails because she is so vacuous. Mr Darcy and a bimbo? Not likely. Has probably hit the nail on the head here. I won't say any more as it will belong over at #126, but Mandy is miscast.

One scene has her strip naked in his hotel room - just for the fun of it because she's, like, really crazy and liberated - while an embarrassed Colin looks on. On another occasion they go for a drive and she pulls out a bottle of liquor, glugs it like lemonade and slams Colin's foot on the accelerator. But those scenes are right out of the book, as is the fact that Mandy is vacuous (but with a heart of gold). That's the character. Who do you think they'd get to play this--Cate Blanchette? Renee Z.? Reese W.? Nicole K.?C'mon. Those gals are off to the races. To me, the most telling thing was reading that the script wasn't done when they starting filing and that Mark H was writing as they filmed and that CF was in a big hurry. That's a red flag, folks.

Actually, what I really wanted to comment on is the personal and hostile nature of many of the reviews. I fully realize that critics aren't paid to be cheerleaders. But many of these go beyond what I'd consider to be professional criticism. Why go out of their way to dub this the worst film of the year? Or to call Colin a poor man's Hugh Grant? Or to say Minnie's head is too big for her body? Or that she's one of the least liked actresses around? Or that Heather is stupid? Does *any* of this have anything to do with the film,? If they want to criticize the script, the direction, the performances, that's valid, but I detect a deliberate meanness here. It's as though they feel they'd lose their street cred if they liked something that was just plain nice, with no dark side, no cynicism and no bleak undercurrent. I want to see this film. Most of you here who've seen it liked it. The early reviews from very reputable sources (the BBC and THR) were good. It cannot possibly be worse than 2 "comedies" I saw recently, Anger Management and Maid In Manhattan. But because those had huge names in them, people who are automatic box office draws, they were rushed right out there, despite fair to poor reviews.

All talk, no action Reviewed by Alexander Walker, Evening Standard (8 May 2003) If you could not get - or afford - Hugh Grant, you should not make Hope Springs with Colin Firth. He plays Colin Ware, an English illustrator who has been jilted and is trying to mend a broken heart. Colin comes to the New England hamlet of Hope Springs (get it?), where everyone takes pity on him, especially Mandy (Heather Graham). Her occupation is "caregiver", but her propensities are those of a maneater. She soon has him standing in nothing but his shirt, though even here Firth looks as if the starch is still in it. But the whole film, written and directed by Mark Herman, feels like watching concrete set. Firth has trouble with the self-deprecating one-liners that Grant could have knocked off with a shake of his forelock. He is not a mobile actor - if anything, he's a stabile. In this film, people use Colin for target practice. When Vera (Minnie Driver), his ex-fianc�e, shows up determined to reclaim her man, she proves a ball-breaker and chainsmoker in one. It is pretty clear who is going to win Colin - not that it's remotely interesting. Certainly not as interesting as how the newly reconfigured Minnie Driver looks. She has dieted away those chipmunk cheeks of hers, but the result gives her the ala mingly unsympathetic features of a flint axe-head. Everyone talks, talks, talks: nobody does anything - or anything much. There are two running jokes: one about Colin not wearing underpants; the other about Vera continually lighting up and getting ordered to "butt out". Are these gags intended to be anti-British or anti-American? At the sixth repetition, they are certainly anti-funny. Oliver Platt's bumptious mayor steals any scenes worth stealing - not many.

(Mari)Actually, what I really wanted to comment on is the personal and hostile nature of many of the reviews. I fully realize that critics aren't paid to be cheerleaders. But many of these go beyond what I'd consider to be professional criticism. I couldn't agree more! This includes the last one posted by Karen. *Flint axe-head*? Now what's the point of a statement like that? It is the mean-spirited tone of these reviews that has started to bum me out.

I've added the two pics from Now, which Aishling kindly scanned, to the Gallery: http://www.firth.com/hs_gal.html Colin and gerbil Colin with his rendition of a flint axe-head

ROTFLMAO and not so bummed anymore!

OMG, Karen, that is too funny! Thanks Aishling. Was this touched up or the real deal?

Thank you so much Karen and everyone for all the articles. The list is hysterical Karen and I answer positively yes to all. Thank you for all the reviews and links. Agree with Evelyn and Karen. Reviewers see movies differently from the paying customer, and we must admit we are definitely biased IMO. I know I am. Will be thankful for the DVD if that is the only option. But tend to put myself in category with those of you fortunate to have seen it. I don't believe it is as bad as they are saying and know I for one, would really enjoy it, tuning out Heather, that is. Thanks again everyone.

Very funny, Karen! Thanks, Aishling! (Mari), To me, the most telling thing was reading that the script wasn't done when they starting filing and that Mark H was writing as they filmed and that CF was in a big hurry. That's a red flag, folks. This really bothered me too. The fact that Colin was so gone-ho in the priject that he was in a big hurry to do it. There must have been a script that all the actors read before they signed to do it. MH made it sound as if it was all Colin's fault because he wanted to start it. (?) I think those journalists that do these interviews are idiots. They never follow up on their answers. If you could not get - or afford - Hugh Grant, you should not make Hope Springs with Colin Firth. This must hurt Colin's feelings as it seems to be repeated by the critics. :-(

(Moon)If you could not get - or afford - Hugh Grant, you should not make Hope Springs with Colin Firth. This must hurt Colin's feelings as it seems to be repeated by the critics. :-( I agree. I think the HG stuff in these reviews was a bit unnecessary--even though I know it is almost impossible, I guess, for the UK critics not to compare the two. I still can't totally swallow the level of vengence...amazing.

Someone sent me this from the Bristol Evening Post. It is accompanied by a lovely half page spread of Colin and Mandy. Sorry no scanner (Yoo hoo Aishling!) so you can't drool with me. The review is 2/5 stars hope Springs has all the ingredients of a sparky and energetic romantic comedy. Firth is dashing and quintessentially English,Graham is ditzy and vivacious Driver exudes a cool sexiness.Supporting characters are sweetly demented and the locations glow with autumnal oranges and browns. yet there is no dramatic tension and the characters feel rather two dimensional. Driver's urbane sexy socialite is a weak third point of the central triangle; spiteful, snide and aloof. She is so weak in fact, the entire structure collapses leaving the linear journey from A to B via the familiar haunts of Comic Misunderstanding , tearful separation and sugary reconciliation. Surely we should feel some sympathy for the breakdown in Colin and Vera's relationship and understand why they have been together so long? There is never any doubt who will emerge victorious from the love tug of war, the only surprise is how long it takes Hope Springs to get there. I'm glad this reviewer and I agree on MD ;-)) Thanks everyone for all the other reviews, links and pics.

Karen, et al, thanks so much for all the pics, articles, reviews (and Colin's arms the size of Brazil ;)). So what's worse than a few smug hugegrantie reviewers? Lots of smug hugegrantie reviewers ;-(. Sorry, am in v. hopeful TEoR mood after all the mean spirited reviews. Would love to hear that TEoR's next after (all this) 'Trauma.' ;-) And, Karen, LOL at your questionaire. Hope no one out there comes across it and thinks it's a mission statement *as I fall into each of those categories at one time or another [and still do] but with a very cynical eye now that I have been here for a while*;-).

(Bee Dee)*Flint axe-head*? Now what's the point of a statement like that? See? That's exactly what I was saying. It's personally derogatory. We may make remarks here about various people or not like their performance, but we're not writing for publication or in a professional critic's capacity. And they do it especially to women. I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head and that's why it keeps getting stuck there. How would he like that?;-) LOVE the pictures from NOW. Thanks Aishling and Karen!

With a huge thanks to Helen, who typed up this very long article and who kindly gave permission for posting here, article in yesterday's Irish Times magazine: Part 1 of 2 There are a number of drawbacks to interviewing Colin Firth. The first is that he is said to be rather touchy about the role that made him a household name; that of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC series of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. You can see his point- more than twenty roles and eight years later, he is still best known for striding out of a fish pond in a wet shirt. Yet if my assorted female friends and relatives are anything to go by ("Ooooo, you're interviewing Mr. Darcy), it is as Mr. Darcy that Colin Firth is most clearly remembered, not least because he practically reprised the role, as lawyer Mark Darcy in the film version of Helen Fielding's novel, Bridget Jones's Diary. Clearly, the role that dare not speak it's name will have to be mentioned, and yet there is something rather forbidding about Colin Firth. Even in films as light and silly as his latest.Hope Springs, he is terrifyingly aloof. What if I mention the Darcy thing and he turns that smouldering, surly glare on me? Even worse what if he doesn't? Swoon. As it urns out, Colin Firth is not nearly as thunderous in real life as he is on Television or Big Screen. Serious; Yes. Darkly good looking; damn yes, but on the whole, he is more polite and wry rather than glowering. Of his Mr. Darcy alter ego he simply says: "Apart from the problem of trying to think of anything clever to say about it it doesn't really affect me at all... The phrase has simply lost its meaning. Alot has been made of this idea that i shun it, or object to it and that's not in the least bit true. I thought it was fantastic, but when a word get's repeated often enough, you can't think of a way to respond any more." Not only was the D-word thrown at him by every interviewer(this one included) for the past eight years, but the role has meant he was neatly pigeon-holed as a brooding period drama hero. Richard Burton in a frock coat. There is an element of truth to the swash-buckling stereotype, because despite a few low profile exceptions (such as roles as a bus driver and Nazi official) Firth has spent more time than most in a pair of Britches. So much so, that seeing him lounging on a sofa in the Dorchester Hotel in black turtleneck, sweater, jeans and chelsea boots with an ornate turquoise ring on his finger, looks as wrong as a digital watch in Ben Hur. Since his first professional role, taking over from Rupert Everett in a west end production of Another Country in 1984, he has donned period costume in Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient and Relative Values. Evan when he get's to wear jeans or a nice crisp suit, as lawyer Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary or in the film adaptation of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch, he retains the aura of Period Drama or perhaps more correctly, a very traditional air of Britishness. His latest film, Hope Springs, a rather contrived romantic Comedy fron Mark Herman shows Firth at his most typical, playing Colin Ware, a reticent but loveable English Artist, torn between Heather Graham's kooky easy going American and Minnie Driver's uptight, brittle English Bitch. Cue plenty of smouldering glances and clipped vowels, although as the film is set in contempory America, there is little in the way of swahes to be buckled.

Part 2 of 2 from The Irish Times, courtesy of Helen: Nick James, Editor of Sight and sound the British film industry mag, points out: "Americans have an appetite for this kind of Englishman- Hugh Grant, only not as witty and with hidden depths- and Colin Firth does it extremely well". Firth himself says "There is a particular kind of Britishness that Americans tend to recognise. If they don't know, they tend to think everyone is like Prince Charles." Yet, with the irony of Firth being so firmly associated with the best of British is that his own identity is rather fluid. Three out of four grand-parents were methodist missionaries and his parents, both academics, brought up their son in Nigeria for the first five years of his life. By the time he was a teenager, Firth's nick-name was The Yank, courtesy of an American accent and mannerisms gleaned from a year spent in St. Louis, Missouri. It was at least the third accent Firth had acquired and discarded, having moved schools throughout his childhood, adopting whichever voice made his life easiest. At the age of 42, it has finally settled into the kind of "BBC received pronunciation" he says his parents use. Following his first marriage, to Canadian actress Meg Tilly whom he met on the set of the film Valmont in 1988, he spent five years in a log cabin in British Columbia. In fact Firth acknowledges a tendency to retreat from Civilisation and claims he immediately identified with the part of Colin Ware, "a confused, bewildered middle-class englishman adrift in North America, which has definitely been me." He and Tilly subsequently split and Firth now regularly spends chunks of time in the United States with their twelve year old son Will. Six years ago, he married Italian documentary maker Livia Giuggiolo in Rome, and the pair now have a son Luca, now two. With such a United Nations of homes and heritage behind him, it's little wonder that Firth has ambiguous feelings about his own nationality. He says he feels "partly American" (his mother was brought up there), and got himself into trouble, telling a New York radio journalist that England is a "nation of illiterate philistines" of which football hooligans are "very, very representative". He and his wife have spent time living in Rome, but are currently living in London, in between Firth's work commitments: "I think I probably will bring my kids up here, although I've got questions over whether it will be better for them. It might be better because I don't know if i'm going to earn a living for anybody if I move to Italy, but as far as how I want them to grow up goes- I'm very attracted to Italy from that point of view." It's no surprise that Firth acknowledges England's importance for him professionally, as he has worked almost constantly here since leaving Drama School nearly twenty years ago. In his profession, this is as rare as Mr. Darcy's smile, but he is at a loss to explain why this is. "I just don't know. It's been like that since the beginning"... Firth breaks off to knock on wood.. "It hasn't always been the best of work, but I have always earned a living." From those early days on the West End stage, he moved into Television, mainly because his dedication to his role of transatlantic dad made it impossible for him to take on long-term commitments. More tellingly, he has made a transition most actors find almost impossible: from Television to film. Although he doesn't yet have anything like the status of his uber-Brit counterpart, Hugh Grant, he is beginning to be recognised by Hollywood, and Hope Springs is a clear attempt to bridge both the English and US markets. Pushed to analyse just what it is about Colin Firth Inc which makes him so eminently employable, he turns rather pensive and philosophical: "I find it very hard to step outside myself and see that perception of me, because it's set up from such a distance. Sure, you can try to step outside of yourself as a human being, and look at what you're doing with your life, your friendships, your marriage. But to be quite honest, the way you might get written about, or perceived by strangers around the country- I don't see how I could reach their vantage point to look at me." This is a little disingenuous, as Firth is doubtless aware of what makes a classic Colin Firth role - two friends rang him before the book on which Hope Springs is based was even published to tell him the character of Colin Ware was made for him - but it is cleary Firth's way of ignoring the "Firth the heart-throb" branding and staying sane. At the time of his marriage to Giuggiolo, he was hounded by the paparazzi and he admits to feeling "homicidal" when the tabloids printed unauthorised pictures of him and his son. "I found it very frightening, and people didn't get why. In fact, I wouldn't have understood why it was so frightening until it happened, but you are being stalked, and they do think you're fair game. I don't know where it's written that because you tella story on the telly, your wholelife is forfeited." For the most part, though, Firth accepts media interest as part and parcel of a career that has looked after him well. He still remembers the moment, at the age of fourteen, when he realised that he could possibly make a career from acting. "There was so much at school that wasn't really taking my fancy; physics and chemistry just weren't doing it for me. I thought, well what if I could just do this? That was a slightly euphoric moment really and I felt very liberated from the drudgeries. It made me feel very grand... Of course, it was a salutory moment when I actually went to Drama School and realised that this was what I always said I was going to do. No more fall-back." Over the years, he has changed from being an actor associated only with Drama to one quite comfortable in a comedy role. "Like most young actors, my fundamental inclination was the direction of making people cry. It was somehow more consistent with my own earnestness, and seemed more exciting and much sexier. That's shifted a bit now as i've realised that if you can be a part of what gets people laughing, there's almost no better feeling in the world." Right now though, he is in the middle ot two " straight" roles, having just finished playing Vermeer in the film of Tracy Chevalier's novel GWAPE, and started on a much darker affair called trauma with Mark Evans, the director of My Little Eye. There is much talk of a sequel to BJD, not least because Colin Firth the actor is interviewed by Bridget in Helen Fielding's TEOR, throwing up the rather post-modern conundrum of who Firth would play, Mark Darcy or himself. Firth limits himself to saying there "might be one", which he will be involved withif the script is good enough. Yet for all his near-constant film and television roles, his evident self-assurance as an actor, and his admirable lack of ego, near the end of our interview Firth says something odd. Asked why he thinks he is an actor, Firth pauses and then says suddenly: "I don't find it very easy to understand my motives. It's a long time ago that it started since and i'm inclined to think I might have made a different choice now, if I could go back and re-route it" So what would Colin Firth a.k.a Mr. Darcy and a very British pin-up have done were he not an actor? "That's the problem. I don't know if I've got any skills that would have been as productive for me as this has been. I don't just mean in terms of making a living, although I do consider that to be important, but one which has been so nuch fun. Acting gives me a very,very,very good life, but every actor does question why they're doing it. Is it still appropriate at a certain age to be dressing up in a funny frock and being someone else?"

he was hounded by the paparazzi and he admits to feeling "homicidal" when the tabloids printed unauthorised pictures of him and his son. "I found it very frightening, and people didn't get why..." I was wondering if he was ever going to reference those photos. It made me sad at the time because I suspected he would be angry. Understandably so...but I will admit I looked at them. And loved seeing him in 'daddy mode'. Feeling very guilty right now... "I don't find it very easy to understand my motives. It's a long time ago that it started since and i'm inclined to think I might have made a different choice now, if I could go back and re-route it" Uh-oh. He isn't having one of those crisis things is he? Please, please, please don't retreat into the wilds again or stop dressing up in funny frocks! Thanks Barbara, Annette, Aishling (for the lovely photos...love the bottom one...dimples), Karen (for posting those lovely photos), Lizza and Mari!! And any and all others...I apologize if I missed anyone!

Thanks, Mari and Helen! Hope Springs is a clear attempt to bridge both the English and US markets. If we even get it. :-( At this point, it might be WAGW that gets him future roles in the US. ornate turquoise ring Didn't think he was the type. ;-)

Go here to see ornate turquoise ring: http://store3.yimg.com/I/lvmullay_1732_9977745

Thanks Mari and Helen for this article.It�s really a good one. I realized : Again another (in fact two) Hugh Grant comparison(s) (Seems like they just can�t let it be). and again a journalist metioning what he wears (I somehow like when they do it) I also didn�t think he is a "ornate turquoise ring" type.

ornate turquoise ring (Moon) Didn't think he was the type. ;-) (Petra) I also didn�t think he is a "ornate turquoise ring" type. I third that! Cannot imagine it...but LOL at the pic Moon. ODB is just one surprise after another! But maybe after wearing that turquoise outfit as Vermeer he realized that it was a color that suited him. ;-)

"It might be better because I don't know if i'm going to earn a living for anybody if I move to Italy,..." Pssst..."Don't even think about the shoe-cobbler bit...DDL couldn't make it". Thanks Helen and Mari.

Hope Springs is a clear attempt to bridge both the English and US markets. (Moon) If we even get it. :-( It is *incredibly* ironic, isn't it? Thanks so much, Mari and Helen! Funny about the ring, I've never seen another ring on him in any other pictures. Did notice the pale band around his wrist in the new rainbow picture, though, where I presume he wears his watch. Seems he must have a bit of a tan. (Tress) And loved seeing him in 'daddy mode'. Feeling very guilty right now I felt guilty a bit, too, but thought he was pretty sexy in "daddy mode" anyway. ;-) (Lora) So what's worse than a few smug hugegrantie reviewers? Lots of smug hugegrantie reviewers ;-(. LOL!!!

Thanks so much Mari and Helen. (Moon)At this point, it might be WAGW that gets him future roles in the US Exactly:-( At least the critics here didn't seem as though they had a personal vendetta to settle with WAGW. sheesh. Also, very little mention/comparasion to HG in the reviews, either. As far as I can remember.

"Yet for all his near-constant film and television roles, his evident self-assurance as an actor, and his admirable lack of ego, near the end of our interview Firth says something odd. Asked why he thinks he is an actor, Firth pauses and then says suddenly: 'I don't find it very easy to understand my motives. It's a long time ago that it started since and i'm inclined to think I might have made a different choice now, if I could go back and re-route it'" I hope he isn't questioning his career choice because he's been reading the HS reviews! They would depress anyone. I'm counting on GWAPE to make up for them. Returning to lurkdom . . . Liz

(Mari) personally derogatory. We may make remarks here about various people ...but we're not writing for publication or in a professional critic's capacity...they do it especially to women. I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head and that's why it keeps getting stuck there. How would he like that?;-) LOL, I've been waiting...on the Dorothy Parker scale of 0-4 martinis, I give that 3--with a twist--ow!!! (Somehow I knew the first would go to one of you!)

(Mari)I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head and that's why it keeps getting stuck there. Well, I just lost my coffee. LOL, Mari.

(Mari)I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head .. If I were Colin I would have a List of ***hole reporters and never give them access to an interview again. What's the sense of being so nice to these leech-heads if they only seem to be in the business of trashing him and his films.No one says they have to gloat over mediocre material. But their style of journalism is barbaric. I shudder to think what they will do with WAGW.

(Evelyn) I would have a List of ***hole reporters and never give them access to an interview again. I've only seen these guys (major ones from major newspapers) do movie reviews, no cross-overs between feature articles and that. Alexander Walker's a major crusader for what's *wrong* with Britsh film. Are any of these guys respected in the way we've set up certain US critics as being important or influential?

Weekend box office data for the UK (I'm sure this won't line up) This wk/last wk/picture/b.o. this week/# of screens/per screen avg/wks in release/b.o. total 1 - X2 $4,958,775 454 $10,922 1 $21,754,004 2 - Johnny English $1,148,287 415 $2,767 4 $27,352,486 3 - Old School $1,024,776 316 $3,243 -- $1,195,389 4 - Darkness Falls $778,819 295 $2,640 -- $778,819 5 - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days $764,733 334 $2,290 2 $8,915,189 6 - Phone Booth $748,138 273 $2,740 2 $8,815,778 7 - Hope Springs $590,876 303 $1,950 -- $590,876 8 - The Jungle Book 2 $415,437 429 $968 4 $11,840,237 9 - Welcome to Collinwood $208,200 183 $1,138 2 $2,624,808 10 - Dreamcatcher ] $207,070 211 $981 2 $2,821,479

knew it wouldn't :(

That's okay. Could still read it. Thanks. Do we know which of those were new releases that weekend?

I believe Old School and Darkness Falls were also new.