The Guardian: Why We All Love A Daddy -- "Yesterday was the turn of Colin Firth, otherwise known as Bridget Jones's Darcy, pictured cradling his new son, Mateo." (no image,darn) http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1067474,00.html Love the pictures! Thanks Mari aand Karen

Mari, what a lovely present! Thanks for the GWAPE trailer too. (Karen)[Ed note: Unlike another Method actor in this film; must be where that "classical" training kicks in.] (Annette), LOL! Well, he can't fool us, can he? :-) LOL! We know best. Thanks, Murph!

Allison, you are going to to the FF for GWAPE, correct? What are the other London ladies doing? There's LA this friday! Emma, Aishling, Lizza?

Allison, you are going to to the FF for GWAPE, correct? Sadly no. It's sold out and I do not think I could persuade my DH to queue for returns :-( Also cannot make the second showing. Did anyone manage to get tickets for the Gala?

Did I miss something? LA this Friday? I'm going to the afternoon GWAPE next Friday. Will think about going to the gala to stand outside and freeze.

(Mari)"Lick your lips . . ." Whoa! Was a bit fuzzy here and I too had to watch in silence but it was enough to shiver my little timbers. Now I have to pretend to work for a living......

How can one man look so good? Amazing! Agree, amazing...he looks 25. Air-brushing?...nah;-) Thanks for the GWAPE trailer: "The Mystery behind the painting". Classy,I like that. Though PW "It's about power and sex" will sell more at the B.O.

*****Note******* I have sent a message out to all UK DDs. If other DDs will be in London around the time of LA's premiere, please get in touch with me at the office.

(Moon) What are the other London ladies doing? Managed to get tickets for GWAPE (31st) and will be queuing for returns on 30th.

Isn't Tuesday when all the "quality" weekly news publications [Hello! OK! Now, Heat, New] come out in the UK?

From Music From The Movies: Scores missing from upcoming soundtracks: Collectors don't have many reasons to complain about the score album output this autumn - just look at the incredible amount of score CDs coming from Var�se Sarabande for instance! Still, some anticipated scores won't get a lengthy score presentation on CD. J-Records' release of Love Actually, scored by Craig Armstrong, will only feature one score track on the American version of the album and three on the British pressing. The rest of the album, coming out on 11th November, consists of various songs by artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Norah Jones and Sugababes. Furthermore, despite Oscar buzz surrounding Gabriel Yared's score for English Patient director Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain, the CD from Sony will, according to the composer, feature four score cuts only. Sony is also releasing the Mona Lisa Smile soundtrack, however this will be a compilation album possibly with one score track only.

Karen, size really matters :-) Thank you!!

(Mari...and ODB)"Lick your lips . . ." That bit was the undoing of me! Crikey! Like how she sucks the lip in to make it wet and doesn't stick out her tongue. They didn't cut to ODB's face in the trailer...just you wait for the film! And Karen! You cannot do that to me at work! His hands Louisa! That look! Bigger is better, but also dangerous when operating heavy equipment (am counting computer as 'heavy'). I'll be useless the rest of the day (okay, more useless than normal!) ;-D Thank you ladies for all the goodies! Trailers, pictures...!

(Tress) Thank you ladies for all the goodies! Trailers, pictures...! I second! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Karen, I've got to hand (*snicker*) it to you, you sure know how to get my attention! Mercy! Those hands, and in comparison to hers...whoosh. I, like Tress, am ruined for the day. Unlike Tress, being Central time, I have less time to try to fake it! ;-P (Still want to hurry home for the GWAPE trailer, have not been able to see it here.)

Wow, nothing like getting Christmas prezzies now...and we haven't even reached Halloween! ;-) Thanks Mari and Karen. The GWAPE trailer was amazing. And the BIG pic of Vermeer with the Mrs. How is one supposed to be able to concentrate after that? How?

Okay, now I'm going to get nothing done for the rest of the day. I even liked the way he looked in the hat, out on the street. Thank goodness they didn't give him red hair, like in the book.

Hopefully there are those among us that may be in the right place at the right time to catch GWAPE here... SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Film Institute (AFI) and the European Commission Delegation in Washington today announced an expanded exhibition and programming schedule for the October 29 - November 9, 2003 EU SHOWCASE, an international collaboration presenting US premieres, worldwide festival award winners and box office triumphs covering a wide range of themes and styles from today's European filmmaking community. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031022/law110_1.html http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031022/law110_1.html

when the director asks for tongues, you must give the director tongues Ms. Kidron, please ask for tongues;-) Mari, what can I say? mille grazie? Obrigado? dank u? Think I covered them all. OK just plain Thank you for the GWAPE trailer and that totally gorgeous present. I'm hoping he fits in my stocking;-0

From Billboard: http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2008082 Here is the "Love Actually" track list: "The Trouble With Love Is," Kelly Clarkson "Jump (For My Love)," the Pointer Sisters "Here With Me," Dido "Like I Love You," Justin Timberlake "Turn Me On," Norah Jones "Take Me As I Am," Wyclef Jean "Sweetest Goodbye/Saturday Morning," Maroon5 "Songbird," Eva Cassidy "Wherever You Will Go," the Calling "Both Sides Now," Joni Mitchell "All You Need Is Love," Lynden David Hall "God Only Knows," the Beach Boys "I'll See It Through," Texas "Too Lost in You," Sugababes "White Christmas," Otis Redding "Christmas Is All Around," Billy Mac "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Olivia Olson

Is there a soundtrack Norah Jones isn't on anymore? Not that I don't like her..... Thanks, Maria for your link. Lots of intriguing choices in D.C.

"Wherever You Will Go," the Calling God Only Knows," the Beach Boys Oh, two of my all time favorites. Wonderful!

Glad to be part of the group where bigger is better!:-) Can anyone get the October issue of More magazine? Colin is in it, part of a piece on "Men We Love." Unfortunately, my newsstand has already moved on to the November issue. YOO HOO, Lola! Are any talk show appearances scheduled for Colin for Love Actually?) "Lick your lips . . ." (Tress)That bit was the undoing of me! Crikey! It reminded me of the scene in Lost in Translation, with Bill Murray trying to understand the hooker: "Lip your stockings? Lip them? Wha??" LOL! They didn't cut to ODB's face in the trailer...just you wait for the film! You're killin' me here! (Linda)Ms. Kidron, please ask for tongues;-) I hear you, honey, but fat chance. Am not convinced by those TEOR pics.

(Mari) YOO HOO, Lola! Are any talk show appearances scheduled for Colin for Love Actually?) Yes, any witty banter with Jon Stewart (one of my favorites :-D), flirting from Katie Couric, and inane baby banter with Kelly and Reege? ;-) And any Q&A's or intros at guild screenings or film classes? ;-D Am not convinced by those TEOR pics I wasn't so much either. :-(

Justin and Kelly could have been avoided, IMO. Thanks, Murph! Love those giant pics, thanks, Karen! Saw LA preview on TV last night and it announced special sceenings on Nov. 1. The official site does not have a listing, can anyone help?

Now that our DDs have a headstart...check out the main page of firth.com :) (wonder how others are going to "claim" to have found this??)

Oh, my goodness ;-) Daily Show

Thanks Annie! Oh dear... I just called, they are booked through the end of the year but last minute cancellations can be checked on Fridays at 11:30..And the show starts at 5:30pm, guess he'll be running...

It looks like a real CF fest in NYC!

So he will be there!!! Yippeeeeeeee!!!!! And one of my favorite ODB interviews of all time is with Jon Stewart! Am very excited that he is on DS again!

This is such great news! Am happy for the contingent who will be travelling to NYC soon!

One new picture I hadn't seen before. http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=1870&mode=search

Thanks Sandy. I've never seen it either. I like the pensive look. Location: a conservatory , where?

(Evelyn) Location: a conservatory , where? In London's Chiswick House (says on bottom of pic). Chiswick House Designed and built by Lord Burlington in the 1720s, Chiswick House is internationally recognised as one of the finest English buildings inspired by the architecture of classical Rome. When you have enjoyed the lavish interiors, you can step outside and admire the superb Italianate gardens. [ed note: and the lovely graffiti on the walls of the green house] http://www.londonpass.com/ViewAttraction.asp?Id=49&CategoryId=2

Oh (sorry to double post)! And Maria and I were talking earlier today about that pic! ODB stole the Chuck Taylors and faded jeans from Trauma for that shoot!

Colin Firth and Survival International invite you to a special charity preview of Love Actually. Oh those lucky UKers!!! Dying to go. HOLLYWOOD came to London last night for the opening of The Times bfi London Film Festival. In The Cut, in which Meg Ryan shatters her image as the girl next door in an erotically charged role, started a 16-day festival that will include the world premiere of Sylvia, starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath, and the British premiere of Girl with a Pearl Earring. After a disappointing year for festivals in Cannes and Berlin, London has emerged as a highlight in the film calendar. Stars and industry high-flyers will travel to Britain in force to parade their films before the Oscars and Baftas early next year. Junkets for the awards are especially important this year because of a ban on �screeners� � DVDs of films sent to industry insiders. Studios banned them after DVDs were leaked last year and pirate copies were released before the films opened officially. The timing of the festival, earlier than in previous years, has also made it a vital staging post in this year�s shortened awards campaign season. Over the next fortnight about �500,000 will be spent on an average of two parties every night. Apart from the opening and closing galas, each costing �60,000, there will be seven further gala screenings and a series of other parties held by distributors and organisations such as the Danish Film Institute, which is showing this year an unprecedented six films. The largest gala screening will be The Times European premiere of Girl with a Pearl Earring, starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, next Thursday. Other grand events include the opening of Lost in Translation, directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray, which is themed to the film�s ultra-modern setting of a Tokyo bar. Sandra Hebron, artistic director of the festival, said that London had become the launch pad for films in Europe. �Increasingly we�re being used for the UK and European launch of films, and now people are seeing us as a stage for their awards campaigns,� she said. �Companies will bring talent for three, four, five days to do the festival, Bafta screenings and also press junkets.� Britain is being seen as a hotbed of young talent, boasting stars such as Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, as well as the rich literary and theatrical industries. London is also benefiting from an influx of film companies taking advantage of tax concessions which Estelle Morris, the Arts Minister, has recommended be extended beyond their planned end in 2005. Fox Searchlight, HBO Films, Myriad Pictures, Franchise Pictures and Gold Circle Films have all started London ventures. Universal has moved its international marketing department from Los Angeles to London, and MTV Films is setting up a London outpost to create youth-oriented films. http://newsdirectory.com/go/?f=&r=eu&u=www.the-times.co.uk

(Sandy) One new picture I hadn't seen before (Evelyn) I've never seen it either. I like the pensive look. That's the picture from the November W magazine article, the one with Jennifer Garner on the cover.

(Tress) ODB stole the Chuck Taylors and faded jeans from Trauma for that shoot! Maybe more like FP ....nothing extra for costumes, so he used his own clothes. ;-)

From The Hollywood Reporter: Love Actually By Kirk Honeycutt Oct. 24, 2003 Bottom line: A blizzard of Christmas stories, each insubstantial as a snowflake, but cumulatively they smother you in good cheer. "Love Actually" reminds you of an elaborate Christmas card that tumbles apart with pop-up figures, silly/charming greetings and perhaps even a jingle. It probably cost more than the gift it heralds, and you can't help but laugh at the audacity of such an aggressively cheerful card. Clearly, the gift giver wants to love and be loved, and only a Scrooge would deny him his reward. But you also wish he'd heard the phrase "less is more." The gift giver is Richard Curtis, a writer ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill") and, for the first time here, director of comedies that focus on the pursuit of love. Curtis' real gift is that of sharp, rapid-fire dialogue, easily recognizable characters, a benign view of humanity and a knack for making sentimentality feel righteous. This movie, for all its calculation and manipulation, comes from a true believer. He really does believe -- as Oscar Hammerstein II once insisted a composer such as himself must -- in "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens." Audiences should respond to the determinedly feel-good nature of "Love Actually" as a top-flight cast of (mostly) British actors sells its love message very well. The movie is less a traditional story than an elaboration of a theme. This gets pronounced by a narrator at the opening as you watch friends and family tearfully greet at London's Heathrow Airport: "General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. Seems to me that love is everywhere." The movie flips among myriad stories in the weeks before Christmas, none terribly original or compelling in itself, but in the aggregate they illustrate Curtis' theme. A new bachelor prime minister (Hugh Grant) walks into 10 Downing Street and is immediately smitten with a staff member (Martine McCutcheon). A recently widowed stepfather (Liam Neeson) struggles to forge a deeper relationship with his late wife's son (Thomas Sangster). An executive (Alan Rickman) encourages a female employee (Laura Linney) to act on her longtime crush on a fellow worker (Rodrigo Santoro), even as he debates the wisdom of falling into an affair with a most willing colleague (Heike Makatsch), thus betraying his wife of many years (Emma Thompson). A bride (Keira Knightley) comes to realize that her husband's best mate (Andrew Lincoln) is madly in love with her. A cuckolded novelist (Colin Firth) flees to the south of France only to become infatuated with the Portuguese maid (Lucia Moniz) despite their inability to speak each other's language. An aging rock star (a hilarious Bill Nighy) launches a comeback with a Christmas song he knows is crap and freely says so on a truth-telling tour. Squeezed between these subplots are eminently disposable ones such as two movie stand-ins who shyly fall in love while entirely naked or a food vendor who believes a trip to any bar in America will yield a bevy of beauties to fall for his English accent. These plot threads (and they really are threads) contain little substance. Each is intriguing, but with the exception of the widower and stepson, none achieves any resonance. All are too fragmentary, though containing enough clever dialogue and sexy moments to distract from the sheer flimsiness. The production is a winning one, with London turned into a winter wonderland with a side excursion to a rather summery-looking France. As always with a Curtis comedy, the stories pivot around major set pieces -- a wedding, funeral, a school Christmas pageant and an implausible news conference in which the British PM dresses down an arrogant American president (Billy Bob Thornton). Curtis imbues his tales of broken hearts and ecstatic adoration with a festive passion and a cheerful optimism that sweeps the viewer up. It's only afterward that you wonder when the writer fell in love with the maid or why a prime minister would have no social life or how the wife forgave her wandering husband.

Odd little thing on boxofficeprophets.com. Earlier today they had a little blurb under their BOP News saying: "Colin Firth looks ridiculous as a blonde." Intrigued, I read the article attached to it, but there was nothing about ODB. I wrote them and asked about it and have not yet received a reply. But when I just checked into their site, the blurb had been changed to: "Colin Farrell looks ridiculous as a blonde. Apparently they got their Colin F's mixed up, too.

(Dorine) Maybe more like FP ....nothing extra for costumes, so he used his own clothes. ;-) Mmmmm.......if that is the case, it means that ODB and I have very similar wardrobes. He just hasn't let go of that Vancouver 'style' yet....LOL. ;-) (Katty) Apparently they got their Colin F's mixed up, too. LOL....I believe thats a punishable offense in some circles....! ;-)

Love Actually Allan Hunter in Edinburgh 24 October 2003 00:01 Dir: Richard Curtis. UK. 2003. 129 mins Like a latter-day Frank Capra, Richard Curtis believes in the innate decency of the ordinary individual. His films salute the power of love and the possibility of harmony in a world riven with division. His vision may not be dark or cutting-edge but it is comforting, witty and irresistibly heart-warming for a vast middlebrow audience who have embraced Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill and his adaptation of Bridget Jones�s Diary. That very same audience will happily line up for his Yuletide ensemble Love Actually, a canny mixture of humour, heartache and humanity that delivers a little something for everyone. The film�s appeal runs the gamut from courting couples to family outings and incurable romantics, promising a monster crowd-pleaser, especially during the lucrative, feel-good Festive season. Directing his own feature material for the first time, Curtis brings tears to the eyes in the opening moments as he focuses on an airport arrivals lounge to underline the sense of joy and companionship that exists in the world. He instantly establishes his film as a heartfelt riposte to the cynics and gloom-merchants. Covering the five-week period leading up to Christmas in London, the film joins together ten stories of first love, impossible love, eternal love and love under threat. A connecting thread of sorts is provided by burnt out pop idol Billy Mack (Nighy) on the comeback trail with his shameless seasonal version of Love Is All Around. A number of stories also relate to newly elected British Prime Minister Hugh Grant and his powerful attraction to tealady Natalie (McCutcheon). The Prime Minister�s sister Karen (Thompson) is all too aware that husband Harry (Rickman) is tempted to stray. She also provides support for recently widowed friend Daniel (Neeson) whose 11 year-old stepson is deeply in love for the first time. Woven together with the easy wit, charm and insouciance one has come to expect from Curtis, Love Actually is inevitably sketchy and even a little glib. There are times when the careful balance of stories, sentimentality and socially-inclusive characterisation seems calculating. The film even threatens to become a compendium of greatest hits from previous Curtis films with a frisson of naughtiness from the use of swear words, a significant disabled character, Kris Marshall�s comical love God echoing Rhys Ifans scene-stealer in Notting Hill etc Most audiences will be all to happy to accept the film�s flaws because it casts such a warm glow, offers moments of genuine tenderness and uproarious comedy and boasts an unbeatable, all-star cast that includes a delicious cameo from Billy Bob Thornton as a Clintonesque American President. Keira Knightley, Chiwetel Ejiofor and a dashing Andrew Lincoln are among the younger performers who broaden the film�s appeal. Hugh Grant raises the roof with his antics as the groovy, lovelorn Prime Minister and Bill Nighy is sheer delight as a roguish survivor of the Swinging Sixties who displays all the subversive candour and indiscretion one could want. A polished, fluid production with impeccable technical credits and a winning soundtrack, Love Actually is the very definition of entertainment and is guaranteed to bring joy to the world this Christmas http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=14671&r=true

By TODD MCCARTHY Variety A roundly entertaining romantic comedy, "Love Actually" is still nearly as cloying as it is funny. Grandly conceived by contemporary British genre master Richard Curtis as a mosaic of love stories that collectively stress the primacy of amour even in difficult times, this doggedly cheery confection persists in going overboard with smiles, hugs, kisses and musical reassurances that all you need is love. But its cheeky wit, impossibly attractive cast and sure-handed professionalism are beguiling all the same, qualities which, along with its all-encompassing romanticism, should make this a highly popular early holiday attraction for adults on both sides of the pond. After stellar TV work on the likes of "Not the Nine O'Clock News," "Blackadder" and "Mr. Bean," the New Zealand-born Curtis emerged as Blighty's most eminent commercial screenwriter with "The Tall Guy," "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill" and "Bridget Jones's Diary." He now moves confidently into the director's chair. For what it's worth, he gets both the wedding and the funeral out of the way early on in "Love Actually." Set in a spectacularly decorous London in the five weeks running up to Christmas, pic makes a very big point of always looking on the bright side, with the opening narration positioning even 9/11 as an event that occasioned an outpouring of love, however distressed. To be sure, any number of the characters here have to deal with frustration, disappointment, loss and pain, but in almost every case these feelings are transitory and non-depressing. The characters scoot from misery or emotional paralysis to bliss in the time it takes to change clothes, or whenever they discover that someone is interested in them. And in a move designed to give men some special satisfaction at a film many will be dragged to by women, rarely have so many extraordinarily attractive women come on so eagerly to so many guys in a movie not about athletes or rock stars. Showing no strain putting as many balls as he wishes in the air and keeping them aloft, Curtis deftly introduces his ensemble: Drug-ravaged old wild man pop star Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) "looking for a comeback at any price" by cutting a sappy lyrics-altered Christmas version of "Love Is All Around;" newlyweds Juliet (Keira Knightley) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor), with the latter's best friend Mark (Andrew Lincoln) secretly in love with the bride; a bachelor Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) taking up residence at 10 Downing St. and becoming instantly smitten by young tea girl Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), and the PM's sister, efficient housewife and mother Karen (Emma Thompson), whose husband Harry (Alan Rickman) may be induced to stray by the provocations of his foxy secretary Mia (Heike Makatsch). Harry has an employee, Sarah (Laura Linney), who's harbored a helpless crush on shy dreamboat Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) for nearly three years; also feeling the pangs of unrequited love is 10-year-old Sam (Thomas Sangster), whose mother has just died and who confesses to step-dad Daniel (Liam Neeson) his anguish over a girl in school; jilted writer Jamie (Colin Firth) retreats to the south of France, where he begins a linguistically-challenged romance with Portuguese housekeeper Aurelia (singer Lucia Moniz); movie stand-ins John (Martin Freeman) and Judy (Joanna Page) are painfully reticent with one another even though they spend their days together simulating sex in the nude, and then there's Colin (Kris Marshall), a gawky, enthusiastic lad who is convinced that the answer to his dating woes lies in America. Woven together, and occasionally intersecting, so effectively that only one of the strands wears out its welcome -- the John and Judy interlude is archly drawn and doesn't go anywhere -- the vignettes are composed mostly of comic and emotional highlights, with no down time. Due to the inspired concept and casting, the wonderful passages featuring Grant as the debonairly rumpled new head of state are bound to be the most remarked upon, especially in Britain. Specifically positioned as the next leader after Tony Blair, Grant's PM gets off some sharp zingers at his predecessor and, in a scene designed specifically to appeal to the home market, boldly stands up to the arrogant U.S. President (Billy Bob Thornton), a cowboy with an interest in young ladies to rival that of Bill Clinton. However, the Prime Minister reveals a Clintonesque side as well in his obsession with Natalie. As neatly played by former pop tart and "My Fair Lady" McCutcheon, the self-professedly overweight character bears a resemblance to Monica Lewinsky that cannot have been unintentional. Dismayed by the distraction Natalie presents, Grant's PM brings down the house when he peers up at an office portrait of Margaret Thatcher and asks, "Did you have this kind of problem? Oh, of course you did, you saucy minx." Another highlight is Nighy's sly portrait of the seen-and-done-it-all rocker so self-amused and unconcerned with what anyone thinks that he can't help but tell the rude truth at all times. At once leathery and pickled, theater and TV vet Nighy has all the moves down as a sort of tidier Keith Richards for whom reclaimed success is just one giant and unexpected lark. In their own ways, other storylines become engaging as well. Although Neeson's Daniel seems overly anxious to move on from his wife's death, and he much too readily uses sexual profanity with his little stepson (a trait off-puttingly shared here by other adults around pre-pubescent kids), Sangster is so winning as the lovelorn but resourceful Sam that spending time with the two of them is more than pleasant. Marshall is a joy as the enthusiastic bloke who hits the babe jackpot the moment he arrives in the U.S. The nervous attraction between Jamie and Aurelia, who don't comprehend a word they're exchanging but understand one another perfectly all the same, is expertly played for laughs as well as heart tugs, and die-hard romantics will fall hook, line and sinker for the very public climax to their courtship. Portraying more melancholy emotions are Thompson's Karen, who succinctly captures the controlled anxiety of a woman who senses her marriage might be fracturing before her eyes, and Linney's Sarah, who's selflessly boxed herself into a place where romance is truly impossible. Overall, the cast is outrageously attractive playing characters almost uniformly hot to trot at a moment's notice. Still, as the episodes are stacked into a mile-high love sandwich, the film comes to seem too insistent, too calculated, too much the cheerleader for a cause that doesn't need such relentless persuasion. The grand finale, which brings most of the characters -- and hundreds of others --together in a Heathrow arrivals hall, socks over the picture's overriding theme in a way that will send mainstream auds out in a happy mood. Curtis has presided over the creation of a package that feels as luxuriously appointed and expertly tooled as a Rolls-Royce. Michael Coulter's resplendent lensing makes the beautiful people and terrific locations look even more fabulous than they do already, a cause aided by Jim Clay's production design and Joanna Johnston's costumes. Editor Nick Moore helps balance the storylines with keen senses of rhythm and proportion. Composer Craig Armstrong and music supervisor Nick Angel make catchy contributions that occasionally become overbearing. Pic has an invigorating and teasing sense of Anglo-American interplay that ranges from the political to the sexual.

Richard Curtis believes in the innate decency of the ordinary individual. The middle and upper-middle class individual. ;-) Which is a nice change from the usual gritty vulgar lower class films that have been championed from Britain for years. Colin Firth and Survival International invite you to a special charity preview of Love Actually. He'd better be there, but don't be surprised if they announce, "Due to a filming conflict..." ;-)

(Variety) However, the Prime Minister reveals a Clintonesque side as well in his obsession with Natalie. As neatly played by former pop tart and "My Fair Lady" McCutcheon, the self-professedly overweight character bears a resemblance to Monica Lewinsky that cannot have been unintentional. Strangely enough, that was my initial impression of her too. ;-)

Win tickets to The Times gala party This Saturday you could win tickets to The Times gala film and party at the Times/BFI London Film Festival, plus a meal at a top London restaurant. The ten winners will each win a pair of tickets to the star-studded screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring and to the exclusive post-screening party. Don't miss The Times on Saturday for details.

This week's Sunday Times will include a dvd of the trailer of "Love Actually" and some other movies.

Breakfast with the Arts on A&E producer says: "We interview Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansenn for "Girl with the Pearl Earrings". The interview is scheduled to air on 11/23." This was at the Toronto FF Set your VCR's A&E channel. Check for local viewing times. You read it here first;-)

Annie and Evelyn, thanks so much for the TV interview news! Very happy he's doing the Daily Show again, since he was so good on it last time. And I had a feeling A&E would nab him for a sit-down as well; he and Ehle are their poster children.

From Susan, the More magazine pic of the Colins:

(Karen) Win tickets to The Times gala party This Saturday you could win tickets to The Times gala film and party at the Times/BFI London Film Festival, plus a meal at a top London restaurant. The ten winners will each win a pair of tickets to the star-studded screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring and to the exclusive post-screening party. Don't miss The Times on Saturday for details. You can enter online too... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,9086,00.html

Have added this pic to the TIFF In the Public Eye page from the November InStyle:

Have I said lately how much ODB melts my butter? GAH! Great pics Karen! Amazing smiles and dimples in both! Love the crazy curls on his forehead in the More pic. Thank you! Bee! Another great hug!!

Fun Scarlett article...Posted here because it does reference Colin and GWAPE...:-)) http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-7015-845630,00.html

(SJ) �John is so funny,� But wait, I thought *Colin* was the funny one. ;-) She has two in her left ear, one in the right, Just like Colin, right? Think she and Colin traded earrings? ..... and tiny acne scars Bet she loved *that* being pointed out. Thanks, Maria! Cute article. I find her views extremely interesting, I have to say. Not that I agree or disagree with her, but she's not dull. I've read bits of that interview somewhere else.

This has been a long...long...long time in the making: http://www.firth.com/articles/03vanfair_italy_oct.html

A review of Love Actually from one of those "vanity" websites, i.e., people who write without having a clue about film ... ;-) http://www.moovees.com/review/billp/love-actually.html

Thought this was worth a chuckle... The Scotsman: "Fancy a bit of rough? Then treat the man in your life to Trevor Sorbie Professional Mg Moulding Mud for a look that�s more Colin Farrell than Colin Firth. Perfect for guys who don�t want to spend more than five minutes in the bathroom but still want to turn heads. Then get your own back for all that missing moisturiser and steal mud for tousled tresses of your own. Priced �6.49, it�s available exclusively from Boots." http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2091088

"Can I jump on you?" That would be my first thought, too!

(Karen)This has been a long...long...long time in the making: And worth every minute of the wait Karen! Hot Damn! Or *thud* to borrow a Tressism....... Beautiful photos. Is this not a guy who grew into his baby face in the most *butter melting* way? I can't thank you enough for your efforts Karen. The two of you bring us so much pleasure.;-)

LOL! The process was similar to curing olives. ;-)

Maria...thank you for the Scarlet interview. I like her...she's got sass! And Karen! Thanks again! Like how he talks about stealing clothes from his films. Seems he steals more from movies like Trauma than he does from WAGW! Hmmmm....wonder if he stole that lovely shirt from GWAPE? Might look good with the Chucks. ;-) Must say I really like the visible chest in the first two pics....the Neru jacket thing looks too warm (or maybe I'm just overheating again)! ;-)

the Neru jacket thing looks too warm (or maybe I'm just overheating again)!;-) It does say "abiti di Giorgio Armani" so Giorgio dressed him. Right?

(Karen) It does say "abiti di Giorgio Armani" so Giorgio dressed him. Right? LOL...I had no idea, so used my handy Italian translator (non-human). This is what it came back with: "you live of Giorgio Armani" Is that what they call "lost in translation"?? ;-) And Giorgio may have dressed ODB (or done something else to him, for all I know...LOL) but it still looks a bit too warm for the weather. But who knows? It could have been chilly in Umbria that day!

(CF)They ignore basic driving rules but are so fastidious at the dinner table Oh so true! I can't imagine what went through his mind the split second that she asked what his favorite color was. LOL, that was gutsy and he was perfect! Thanks so much Karen for the VF article. Love that first picture. Love that shirt, the look, and the amount of buttons unbuttoned! Maria thanks for the SJ article.

VF interview terrific ,Boss. He seems to open up more with non-English -speaking journalists.

(Maria) Hopefully there are those among us that may be in the right place at the right time to catch GWAPE here... Maria, bless you!!! I just bought my ticket for the screening this coming Wednesday. Finally, something good about living in Washington...

I'm back........ Still obsessing, (and isn't that what this place is sorta for?) on those lovely olivey photos. I like that green color in the first photo v. much. What did he steal that from? I feel like a pressed olive now Karen, but not like a virgin olive, if we know what I mean.;-) It's late so I can say this, I hope.........

It is as it should be...(nevermind the title...it fits in this topic, trust me...) Daily Record DREAMY KNIGHTLEY Oct 25 2003 Pirate beauty Keira is sexiest film star By Steven Ventura PIRATES of the Caribbean beauty Keira Knightley is Britain's sexiest female film star. The rising actress whose mother grew up in Ayrshire first shot to fame as Queen Amidala's handmaiden in Star Wars: Episode I. The 19-year-old won more fans in Bend It like Beckham before starring with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom in the swashbuckling Disney hit. But dishy Bloom lost out as Britain's sexiest film star to Bridget Jones hero Colin Firth, who won female hearts as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. More mature sex symbols Alan Rickman, Sean Connery and Sean Bean also made the top five in the poll of 4500 people by internet provider Tiscali. Firth's Bridget Jones co-star, Hugh Grant, Irish stars Colin Farrell and Liam Neeson, and Scots Robert Carlyle and Ewan McGregor also won places. Richard Ayers, editor of tiscali.co.uk, said: ``It was great to see a scrap between the older fans of Firth, Ed. Note. what do you think? I'm pretty sure we can take 'em! fighting off the teenage hordes of whipper-snapper Orlando. ``It was a triumph of sensual seniority(exactly how I would put it!) over youthful exuberance.'' Surprisingly, cinema darling Catherine Zeta Jones did not make the list of top British screen sirens. Kate Winslet came second, followed by Rachel Weisz and Liz Hurley, known more for her dresses than her acting. TINSELTOWN TALENT TOP TENS MEN1 Colin Firth (left) 2 Orlando Bloom 3 Alan Rickman 4 Sean Connery 5 Sean Bean 6 Hugh Grant 7 Colin Farrell 8 Liam Neeson 9 Robert Carlyle 10 Ewan McGregor WOMEN 1 Keira Knightley2 Kate Winslet 3 Rachel Weisz4 Liz Hurley (left)5 Kate Beckinsale 6 Kristin Scott Thomas 7 Joely Richardson 8 Parminder Nagra 9 Alex Kingston10 Helena Bonham Carter

But dishy Bloom lost out as Britain's sexiest film star to Bridget Jones hero Colin Firth, who won female hearts as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. See Annette! Our little contest Queen! Thanks for waking me up.

Oooops! Thanks for posting the results Barb from another Barb Bee!

(Karen, Italian VF) This has been a long...long...long time in the making: And we appreciate the length of your efforts in making it happen! Thanks Karen! (Oops! And can't forget Moonerella (v.cute! :-)) P.S.Hope he gets to keep the sweater this time...Love that he even wants to and probably relates more to it than to the wet shirt...

Off out to buy my local rag, The Daily Record. Thanks, Karen, for your unending work in bringing us all these wonderful pics and articles. It is really appreciated. The Italian VF was definitely worth waiting for! Those first 2 pics are the best I've seen in quite a while. Italy seems to suit him very well!

Thank you, Karen and Moonerella(!), for the Vanity Fair article. I like the bottom pic, the black and white one best. Very much appreciate your efforts to get the mag and the translation! (Linda)can't imagine what went through his mind the split second that she asked what his favorite color was. LOL, that was gutsy Yes it was, as was the question on why he broke up with Meg. Bordering on inappropriate, I'd say. Ancient history. Susan, thanks for the "More" mag pics! Very cute photo, too bad he had to appear on the same spread with that potty-mouth Colin F.;-)

Forgot to mention: I have the November "W" mag in hand (photo has already been posted somewhere above.) Good long interview entitled "Going Dutch--Colin Firth, the thinking woman's sex symbol, stars in a new film as painter Johannes Vermeer." Here's a highlight: he's talking about having gone to Delft with the crew to see paint colors being ground and mixed in an old mill. "It's amazing the amount of stuff that's made from beetle shit or the urine of some animal," he reports. (I always *knew* those lovely colors all existed in nature.;-) Also, thanks for the InStyle pic of Colin and SJ--wonderful pic, they look so happy and natural! This is the November issue, right? Will pick it up. One more thing. There's a full-page full-color spread in the new issue of US magazine from the TEOR filming; huge BJ and MD kissy pic and some smaller ones, with some behind-the-scenes quotes. Will post more on BJD board.

I really liked that W interview. Some different stuff, and quite amusing, at times. Thanks everyone for everything this week.

Thanks to the olive pressers for the Italian VF article and pics. Moonerella, eh? So that was you in that Roger Vadim flick! ;-)

There's a big article in USA Today about the likely Oscar contenders, singling out the epics--Lord Of The Rings, Master and Commander, The Last Samurai, Cold Mountain, and The Alamo. This sidebar discusses 10 others that have a shot to get in there should the blcokbusters stumble: The calm before the epic storm By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY Epics are making the most noise now, but several less monumentally budgeted films some in theaters, more due for the holidays are establishing themselves as contenders. Among them: Mystic River (in theaters): Based on Dennis Lehane's best seller about three friends who face a traumatic event as boys, then as adults must cope with a violent crime that stirs up old emotions. Stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon. Oscar buzz: Acclaimed performances and the Oscar pedigree of director Clint Eastwood (1992's Unforgiven) give it a good shot. Many nominees have literary roots, and Mystic has the added plus of praised writing and direction. Seabiscuit (in theaters): Famous racehorse comes from behind and takes a Depression-weary America by storm. It's based on Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book and stars Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, and Tobey Maguire. Oscar buzz: Its summer opening, initially seen as a drawback, may prove a plus. With a shorter Oscar season (the awards were moved up to February), Seabiscuit has the advantage of having been already widely seen. Lost in Translation (in theaters): A neglected young wife (Scarlett Johansson) and a has-been movie star (Bill Murray) strike up an unexpected friendship in a Tokyo hotel. Directed by Sofia Coppola. Oscar buzz: There is considerable respect for the daughter of director Francis Ford Coppola for re-inventing herself as a filmmaker after the dismal reviews she received as an actress in Godfather 3. Across-the-board critical raves are an added plus. Love Actually (Nov. 7): A romantic comedy starring Oscar favorites Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. It follows 10 different characters and was a big crowd pleaser at festivals and early screenings. Oscar buzz: Comedies are always dicey with the serious-minded academy, but Brit humor seems to fare best. Who can forget Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Full Monty? The Missing (Nov. 19): A Western thriller set in 1885 about an estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones) and daughter (Cate Blanchett) who reunite to rescue her child, kidnapped by dangerous outlaws. Oscar buzz: This period piece directed by Oscar-winner Ron Howard may have all the ingredients to please voters. In America (Nov. 26): An impoverished Irish family immigrates to New York in the early '80s after a tragedy and chases the elusive American dream. Oscar buzz: Director Jim Sheridan's work has been nominated before: 1989's My Left Foot and 1993's In the Name of the Father. Also, it's a love letter to New York, which could appeal to academy voters on both coasts. Big Fish (Dec. 10): A drama about a father dying of cancer (Albert Finney and his estranged son (Billy Crudup) Oscar buzz: The story is a departure for director Tim Burton, and the weighty subject and praised performances have an Oscar feel. Girl With a Pearl Earring (Dec. 12): Based on Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel about Vermeer (Colin Firth) and a wise peasant girl (Scarlett Johansson). Oscar buzz: An arty favorite at film festivals, it could fall into the slot once occupied by Merchant-Ivory productions. The Statement (Dec. 12): A thriller starring Michael Caine as a former French Nazi collaborator on the run from police and assassins. Oscar buzz: Movies about the Holocaust have a powerful track record, as evidenced by last year's The Pianist. And Caine and director Norman Jewison (The Hurricane) are academy favorites. House of Sand and Fog (Dec. 26): Based on Andre Dubus' best-selling novel about a woman (Jennifer Connelly) whose house is mistakenly sold at auction and her desperate efforts to stop the Iranian immigrant (Ben Kingsley) who buys it. Oscar buzz: Kingsley's performance and the story, both personal and epic in scope, are winning kudos from early viewers.

I too adore that picture with the green shirt. (Karen) It does say "abiti di Giorgio Armani" so Giorgio dressed him. Right?"Clothes by G Armani." What happens often is that the photo shoot is set up with the understsnding that they would bring a bunch of clothes from a designer. And who would say no to Armani clothes? I bet he kept the shirts. (Lisa), Thanks to the olive pressers for the Italian VF article and pics. Moonerella, eh? So that was you in that Roger Vadim flick! ;-) LOL! With my blond wig, of course. Oh, behave! ;-) I hope you are referring to the remake done by his young son. Keep the articles coming ladies and thank you!

(Mari)There's a big article in USA Today about the likely Oscar contenders... Do we dare dream? Those blockbusters sound ominous though. But isn't it nice to have his forthcoming films menioned on the O. shortlist instead of the dogpile.

Aishling to the rescue today, with a cute pic of Colin from the Telegraph. An article Richard Curtis wrote about directing the movie. Here's the part that mentions Colin: There is a scene in which Colin Firth and Lucia Moniz who plays Aurelia swim in an apparently deep lake. The truth is the lake was fine when we originally saw it, but by the time we arrived was 18 inches deep. Our two actors are kneeling and pretending to swim. In the rushes at the end of every take you can see them stand up and the water only comes up to their knees. During the filming, Colin was bitten by a vicious, malarial gadfly--his elbow swelled up like an avocado and were he not a saint, he would have sued us for the entire profits of the films.

Quite a lot about CF in the papers! Today's Telegraph has extracts from Richard Curtis's book about the making of "Love Actually". Three pics of CF (only 2 of Huge!) including a one page photo of CF and RC on the set. RC writes about scenes shot with CF and Lucia Moniz (swimming in the lake).. "During the filming Colin was bitten by a vicious malarial gadfly - his elbow swelled up like an avocado, and were he not a saint, he would have sued us for the entire profits of the film." (Ed.note Seems rather accident prone!) LA opens on the 21st in the UK, but the book (�12.99 ) is available from Nov 6. Can be ordered (�11.99 plus p&p) from Telegraph Books Direct on 0870 1557222 Full details at www.penguin.co.uk "From the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary - the essential companion to the smash-hit movie, including full screenplay and exclusive additional material. For everyone that�s ever been in love and laughed about it � If you adored Love Actually, this superb companion to the hit movie is guaranteed to warm your heart and make you laugh all over again. Featuring: - Full screenplay introduced by award-winning scriptwriter Richard Curtis - Deleted scenes and other juicy bits - Behind the scenes with the all-star cast, including Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and Rowan Atkinson - Full cast �love questionnaire� - Over 200 full-colour photographs and exclusive black and white photos from the production of the film Set in contemporary London just before Christmas and weaving together a series of touching and hilarious stories, Love Actually is a romantic comedy that looks at the funny, sad and often stupid sides of love." CF also features in today's Express - voted sexiest movie male - with nice Darcy pic, and usual blurb - BJD/TEOR, devoted family man, 3 sons etc. The sort of publicity that doesn't hurt. He's also had a good run in the Daily Mail, with TEOR photos over three days. Even the paparazzi shot, although intrusive, was backed up with very positive (ie non-tabloidish) text - devoted dad, and mentions of all recent films WAGW, LA, TEOR plus "Trauma" and "The Dead Wait". So someone had done their homework. He's also getting mentions as a result of BBC2's "The Big Read" (where viewers can vote for their all time favourite book) P&P is battling it out with LOTR. The Sunday Telegraph had a large pic of Darcy/CF sitting by the lake, and quoted Ladbrokes as saying that P&P was odds on favourite to win because of the Darcy factor. Also, the Times has had several mentions of GWAPE, and I'm sure there will be more when it is actually screened. Not a bad week for PR actually!

(RC)were he not a saint Well, as one of the apostles of Sct. Colin, I allready knew that :-) Just joking :-) Thank you all, for the articles and pictures, Karen, Moon, Aishling and everybody I haven't named. The Italian interview is one of the best in a long time, IMHO. I like his sense of humour :-) I agree with you, Evelyn; it's so nice to hear all these positive reports from his films.

Oh, you got there before me! Worth duplicating though.

(Moon)I bet he kept the shirts. LOL! And if he did we'll see em again.:-D (RC)his elbow swelled up like an avocado and were he not a saint, he would have sued us for the entire profits of the films. Ah! A member of the Church of St. Colin!!

I think we can safely say that ODB has got himself a hot PR firm. May he NEVER again be in the likes of HS and Ldum.

(Bethan!)Quite a lot about CF in the papers!...... and mentions of all recent films WAGW, LA, TEOR plus "Trauma" and "The Dead Wait". So someone had done their homework..........Not a bad week for PR actually! Great news Bethan!! Now perhaps Karen can keep that paperbag off her head for a while. No more *bag hair*! ;-)

During the filming, Colin was bitten by a vicious, malarial gadfly--his elbow swelled up like an avocado So that's why we saw it bandaged in those pics from filming in France. BTW, that pic of him and RC is on the loveactually.com website, under the behind the scenes section. You need to click on the crew names; there are at least a couple of Colin. There's lots on that site; you need to surf around. I assume everyone saw the clip of Colin/Jamie and Aurelia, talking about driving her home.

Bandage is probably where he was bitten.

A chance to hear Tracy Chevalier and Olivia Hetreed discuss GWAPE (from www.scriptfactory.co.uk) Girl With A Pearl Earring: A Masterclass in Adaptation from Brush to Pen to Camera Wednesday 29 October � 5pm Tickets �6 (�5 concs) available from www.sohotheatre.com or Soho Theatre Box Office � 020 7478 0100 Not much is known about Dutch painter Vermeer, and even less about the models who worked for him. So for her best-selling novel, Girl With A Pearl Earring, Tracy Chevalier had to rely on the paintings themselves to tell her the secrets behind one of the artist�s most famous and mysterious works. Her wonderful fictionalised account reveals a relationship between Vermeer and the bright and intriguing servant who became his model and muse (a considerable scandal in 17th Century Holland). As the big screen adaptation gathers rave reviews, we bring together screenwriter Olivia Hetreed and novelist Tracy Chevalier for a detailed discussion about the transformation of a richly-textured novel into a ravishingly beautiful and remarkably intelligent film - one which looks certain to be a major awards favourite for the coming year. Film Festival screening: Girl With A Pearl Earring is screening at Odeon WE on Thurs 30 Oct at 8.30pm and Fri 31 Oct at 1pm - book on-line at www.lff.org.uk

From a long article by film review critic of the Observer (not prone to praising CF movies) on the emerging new genre of horror movie http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,1065907,00.html "I'm hanging my hopes on the international market, particularly Trauma and the Ministry of Fear here in Britain, and watching for the next wave of emerging maestros from Hong Kong and Japan to scare the bejesus out of a new generation of horror fans."

From View London: LFF SHOWING 30th & 31st OCTOBER NATIONAL RELEASE 16th JANUARY Four out of Five stars Running time: 103 mins Beautifully photographed and featuring a superb performance by Scarlett Johansson, this is a rewarding drama that is shot through with a palpable erotic intensity. Girl With A Pearl Earring is a period drama based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier. Primarily a British production, it�s directed by Peter Webber, making his feature debut. As such, it�s an extremely enjoyable drama: sumptuous, erotic and beautifully photographed, with superb performances from its cast. 17th Century Holland The film is set in 17th century Holland in the city of Delft and the story takes an imaginary look at the events surrounding the creation of Vermeer�s most famous painting. Scarlett Johansson (Ghost World, The Man Who Wasn�t There) stars as Griet, a 17 year old girl who becomes a maid in the house of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Though separated by both class and education, Vermeer recognises her intuitive understanding of colour and light and gradually allows her to assist with his painting. Their tender, clandestine relationship, though never overtly sexual, nonetheless comes at great risk, particularly from Vermeer�s jealous, spiteful daughter Cornelia (Alakina Mann). However, Vermeer�s shrewd mother-in-law Maria (Judy Parfitt) realises that Griet inspires Vermeer and she takes the dangerous decision to hide the details from his neurotic wife Catharina (Essie Davis). Meanwhile, Griet finds herself in danger of an entirely different sort from Vermeer�s wealthy, lusty patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), an extremely perilous position to be in, given that Vermeer depends on Van Ruijven�s patronage� Impeccable Period Detail The period detail of the film is impeccable and the dull, grimy atmosphere is heightened considerably by Eduardo Serra�s superlative photography, which constantly draws attention to light and shade. There�s also an effective score by the gloriously named Alexandre Desplat. Johansson is perfectly cast in the lead role and gives a wonderful performance � her resemblance to the girl in the painting is astonishing. Since she doesn�t have much dialogue, a large part of her performance is conveyed through her face and eyes and at times she�s positively hypnotic to watch. The other performances are good too, particularly Firth (putting his trademarked �dark, brooding� performance to splendid use) and Wilkinson, who seems to be having altogether too much fun as Van Ruijven. There�s also good support from Cillian Murphy as the butcher�s apprentice who falls in love with Griet. The film is full of memorable scenes � Cornelia�s eventual punishment is a thoroughly satisfying highlight. The crowning sequence of the film, however, concerns the preparation for the painting itself: Vermeer piercing Griet�s ears and repeatedly asking her to wet her lips are intensely erotic, unforgettable scenes. In short, Girl With A Pearl Earring is a well-written, well-directed, extremely rewarding drama with an astonishing central performance from Johansson � don�t be surprised if she picks up an Oscar nomination come February. Highly recommended. Reviewed by - Matthew Turner

Playing to the Crowd The Brit comedy �Love Actually� aims to please. Before it makes $125 million, quick question: is it any good? By David Ansen NEWSWEEK Nov. 3 issue � Here�s a verbal Rorschach test: when you hear the term �crowd-pleasing� attached to a movie, does it seem a recommendation or a dis? How you respond to this may determine your reaction to Richard Curtis�s �Love Actually,� a panoramic, star-studded British romantic comedy that is very eager to be liked. Curtis is the talented fellow who wrote �Four Weddings and a Funeral� and �Notting Hill� (not to mention �Bridget Jones�s Diary�). This is the first feature he�s both written and directed, and it seems designed to guarantee he�ll get to direct another: failure is not an option. IN PURSUIT OF laughs and lumps in the throat, Curtis employs every clever or hoary trick he�s ever learned, freely pillaging his own movies and others�. Offering up nine loosely connected love stories, Curtis has whipped up a heaping meal of cinematic comfort food, sweet as English pudding and just spicy enough to earn an R rating. The movie baldly announces its �love is everywhere� theme with a montage of embraces at the arrivals area of Hethrow airport, a sequence that could easily be mistaken for a long-distance-telephone commercial. �Love Actually� then plunges into its multiple tales of heterosexual romance, which unfold in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The sheer size of the cast is dizzying�as you�ll soon see. At the top of the social ladder is the bachelor Prime Minister (Hugh Grant, in his best diffident-charm mode), who finds himself preoccupied with a curvaceous staffer (Martine McCutcheon) from a dodgy part of town. The P.M.�s sister (Emma Thompson) is grappling with the wandering eye of her husband (Alan Rickman), whose saucy secretary (Heike Makatsch) is doing her best to seduce him. This triangle doesn�t really resolve itself, it just peters out. Meanwhile, a cuckolded mystery writer (Colin Firth) retreats to France for solace, where he falls for his Portuguese maid (Lucia Muniz). Unfortunately, neither understands the other�s language. (You wonder if Curtis is aware that, in most of the affairs here, men are masters and women are servants.) Puppy love is represented by 11-year-old Sam (Thomas Sangster), who is coached in courtship by his recently widowed father (Liam Neeson). The tone shifts uneasily from bedroom farce to masochistic creepiness in a strand involving a pathologically unassertive American (Laura Linney) whose guilt-ridden devotion to her mentally ill brother continually foils the consummation of her lust for her co-worker (hottie Rodrigo Santoro). Are you following all this? There�s more. The unexpected MVP of the cast is Bill Nighy, who gets the biggest laughs playing a lewd, jaded, over-the-hill rock star hoping to make a comeback with a dismal Christmas makeover of �Love Is All Around.� Further broad comic relief comes in the form of a randy, oft-spurred young waiter (Kris Marshall) who�s convinced that sexual salvation awaits him in Wisconsin, where his English accent will charm the pants off the natives. Then there are the shy young lovers who meet, naked, as stand-ins for the stars of an erotic movie�a one-joke gag Curtis milks twice too often. Yet another thread, on the theme of unrequited love, involves a newly wed beauty (Keira Knightley) who discovers that her husband�s best friend (Andrew Lincoln) is hopelessly in love with her. The Hugh Grant sequences are among the most delightful (if not the most plausible), and they allow Curtis to get in a barbed anti-Blair and anti-American aside in the form of Billy Bob Thornton�s visiting U.S. president, a reptilian amalgam of skirt-chasing Clinton and bully-boy Bush. As a director, Curtis is nothing if not promiscuous, equally embracing his best and worst ideas. This is the sort of movie in which a crowd of strangers breaks into applause as one character publicly proposes to another (a device that was overworked 10 years ago). Yet the scene works because the proposal itself is hilarious. Slick, expertly acted and shameless, �Love Actually� is alternately beguiling and bloated, witty and warmed over, smart and pandering. The majority is likely to swoon; the minority will squirm their way through it.

(Bethan) but the book (�12.99 ) is available from Nov 6. Can be ordered (�11.99 plus p&p) from Telegraph Books Direct Can also be order (US and UK) from amazon via The Boutique! ;-) (Newsweek) The unexpected MVP of the cast is Bill Nighy Did I call this one or what? He reminds me of Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year. (You wonder if Curtis is aware that, in most of the affairs here, men are masters and women are servants.) Eowww! Good observation. Thanks everyone for the news items!

(Karen) Did I call this one or what? He reminds me of Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year. He stole every scene. He was hilarious! There is a Robert Palmer parody that may not be as funny now...okay....it will be! (Karen) Can also be order (US and UK) from amazon via The Boutique! ;-) Have noticed that the UK version of the book is 240 pages and the US version is 144!?!? Hmmmm......interesting! May now have to buy both to compare! ;-)

Thanks Mari, Karen and all for the great articles and pictures. Mari, thanks for the heads up on the November magazine articles and LA website. I've missed some things, but I did catch the lovely Jamie clip.

this is a rewarding drama that is shot through with a palpable erotic intensity. And best of all it is a period film! My kind all the way. Can't wait! (Karen) Did I call this one or what? He reminds me of Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year. It was my fav. part of the previews. He just glows on the screen. (You wonder if Curtis is aware that, in most of the affairs here, men are masters and women are servants.) His partner is a Freud. ;-) Thanks, Mari, Betham and Karen.

Re: Love Actually book length (UK vs. US) I'm not sure I have any faith in the product details on the US site, especially as the publisher is not correct; it is St Martin's Press, not Griffin Trade Paper, though the St Martin's Press site does say the book is only 144 pages. I've gone to the Penguin UK site and found the book, under the Michael Joseph imprint, and it says it is 208 pages not 240. I think the American publisher needs a call.

To: Mrs. Hola Lola From: Dorine Re: Colin Firth on Letterman Dear Mrs. Hola Lola, It's very nice to see that Mr. Firth will be on The Daily Show. His interview with Jon Stewart is one of our favorites. When can we expect to see him on Letterman? And maybe on the Today Show with Katie Couric, too? Hopefully soon. :-D Thank you. Have a nice week! Sincerely, Dorine :-)