Oh MY! Thanks so much Karen and Mari!! Wot a way to make the day a bit brighter! My favs: and this one: He looks quite sly....and loving his "Roman Holiday Hair"....bit mussy and long.....v. v. nice indeed! Thanks again!

Thanks to all for the fun articles and pictures today! I adore the curls!! I found this while pulling my new Allure out of the mailbox and divesting it of postcards. Unfortunately, Colin doesn't get a picture along with the mention. The GQ reference makes me wonder if Colin's quote is from 2001. Allure March 2004 - Private Eye Who do you ask for style advice? By Jeffrey Slonim It isn't east being a celebrity. Everyone will tell you you're fabulous, but who, really, will let you know that your butt looks big in those Blue Cult jeans? We asked celebrities at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, the Fashion Group's Night of Stars, and a Christopher Reeve Foundation fund-raiser who they trust for the unvarnished truth. Honesty is hard to find. Star Jones consults her housekeeper: "She'll say , 'Miss Jones, that's too tight' or 'Miss Jones, that's too big.'" Heidi Klum asks her publicist, who "gives me a rating from one to ten. Rarely do I get a ten." Colin Firth relies on "the good old bathroom mirror. My wife's losing interest in all that stuff." A slightly paranoid Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind apparently has faith in no one: "I always look like hell. If anyone said I looked OK, I'd know they were lying."

More pics up: http://www.firth.com/gwape_romepc1.html

Firth and the mothers of his two children (Dorine) I think they forgot somebody. ;-) I think their sources were that old.

Thanks Karen and Mari for the pictures. Love them all; the longish hair, the hint of a smile, ..... Poor boy does look desperately in need of a holiday though. He's been working far to hard lately ;-) Colin Firth relies on "the good old bathroom mirror. Now I get it. He can't see his shoes/socks in the mirror.

Karen, These pic are just wonderful; he looks amazing - can't decide which to use as my desktop! One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? - bit of shade variation there, I think!(ducking)

(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? Must be the camera lens/angle. In person, Janet, his teeth are pearly white ....and a dazzling smile. Witness Protection Program pic;-) Where do you find these, super sleuth;-) On the *very* day.....

Just sat down for a quick check in before I collapse for the day and oh, to my surprise, a lovely batch of new pics. A perfect remedy for these aching bones after a long day. Thank you, Karen and Mari. Sweet dreams certainly lay ahead for me this evening. Loved all of them, especially those with the wonderful coy smirk. And the hair...what new products can we attribute these bountiful curly locks to? Just dying to run my fingers through that mane...

(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? I've thought the same thing for a while. Matter of fact, sent a couple of recent pics (within the last 6 mos) of his to a dental hygienist friend of mine trying to start a tooth whitening business, asking if she was looking for referrals. ;-D Have to say, didn't notice his teeth at the premiere when he was by us. Just the eyes. ;-P

Thanks Mari and Karen for the lovely pics from Rome. Love the Mark Darcy curls and sideburns. I prefer the slight hint of a smile to the toothy grin, but they are all gorgeous. My fingers and toes are crossed for the Trauma screening in LA. We need to see this on the big screen!

(Ev)"Trauma will be screened at the American Film Market in Santa Monica on February 27 and 29" Time for your candles, Bee Dee. Got it covered Evelyn! I light them every night by default;-)) Hey! I've been here a year! Have some *Bee* cake on me - and to share with the class of '03 ... and ... And what a year it's been! I've had a great time and had a face to face with ODB and came out to my lovely daughter who wasn't a bit surprised, my DH who was and my girlfriends who are a bit envious actually;-)) Thanks to each and every one of you who have made this a delightful year and to ODB not least of all for connecting me with all of you and I hope to hell I've closed all of these f***ing tags, thanks... Bee

Have added a second page of pics from the press conference and they're clickable. ;-)))))

Thanks, Karen! Is that jacket either brown velvet or corderoy (sp)? :-/ (Beedee) Thanks to each and every one of you who have made this a delightful year Your welcome and back at ya. ;-) Firth remains a self-confessed member of the "work just pays the bills" club. (Karen) Exactly the kind of actor that's invited onto Inside the Actors Studio or Charlie Rose. *snort* You're being facetious, right?

(Dodine)Have to say, didn't notice his teeth at the premiere when he was by us. Just the eyes. ;-P You could overlook that smile? I'm a teeth person;-)

Very funny Kimberly! Thanks. (Evelyn) You could overlook that smile? Looking in those eyes is like getting caught in a tractor beam. ;-D Actually, I am a big "teeth person", too. :-)

(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? Yes, and I noticed it in another set of pictures not long ago too. (Bee) Thanks to each and every one of you who have made this a delightful year and to ODB not least of all for connecting me with all of you Aw, how nice of you. The feelings are likewise. :) (Dorine) Is that jacket either brown velvet or corderoy (sp)? :-/ Oh lordy! Do you think I've turned into Steven Cojocaru? (A velvet jacket with wheat jeans? The little fashionista!) ;-) When I lighten up the pic, it looks like it may be a deep chocolate brown with a black T (or slate grey as a result of many washings??). Fabric?? Hard to tell for certain. As someone who used to sew (many, many years ago), no-wale corduroy could easily be mistaken for velvet, and seems far more likely for his ensemble.

A little blurb about the release of the LA DVD in the UK: Richard Curtis's directorial debut Love Actually is coming to DVD on March 22 though Universal Pictures Video As you'd expect, this is classic rom-com all the way. Set in London during the build-up to Christmas, the film follows the love lives of various individuals including a heartbroken author (Colin Firth), a widowed stepfather (Liam Neeson), an aging rock star (Bill Nighy) and the Prime Minister himself (Hugh Grant) before all their paths cross on a very romantic Christmas Eve. Fans will also be pleaded to hear that the disc will come packed with extras including: - audio commentary with Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy and Thomas Sangster - deleted scenes and storylines presented by Richard Curtis - Billy Mack's Christmas Is All Around music video - a music highlights section introduced by Richard Curtis - a 'Storytellers' featurette

Thanks for the pics Karen but I'm sorry, every time I look at this pic (and I've been looking alot)I keep thinking he looks like Chris Cooper! ;-DD

Excellent coverage of yesterday's events, Karen--thanks! Am enjoying the new "clickables," too. all this would have been impossible if you had made a film on Van Gogh, Bacon or Picasso. Hey, they're making a film about Kevin Bacon? I'm so there!;-) ;-) (Karen)Out the window with the argument of "making a film his children can watch." Have printed out his quote and laminated it for future discussions.;-) (Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? Absolutely. (Bee)And what a year it's been! Yes it has, and I'm so glad you've been a part of it and this group, Bee! Your little bee cake was yummy.;-)

From a Teletext interview with Thomas Sangster: And the boy star's rise shows no sign of slowing. "I'm starting a film in April. It's Nanny McPhee. I don't know much about it. It has Colin Firth and Emma Thompson in it. I'm Colin Firth's son and he has seven children. It's a family feel-good film," he says. http://www.teletext.co.uk/TVPlus/generic.asp?slot=325&page=1&ref=1

Another account from Sundance: Sundance Terrors Reviews by SARAH WALKER Sarah sez� This year�s Sundance Film Festival featured a handful of remarkably similar films in the horror/thriller genre, many focusing on similarly reclusive, desperate and delusional men. These Kafkaesque characters live in equally creepy apartment buildings; are haunted by visions and/or characters that may or may not be real; are somehow involved in crimes they cannot remember; and are infatuated with mysterious blondes who live in or near their buildings. The films in question are Marc Evans� TRAUMA, Jeff Renfroe and Marteinn Thorsson�s ONE POINT 0, and Brad Anderson�s THE MACHINIST, the latter being the most engaging of the lot. That film�s Christian Bale easily takes the prize for best performance, putting Colin Firth�s (TRAUMA) and Jeremy Sisto�s (ONE POINT 0) bedraggled characters to shame with his own form of insanity: a freakish weight loss program. Bale reportedly lost a horrifying 63 pounds for the film, his emaciated body making Adrian Brody�s transformation in THE PIANIST seem positively trite. As is to be expected, Bale pours himself into his role, bringing his body to the brink of starvation as he delves into the tortured soul that is Trevor Reznik�a career machinist at an anonymous factory in an anonymous city. Something has occurred in the past year that has caused Trevor to become a walking skeleton, plagued by hallucinations and paranoia. His colorless life consists of factory work by day and sleeplessness at night, the latter of which he spends either talking to the pretty waitress at the airport cafe or in the arms of a weary but sympathetic prostitute (Jennifer Jason Leigh). As always, Bale is mesmerizing to watch, and his pain and loneliness are magnificent. The sight of him sitting alone in his dismal kitchen, devouring a rotisserie chicken while his body slowly devours itself, is almost unbearable. Trevor�s sunken eyes and ravaged physique belie the corny sense of humor he uses to simultaneously charm and ward off others. Director Anderson (SESSION 9) seamlessly conveys Trevor�s devastated emotional state by creating a nightmarish world devoid of light, hope or any sense of comfort. And if you can avert your eyes from Bale�s concave stomach or protruding spine, you will find yourself both repulsed by and engrossed in Trevor�s existence: the layer of scum and cigarette smoke that coats his world, the smell of bleach that he obsessively scrubs the bathroom with to pass his sleepless hours at home. Scott Kosar (who penned the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remake) has written a script that is multilayered and yet thankfully coherent, a blessing in a sea of muddled �open to interpretation� films. TRAUMA, Evans� follow-up to the acclaimed MY LITTLE EYE, also had its world premiere at Sundance, and expectations were high, as evidenced by the massive and energetic crowds. The film begins in a London hospital as Ben (Firth) emerges from a coma, having survived the car crash that killed his wife Elisa (28 DAYS LATER�s Naomie Harris). Coinciding with the accident, one of the world�s biggest superstars, Lauren Parris, is found beaten to death in a nearby river. As Ben is slowly consumed with grief over Elisa�s death, he becomes increasingly obsessed with the Parris case, to the point where he becomes a suspect himself. Unable to decipher what is real, Ben�s delusions and paranoia intensify as his life spins out of control. Desperate for reprieve, Ben finds temporary salvation in his kindhearted neighbor (Mena Suvari), who is interested in him for God-knows-what reason. In exchange for helping to ease the pain over his wife�s death, Ben tries to assuage her fear of spiders (his unusual interest in bugs is integral to the story, yet how and why are here left �open to interpretation�). Ultimately, the film falls flat. On top of being only marginally interesting, the characters (particularly Firth and Suvari) have zero chemistry. In the end, the story itself seems so muddled in its complexity that it�s difficult to really know (or even care) what it�s all about. ~~~~~ More on other films: http://www.fangoria.com/ghastly_review.php?id=1926

From the Salt Lake Tribune: Dispatches from Sundance (part 12) By Becky Hodges 1/22/2004 9:50:24 AM I ignored the warning from one of my movie buddies and went to see Trauma. Colin Firth plays a painter who is in a coma for a week after an automobile accident. He�s hazy about the accident and believes his wife died. He also has no memory of the weeks, possibly months, before the accident. His personal grief is intruded upon by public grieving for a murdered pop-star, whose death begins to fascinate him. Colin Firth gives a fine performance and the plot is pretty good, but I was bored with director Marc Evans� attempt to turn a potentially good drama into some sort of suspense thriller. Remove a few noises loud enough to make you jump and change the end of one particular scene, and there�s potential. As it stands, Trauma is a movie with unfulfilled promise. Not bad, but not as good as it could be. http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/sundance.asp

(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? 'Suppose I stand among the minority on this issue. One of the many things I dislike about "Hollywood" is that all the "stars" and wannabes have almost "Ross" (remember the irridescent teeth episode of Friends?) teeth. Don't get me wrong, I like white teeth, but not unnaturally-white-Julia Roberts-hanger-in-her-mouth teeth - it just screams MOVIESTAR with VENEERS! I guess if that is the current de rigueur , actors are expected to do it. Personally, I hope CF doesn't mess with his toothy grin.

"but I was bored with director Marc Evans? attempt to turn a potentially good drama into some sort of suspense thriller." So much for the great director he couldn't wait to work with:-(( Sounds like R.I.P.

(Evelyn)In person, Janet, his teeth are pearly white Yes, they were. I didn't take my eyes off his face, teeth, hair---except to check out the rest of him-as long as he was in that tent. (But I have noticed the yellowing in some photos, lately) Lovely, lovely, lovely, boss, and thank you for the great coverage of Colin does Rome, yesterday;-) And might I add, Colin has two v. Italian looking poses, here Congratulations, Bee-will be two years for me in March. Two absolutely fun, wonderful years. Keeping fingers crossed for Trauma-a touched up version, I hope.

Sorry, but I forgot this bit. (Dorine)Is that jacket either brown velvet or corderoy (sp)? :-/ Looks a bit too smooth for corduroy. But the shoes are the same from the BAFTA screening, and I know he had a chocolate brown suede jacket on that night with the dark shirt and jeans. I'm thinking same outfit except for the slacks.

(Louise)Don't get me wrong, I like white teeth, but not unnaturally-white-Julia Roberts-hanger-in-her-mouth teeth - it just screams MOVIESTAR with VENEERS! I guess if that is the current de rigueur , actors are expected to do it. Personally, I hope CF doesn't mess with his toothy grin. While I do agree that much of the dental work done in the entertainment world is unnecessary, I do think the shade difference between his front teeth (where he's obviously had work done in the past) and his own teeth needs tidying up, IMHO. But he does have a wonderful smile. Not so fond of the toothy grin, though.

Karen, as always thanks for the pics & Trauma news: Looking relaxed, dashing . .mmmmm;) Bee - HDA!! (Happy Drool Anniversary!) Love the smile, (toothy or sans . .that slightly embarrased closed mouth grin of his is too cute (he flashed that at me at the Today Show) b/c the dimples always make an appearance) but the eyes usually gets me first though . . .

Lovely pic's - agree with Leslie as would love to run a few fingers through those curls *sigh*.....(I can dream can't I?)

Remove a few noises loud enough to make you jump and change the end of one particular scene, and there�s potential. I may write her to ask to what she's referring. Marc Evans� attempt to turn a potentially good drama into some sort of suspense thriller. Um, duh!! I believe it has been classed as a *psychological thriller/horror film* in other articles, the Sundance program, and the director...not *just* a drama. Maybe she didn't like it, but maybe she had different expectations. the characters (particularly Firth and Suvari) have zero chemistry. If she's referring to chemistry generally as actors, ok, that may be valid. While I found MS ok for her role as a calm, spiritual person, she's not the most exciting. But if she's referring to chemistry in the context of some sort of romantic ideal, that's not a valid criticism IMO, as they were not, nor intended to be heading in that direction. They had a growing friendship of sorts, that Ben acted on physically to some degree as a way to connect to another human being, not to further a romance in the classic sense. I hope that wasn't considered a spoiler, tried to stay general. Not bad, but not as good as it could be. I think it's better than just "not bad." And frankly, yes, it could have been better in some ways that might have made it great. But, too, The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead. Both were exercises in style (not a criticism...they were different, liked them both) and both had a great deal of ambiguity and mystery that was not resolved until the last 15 mins. I enjoyed both of them and thought both lead actors did great jobs. I�m not surprised Christian Bale is getting more notice for his 63 lb weight loss....he was freakish. I don�t think CB was better or worse than Colin. The characters manner of existing and deteriorating were different. Colin�s would be the more demonstrative of the 2, while CB was very restrained and quiet by comparison. That was the nature of their respective characters. And BTW, some of you know me well enough to know I won�t tout a Colin project or give it unwarranted praise if I don�t think it�s up to snuff (HS anyone? ;-)). I do think Marc Evans should loop the accents between TF and CF to make them more intelligible, though.

(me) The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead. I meant.....The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead you to believe.

(Dorine) I may write her to ask to what she's referring. As far as the loud noise she is referring to....I think I know of two. I can take it over to Spoilers...if you wish. The "end of one particular scene" bit I'd be curious about too.

Just popped by to thank you for all the lovely new pics. Wonderful! Tho' I would just settle for the MD picnic pic anytime ;-)) Thanks.

Oops, closing italics. Scusi.

(Me) The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead you to believe. Both were exercises in style (not a criticism...they were different, liked them both) and both had a great deal of ambiguity and mystery that was not resolved until the last 15 mins. I enjoyed both of them and thought both lead actors did great jobs......I don�t think CB was better or worse than Colin. The characters manner of existing and deteriorating were different. Colin�s would be the more demonstrative of the 2, while CB was very restrained and quiet by comparison. That was the nature of their respective characters. I could write an film critique essay comparing and contrasting the 2 of these. Flashbacks to high school senior year term paper....Compare and contrast the code-heroes in Hemingway's Farewell To Arms, The Sun Also Rises, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Thank God for Cliff Notes...never read the books, except to pull out reference material. Could never get through his stuff. BOR-ING. Got an A, though. At least I've seen the movies. And yes, Mari, I hear you!....Tress and I have that review to write and post around. I'll start this weekend while I'm away in case someone who goes to that Amer Film Mkt might run across it somewhere and add it to the list of opinions elsewhere. Hopefully Tress will be less medicated. ;-)

Please STOP posting the article from the Australian here. It is NOT Colin Firth news and has been posted at O&E. I've put up some newly found on location pics from Trauma here: http://www.firth.com/trauma_gal2.html I'll have to get Sophie back to work on the pics requiring more advanced dewatermarking skills than I have. Also, with the assistance of Antonella, I've put up translations of two of the Italian articles posted yesterday. There's another to be done. http://www.firth.com/articles/04gwapeitaly_219.html

(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? (Louise) Don't get me wrong, I like white teeth, but not unnaturally-white-Julia Roberts-hanger-in-her-mouth teeth - it just screams MOVIESTAR with VENEERS! I guess if that is the current de rigueur , actors are expected to do it. And BriteSmile, one-hour whitening! ;-) That's very big among stars and industry people. At least here it is. Along with spray-on tans. ;-) Thanks for the Italian translations and new pics.

I've been trying to catch up to you guys these last few days. Sorry I had to be away for awhile. But what terrific pictures to be greeted by today, both the GWAPE publicity ones and the new Trauma ones. Thanks, Karen. And thanks for the translations, Antonella. I went back and read about the Sundance "Trauma" experience had by Dorine, Tress, and Sandi. From what I've read by D,T,&S, this movie has great potential if only it would be relooped and picked up by a distributor. If not, it would be a good one to wait for until the DVD comes out and we could really have a great film discussion about it here! It sort of sounds like Donovan Quick meets Joe Prince (guy with accent that's hard to understand tries to solve mystery about strange wife...;-)). I love the last two "angry face" shots in the new group of Trauma pics. Looks like he's misplaced his morning coffee, but when he finds it he'll break into one of his Colin smiles.

Another account from the press conference: http://www.hdcmultimedia.it/_inchiestap.asp?idrec=0000709&codpubbl=0000007 Colin Firth: "Vi svelo il mistero di Veermer" Tratto dall�omonimo bestseller di Tracy Chevalier il film "La ragazza con l'orecchino di perla" arriva sugli schermi venerd�. Con Colin Firth e Scarlett Johansson ROMA � Il fascino misterioso che emana dal dipinto fiammingo �La ragazza con l�orecchino di perla� si riversa nell�omonimo film di Peter Webber, con Colin Firth e Scarlett Johansson, nei cinema da venerd�. Tratto dall�omonimo bestseller di Tracy Chevalier che descrive la nascita di uno dei pi� enigmatici dipinti del maestro fiammingo Johannes Vermeer conservato a L�Aia, il film ripercorre una storia che � frutto di fantasia ma ben si adatta alle poche notizie pervenuteci sul pittore, la sua famiglia, i suoi problemi finanziari, la sua dipendenza da un mecenate. Nel romanzo si immagina che Vermeer, sposato e padre di una dozzina di figli, fu attratto dalla servetta diciassettenne Griet che ritrasse nel celebre quadro e con la quale stabil� un�intesa cos� profonda da provocare gelosie, pettegolezzi e scompiglio in famiglia. Su questa storia misteriosa e romantica ambientata nel XVII secolo, Webber ha �dipinto� il suo primo film, esaltando soprattutto luci, colori, atmosfere e l�ossessione amorosa fra i due protagonisti che ispir� il ritratto della ragazza, e ne segn� la sconfitta. �Il romanzo ha un grande impatto visivo che ben si prestava a farne un film, ne ho mantenuto intatto lo spirito � spiega il regista giunto a Roma con Colin Firth per l�anteprima -. I protagonisti vedevano il mondo con gli occhi dell�arte, la difficolt� � stata calare in questo magico universo attori che sapessero sviluppare la chimica giusta. E girare gli esterni in Lussemburgo con 15 gradi zotto zero�. Il film � candidato a tre Oscar, per fotografia, scenografia e costumi, ma nessuna nomination � andata agli attori. �Lo meritavano � dice Webber -, ma il film richiedeva una recitazione pacata, sottile, senza scene di passioni sfrenate che solitamente sono quelle premiate. Chi ha occhi e cervello coglie la loro bravura per questa recitazione minimalista, in cui nessuno prevale sull�altro�. Per il ruolo di Griet ha puntato sulla giovane newyorkese Scarlett Johansson (scoperta dodicenne da Robert Redford nel film �L�uomo che sussurrava ai cavalli� e apparsa di recente in �Lost in Translation� ) per il suo volto, da stella del muto. Vermeer � ben rappresentato da Colin Firth, inteprete di una quarantina di pellicole fra cui �Il paziente inglese�, �Shakespeare in Love�, �Il diario di Bridget Jones� e il sequel che ha appena finito di girare. L�attore, pur non avendo letto il libro, ha subito accettato di dar vita al pittore, considerando il ruolo una sfida interpretativa: �Nel film non ci sono eventi di grande rilievo � spiega Colin-, l�azione � ridotta al minimo, il dramma � talmente concentrato che deve essere reso interessante dai personaggi, come le opere di Vermeer�. Cosa l�ha colpita in particolare? Di lui si sa poco, dipingeva immagini che riflettevano le convenzioni dell�epoca, dei 35 quadri che conosciamo una ventina furono dipinti nello stesso angolo della stessa stanza. Ma in ognuno di quei dipinti c�� una gentilezza morale che mette servi e padroni sullo stesso piano. Rappresentarlo in modo cos� statico � stato difficile? Quando il tono di una sceneggiatura � tanto importante un cambiamento d�enfasi pu� trasformare radicalmente la direzione di una scena. Osservando i suoi quadri ai raggi X si vede che cominciava con un�idea e proseguiva con un�altra. Lo stesso pu� accadere su un set. Si parte convinti di dover dare vita alla parola scritta ma si deve essere pronti a cambiare idea per trovare il tono giusto, e quando accade lo senti in modo palpabile. Come si � preparato al personaggio? La cosa pi� importante era coglierne il mistero, arrivarne al cuore, ma senza risolverlo. Trasmettere il piacere che si prova nel maneggiare spezie, gioielli, colori, polveri, pietre, il suo modo di vedere i soggetti e catturarli nei quadri, senza bozzetti preparatori. Si � sentito anche lei un po� pittore? Non volevo dare al pubblico una lezione di pittura, ma ricreare il rapporto tra pittore e modella, catturarne la vulnerabilit� e le emozioni piuttosto che far vedere come si tiene in mano un pennello. Su che aspetto ha puntato in particolare? Ho cercato di cogliere il suo rapporto con la luce e in questo scenografo e direttore della fotografia mi hanno facilitato il compito. Ho studiato pittura ma sono negato, quando ho cercato di rifare quel dipinto il risultato � stato disastroso, sembrava un disegnino di mio figlio. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Colin Firth: "I reveal to You the mystery of Veermer " Feature from omonimo bestseller of Tracy Chevalier the film "the girl with the orecchino of pearl" arrives on the screen friday. With Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson ROME - the mysterious fascination that emanates from the painting fiammingo "the girl with the orecchino of pearl" pours in omonimo the film of Peter Webber, with Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, in the cinemas from friday. Feature from the omonimo bestseller of Tracy Chevalier that describes the birth of one of the most enigmati painted us of master fiammingo Johannes conserved Vermeer to the Aia, the film travels over again a history that is fruit of fantasy but very adapted to the little news pervenuteci on the painter, its family, its financial problems, its dependency from mecenate. In the novel one imagines that Vermeer, married and father of a dozen of sons, were attracted from servetta diciassettenne the Griet that ritrasse in celebre the picture and with which established a deep understanding therefore to provoke jealousies, subjects of gossip and disorder in family. On this acclimatized mysterious and romantica history in XVII the century, Webber "has painted" its first film, exalting above all lights, colors, atmospheres and the obsession loving between the two protagonists who inspired ritratto of the girl, and of it it marked the defeat. "the novel has a great visual impact that very was lend to make of a film, of it I have maintained the spirit intact - the director reached Rome with Colin Firth for the preview explains -. the protagonists saw the world with the eyes of the art, the difficulty has been to decrease in this magical universe actors whom they knew to develop just chemistry. And to turn the exteriors in Lussemburgo with 15 degrees zotto zero ". The film is candidate to three Oscar, for photography, scenografia and customs, but nobody nomination has gone to the actors. "they deserved - says It Webber -, but the film demanded a soothed, thin recitazione, without scenes of passions unbridled that usually they are those rewarded. Who has eyes and brain picks their bravura for this minimalista recitazione, in which nobody it prevails on the other ". For the role of Griet it has headed at the newyorkese young person Scarlett Johansson (discovered dodicenne from Robert Redford in the film "the man who whispered the horses" and appeared of recent in "Lost in Translation") for its face, from star of the dumb one. Vermeer very is represented from Colin Firth, inteprete of a group of forty of films between which the "English patient", "Shakespeare in Love", "per diem of Bridget Jones" and the sequel that it has as soon as ended to turn. The actor, also not having read the book, has endured accepted to give to life to the painter, considering the role one interpretativa challenge: "In the film not there are events of great relief - Colin explains -, the action is reduced lessened, the drama so is concentrated that it must be rendered interesting from the personages, like the works of Vermeer". What has hit it in particular? Of he it is known little, painted images that reflected the conventions of the age, of the 35 pictures that we know a score were painted in the same angle of the same room. But in everyone of those paintings there is a moral gentility that slowly puts servants and masters on the same one. To represent it in static way therefore has been difficult? When the tone of a scenario is a lot important a change of emphasis can transform the direction of one radically scene. Observing its pictures to i beams X it is looked at that it began with an idea and continued with an other. The same one can happen on a set. Part convinced of having to give life to the written word but must be ready to change idea in order to find the tone just, and when happens you feel it in concrete way. How it has been prepared for the personage? The thing more important was to pick of the mystery, to arrive some to the heart, but without to resolve it. To transmit to the pleasure that test in handling spezie, jewels, colors, powders, stones, its way to see the subjects and to capture them in the pictures, without sketches coaches. Has felt also it po' a painter? I did not want to give public to a painting lesson, but to recreate the relationship between painter and models, to capture of the vulnerability and the emotions rather than to make to see as a paint-brush is kept in hand. At that aspect has headed in particular? I have tried to pick its relationship with the light and in this scenografo and director of the photography the task has facilitated me. I have studied painting but they are denied, when I have tried to rifare that painting the result has been disastrous, seemed design of my son.

I bet these literal translations are a lot more interesting than the originals. My fave: " film "the man who whispered the horses" and appeared of recent in "Lost in Translation") for its face, from star of the dumb one. " Thanks.

I know; they are a hoot. More coming... but isn't this lovely?

Beautiful. Sigh! Thank you Karen.

Bravo, Karen. I can get LIT in his Italian and those pictures anytime. Thank you!! Love that hair--a cross between MD and I'm on vacation;-)

Poor guy looks wiped-out. Look at circles under eyes. Still a lovely relaxed pic. Mobetta than the posey professional ones.

You can watch Colin here: http://www.rai.it/news/monitornews/0,9220,3214,00.html

Karen, Thanks for the link to the Italian video clip. Just how good is his Italian/accent? - Sounds wonderful to me, but what do I know? And sorry to repeat myself, but the latest batch of pics are fantastic. He just looks better and better, even with the slightly tired eyes!

(Karen) I know; they are a hoot. More coming... but isn't this lovely? Uh-huh....lovely! It's that amazing color scheme again (as in the LA Press Conference for GWAPE). He looks great when he's got that orange-y/brownish background). BTW, thank you v. v. much for the pics and the Italian snippet. I can't understand what he's saying but he can keep saying it! ;-) And thank you Antonella for the translation... (Evelyn) Poor guy looks wiped-out. Look at circles under eyes. Poor baby's been busy....pushing films (not Trauma unfortunately), filming TEOR and then he has two boys under the age of three in the house....he's probably been toilet training.....I don't have any of that goin' on and you should see my eyes right now...LOL! (Evelyn) Still a lovely relaxed pic. Mobetta than the posey professional ones. Yes! Although he looks like he could use a lie down, he has a 'softer' look (like he knows he's on vacation soon!). Relaxed......

(Tress)Poor baby's been busy....pushing films (not Trauma unfortunately),.. *Unfortunately*,is right. Up to the last minute, I would have bet the family farm he would have been there. Sad.

(Evelyn) Up to the last minute, I would have bet the family farm he would have been there. Terry, we failed as intrepid reporters...we didn't grill ME on the *real* story of why ODB wasn't there! ;-) Expressed our skepticism that they couldn't have scheduled him a few days or a week off. On the flip side, maybe they did, but were running behind and couldn't spare him? Possible, but unlikely I imagine. Oh, well, we were still trying to regain composure from our slightly Bridget moment just before he came over, LOL! ;-)

(Dorine) Terry, we failed as intrepid reporters...we didn't grill ME on the *real* story of why ODB wasn't there! ;-) LOL...we hadn't planned on seeing ME....had we only known! We would have been better prepared. I think we asked some great questions (without giving our ODB fandom away) considering we had zero prep time! Still, that would have been a really good question...."Why isn't the beautful one here....I mean....why didn't Colin really attend?" When ME asked us "Do you like Colin"? I nearly snorted and said...."Is that a trick question?" (Dorine) Oh, well, we were still trying to regain composure from our slightly Bridget moment just before he came over, LOL! ;-) LOL...I wonder what the producer said when they left us? She witnessed the whole thing go down! She was sitting right across from us while I opted not to get my latte due to Kyle MacLachlan standing in my way....and then we sat there and "quietly" discussed Trauma right before Marc walked across the foyer (actually I think we were being rather quiet as we didn't want Christina to hear what we were saying as she hadn't see it yet). The Producer must have seen us, first panicking..."You talk to him" "No! You! Quick!!" "Wot do I say?" "I dunno!!! Quick!", then falling all over the place (me tripping over my bag and nearly doing a face plant into the middle of the coffee table/wooden ottoman) and both of us practically leaping over couch to go ask him the first question. She may have outed us after we left?! GAH!

(Tress) I wonder what the producer said when they left us? She witnessed the whole thing go down! ROTF! OMG, I never really thought about that! Funny thing is, we didn't know who she was while sitting there (though something was naggingly familiar about her...wonder why as I'd wished her luck in the lobby after the premiere on finding a US distributor. Only looked at her for a millisecond, though, while trying to navigate the crowd). then we sat there and "quietly" discussed Trauma right before Marc walked across the foyer With our multitude of post-it's and other bits of paper with Trauma notes, we were using to organize our thoughts for posting here, spread all over that table in between us and the produer. Imagine if either of them realized what those notes were. :-O The Producer must have seen us, first panicking..."You talk to him" "No! You! Quick!!" "Wot do I say?" "I dunno!!! Quick!", And we're like Jack-in-the-boxes at the same time, up and down out of those chairs, unsure what to do, LOL!! then falling all over the place (me tripping over my bag and nearly doing a face plant into the middle of the coffee table/wooden ottoman) and both of us practically leaping over couch to go ask him the first question. I felt a smidge better when he tripped a little over his bag. ;-D

(Dorine) I felt a smidge better when he tripped a little over his bag. ;-D LOL...poor guy! Trying to make a graceful exit and he nearly falls back into the couch....still, I don't think he saw our antics.....but I'm betting the producer (wish I could remember her name) saw some, if not all of our Bridgetisms.....I know that Christina was barely containing her laughter....she kept going "What are you guys so excited about? Who is that??!"

(Tress)we hadn't planned on seeing ME....had we only known! We would have been better prepared. I think we asked some great questions (without giving our ODB fandom away) considering we had zero prep time! I think your questions were better than his answers! We really appreciated the day by day accounts on O&E, anyway.*kiss, kiss* Doubt he would have told you the *real* reason why The Divine One was MIA. They crank out the same ole , same ole.

(Me) Jack-in-the-boxes Jacks-in-the box? ;-) (Evelyn) Doubt he would have told you the *real* reason why The Divine One was MIA. They crank out the same ole , same ole. Tress and I discussed later we could and should have asked him to have drinks with us later that day, but we couldn't as we had an hour's trip up to Sundance Village to see Trauma again. Ply him with a few drinks and who knows what he might have told us! ;-D

Karen, Antonella thanks for the translations and pics . . And that interview bit . .*sigh*. . . he just sounds lovely speaking Italian;) Dorine & Tress (our intrepid Sundance girls) . .you two did such a fabulous job with your onsite reporting! . . . on the cuff, top notch job especially with Marc Evans!

While the Italian journalist who covered the TIOBE press conf and gave me his exclusive stuff couldn't make this one (idiot was up in Genoa), his friend did and I've put up his pics: http://www.firth.com/gwape_romepc2.html

Oh, my...What lovely pics! Thanks Boss! You've made my Sunday. Oof, need another cup of coffee {fanning self}.

I love the look on this one as well as the second and last ones especially. Thanks!

Thanks Karen for the gorgeous new pics and the Italian interviews. He looks more AFG than usual! I know ODB has been known to say that he is as much American as English, but I think Italy feels more like home to him now. He looks a little tired but very relaxed and content. I'm with you, Dorine. The photo you posted is ab-so-lute-ly stunning!

Thanks again, Karen for this lovely Roman holiday. The building behind him looked very familiar to me, but then they all do;-) I think it's the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in the Piazza Venezia in that last picture. For a look at the Piazza Venezia...here is the link http://sights.seindal.dk/photo/8639,s258f.html (Hen)He looks more AFG than usual I don't know how he does it. Must be the Italian in him;-)

Yummy stuff Karen! Grazie! (Hen)I'm with you, Dorine. The photo you posted is ab-so-lute-ly stunning! Wow! AFG indeed!!! ODB sure knows how to work a chair (though maybe the ratty, tatty chairs of recent photos are more comefortable to lounge in)!

(Linda), For a look at the Piazza Venezia...here is the link Btrava, Linda, it is indeed Piazza Venezia! (Hen)He looks more AFG than usual (Linda),I don't know how he does it. Must be the Italian in him;-) Must be the Italian food. ;-) Figures I would return and totally miss him in Italy! I can tell you that most of the reviews there for GWAPE have been terrible. Great job, Karen! Colin's Italian has definitely improved! (Colin), I have studied painting but they are denied, when I have tried to rifare that painting the result has been disastrous, seemed design of my son. I have studied painting, but I'm not capable, when I tried to copy that painting, the result was disastrous, it looked like one of my son's drawings. [ed note] He tried to copy the painting? Guts or nerve? ;-)

(Linda) The building behind him looked very familiar to me, but then they all do;-) I think it's the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in the Piazza Venezia in that last picture. Thanks Linda! After I recovered from the Colin induced dizzy spell my second glance fell on the building behind that lovely man, and found myself wishing I could see it. Oh, Europe, I'm homesick... Karen, thank you for..., well, everything. The pics are AFG, and listening to Colin speaking Italian was lovely. Mmmm...

(Karen)and I've put up his pics: (Dorine)I love the look on this one LOL!! Thanks you so much Karen. I was just going to post that picture Dorine! I was working on the tags and there he was already! What a treat... He does know how to turn it on. (Moon)I can tell you that most of the reviews there for GWAPE have been terrible. Welcome back Moon! What's their problem?

(Beedee), What's their problem? Most found it very slow, some things not well explained, not engaging enough.

This was brought to my attention from the Guardian's film page, as Quote of the Week": "Colin, bless him, doesn't really need to act - a bit of smouldering is enough for most of us, and he smouldered quietly and well." The secret of Mr Firth's success laid shockingly bare in this user review of Girl With a Pearl Earring http://film.guardian.co.uk/ The quoted part if from a user review, which you'll find here: http://film.guardian.co.uk/Film/Reader_Review/0,4163,-97324,00.html and the commentary is from the Guardian. Unfortuntely, I too have noted that is a prevalent attitude. :-(

LOL. Maybe they'll create a new award category for *smouldering*. With a rant thrown in here 'n there;-)

Re The Guardian Film Reviews. Another user review by (Art Miller) finishes "Shame Colin Firth is so ugly...." I guess he omitted the ;) at the end.

Perhaps this is nothing . . . But was on Netflix and just checked up on the "Colin Firth" DVDs I have seen . .and noticed, they already had Trauma listed . .with only a 2004 release. I thought it was a bit odd, b/c Netflix usually doesn't even take recommendations of films to add to their list unless it is already has been listed on Amazon / knowledge is known that the DVD is already released. (I'm still trying to get Lost Empires on the dang list!) Could they know something that we don't?

(Kimberly) Could they know something that we don't? No. It is highly doubtful. I seem to recall that they listed HS very early on as well.

For Australian Drooleurs from Jasmine: Reading Cinemas (http://www.readingcinemas.com.au/t_comingsoon.asp) will begin showing GWAPE on March 4th, a week before its national release on March 11th.

More pics added to Rome press conference galleries: http://www.firth.com/gwape_romepc2.html Look to be same as ones on Wire Image but full frame. Interesting how one on WI cut Peter Webber out entirely. ;-)

Hi everyone, Wanted to pop in for a brief moment to say that unfortunately one of the projects I had hoped would go to CF is out of reach for now. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly would have been a good opportunity in my opinion. There are a couple more so I am keeping my fingers crossed. While it's fun to see him use his comedic skills I do enjoy him in deeper character driven vehicles most times. Sometimes his talent is wasted. Again, just my opinion! :) After Sunday, my schedule won't be as hectic as I plan to scale back to prepare for the baby's arrival next month. So I can try to pop in a bit more with some further information when I get the chance. Hope all is well! Take care. Huge Lola

Thank you Karen!!! It doesn't get much better than this:

(Tress)It doesn't get much better than this Oh I sooooo agree with that;) (*sigh) Hola Lola - Thanks for stopping by! Here's hoping the other two projects you are having your fingers crossed for will come through for ODB! (Note to self* -Find a suitable tatty chair to sacrifice to the movie gods . .perhaps that will help;) Hope next month's new arrival to your family will bring you all sorts of happiness, love and laughter!!!

I dunno, I kind of like this one: Great work, Karen! Happy to hear all is well, Lola, and that you'll be able to pop in more often. How long is you maternity leave?

Thank you, Lola and I have my fingers crossed not only for Colin, but for you as well. Best of luck next month. Thanks for stopping by. I guess this is why it's out of reach for Colin. Depp to star in Diving Bell and the Butterfly Staff and agencies Friday February 20, 2004 Johnny Depp is in talks to star in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, based on the bestselling autobiography of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the former Elle France editor who dictated his memoirs by blinking an eye after a stroke left him almost entirely paralysed. Variety says Julian Schnable, who directed Depp in the 2000 drama Before Night Falls, is lined up to direct. http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1152577,00.html The Principal at my daughter's school used this book as the background for his opening day speech at the start of the school year. The book was quite inspiring.

Sorry, this should have been in my last post, but I got distracted. It's all your fault, boss;-) Moon, your choice is probably my first as well, but I like this one, too. Tress, yours is also lovely. (I actually love the second one with his elbow on the window sill and looking dreamy, but that blasted watermark gets in the way--no offense, boss. Watermarks are necessary;-) (I'd look dreamy, too, if I were in Rome)

Thanks Hola for the news! Sorry to hear about ODB's miss on TDBATB. He's such an expressive actor with his eyes...he would have been a natural! And with only his left one at that! Get some rest before the wee one comes! And thanks for that pic Linda! I love these...he looks so...so...serene? As well as curly...must be that Roman air (is it humid there this time of year?).

Lola, thanks for stopping in with the update! Best wishes for an easy delivery and a happy and healthy babe! Kimberly, I have just the chair for the sacrifice;-) Boss, the pix are delicious!!

(Linda) I actually love the second one with his elbow on the window sill and looking dreamy, but that blasted watermark gets in the way Have no fear, my dewatermarking savants (Sophie and Carol) have come to the rescue and I'll be putting up a clean versions shortly. Good hearing from you, Hola. I too am keeping my fingers crossed for Colin to do roles with more substance. Good luck with the baby and rest up too.

Thanks to everyone who posts and puts up pictures, you all make my day- every day. There's a scrummy picture of Colin with Scarlett that I've not seen before. For UK droolers its Hello magazine 2/3/04 No805 page86. Reminds me of the bear hug for Ruth Gemmell in F/P just before he thows her on the bed! Sorry I'm in the dark ages here- no scanner- perhaps someone else can oblige so everyone can indulge!

(Hola Lola) Sometimes his talent is wasted. Again, just my opinion! :) Completely agree, but is that a result of his choices or others? Hola, will you get a chance to see Trauma this week? Or any other time? Hope all is going well with the impending new arrival!! Have fun with all the preparations. :-) Moon, that pic was one of my favorites I posted a few days ago, but Tress, love that one, too!!

If that is the current Hello, I can go take a look when it gets over here on Friday. Found this comment by EmmaT at The Times from 8 Feb for an article about the movie Imagining Argentina (which tanked here): It�s all worlds away, of course, from the role she�s been seen in since and the next part on her schedule. How do you square a torture victim with the PM�s sister in Love Actually and Nanny McPhee, the governess she will play in her own adaptation of the Nurse Matilda stories of the 1960s? For Thompson, intriguingly, they come from the same source. �Nanny McPhee will have everything I believe in about how people should behave, struggling with what it is to be human,� she told Variety. �That goes for Love Actually as well. I�m not into doing agitprop. And what appealed to me about Imagining Argentina was its imaginative approach.� ~~~~~~~~~ struggling with what it is to be human Sense frustrated and ineffectual parent role. :-(

(Hola Lola) Sometimes his talent is wasted. Again, just my opinion! :) Completely agree, but is that a result of his choices or others? Hola, will you get a chance to see Trauma this week? Or any other time? Dorine, in my personal opinion I do believe that it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him. Do you follow what I mean? But his choices are his to make. He reminds me very much of a good and dear actor friend of mine who I love so much. I'll just call him V. V is a very respected and talented actor who like Colin is not a household name and chooses not to be. He is finally getting some well deserved recognition due to being in some smash hits lately but still remains the same unaffected down to earth guy that he is and will always be. He just like Colin is a politically liberal activist kind of guy, is in his mid years :), is a wonderful father and shuns Hollywood. So there you go. Their choices are theirs and they are both happy. But I will never see V play a hapless dad in a comedy. :) Thanks everyone for the good wishes. My husband and I are two very thrilled people right now. We're involved in the Nanny project so I can share some news shortly once the negotiations are finalized. Also, there are two terrific scripts which have been bought by the studio for development that I think would be ideal vehicles for Colin. But time will tell! Take care!

(Lola)But I will never see V play a hapless dad in a comedy. :) Lola, not that it matters in the scheme of things, but was Nanny McP a true choice or was he persuaded by ET? (Lola)Also, there are two terrific scripts which have been bought by the studio for development that I think would be ideal vehicles for Colin. More candles ordered, and everything that can be crossed is crossed;-) ...thanks again, Lola, for stopping by and it's always nice to hear you speak so highly of Colin.

Latest pics are great, thanks Karen. And a belated thanks to Antonella for the translations. Lola, you're in the home stretch! Best of luck; glad to hear you're winding down. We're involved in the Nanny project Ok, so there's one good thing about it.;-) (Lola)it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him That's how it's always seemed to me. But since he is continuing to make questionable choices, how realistic is it to think he'd be considered for the great projects you allude to? Roles that have gone to Sean Penn, Johnny Depp (who, BTW, seem even less Hollywood than Colin. At least CF does interviews, goes on talk shows, etc.)

(Gina2e)There's a scrummy picture of Colin with Scarlett that I've not seen before. For UK droolers its Hello magazine 2/3/04 No805 page86. Reminds me of the bear hug for Ruth Gemmell in F/P just before he thows her on the bed! It looks like one of the pics from the official GWAPE photocall. They're seated together and he's giving her a big hug - both seem to be having a great time. There's also a pic of Scarlett wearing a low cut, balconette neckline gold dress, not unlike the one worn a few years ago by Joely Richardson. - She looks absolutely stunning.

(Linda) not that it matters in the scheme of things, but was Nanny McP a true choice or was he persuaded by ET? Linda, Linda, Linda! As you said, the reason really doesn't matter; the end result is the same. (Hola) I do believe that it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him. Do you follow what I mean? Oh, absolutely. Now, I'm just going to have to come up with some other names here, as Vince Vaughn and Vivian Vance don't work. ;-)

(Karen) Now, I'm just going to have to come up with some other names here, as Vince Vaughn and Vivian Vance don't work. ;-) LOL, Karen. Vivian Vance, now there's a blast from the past. My first thought was Viggo. (Hola) I do believe that it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him. Do you follow what I mean? Indeed. What is it they say: you're only as good as your last pic? I'll join the others and wish you and your DH the very best for the upcoming addition to your family.

(Karen)Now, I'm just going to have to come up with some other names here, as Vince Vaughn and Vivian Vance don't work. ;-) Please, I've been wracking my brain and searching actor lists for enlightenment all afternoon;-) (Karen)Linda, Linda, Linda! As you said, the reason really doesn't matter; the end result is the same. I know, I know, I know. Just thought that maybe this one was the result of some arm-twisting so later on during the junket he can say, "Emma made me do it";-)

(Sonia) My first thought was Viggo. That's who immediately came to my mind, as well.. Thanks for the tidbits and good luck with the baby, Lola. It's a great thing!

(Sonia) My first thought was Viggo. Not my first thought (Val K came first but was quickly discarded) but I betcha we have a winner. His bio refers to his social activism. Has to be and Lola is right, I don't get on at all trying to transpose him into WAGW daddy role.

(Hola Lola)Also, there are two terrific scripts which have been bought by the studio for development that I think would be ideal vehicles for Colin. OK . .have fingers & toes crossed and currently am burning all tatty chairs anyone will toss my way (Eithne, yours is currently on top of the bonfire!) Thanks for stopping by Hola Lola!

Greetings Hola! Thanks for coming by with all the wonderful news! And thanks for the info on Colin, too! ;-)

But I will never see V play a hapless dad in a comedy. :) Gotta be Van Johnson; he'd never sell out, especially now that he's dead.;-) Viggo (who *is* a household name the world over, so you kids are barking up the wrong tree) gets the cover of next week's TV Guide, which is their Oscar issue. There's an article on him entitled "Hollywood's Renaissance Man." But hey, here's what we get: there's an article called "And the winner isn't--Oscars we only wish we could hand out" and here's one of the categories: Best performance in "Love Actually" by a middle-aged male in the role of an employer with designs on an underling (Tie) Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman. And speaking of hapless dads in a comedy, WAGW will start airing on HBO March 27.

Janet. You're right it is a GWAPE photo, silly Gina must view things more carefully in future. Hola best wishes for a safe delivery, you're thrilled now , you're sure to be tired later! Happy to talk babies at any time -it's what I do best, obviously better than keeping up with photocalls!

(Mari), But hey, here's what we get: ROTF!!! Thanks for that laugh, Mari. I thought of Tim Robbins. He's not a household name and his choices have been excellent, true family man and quite the liberal.