ATA REVIEW (Chey) I thought Jess Clark was very important to the story, in fact he seemed to me to be the main element that brought the tension between the sisters to a head. I just can't figure out who decided to change the story. Do you think it was the leading ladies' egos? I really don't think it was about their egos (or menopause LOL!). I'm sure they both had the best intentions and wanted to produce a quality product. Incest is a far more dramatic and shocking topic than is two women fighting over the same man. Supposedly MP & JL wanted to concentrate on the relationship between the women and it was probably the studio that chose the incest as the second most important element. Perhaps two hours was not sufficient to properly tell the story, so they chose to minimize Jess involvement. Of course, the fault in this logic is that Jess is a tremendously important part of that equation. He is the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back". The character of Jess is not given enough screen time for the audience to fall in love with him. If the audience is not in love with him, how can it possibly sympathize with Ginny? This is in no way an insult to Colin, just an observation. We all know how charming he can be, but we are not the general public, we're a group of Firth fan . If I had never seen Colin before, I wouldn't be able to understand what these two women found attractive in him. MP said she and JL both wanted Colin for the part of Jess At least they have taste :-) And they are right, he was the perfect choice. I can't even say that he wasn't utilized properly because I still have that gut feeling that his part was much larger when they were filming and the larger (most important) part of it was edited out. when I read the book I pictured MP as Jenny and JL as Rose. I just can't think of them the other way. JL is always so much more powerful than MP. I thought the same thing when I was reading the book. It wasn't until I got to a part I recognized from the trailers that I knew I was wrong. Then I had to go back and start all over.

(Renate)Arami, do you never sleep? :-)) I've slept all through my bloody life and now it's too late... (sorry, you've caught me in one of my bad moments... and perhaps Reisefieber auch.)

(Nan) I still have that gut feeling that his part was much larger when they were filming and the larger (most important) part of it was edited out. You see, this is what I can't understand: they get a script written, presumably agree on the story and the way it's told, get down to planning and filming it and then, ONLY THEN, all of a sudden start having second thoughts... What a bloody, stupid, unprofessional, destructive waste of time and effort. What a disappointment. If that's the way they treat directors here, I am thankful that I've failed in my youthful dream to be one.

ATA CORRECTION (Bethan) react to his father's blindness? (Nan) Ditto the above. Sorry, I mislead you with this answer...I just re-read my post and I didn't really make it clear--there is no mention of the accidental blindness in the book. For reasons which I am unable to explain I understood your question as figurative rather than literal "blindness"....DUH. Must have been late when I posted that :-) DIRECTORS IN AMERICA (Nan) I still have that gut feeling that his part was much larger when they were filming and the larger (most important) part of it was edited out. (Arami) You see, this is what I can't understand: they get a script written, presumably agree on the story and the way it's told, get down to planning and filming it and then, ONLY THEN, all of a sudden start having second thoughts... I think the key word here is "presumably"...somehow I don't believe that it always happens in such a neat and orderly fashion. I've heard many actors complain that scripts are sometimes significantly re-written as they are filming. Also, it depends on who has the contractual agreement for approval of the final cut, which frankly could be anyone (producer, director, starring actors), etc. Since JL & MP are the stars in this one as well as the producers they (and the studio) are to blame for the final resul . But you know what? People appear to be divided about this movie--some people like it, I just can't say that I'm one of them. PLAYMAKER Okay, who's starting this mess? ;-p It's got to be someone more objective than I because it seemed even worse to me this time (if that's possible) ;-)

ATA (Nan)Though we see no actual sex he is lying down, barechested after the romp with JL--so that was a cheap thrill. But ladies there is another LITTLE scene when he's putting on his shirt (this time he's standing) and he gives JL a sort of mini-"LOOK"--it was nice to see him do that again. Also, I noticed that the 2 times we see him without a shirt, there were several women in the audience who gasped, then giggled. I was tempted to go over and give them our URL because they were clearly there for the sa e reason I was--Mr. Sexy Pants! ;-) LOL!! Well, Nan, I actually expected worse - but (trying hard to find the good in such disappointing news), at least we get to see him barechested and fetching apres sex...and we get a mini-"LOOK"!! And I really love that there were other women out there in the audience who appreciated his "Jess"ness. Even with the terrible reviews (Entertainment Weekley gave it an "F"), I'm still incredibly anxious to see him, er, the movie. Wouldn't it be wonderful if his next movie could be equal in worth to his tal nts?? DARCY (Nan)I have to disagree with you here m'dear--I was quite warm by the time he said, "I rarely dance"...I was positively hot by "on foot?"---In fact, I'm kinda flushed just thinking about it ;-p Oh, the memories of the Meryton assembly...thanks, Nan. There was a nice mini-"LOOK" there after the insult, too - made me wobble - I was his from that moment on. ;-) PLAYMAKER (Nan)Okay, who's starting this mess? ;-p It's got to be someone more objective than I because it seemed even worse to me this time (if that's possible) ;-) Nan, you're breaking my heart!! LOL! Okay, let me dive right in...first a disclaimer: I am in no way advocating the merits of this movie, only the presence of Colin which is this film's only redeeming quality. I think he is seriously sexy here - when he toys with her scarf toward the beginning, the seductive smiles, the piano (I won't EVEN get into the scissors scene here), the shower, his naked derriere...Okay, I was also really turned on by an overly-clothed Darcy, too. Anyway, yes, it's a terrible, stinking excuse of a movie and, as we all love Colin, we never want to see him sink so low again (although, there are benefits...), no, no, we never want to see him waste his talents on any sub-B movies again. B t there's a cheesy earthiness to his acting here that is simply irresistable. :-)....

PLAYMAKER Okay, who's starting this mess? ;-p It's got to be someone more objective than I because it seemed even worse to me this time (if that's possible) ;-) Lets exorcise it! Here's my contribution to the mess (LOL!), some thoughts on the unhappy topic "Why is Playmaker such a bad film?", not necessarily in a logical or connected context: Ok, the story is hard to swallow. But there have been films before, based on unbelievable stories, which are not necessarily disgusting. For me the story already begins to fall apart when Jamie is tied to the wheelchair - what's the justification for that scene but to make the audience cringe? What I mean: if C's character turned out to be a madman, it would make sense. But no normal, intelligent person - and in particular not the soft character Michael (?) behind "Ross" could stand to watch it - ok, maybe for a lot of money.. But the Ross/Michael character is not very convincing: the miraculously successful coach is not a part anyone could *play* - how would Michael - a loser himself - know how to play a winner, let alone teach to be it? (But then, it would explain why the lessons are so hard to believe, but the film does not go for that) The film does not go into the characters, at no point, but shows them only from the outside, and leaves the audience to deduct himself - but gives no hints or false ones. When the now successful actress is asked it is such an untrue hint - it suggests that she's been through something dreadful - and we're in to discover what that may be - but this question is never answered. Disappointment is the result. It is directed like a cool, rational story, but the story would only work on the "thriller/mystery" level because of it's many implausablilities. Or probably it might have worked as a farce, or a comedy? This film has no humor whatsoever. BTW, I find films of the film industrie about themselves always strangely unsatisfying. As if there are no real persons but concepts. No life in PM. There's one scene I found rather convincing: in the kitchen with the pearls in the sink, a kind of peak in an elsewhere flat desert. I tried to make a SHORT summary that covers all relevant facts - I tried but got tied up with this confusing story. It's a nice revealing exercise that exposes the weaknesses of the script..... I lost track approximately when she calls the police.... don't have the tape here presently, so I cannot check myself.

ATA (Chey) MP said she and JL both wanted Colin for the part of Jess, so they had to know what a capable actor he is, so why would his part become so unimportant that anyone could have done it. Chey, Do you remember where you heard/read it? Did she say anything more about that?

HELLO HELLO!!!! Looks like you've all settled in nicely here....Nice place, oh Nan oh Nan of the irreplaceable, the adorable, the one, the only INCROYABLE! ;-.) You seem to be doing a great job! I see Nan has already written an excellent review of ATA. I think I'll just add a few of my own, to hers...(Her post #186, that is...) Overall I am disappointed. Not only am I in agreement with most of the unfavorable reviews, but I think some of them were too generous. For starters, there were 47 people in a theatre that seats over 500 (on opening night in the middle of NYC)--this was a bad sign right from the beginning. Generally speaking, I didn't think it was THAT horrible. I thought it was just kind'a ....flat, like the land. It's hard to say if I would have been able to tell what was really going on with each character, if I hadn't had read the novel first. But there are two things about the movie that I am sort of pleased with: They were quite faithful to the book unlike most screen adaptations I've seen and I like the fact that they didn't overdramatize anything or they didn't try to present it as more of a tearjerker or a melodrama, than the book already suggests. This could have easily been the case with this book IMHO. For that (and for that alone!) I thought it was tastefully done. I agree with Nan about the editing, but I thought Emma2's editing was much worse than this one. The movie was sort of boring to watch, and defin tely not captivating. If they didn't cut as much as they did, it was probably going to be more boring. Although I agree that because of the cuts, things just sort of hang...period. I saw it in a small theater... and it was half full. The average age of the audience was around 60! 80% women. Nobody cried! Including me.... and I am a softie! When the movie was over, I glanced at some faces around me and didn't see any signs of emotions. Couldn't tell if they enjoyed it or if they were moved by it. Everybody just left very quietly, not really speaking to one another. 1) Now I understand why the screenwriter and director both want no association with this movie--if I were either of them I'd be crawling into a hole until the storm blew over. It makes neither look very skilled. I think that not wanting to be associated with this movie is a bit extreme. Surely it is not a masterpiece and they probably are not going to be receiving any awards for the movie but still, it wasn't that bad, I thought. .... 4)They barely touched on the importance of Jess. In the book he is a far more pivotal character. It didn't seem to me that either JL or MP were particularly in love with him (or even very fond of him for that matter). So it's quite difficult to believe that MP's relationship with him would create tension between the two sisters. They removed the entire part about the poisoned sausages. The impact of emotions created by 2 sisters being in love (or lust :-p) with the same man is virtually avoided. YES! Also, the tomato planting scene, the scene when Ty brings Jess to dinner unannounced (I read the book back In March. If I remember correctly there had to be a seen like that, which could have helped people understand at least part of Ginny's attraction to Jess), and the scenes when Ginny is "aware" of HIS presence at all times and her having a separate eye for HIM only, were all eliminated. There is one scene where Jess softly touches her skin at the back of her neck (Yes!!!!! It was somewhat electri ying to watch! But only because it was CF and I have an active imagination!!! And if I hadn't known who it was, the scene would have done nothing for me....the two had no chemistry at all) in the kitchen. I don't remember reading something like that in the book. Is there such a scene? Somebody pray tell.. 5) Jason Robards is imposing for all of 5 minutes...then he just needs to be slapped. :-) Same for JJL I though JR did a great job with the character. JJL spooked me out though. She is weird! 6) Poor Colin is relegated to what amounts to a cameo in a role that could have (and should have) been able to at least get him noticed. That's the problem...you almost don't notice any of the men. Pete (MP's husband) is supposed to be volatile, but charming--all you get is a half-hearted attempt at both of those qualities. Ty (JL's husband) is supposed to be dependable and likable in an easygoing fashion--he just comes off as whiny and self serving. Dear Colin seems like just a little diversion a oppo ed to the object of lust he was in the book. I simply couldn't understand why any of these people would be attracted to any of the others. Ain't that the truth! I also didn't like the joke Pete told everyone during the the monopoly game. In the book, Pete had to be very likeable and fun to be with and this comes out mostly during the monopoly games. To handle this (I suppose!), they wrote this dirty joke for him to tell and for all the other characters in the room to laugh out loud and for the audience to go "Oh I get it, they are having fun and Pete is funny"... Didn't work for me... ... And now the good things--yes, aside from my complaints above there were a few :-p (mostly Colin, of course): 1)...the first time we see him is from the back (which I would have recognized anywhere) wearing a light, white summer shirt. In that one shot his back is so big it looks like Texas.:-D ... ALREADY!!!! Let's get to the important stuff now! FIRST: Count the moles game! I think I've discovered another mole that I've never seen before!!!! I don't know how I could've missed this one. Gotta go watch the advocate or P&P again and look for this particular mole. It is visible, when you see Jess the very first time. The camera approaches from Jess' right and from above.. moves downward to the left. You get a full shot of his back at one point. Right there at the back of his neck, slightly above the collar of his shirt, there seems to be another mole has this mole been discovered before? If not, I claim all rights to it! ;-.) 3) There are a couple of scenes where he is jogging and it's nice to see him sweat again! LOL! I loved it!!!! A little WETness too! His form is excellent.. He runs just like he walks... long strides... Did you take notice Nan? 4)His American midwestern accent is quite convincing, though it is a little nasal and words ending in "r" are very pronounced. It is strange to hear him talk without the lovely British accent and I've decided that it suits him much better...he should stick with roles where he can speak in the way that is natural for him. His voice is just as deep and manly, but somehow not as appealing as say...Darcy perhaps ;-p or even Joe in Femme Fatale. His accent was okay but his voice was not, I thought. There was one scene where he's walking in a room and stops and turns slightly to say something. It reminded me of Darcy during the first proposal scene, even though the facial expression was quite different (he was not in agony! What a pity! ;-.)). I held my breath in, thinking that his British accent was going to slip out, as if it was live, ... silly me! Nan, do you remember this scene? Or was I daydreaming? It sort of took my breath away :-.D 5)There is a rather physical scene where Jess justifiably punches his father--ooooh I love a man who gets a little physical :-D And right before that, there is a scene described as follows in the book: "He (Harold) leaned toward me. 'Bitch! Bitch!' Now Jess stretched out his arm, his hand open at the end of it, and pushed Harold's face backward. It was a strange gesture, violent an gentle at the same time." I don't know why but I enjoyed this scene very much. It was exactly as described. He did it beautifully, and this was the only scene where I could cheer for Jess. I didn't miss the opportunity ;-.) 6)Colin's name is high on the credits, before all the other men...not that it makes up for most of his part being mutilated, but it's something anyway. I had high hopes re- this movie too...But after seeing the movie, and looking back at the character of Jess, I now don't think that this was meant to be a demanding role for him. It doesn't come anywhere close to utilizing his superb acting, even if they had not cut most of his scenes and lines. He was just meant to be noticed by his looks maybe. He looked gorgeous but there were no frontal face shots (is that the right term?) except for the smiling one at the very beginning. 7)... But ladies there is another LITTLE scene when he's putting on his shirt (this time he's standing) and he gives JL a sort of mini-"LOOK"-- Gasp!!!! Oh no!!!! I must have missed this one!!!!! 8)There are a couple of scenes where he is looking very relaxed, almost as if you were standing next to him at a party. Little smile on his face, beer in his hand. I was imagining (or hoping?) that that is what he is really like. There was one full length shot of him leaning, by the door, a bottle in his hand, one knee bent, in dark jeans and t-shirt.. Mmmmm... mmmm! Yummy!!! Most 'noticeable' shot of him in the whole movie, if you ask me! He looks soooo gorgeous and soooo approachable this scene girls! I got the feeling that I was at a party with him too!!!! Wouldn't that be something! ;-.) But... beer? Was that beer? I thought he (Jess) never had beer.. he should have been drinking coke! Anyway, I think most of our disappointment is partly due to our not seeing him in anything else this year. It's been a long wait and we were all very anxious to see this movie... and the reality didn't come close to our expectations. What I was hoping that we would see 'some' 'look's from him, in the movie. There was only one that I noticed. It was at the very beginning, when Ginny, Rose and Jess meet at the party. He gives Rose this 'look', but it is shot from the side so you don't get to see his eyes... Ugh! :-.( And I didn't even like that part because it looked like Jess was trying to decide who to seduce... It was as if he was selecting his prey, in that scene... But maybe that's just me. I was looking for the looks as described in the book, for example: "Jess stared me down, that audacious twinkle again." Now I would have loved to see that! I guess this is all... I know it's too late and too little (or maybe more than you care?) but Nan did such an excellent job that there was nothing really much left to say...I crowded your screens anyway ;-.) Megan

Beloved Megan of the WET SHIRT!! :-.) ;-.) ;-.D How glad I am to see you dear!! I'll come back to answer later (I want to get out of my office while I still can). Just wanted you to know that I'm quite tickled! ;-D

Glad to be here dearest! Thanks for the warm welcome! BTW, sorry for the mess I made out of this first post. I guess I should have done some editing before hitting that ol' submit button eh? Will do, next time...

Welcome, Megan! Glad to "see" you again , and you started in a really impressive way. Thanks for your review on ATA. What do you mean: a mess, and about editing? Do you refer to the inadvertent jumps into the next lines combined with a loss of a letter? That's a charming little software bug :-.)) Yapp-bin has a speech impediment: it stutters now and then and swallows letters. I only mention it to remind you to be careful with what you write about certain pieces of Regency swim suits, ....if you get my meaning?! ;-*))

ATA This is going to be rather rushed, so much to say, so little time! Here goes, a hotchpotch of views, mainly other people's! From my extensive net surfing, a few points. Jason Robards commented that they were re-writing throughout the shooting and no-one knew which scenes were being left in/out. Jocelyn Morehouse (Director) complained to the Directors Guild that control of the movie had been taken away from her, and had her complaint upheld. On the website for ATA, there is extensive background information on the actual production. JM comments on her choice of Colin for the role of Jess. She liked him in Valmont and Appartment Zero, and thought that he could portray inten ity and an unusual troubled quality.She also said that he has a very strong physical presence. Her comments on the casting of other male roles are also very thoughtful. Which leads me to think that her interpretation of male roles may have been much more complex. . I would love to see the Director's cut. Reaction to ATA. Only going on the reviews obviously - they seemed to be very good or very bad. But there were several favourable reactions. I found one which referred to "Oscar awards abounding for the multi-talented cast..incredible performances in a dreamlike cast which included in the subordinate roles CF,KC and KA" (mention for Colin, Hooray!) But this review also says "When I saw it, it was a rough cut" - was this the final cut? We shall never know! Anyway I'll wait to see it. But to put this in perpective, I think that part of the problem (and sense of disappointment) is that of great expectations not met. Very few movies are really good, most get a critical panning. Airforce One and My Friend's Wedding have both just opened here with mixed to indifferent reviews. If I'm honest, there are very few movies that I really love - I just want to really like everything with which Colin is associated. But maybe that's not possible. But I have to say, NO more cameos please, particularly after Darcy! I can't take it any more!! :-) Hopefully, his next roles seem to lead roles. Overall, on ATA I can't see it boosting his Hollywood career, but it surely won't damage it. It would seem to demonstrate his good looks and some versatility, and at least it's a straightforward masculine role. So many British actors end up playing deranged terrorists, or exploding aliens or over-the-top camp roles... or butlers! As to a Hollywood career, I'm rea ly very doubtful if he wants one. He has said that he only got the part in ATA because he happened to be in LA visiting his son Will (not casting directors!).Re cameos - another comment of his that I distinctly remember reading is that he told some reporters at an Awards Ceremony that he was rather worried after completing P&P2 because for the first time in ten or eleven years, offers of work actually dried up on him and he was concerned incase he was typecast. Perhaps his range of choices hasn't been as extensive as we would imagine - and expect. WHAT SIZE ARE THEY (his shoes!) (Arami) I guess size 13! BTW how do you know this?!:-) Enjoy your trip to the States! WOM (Marilyn) His wife in WOM is played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, whom I've only ever seen in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, opposite Kevin Costner. If he's filming Secret Laughter of Women, his co-star would be Teresa Randall who was in Spike Lee's Girl 6. I like Spike Lee's movies, but haven't seen this one. Enough.. must get back to work!

Oh my god, I'm totally exhausted reading more than sixty messages after having been absent for eight days. ATA Should I feel sad or furious about the waste of skill, time and money? I have to agree with Bethan that it's hard to meet high expectations and that there are only a few really good movies. I had some hopes that this film would push Colin's career forward. The reports of changing the script during filming remind me of Billy Wilder, who decided to direct his own movies because he hated what producers and directors did to his scripts. And he made some of the best movies I know, but I'm a little of topic now. (Bethan) So many British actors end up playing deranged terrorists, or exploding aliens or over-the-top camp roles... or butlers! I don't dare to think of the roles german actors play in Hollywood -- Armin Mueller-Stahl being an exeception. I'm joining the chorus: could someone please offer Colin a leading role in a movie! Playmaker As Renate is doing I'm still trying to figure out why this film is so bad. Generally speaking I don't like movies which get a totally different meaning in the middle or at the end of the plot. There are no rewind buttons on the seats in a cinema. At home watching a video you can take a second look, but Playmaker fails here giving no hints that things aren't quite the way they seem. The two story lines (teaching how to act and the mystery story) don't fit together and contradict themselves. "Witness for the prosecution" (Billy Wilder again) is a good example for a film with an unexpected story twist that works. It's good to see Colin in so many scenes and I like his way of portraing the two different characters. What I really hate about the movie is the mental violence or should I say mental rape shown in the first part. It makes me feel sick and I don't think that it is a convincing method to teach acting. Some minor things which seem odd to me: 1. The Lois Lane syndrom: why doesn't Micheal recogize Jaime earlier? 2. Blindfolding: when Ross tells Jaime to kiss him she must know that he isn't there, she certainly can hear that his voice comes from a speaker. 3. Why does the barkeeper chooses such a difficult method to kill Ross? I'm astonished how much I have to say about a bad movie, it's like a grain of and in a mussel.

Yapp-bin has a speech impediment: it stutters now and then and swallows letters. I only mention it to remind you to be careful with what you write about certain pieces of Regency swim suits, ....if you get my meaning?! ;-*)) LOL! Uh-oh! What's one to do then!? Count the lines? It seems to pick on the sixth line of each paragraph. I'll just watch out for that but if I know you, you'd make an attempt to put my beloved item or my name on the sixth line on purpose ;-.)

I'VE GOT TEP! Have to watch it now, come back later! :-))

Renate, I am sorry but I can't remeber where I got the info about Michelle and Jessica selecting Colin, maybe I just assumed it since they were the producers and obviously had a huge say in who would be in the movie. I am just dying for Colin to do another "Darcy like" role. I don't care if it is type-casting...GIVE US A BREAK, COLIN!! DO ANOTHER LEADING MAN SEXY HISTORICAL COSTUME DRAMA! There, I got that out. Now back to P&P tapes.

Test

Wonderfully exhaustive - and exhausting - posts, ladies. I'm leaving in a few hours, can't stop. No, they're not size 13 (his shoes)! LOL! I know from looking at his soles... Any more guesses? (Renate, did you get die Mitteilung?) Will talk to you when I'm back. Two and a half weeks! I shall go distracted... Bye!

SHOE SIZE (Arami) No, they're not size 13 (his shoes)! LOL! I know from looking at his soles... Any more guesses? Have to check all his films mentally (or actually) to find out where you probably got it from.... (Renate, did you get ..........) No! I shall go distracted... Bye! Remember, there's something like Internet caf�s.....

RENATE'S MOVIE GAME First of all, I think Colin would have been great in "Jack and Sarah", Nan - good call! Richard E. Grant bothered me too much in "Pret A Porter" for me to like him in J&S - aha! a movie that's stinkier than Playmaker!! I would love to see Colin play a Daddy - I've not come close to seeing all his movies, but has he ever played one?? Anyway, Renate, this is a wonderful game...let's see...he's too handsome to play Rochester, but so was Timothy Dalton (sigh) and I would rather see him in this new "Jane Eyre" adaptation than Ciaran Hinds (although I think he's a wonderful actor - he doesn't make me drool). I really want to see him in a Darcy-like role, BUT with more passion! This is just my opinion, but he could do most any Cary Grant remake, like "To Catch a Thief" or "An Affair to Remember" - really any movie with love scenes and "LOOKS". Oh, I just remembered, it has to be an American movie - assuming he's not required to lose his adorable accent - how about "Sleepless in Seattle" (sort o "An Affair to Remember")? - I'm a sucker for that one - or "Nine Months", but he can't be as big a jerk as HG. I'll have to think on this some more... ANOTHER GAME?? Can we play another game in conjunction with Renate's?? I was mulling over leading man roles that Colin could play and there were some that were just too perfectly cast in the original (i.e., Kevin Costner in Bull Durham), but the actor in that role made you weak, faint, sigh...you get the picture. Anyway, the obvious one is Colin as Darcy, and (personally) Jeremy Northam as Knightley makes me pretty swoony - do y'all have any favorites??

MOVIE GAME (Nan) I've been thinking about this (snip) and I know I'll have all kinds of others popping up over time. I imagined it to be an easy game, but I have discovered myself that it is not .... I have to think really hard if I don't just refurniture my favourite movies. Romance: "Sabrina" was such a film I was not at all happy with. I think it could be much improved by the presence of the Firth brothers and Juliette Binoche. Western: In the Seventies there was a Sergio-Leone-Italo-Western - don't know it's Original title - with Klaus Kinski as the killer Loco and Jean Louis Trintignant as Silence, the quiet, tortured, mute anti-hero. Guess as whom I would like to see CF? GHOST (Nan) But my very first thought was the Patrick Swayze part in "Ghost"--think about all that anguish and tell me that Colin wouldn't have been perfect for that role. "Ghost" disappointed me. Too much special effects, not enough truth. Particularly the ending turned me down, when the ghosts - woooosshhh - come or go like in Indiana Jones. Have you ever seen A. Minghella's attempt at the same topic: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply'. Much less state of the art in terms of cinematography and special effects, but deeply human and with a lot of truth. It deals seriously with grief and loss, but is nevertheless very funny. One of my all-time-favourites. I would not want to see anyone o replace Alan Rickman as Jamie. He was perfect. (Though, come to think of it.... :-)) ) Also, there's a sweet little movie (but it's not American) called "Jack & Sarah" Agreed!

ATA (Nan): I think I didn't cry because I didn't feel at all close to these people so my compassion was limited. My sentiments exactly. But maybe it was better this way. Otherwise it could have been yucky. (Nan): Bottle of Bud dear, I looked real close-like ;-p BTW, he's also holding a plastic cup of beer in the first scene we see him (hereafter to be known as the "back like Texas scene") :-p There goes another side of his character then. Guess they couldn't make a deal with Coca Cola ;-) , hence Jess becomes a beer drinker. never mind the novel.... (Megan): ... back of his neck, slightly above the collar of his shirt, there seems to be another mole. Has this mole been discovered before? If not, I claim all rights to it! ;-.) (Nan): LOL! Starting soon, you are! ;-D I can't say that I noticed it (I was delighted just to see him at all) so I guess it's yours m'dear--first come, first served ya know? ;-.p It's settled then. That one is mine girls ;-.) BTW, how do you ladies get here? "New" does not seem to be working for me. Neither does 'since -7'...Although 'since -7' seems to be better than 'new' even though I see responses dated Sep 6, 7 etc...

BTW, how do you ladies get here? "New" does not seem to be working for me. Neither does 'since -7'...Although 'since -7' seems to be better than 'new' even though I see responses dated Sep 6, 7 etc... Generally I come in through new drool. If I'm in a rush I come "through the back door" as Renate says, meaning new Colin then I back up using the redisplay if I need to refer to anyone else's message. When you day the "New" isn't working--what do you mean? Here's a few places for you to try: New Drool New Colin New Keepsakes Hope this helps my little poochie-pie! ;-D

Oh another thing...obviously that New Colin wll do nothing but refresh the page you're on but I stuck it in anyway...;-.)

MOVIE GAME (#193) (Marilyn) .let's see...he's too handsome to play Rochester, but so was Timothy Dalton (sigh) Liked TD, too, but the bad mask where you see his eye move under the supposed-to-be-terrible-scar in the last scene turned me down! Physically I imagine Rochester much more like Ciaran Hinds than as TD or William Hurt, f.e. (who did a good job also, IMO). But I'm ready to switch to a lanky Rochester with brown chocolate eyes! In terms of looks I am convinced that CF would be much more fitting as the scruffy, torn, moody, darkly brooding, exccentric Rochester than TD, who has a completely other kind of good looks. What I mean: TD will ALWAYS look dashing, whatever he does, because of his features - he's the opposite of the unmade-bed. But Colin's attraction comes from an "inner light" (how pathetic of me!) which he can switch on and off, which is exactly the quality I imagine for Rochesters abrupt moods and strange behaviour. Though I don't want to see Colin as the old gypsy! �h! ..., but he could do most any Cary Grant remake......... I'm with you! What about 'Notorious'?! .... "An Affair to Remember" ..... "Sleepless in Seattle" Have you ever tried these both films as a Double Feature on your couch on a rainy Sunday afternoon? Highly recommend, but don't forget your handkerchief. :-)) Oooops, looks like I have violated my own rules in my last message with bringing in an obsure italo-western. ! I said, major American productions, and: describe Colin's attitude and looks as detailed as possible. I mean, DROOL! If we don't actually get to see him in big parts, at least we can imagine! SABRINA Linus: we - at least I - have not yet seen Colin as businessman. In a dark, very well cut 3-piece-suit, elegant shoes, his hair cut short, neatly combed, no hair out of place! - Bethan and Nan, I think you can contribute more to this picture! He is cold and unimpressed with women (Oh, well, we HAVE seen him do that before: Darcy!), but knows how to seduce a business partner into what he wants. That's his approach to the poor Sabrina. He uses his confidence and calculating charme to make her fall in love w th him. (Oh, that's Valmont!). But then he cannot help but gradually, reluctantly falling for her fine eyes :-) - imagine his glances when he takes her out to dinner, dances with her, and discovers he enjoys her company more than anything before in his life - and then faces the fact that he has to betray her trust - I think I have to get the Sabrina tape and then rearrange scene by scene in my mind...... :-)) WESTERN Two of my favourites have leads that are simply perfect, and should not be replaced, not even in our imagination. It's Costner in Dances with Wolves, and Eastwood in Unforgiven. MARILYN, it looks like your game is inseparable linked to 'mine', and you are absolutely right about Bull Durham! Have to think more about Western and Colin (strange, I know). "Pale Rider"? He would look good in every Woody Allan movie, don't you think? Well, I needed a little pleasing stuff after such a lot of Playmaker and ATA, but will return to it ... later. :-)) HOW TO GET HERE (Megan) BTW, how do you ladies get here? "New" does not seem to be working for me. Neither does 'since -7'...Although 'since -7' seems to be better than 'new' even though I see responses dated Sep 6, 7 etc... Do you come in through the drool menu or do you type in the URL? Fastest and most reliable way for me is to type in the URL (resp. it's bookmarked in my browser): http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/51/new then I go to "Redisplay" for the last so-and-so messages. You just have to keep in mind at what response # we are approximately. This way you can avoid unnecessary long loading times. Don't know if this answers your question?

Thanks Nan and Renate! Redisplay approach, I like the best so far... :-.) Why Renata, Re ate? ;-.))))))) Just a typo?

WHY? WHY AN "A"? WHY NOT AN "E"? Why Renata, Re ate? ;-.))))))) Just a typo? n, Mega, n! nnnnnn! ....About "Renata": No typo. It happened when I tried to register first time - Tom Yapp-bin did not accept my first attempt with "Renate" - so I had to try something else. It's the first time I have accepted a variation of my name - in fact I like it - it's Italian, you know ;-.)).

Sorry...litte swamped that last few days ;-.) RENATE'S MOVIE GAME (Marilyn) I would love to see Colin play a Daddy - I've not come close to seeing all his movies, but has he ever played one?? I don't think so...Renate--how about you? This is just my opinion, but he could do most any Cary Grant remake, like "To Catch a Thief" or "An Affair to Remember" Of course!! Cary Grant works for me. Though I can't say I'd want to see him do anything but the very romantic ones like "An Affair to Remember". I can't see Colin in "Bringing Up Baby". :-p "Sleepless in Seattle" (sort of "An Affair to Remember")? - I'm a sucker for that one I'm strangely ambivalent about that movie: some days I like it, others it bores me. Dunno. SABRINA (Renate) "Sabrina" was such a film I was not at all happy with. I think it could be much improved by the presence of the Firth brothers and Juliette Binoche. Though I could see Colin in that movie, I've never seen his brother in anything so I can't form an opinion. But I liked "Sabrina", not in love with it though. I thought it was a nice, pleasant way to spend 2 hours. Also I'm a sucker for any movie with Edith Piaf songs on the soundtrack :-p I thought Julia Ormond was very likable (but I often confuse her with Juliette Binoche--so, funny you should mention her). (Renate) Linus: we - at least I - have not yet seen Colin as businessman. In a dark, very well cut 3-piece-suit, elegant shoes, his hair cut short, neatly combed, no hair out of place! - Bethan and Nan, I think you can contribute more to this picture! Aaaaah to see him so clean!! *sigh* Do I get to pick out his tie? ;-p He is cold and unimpressed with women (Oh, well, we HAVE seen him do that before: Darcy!), but knows how to seduce a business partner into what he wants. That's his approach to the poor Sabrina. He uses his confidence and calculating charme to make her fall in love with him. (Oh, that's Valmont!). But then he cannot help but gradually, reluctantly falling for her fine eyes :-) - imagine his glances when he takes her out to dinner, dances with her, and discovers he enjoys her company more than anything efore in his life - and then faces the fact that he has to betray her trust - I think I have to get the Sabrina tape and then rearrange scene by scene in my mind...... :-)) Ohh, Renate---that was good! That just got me all excited. I have to get more descriptive in my next suggestion... In the Seventies there was a Sergio-Leone-Italo-Western I have a problem picturing Colin in a western..then again, I don't really like westerns very much so I haven't seen that many. Two of my favourites have leads that are simply perfect, and should not be replaced, not even in our imagination. It's Costner in Dances with Wolves, I know this is sacrilege, but I don't really love DWW. Don't get me wrong, I own it and all (because of the glorious bare-butted Kevin Costner), but I do think it's dreadfully long and I can't get past Mary McWhatever's hair...also she reminds me of my former sister-in-law :-p and Eastwood in Unforgiven. I can never argue with Eastwood...great movie too. (Renate) ooops, looks like I have violated my own rules in my last message with bringing in an obsure italo-western. ! I said, major American productions, American movies are hard to come up with. Since seeing ATA and concluding that he needs to keep his British accent, it considerably limits the parts he can play in American films...or at least the ones I could think of...;-p MARILYN, it looks like your game is inseparable linked to 'mine', and you are absolutely right about Bull Durham! Oh to have a man named "Crash"! LOL! WOODY ALLEN (Renate) He would look good in every Woody Allan movie, don't you think? Hmmm...that's interesting. What roles would you imagine him playing? I love a good Woody Allen movie. He's too young to play the Michael Caine role in "Hannah". And although I adore the movie, there are no flattering roles at all in "Love and Death". ;-) "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex"--there's got to be a part for him in there somewhere!;-p GHOST (Renate) "Ghost" disappointed me. Too much special effects, not enough truth. I know what you mean, it's not one of my favorites. That could be because Demi Moore irritates me, but Whoopi Goldberg makes up for it ;-) Particularly the ending turned me down, when the ghosts - woooosshhh - come or go like in Indiana Jones. Ooooh I like that part. I love that supernatural, science fiction kinda ghostly stuff. Guilty pleasure of mine ;-p Have you ever seen A. Minghella's attempt at the same topic: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply'. Much less state of the art in terms of cinematography and special effects, but deeply human and with a lot of truth. It deals seriously with grief and loss, but is nevertheless very funny. One of my all-time-favourites. I have seen it and I loved it. But I think that, even though the subject matter is similar, the movies are very different and are purposely going in two different directions. If I remember right Jamie dies in an accident, whereas Swayze's character (can't remember the name) is murdered. So you have not only the element of grief to deal with, but the murder to solve, the murderer flirting with Demi Moore and that creepy ghost who shows PS the ropes. Let's face it, TMD is a far classier movie and was mean to be more realistic in terms of emotions. I also like that it's a little quirky. "Ghost" was a little too mainstream. Tearjerker, chick movie is how I'd catagorize it. Anyway, the point is that I can't picture anyone but Alan Rickman in TMD, but I had no problem seeing Colin do Ghost. But like I mentioned before, I could just want to see that pottery scene and there are a lot of "looks" in that movie ;-) (Nan) Also, there's a sweet little movie (but it's not American) called "Jack & Sarah" (Renate) Agreed! I can't believe both you and Marilyn even knew the movie.:-) I saw a preview for it on another tape I rented and I went right out to get it. I'd never even heard of it before then. MORE CONTRIBUTIONS TO RENATE'S GAME You're all going to goof on me for this, but I have a real weak spot for a movie (which bombed BTW) called "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Something about Colin dressed in clothing from the turn of the century, obsessed with going back in time to find his true love, really really appeals to me. :-) Also, I think he'd made a great Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl...suave, sophisticated, madly in love, stunningly handsome, obsessive gambler...okay so he's a jerk too...:-p ATA (Nan): I think I didn't cry because I didn't feel at all close to these people so my compassion was limited. (Megan) My sentiments exactly. But maybe it was better this way. Otherwise it could have been yucky. LOL! Yucky indeed...all those faults and a weeper too! TOM YAPP-BIN (Megan) Why Renata, Re ate? ;-.))))))) Just a typo? (Renate)Tom Yapp-bin did not accept my first attempt with "Renate"... LOL!! :-D ANOTHER GAME?? (Marilyn) I was mulling over leading man roles that Colin could play and there were some that were just too perfectly cast in the original (i.e., Kevin Costner in Bull Durham) Oh you know it sister!! :-) but the actor in that role made you weak, faint, sigh...you get the picture. Anyway, the obvious one is Colin as Darcy, and (personally) Jeremy Northam as Knightley makes me pretty swoony - do y'all have any favorites?? Oh, Robert Redford in "The Way We Were"...Aaaaaah (sigh of deep contentment). Richard Chamberlain in "The Thornbirds" (priestly clothing and all). Richard Gere in "Pretty Woman" (and I'm not a huge Gere fan, but that was great casting). Shall I continue...?;-p

RENATE'S MOVIE GAME / DADDY? (Marilyn) I would love to see Colin play a Daddy - I've not come close to seeing all his movies, but has he ever played one?? (Nan) I don't think so...Renate--how about you? Fever Pitch - he plays a man soon-to-become-a-daddy - very cute! - and, from all what I hear we will see him in 'World of Moss / My life so far' where he plays a father with rather exccentric habits. BTW, I tried to get the book on which it is based "Son of Adam" (by Sir Denis Forman (sp?))- they told me it's out of print since 1991 or so. No paperback yet. Has anybody else ever checked or ordered it? (Ok, I have not yet tried Amazon). SABRINA (Nan) I thought Julia Ormond was very likable (but I often confuse her with Juliette Binoche--so, funny you should mention her). Please don't mix them up anymore. Take a look. Much as I respect JO, JB plays in another league. I think of JB as the original and of JO as a copy - still fairly good, but no comparison. And in Sabrina JO had a VERY silly ennerving laugh. COLIN AS LINUS *sigh* Do I get to pick out his tie? ;-p His tie and whatever you want ;-.)=) (Nan) .... I have to get more descriptive in my next suggestion... Yes, please! Dances With Wolves ........and I can't get past Mary McWhatever's hair...also she reminds me of my former sister-in-law :-p Donnell. Mary McDonnell. I don't think either she was all that perfectly cast, but I liked her and her character very much, so it worked well for me. The whole film had such an "honest" feeling about it that I perhaps would even have accepted your sister-in-law as Stands-with-a-Fist. :-)) (Nan) American movies are hard to come up with. Since seeing ATA and concluding that he needs to keep his British accent, it considerably limits the parts he can play in American films...or at least the ones I could think of...;-p That is what makes this game interesting! WOODY ALLEN (Nan)"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex"--there's got to be a part for him in there somewhere!;-p I cannot imagine him as a sperm or any other Woody Allen character, but since he is so good at playing tortured and/or neurotics there should be a heap of roles for him in WA films. ANOTHER GAME?? Oh, Robert Redford in "The Way We Were".. I'm afraid I will never understand what anybody can find in this film. Nan, are you a Barbra Steisand fan? I mean, with Funny Lady and so... Richard Chamberlain in "The Thornbirds" (priestly clothing and all). I confess: Many year ago I had a crush on Richard Chamberlain - still like him today. There was a TV Miniseries of "Portrait of a Lady" and he was the cousin whats-his-name. Does anyone remember - the series, not the name? BTW, in the novel the cousin was described as lanky, his limbs loosely put together... doesn't it remember you of someone? Or did anyone see the new version with Martin Donovan in that part? After all, MD is not only a vey good actor, but also a gifted director - for those who don't ha e the whole Colin encyclopedia in their head: he directed Apartement Zero.

JO VS. JB (Renate)Please don't mix them up anymore. Take a look. Much as I respect JO, JB plays in another league. I think of JB as the original and of JO as a copy - still fairly good, but no comparison. Sorry, I should have been clearer--I was talking about visually (the have the same "look"), not comparing them as actresses. In fact I don't think I've seen enough of the work of either to comment with any accuracy. Dances With Wolves (Nan)........and I can't get past Mary McWhatever's hair...also she reminds me of my former sister-in-law :-p (Renate) Donnell. Mary McDonnell. I don't think either she was all that perfectly cast, I also thought she was too old (or looked to old) to play that part--or rather too old for Kevin :-) but I liked her and her character very much, so it worked well for me. The whole film had such an "honest" feeling about it that I perhaps would even have accepted your sister-in-law as Stands-with-a-Fist. :-)) Well, I don't know about that--she was quite flaky and insincere...again, she just looks like MM. WOODY ALLEN (Nan)"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex"--there's got to be a part for him in there somewhere!;-p (Renate)I cannot imagine him as a sperm or any other Woody Allen character, No, me either. Actually I was thinking of the Gene Wilder part with "Daisy"...LOL!! ANOTHER GAME?? (Nan)Oh, Robert Redford in "The Way We Were".. I'm afraid I will never understand what anybody can find in this film. Nan, are you a Barbra Steisand fan? I mean, with Funny Lady and so... Not particularly, though I do think she was wonderful in "Funny Girl". It's Robert Redford that I like...;-p (Renate) I confess: Many year ago I had a crush on Richard Chamberlain - still like him today. There was a TV Miniseries of "Portrait of a Lady" and he was the cousin whats-his-name. Does anyone remember - the series, not the name? I don't remember that at all. And I just love Richard Chamberlain--he's getting better with age. BTW, in the novel the cousin was described as lanky, his limbs loosely put together... doesn't it remember you of someone? Aha! You've found another part for him Renate--you should be his agent. :-0

Still here, but it's very difficult for me to get on the computer these days so whatever I say will have to be short! ATA Still have to stress how incredibly difficult it is for any British actor to break into mainstream Hollywood. At least he's in there with an A'list cast and looks good! RENATE's MOVIE GAME Any role as played by James Stewart or Henry Fonda (decent, caring, masculine), I'm a fan of old movies. Would also like to see him do a strong, contemporary, film,dealing with social, moral issues. And how about a stage revival of Pygmalion (not My Fair Lady) with Jennifer Ehle as Eliza! My guess is that he may do some theatre - he said he wanted to. TEP VIDEO Have loads to say on TEP, but not the time! Have studied Colin's role and as ever he does a lot with very little. Video playbacks have made me aware of lots of subtleties which you don't catch on screen - it's two roles in one - schoolboyish socialite and intelligence officer, Looks very robust and masculine in some shots - I like the first shots when he introduces himself and comments "broken car" etc. Have to say I have many reservations about the script - really overrated. The ending is trite and unconvincing. And I don't find blatant adultery "romantic" or particularly moving!

RENATE's MOVIE GAME (Nan) It's Robert Redford that I like...;-p Now you mention RR - I remember there was a RR/Demi Moore film about 2 years ago, where he paid a million dollar or so to spend a night with DM. Oh dear. Refurniture THIS film the right way, and it will improve TREMENDOUSLY. But I'm afraid the plot would not work at all, because no one would understand why Colin would have to pay for a love night, and anyway why with DM at all? To compare muscles? She does not even have a mole in the right place. You'd have to make it the other way around. Let's say ... Linda Fiorentino, or, still better, Kristin Scott-Thomas would play the milliardaire who meets Colin in a shop where he tries on a new t-shirt and jeans. When he smiles at her, she coughs up a million dollar .... That's what I call a credible script! (Nan) Aha! You've found another part for him Renate--you should be his agent. :-0 Well, that's a good idea! Believe me, he could have no better or more caring agent :-))!!!! First I would see for the remakes of: The 4 Musketeers (Athos, and the story told - for a change - from Athos pov) The Fisher King (both leading parts) Nine and a half week (with me) :-.)=)..... (Bethan) Any role as played by James Stewart or Henry Fonda (decent, caring, masculine), I'm a fan of old movies. Gary Cooper!!! (Bethan) Would also like to see him do a strong, contemporary film, dealing with social, moral issues. Good point. We've never seen him up to now in a movie like this - and it's no use to look for it in Hollywood. I'd love to see him opposite Helen Mirren or Robby Coltrane in Prime Suspect resp. Cracker. Wouldn't that be great? My guess is that he may do some theatre - he said he wanted to. How I wish you were right! Tell me it is so and I'm on the plane... TEP VIDEO And I don't find blatant adultery "romantic" or particularly moving! Except when with Colin ----- :-)) (Sorry, Bethan, there a situations where moral issues must come second)

Just checking in on my way out...I have a birthday party to attend for my godson. As soon as I get back I'll get to posting--I'm feeling quite drooly today :-)

drool alert!

ATA (Bethan) Still have to stress how incredibly difficult it is for any British actor to break into mainstream Hollywood. At least he's in there with an A'list cast and looks good! I guess we have to take what little we can get, but it is all the more frustrating because our desperately handsome man is so very talented. It's a shame that the glorious accent that attracts many of us to him is also the thing that hinders him. It doesn't help either that Colin appears to be drawn to quirky roles. Perhaps they are more interesting to play, but they apparently don't do much to further your career. RENATE's MOVIE GAME (Bethan) Any role as played by James Stewart Just love Jimmy Stewart. I've heard people say that Kevin Costner reminds them of JS (that sort of "aw shucks", small town humility) and I can see it too. I can't really picture Colin in any JS roles that I can think of only because JS is so...I don't know...American (for lack of a better word). What did you have in mind? And how about a stage revival of Pygmalion (not My Fair Lady) with Jennifer Ehle as Eliza! My guess is that he may do some theatre - he said he wanted to. If Colin did something on Broadway I'd probably lose my mind from being in the same room (however large and crowded). If we're going to wish, how about something really unlikely--a one man show! :-) Did you ever see Leonard Nimoy do that show about Theo Van Gogh? Or Patrick Stewart doing "A Christmas Carol"--it was amazing...and wonderfully fulfilling being a Patrick Stewart fan to have 3 hours of just him. Oh to imagine Colin alone on stage for that period of time with no other distractions...aaaaaaaah! -.D TEP VIDEO (Bethan) Have loads to say on TEP, but not the time! Have studied Colin's role and as ever he does a lot with very little. Video playbacks have made me aware of lots of subtleties which you don't catch on screen - it's two roles in one - schoolboyish socialite and intelligence officer, Looks very robust and masculine in some shots - I like the first shots when he introduces himself and comments "broken car" etc. I haven't had the time to rent it yet (bad Nnan!!) but I have every intention of doing the "nuance" search this week. BTW, I went back to Tower and checked on the price (Arami heard that it was $99.95, I heard $24.95) it seems that we are both right. At present it's "priced for rent"--which means $99.95 (in the US) because they're trying to make more millions from the rental market before releasing it at a reasonable price. I was told that eventually it will be "priced to buy" at $24.95 but that wo 't be for several months. BTW, for anyone who doesn't own Femme Fatale Amazon.com has it on sale for $6.99. RENATE'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) It's Robert Redford that I like...;-p (Renate) Now you mention RR - I remember there was a RR/Demi Moore film about 2 years ago, where he paid a million dollar or so to spend a night with DM. Oh dear. Refurniture THIS film the right way, and it will improve TREMENDOUSLY. LOL!! Tremendously is right! I couldn't understand the appeal of that movie myself. Even RR did nothing for me :-( But I'm afraid the plot would not work at all, because no one would understand why Colin would have to pay for a love night, Oooh, but he could make a wonderful tortured, jealous husband (the Woody Harrelson role)...yes, I think that would do very nicely indeedy! :-) and anyway why with DM at all? To compare muscles? She does not even have a mole in the right place. LOL! :-) No moles that I can see, but otherwuse she fits into the "type" I guess. You'd have to make it the other way around. Let's say ... Linda Fiorentino, or, still better, Kristin Scott-Thomas would play the milliardaire who meets Colin in a shop where he tries on a new t-shirt and jeans. ;-D I like the idea of Linda Fiorentino--she has a rawness that I find very attractive. She and Colin together could be a very, very um...intense thing :-) When he smiles at her, she coughs up a million dollar .... That's what I call a credible script! ...and a bargain too! ;-) (Nan) Aha! You've found another part for him Renate--you should be his agent. (Renate) Well, that's a good idea! Believe me, he could have no better or more caring agent :-))!!!! First I would see for the remakes of: The 4 Musketeers (Athos, and the story told - for a change - from Athos pov) What a great idea!! There are so many versions of this story--personally I happen to like the most recent, silly one (and little ashamed I am) ;-p But how wonderful would he look in one of those fabulous Musketeer outfits with the knee-high boots and a goatee. I just love a man with a goatee! So pirate-y abd naughty...YUM! ;-) The Fisher King (both leading parts) I never would have thought of that one. I haven't seen this one in years so I can't really remember much. Refresh me babe...;-p Nine and a half week (with me) :-.)=)..... LMAO!! You GO sister-friend--Break out the honey...Renate's comin'--LOL!! ;-D (Bethan) Any role as played by James Stewart or Henry Fonda (decent, caring, masculine), I'm a fan of old movies. (Renate) Gary Cooper!!! See now I think of Gary Cooper is just as "American" as Jimmy Stewart but somehow I'm able to envision Colin in one of his roles. Prime Suspect resp. Cracker. Wouldn't that be great? What is this "Cracker" thing I've heard so many people mention. Everyone seems to love it. What am I missing? :-( TEP VIDEO (Bethan) And I don't find blatant adultery "romantic" or particularly moving! (Renate) Except when with Colin ----- :-)) (Sorry, Bethan, there a situations where moral issues must come second) I'm with you on this one Renate--all my moral scruples go out the window when thinking of Colin (not that I have all that many mind you ;-p) TERRY IS WATCHING :-D (Terry) drool alert! LOL! Break out the towels Mr. Man, I'm ready to go ;-p... TUMBLEDOWN An excellent and generous friend has found a way to get a copy of "Tumbledown" to me and I am quite genuinely grateful. I just got it the end of last week and I'm ready to scrutinize and drool. Can this be the next "movie discussion"?--I believe we've trashed Playmaker enough (even for me :-p)--whaddya say? More later...;-)

$$$$$ LOL! I forgot about the chat font! Those little smiley faces are really supposed to be dollar signs!! Jokes on me...;-)

TEP (Nan) I'm with you on this one Renate--all my moral scruples go out the window when thinking of Colin (not that I have all that many mind you ;-p) LOL! It's going to be interesting to see this movie now that I've "discovered" Colin - when I first saw it in the theaters I was dying to see KST leave her hubby (that Colin what's-his-name) for RF (I apparently have no scruples either!) - so this time around I'm probably going to despise RF for stealing her from our boy! My, how much I've changed since seeing a little thing called P&P! :-D Anyway, since I'm on a morally bankrupt roll, I would have paid for a romp with RR, especially if I had the misfortune to be married to that dim-bulb Woody Harrelson. I thought RR looked especially good, old, but good in that one. (Renate) You'd have to make it the other way around. Let's say ... Linda Fiorentino, or, still better, Kristin Scott-Thomas would play the milliardaire who meets Colin in a shop where he tries on a new t-shirt and jeans. When he smiles at her, she coughs up a million dollar .... That's what I call a credible script! LOL! You know it, Renate, now that's believable! I'd take out a loan - seeing him in jeans and T-shirt makes me pretty frisky! ;-) ATA I finally saw it and all I can say is BLAH. Like Nan said, there just isn't enough of Colin to redeem this movie. He's riveting when he's there, but I needed/wanted more romance - more of our lovely Colin - and WITH his normal speaking voice, which I know would have been impossibly out of character. He looked divine in his cuddle (post romp) with JL - really fetching without his shirt, all dimpled and smiling, I just needed MORE. And, I don't want to spoil anything here, but what was with those men the sisters married?? Ty in particular - he knows Ginny had a fling with Jess and yet it's business as usual. I guess I should read the book. RENATE'S GAME You all are playing so well! Okay, this is fantasy here - but I can see him as Robin Hood to my Maid Marian, Caesar to my Cleopatra, Romeo to my Juliet - LOL!! Or he can be the next Don Juan - don't you think he was born to play the greatest lover of them all?? ;-) Notorious, Somewhere in Time, Sabrina, The Way We Were, Funny Girl (loved Omar Sharif) - all great choices - he can do just about anything, but I prefer that he keep the accent, the unmade bed look, and stick to breeches or tights. LOL!

WHAT IS HE DOING NOW? I win the prize (awarded by me!)! He IS filming The Secret Laughter of Women in the South of France. It's a contemporary romantic drama about a writer who falls for a Nigerian widow, played by American actress Nia Long (who was in Boyz-in-the Hood, Made in America, Love Jones, Soul Food). AND IT'S NOT A CAMEO!I think we all agree that MORE COLIN is in order. his accent It's difficult for him really. English Home Counties accents just don't seem to fit into the Hollywood scheme of things. Scottish/Irish accents seem OK, but otherwise British actors (like Tim Roth, Garry Oldman) make it in LA by becoming American. (BTW what happened to Hugh Grant?!) QUIRKY ROLES (Nan) From my extensive reading on Colin (Mr Darcy would have approved!) I get the feeeling he's a bit ambivalent about acting - seems to have to justify it to himself and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! TUMBLEDOWN Glad you're getting to see this, Nan. I'm saving it for a rainy day (first saw it absolutely ages ago). But I did come across the screenplay in a secondhand bookshop last week. Stirring read in its own right. BUT, lowering the tone CONSIDERABLY, what exactly does the Swedish girl Ingrid do to him under the coverlet when he's in hospital? (I can guess!)Don't remember that bit!!!! Squeezed in some time, but it's difficult! WHERE IS EVERYONE - thinking back to the days of the Keepership! Reinforcements needed? Or are we becoming TOO SERIOUS?!;-)

TEP (Marilyn) LOL! It's going to be interesting to see this movie now that I've "discovered" Colin - when I first saw it in the theaters I was dying to see KST leave her hubby (that Colin what's-his-name) for RF Tsk, tsk, tsk Marilyn ;-p But you have seen the error of your ways so I suppose we'll have to let you slide. Just between you and men--I thought RF was quite tempting myself (shhhh) ;-) Anyway, since I'm on a morally bankrupt roll, I would have paid for a romp with RR, especially if I had the misfortune to be married to that dim-bulb Woody Harrelson. I thought RR looked especially good, old, but good in that one. But not as good as he did in The Way We Were ;-) He ain't Colin, but he'll do in a pinch... ATA (Marilyn) I finally saw it and all I can say is BLAH. Like Nan said, there just isn't enough of Colin to redeem this movie. He's riveting when he's there, but I needed/wanted more romance At least that's what I was expecting (hoping?) But alas, they chose to go in the other direction...most disappointing! :-( And, I don't want to spoil anything here, but what was with those men the sisters married?? Ty in particular - he knows Ginny had a fling with Jess and yet it's business as usual. I guess I should read the book. Ty is definitely better in the book (as is Pete). Again, they just grazed over the men. Truthfully, I didn't love the book either, but that's just me being cranky I suppose. RENATE'S GAME Okay, this is fantasy here - but I can see him as Robin Hood to my Maid Marian, Caesar to my Cleopatra, Romeo to my Juliet - LOL!! Oh so that's what we're doing? He gets to star opposite me! In that case I shall reconsider my earlier "Bull Durham" statement --he can be Crash if I get to be Annie. Then again, I do so love KC in that role...Kevin or Colin--Kevin or Colin...who to choose? This is stressful ;-p WHAT IS HE DOING NOW? (Bethan) I win the prize (awarded by me!)! He IS filming The Secret Laughter of Women in the South of France. It's a contemporary romantic drama about a writer who falls for a Nigerian widow, played by American actress Nia Long (who was in Boyz-in-the Hood, Made in America, Love Jones, Soul Food). AND IT'S NOT A CAMEO!I think we all agree that MORE COLIN is in order. Now THAT'S promising :-.) Very good Bethan--I'm impressed! Did you find out anything about the eventual release date? And more importantly does anyone know if Nia Long has a mole? :-p HIS ACCENT It's difficult for him really. English Home Counties accents just don't seem to fit into the Hollywood scheme of things. Scottish/Irish accents seem OK, but otherwise British actors (like Tim Roth, Garry Oldman) make it in LA by becoming American. Yes which, of course, means that it loses all its charm. Hmmm.... (BTW what happened to Hugh Grant?!) "Nine Months" followed by the little incident in the car with that woman whose name I can never remember. ;-p QUIRKY ROLES From my extensive reading on Colin (Mr Darcy would have approved!) I get the feeeling he's a bit ambivalent about acting - seems to have to justify it to himself and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! I don't get the impression that he's ambivalent about acting, just the fame that is caused by it. I always feel that his choice in roles is his way of holding back the fame. I'm sure there is some ego in there that finds the fame amusing, but I really believe that he doesn't seek it. The chances of his becoming very famous while doing the kind of "quirky" work he does, are not very great. TUMBLEDOWN what exactly does the Swedish girl Ingrid do to him under the coverlet when he's in hospital? (I can guess!)Don't remember that bit!!!! Oooh, I haven't gotten to that part yet!! Had a busy weekend. Let you know...;-O Squeezed in some time, but it's difficult! WHERE IS EVERYONE - thinking back to the days of the Keepership! Reinforcements needed? Or are we becoming TOO SERIOUS?!;-) I don't think there is a danger of us ever becoming too serious--I think the real world had hindered us the last week. It happens. ;-)

I've received several emails from people who want to participate in this splashy conversation but are having problems posting. For anyone who hasn't contacted me but are experiencing the same problem, I just wanted you to know that we're working on it and I'll keep you posted...sorry for the trouble :-(

QUIRKY ROLES / FORGET MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD (Bethan) ..... and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! All his impressive characters he got praise for were of the dramatic kind.... (Darcy included, though P&P2 was rather a comedy IMO) To have "only" ( 8-)) ) his looks without the drama is apparently not enough for his fans - see ATA. Even FP's Paul Ashworth has a dramatic side (but comedy, too!). I have my doubts if he would really fit into the - lets say: Tom Hanks mould. (Philadelphia? Sleepless?) Too British for American mainstream audience. I could imagine him in such a position as Harvey Keitel, f.e. who is definitely quirky, and has become - over the decades! - a kind of quiet superstar of the quirky movies. I can also see our dear boy in those independent off-beat productions as from Hal Hartley (Martin Donovan!), Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Rockwell etc.. TUMBLEDOWN Nan, have you watched it completely by now? I want your comments! And anybody else's, BTW. I'll watch it again myself, then. (Bethan) ...... I did come across the screenplay in a secondhand bookshop last week. Stirring read in its own right. Bethan, can you give me the exact title, author, editor and ISBN-no? I'm trying to track Robert Lawrence's original book down, or anything related. And would like to know where he is today, and what/how he is doing. BUT, lowering the tone CONSIDERABLY, what exactly does the Swedish girl Ingrid do to him under the coverlet when he's in hospital? (I can guess!) Don't remember that bit!!!! Sorry to disappoint. There was no Ingrid in the film .....but the film was in trouble, anyway, without any Ingrid performing performing any kind of personal service. (Nan) especially if I had the misfortune to be married to that dim-bulb Woody Harrelson. LOL!

TUMBLEDOWN Nan, are you so overwhelmed by the dashing Colin/Robert that you have gone speechless? Would like to have your opinion on him! (ok, ok, I know you are very busy - well, everyone needs a break now and then). DARCY DROOLING I have observed that in our neighbouring country Pemberley some nice CF drooling is going on... not only in VV and Ramble, but also on the serious P&PBB. Looks as if there is a new generation of Colin/Darcy fans. And I definitely got the impression that the drool-level is rising. Wouldn't be surprised if we get some new visitors soon... when the technical problems are solved.... I wonder if anyone of the lurkers here would welcome a special Darcy topic? Just to remind you of what I am speaking about (Courtesy of Pemberley Picture Gallery): http://www.pemberley.com/photos/firth/headshot.jpg (Will it work?)

Well, well, well.... looks like I have this place for myself, at last. All tactics, harharhar! Now, with everyone playing somewhere else, and no interruptions anymore by silly responses, I finally can start to write my memoirs here, undisturbed. (extended limb stretching) Ah, ja. How do I begin? Hm. Yes. Well..... It happened one ... No. Wrong. I always wanted to become a - or, no: - Way back when - too ...eh ...what's the word? Hm. HmmmmHmmm. I guess I'll get myself at first a cup of tea before I actually start to write the great epic novel about my life and loves...... BACK IN A MINUTE DO NOT DISTURB

(Renate)Now, with everyone playing somewhere else, and no interruptions anymore by silly responses, I finally can start to write my memoirs here, undisturbed. Oh, Renate, you are too funny!! :-) Not that I wanted to interrupt your memoirs (LOL!), but I wanted you all to know I haven't been playing elsewhere - this splashy place is my only playground these days - nope, I've been home (where I don't have access to my Firthlands friends) with sick children this week. So I'm here for a brief drool... RENATE'S GAME (Nan)He gets to star opposite me! In that case I shall reconsider my earlier "Bull Durham" statement--he can be Crash if I get to be Annie. Then again, I do so love KC in that role...Kevin or Colin--Kevin or Colin...who to choose? This is stressful ;-p Dearest Nan, this is your fantasy - why choose? - I say get a bigger tub! :-D NEW COLIN TOPIC? Can I introduce a new topic?? I would like to know at what moment (scene, photo, look...) you were hooked by Mr. Sexy Pants? More description, the better - I want all the drooly details!! :-) HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

MY HOW HE'S AGED! (rather nicely of course!) I don't know if links work automatically, but check this out: http://members.aol.com/Dg1257/dutchgirls.html He must have been 24 but he looks all of 17! I love his sweet schoolboy look but am fascinated by how well he is ageing! The features are the same... what's the difference? RENATE's MOVIE GAME Hollywood are apparently thinking about a major movie on the life of Elizabeth the First, with Nicole Kidman as the redheaded Queen. Colin would make a superb Earl of Essex - the Queen's lover (historically unconsumated!) - tall, dashing, excellent horseman, ambitious, ruthless and ultimately sent to the gallows by the Queen, whose heart (in true Hollywood style) was broken forever!! BUT, I suppose the part will go to Tom Cruise, or Robert Downey Jr, or 'ugh Grant, or (by George, I've got it!) R. Fiennes. . I can dream though! Hollywood take note!

So, back from the tea bar. Not too crowdy here. Ok. Lets start. Here it comes: "I CONFESS" or "My Life so Far" A great novel in 19 or so chapters. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman possessed by an actor with a great talent must be in want of an internet connection. Once she has managed to figure out how search engines work there's nothing to stop her but a complete hard disc crash or a national power breakdown. Ever since ...- Hmmm. Scratch, scratch. Hmmmmmm. Sip. "Where is everyone? No mail. No posting. Has a worldwide power breakdown taken place?" Sip. "Let's see. Where's the remote control? - Oh, migawd!!" DO NOT DISTURB - BACK SOON. - - -

Okay ladies--Sorry, I've been terribly remiss in my posting the last week. I've been busy at work (blah blah blah) and I hate posting from home because the response box is so large that I have to scroll horizontally to read everything I've pasted and it makes me wild! Rant over. On to the important things... QUIRKY ROLES / FORGET MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD (Bethan) ..... and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! (Renate) his looks without the drama is apparently not enough for his fans - see ATA. (snip) I have my doubts if he would really fit into the - lets say: Tom Hanks mould. (Philadelphia? Sleepless?) Funny you should mention Tom Hanks as I was considering Colin for those two roles while playing your game and finally came to the same conclusion that you did: Too British. Certainly there are exceptions to that rule but they were different types of roles (Cary Grant for instance). Then again, look at Mel Gibson. I first saw him in "Tim" maybe 15 years ago and while I thought he was stunning, I never would have believed that he would eventually fit so easily into the Hollywood mainstream. He is certainly o more talented than Colin, but perhaps his more classically handsome face had something to do with it ;-p Too British for American mainstream audience. I could imagine him in such a position as Harvey Keitel, f.e. who is definitely quirky, and has become - over the decades! - a kind of quiet superstar of the quirky movies. This is a good example of how an actor can thrive out of the mainstream. I'm always impressed by Harvey Keitel (though he does give me the creeps now and again, like Christopher Walken) and I can easily see Colin being an underground star. But I have to say that Keitel's choices seem to be a little better than our beloved's :-( See now if you were his agent I could rest easy ;-) TUMBLEDOWN (Renate) Nan, have you watched it completely by now? I want your comments! And anybody else's, BTW I'll watch it again myself, then. Are you so overwhelmed by the dashing Colin/Robert that you have gone speechless? Would like to have your opinion on him! (ok, ok, I know you are very busy - well, everyone needs a break now and then). LOL! Your enthusiasm is heartening my pal :-) I did finally watch the whole thing, though I did it in shifts which is perhaps, not the best way to watch a film. I also did a lot of rewinding because I was having a problem hearing some of the dialogue. This is not fault of the tape, just a common problem of mine when watching a movie where people have British or Irish accents--particularly when they are using slang. The fact that Colin is half paralyzed doesn't help either because he had to mumble. Anyway, my first impression is that Colin is justified in being proud of that performance. For sheer acting it's right up there with "A Month in the Country" Granted, material like that lends itself to drama but not any actor could have been so convincing. I was particularly impressed with the physical elements of the performance: the learning to walk part, the way one side of his face actually looks paralyzed (how did they do that?), the shaking from pain and frustration. Really good. I was surprised to ee "Lady Catherine" as his mother--hard to imagine she could be so nice ;-) They really got the feel of that time period right as well: the "Human League" t-shirt (geez, remember them?), that red and white scarf he wears in the bar (I still have one of those!) watching "Can't Stop the Music" on tv in the hospital (love those Village People!). I also liked the scenes where the camera was moving in such a way that it almost looks like news coverage. However, it's not an easy film to watch (especially for a olin fan) because poor fellow is in a lot of pain and it is a bit gory...but I guess it could hardly be otherwise considering the subject matter. It's painful to see him that way, which is just confirms that his performance really is very good. Here's my problem: I don't know if I like Robert Lawrence. Isn't that terrible? I felt more compassion thinking of CF in that situation than I did for the character. There is an arrogance about him (even before the war) that doesn't seem to fade even after he's gone through this terrible experience. Certainly there is something uplifting about a person being able to overcome that kind of injury (or at least learn to make the best of it)--it shows a strength of character and determination. But if I underst nd it right, the shot in the head didn't come in the middle of battle, but as he was gloating (or crazed from the battle itself, I'm not sure). This is another problem, solely with the film itself, not Colin: it's all flashbacks. You start at the end and keep flashing between the present, the past before the war, then the present, then after the injury, then during the battle, then the present again, etc. I found it hard to keep up. This is definitely the kind of movie I have to watch 3 or 4 times to real y understand everything...but I didn't want you to have to wait that long ;-p I will, of course, watch it again and some of my opinions my change then, I don't know. BTW, I really wanted to know more at the end. They don't tell you anything about what's happened to him or Hugh, whom I didn't like but wanted to know about just the same. Now, having rambled on about that let me say that there are quite a few drooly moments where Colin is looking most handsome (and clean ;-p). I never saw him before in a pair of jeans that did him justice (not even in ATA). I really like the running scene--looking most yummy he is! You even get a pretty bare butt shot--more flattering than the one in "Advocate". But I say again Renate--he's too thin LOL!! I can't help it--he's got these wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs--needs some pasta ;-p Overall I liked it (regardless of the morbid topic) and am very glad I got the chance to see it. Well done Colin dear. ;-) (Sorry, this was longer than I intended, oh well) Your turn... (Bethan) ...... I did come across the screenplay in a secondhand bookshop last week. Stirring read in its own right. (Renate) Bethan, can you give me the exact title, author, editor and ISBN-no? I'm trying to track Robert Lawrence's original book down, or anything related. And would like to know where he is today, and what/how he is doing. I would be interested to read that as well. What is the name of Robert Lawrence's book? Maybe that can fill in the gaps for me. (Bethan) BUT, lowering the tone CONSIDERABLY, what exactly does the Swedish girl Ingrid do to him under the coverlet when he's in hospital? (I can guess!) Don't remember that bit!!!! (Renate) Sorry to disappoint. There was no Ingrid in the film .....but the film was in trouble, anyway, without any Ingrid performing performing any kind of personal service. See, now that could have been interesting. Nope, no Ingrid that I could see. DARCY DROOLING (Renate)I have observed that in our neighbouring country Pemberley some nice CF drooling is going on...not only in VV and Ramble, but also on the serious P&PBB. Looks as if there is a new generation of Colin/Darcy fans. And I definitely got the impression that the drool-level is rising. Wouldn't be surprised if we get some new visitors soon... when the technical problems are solved.... Yes, I saw that too...I love when there are new Colin converts. Their enthusiasm is always infectious even if their crush is really on Darcy, not Colin. That is one film I can never drool over too much so I hope they all come on by and we'll do the wet shirt talk...again! And love every moment of it. But you are right about the technical problems, some of them have tried and are having trouble posting. The software lets them in and all looks normal and they when they hit "Submit" it looks as though it has accepted it but a little message shows up saying "file cf.buffer doesn't seem to exist". Don't ask me--it's out of my realm. I've spoken to Yapp, I've spoken to Terry. I know he's trying to figure out the problem, but until he does I'm afraid those people are forced to just lurk. It's very odd. I feel badly too because they very clearly want to participate, it's just beyond my abilities to fix it myself. ;-( Another reason to go back to school... (Renate) I wonder if anyone of the lurkers here would welcome a special Darcy topic? Just to remind you of what I am speaking about (Courtesy of Pemberley Picture Gallery): http://www.pemberley.com/photos/firth/headshot.jpg (Will it work?) It worked and was very pretty too! ;-D *slurp* (Renate) BACK IN A MINUTE DO NOT DISTURB LOL Renate! Wiseass ;-p (Marilyn) Not that I wanted to interrupt your memoirs (LOL!), but I wanted you all to know I haven't been playing elsewhere - this splashy place is my only playground these days - nope, I've been home (where I don't have access to my Firthlands friends) with sick children this week. So I'm here for a brief drool... Always good to have you plop into the Firthlands waters...however brief dearest. Hope the little goobers are better? RENATE'S GAME (Nan)He gets to star opposite me! In that case I shall reconsider my earlier "Bull Durham" statement--he can be Crash if I get to be Annie. Then again, I do so love KC in that role...Kevin or Colin--Kevin or Colin...who to choose? This is stressful ;-p (Marilyn) Dearest Nan, this is your fantasy - why choose? - I say get a bigger tub! :-D Brilliant idea Marilyn! Big tub, Kevin, Colin--what more could I ask? Well, maybe that big hockey player with whom I am so madly in lust ;-p Can you imagine? I would probably need constant mouth to mouth just to keep from fainting---hyperventilation does that to you...;-p MY MR. SEXY PANTS "MOMENT" Can I introduce a new topic?? I would like to know at what moment (scene, photo, look...) you were hooked by Mr. Sexy Pants? More description, the better - I want all the drooly details!! :-) Actually I liked him quite well when I saw Valmont, several years before P&P2. But I think the "Darcy moment" for me was "On foot?". Of course, I was thinking he was very lovely before that moment, but something about that little scene flipped me on: the small, dimpled smile of amusement, dark perfectly placed ringlets, eyes squinting from the sun, the little "right this way madame" gesture, long coat billowing in the wind and then...the walk...aaaaaah. Yes, that did it. Your turn...;-) MY HOW HE'S AGED! (rather nicely of course!) (Bethan)I don't know if links work automatically, but check this out: http://members.aol.com/Dg1257/dutchgirls.html He must have been 24 but he looks all of 17! I love his sweet schoolboy look but am fascinated by how well he is ageing! The features are the same... what's the difference? Isn't he the sweetest little boy...and so clean (sorry, couldn't help myself ;-p). I agree that he is more attractive now. Of course, that could be because I'm not 17 anymore either. ;-) RENATE's MOVIE GAME (Bethan) Hollywood are apparently thinking about a major movie on the life of Elizabeth the First, with Nicole Kidman as the redheaded Queen. Colin would make a superb Earl of Essex - the Queen's lover (historically unconsumated!) - tall, dashing, excellent horseman, ambitious, ruthless and ultimately sent to the gallows by the Queen, whose heart (in true Hollywood style) was broken forever!! BUT, I suppose the part will go to Tom Cruise, or Robert Downey Jr, or 'ugh Grant, or (by George, I've got it!) R. Fiennes. . I can dream though! Hollywood take note! Oh Bethan, that is perfect!! Though I have to say that I'm over Nicole Kidman-had enough of her the last few years. No offense, I like her--but she's been around too much lately. You're also right in assuming that someone else would get that role...Colin is just not famous enough here. That bites! "I CONFESS" or "My Life so Far" (Renate) A great novel in 19 or so chapters. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman possessed by an actor with a great talent must be in want of an internet connection. Once she has managed to figure out how search engines work there's nothing to stop her but a complete hard disc crash or a national power breakdown. Ever since ...- Hmmm. Scratch, scratch. Hmmmmmm. Sip. "Where is everyone? No mail. No posting. Has a worldwide power breakdown taken place?" Sip. "Let's see. Where's the remote control? - Oh, migawd!!" DO NOT DISTURB - BACK SOON. I say again: Wiseass. LOL!! ;-D Sorry I left you alone so long dear, I'll be better this week. TEP I spent one of my nights this week watching TEP again. For those of you who haven't gotten to see ATA yet, I was thinking that Colin's screen time is about the same in both movies. Not used nearly enough. However, TEP is a much better movie. Long as it is, I really enjoyed TEP (even without enough Colin). I can't believe I'm saying this, but I was once again rooting for RF getting the girl. He's not CF, but he is mighty attractive...something about the eyes I think. I really like the feel of that movie bu I didn't do the weeping thing that I normally do when I watch those doomed love stories. And btw, Renate I payed close attention to JB this time around and she really was quite wonderful. She deserved that Oscar. Though I am still a little surprised that they voted for quality rather than the obvious choice of Lauren Bacall who was, after all just playing Lauren Bacall in "The Mirror Has Two Faces". Okay, I've gone on enough for the moment...

(Bethan) ..... and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! He doesn't want to become bored with doing the same role over and over again. I don't blame him; I wouldn't want to either. I sense that he doesn't have the best feel for scripts. Some actors can read a script and know that the movie will be great, others rely on their agents, and others punt. I think Colin is a bit in the last category. He seems to do a lot of mediocre movies. With all of the problems with ATA, it seems obvious that the script had major problems that he didn't see. Of course I also don't know what kind of parts he is being offered. I am looking forward to WOM. I think that should be interesting.

Just to say I'm still here but having problems actually logging in and submitting. Very quickly.. TEP Was the Cliftom marriage supposed to be a fiction - I think it was in some respects. Katherine had obviously had several affairs before falling back on good old Geoffrey who loved her but must have been unable to satisfy her sexually - (like brother and sister). And that is the part that Colin played= good old Geoffrey, and played very well. But he obviously must have been unaware of the impact that Darcy was going to make or else he wouldn't have chosen to be a foil to RF who had all the best lines and a tion! (although his legs are thinner than Colin's!!) Or perhaps he have still have gone for the part - what do you think? I would say he's more conscious of the actor than the image. As to Colin punting for roles (ANN), I agree (I think), but I think it must be very difficult sometimes to know what will/will not be a success. ATA had all the right ingredients, including a good director. Will try to submit!!

TEP (Bethan) .... But he obviously must have been unaware of the impact that Darcy was going to make or else he wouldn't have chosen to be a foil to RF who had all the best lines and a tion! (although his legs are thinner than Colin's!!) Or perhaps he have still have gone for the part - what do you think? Don't get me wrong: I think RFdid a good job as Count All-mushy, in particular the injured one. But there is something about TEP that allways irritated me, kept me away from getting involved into the Almasy/Catherine love story, while I felt very strongly with the husband even when I had not yet discovered Colin at that time! I think now I can name it: RF is too young for this role, and has not the stature, both physically and spiritually for what I expect of this man the strong and beautiful Catherine fa ls for. I would have expected to be Count Almasy more mature. The early Count All-mushy behaves rather like a spoiled brat than a man with weighty and probably hurtful experience of life. I think I would rather have bought Sean Connery in this role. But CF would have been the very perfect cast: though just a few (2 years, 3 month) years elder than RF, he appears at least a decade more mature. And he has MUCH more of this dark, brooding quality, he suggests more physical strength and spiritual depth. What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... (Just for your info: RF height: 5,11, CF: 6,1...)

RENATE'S GAME (potentially adult version) (Marilyn) Dearest Nan, this is your fantasy - why choose? - I say get a bigger tub! :-D (Nan) Brilliant idea Marilyn! Big tub, Kevin, Colin--what more could I ask? Well, maybe that big hockey player with whom I am so madly in lust ;-p Can you imagine? I would probably need constant mouth to mouth just to keep from fainting---hyperventilation does that to you...;-p Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. When this game continues in this direction do you mind if I remove my name from it? :-)) Might be bad for a serious career in another business than personal entertainment... :-)=)

Carrying on ...apologies for all the typos, but when done at speed...!! TUMBLEDOWN NAN and RENATE I think that Robert was supposed to be portrayed as arrogant, but perhaps that's what got him through his terrible ordeal. From what I recall, he married and went to live in South Africa - somewhere warm anyway. He continued to suffer a lot of pain as a result of his injuries, and a warmer climate (I sincerely hope) helped him. Colin said that they became friends during the filming. The ISBN of the screenplay is 0-14-011198-0 but it may well be out of print. I bought it in a secondhand bookshop (it's on some university literature syllabi now). HIS LEGS! (NAN)Wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs Oh Nan, you're too hard on him! I think he's filled out a bit since Tumbledown! Have a look at your favourite film again (yes, Playmaker!) - legs look OK there. His arms, I grant you, are rather slender - but I like them :-) Colin is just not famous enough for it (NAN) The role of Earl of Essex, that is... Aye, there's the rub. It's a bit of a Catch 22 really. To get the really good parts you've got to be famous, and it's the really good roles which boost fame. I actually don't think that choice of role can be all that easy for him - we don't really know what scripts he is offered. I still think (my favourite gripe!!!) that it's a shame (for him) that FP didn't make it to the States. Hopefully his next three roles should be lead roles so ther will be some more "meat"! B t I still see him as an actor, not a movie star. When he was being interviewed about FP back in April he was driving a 15-year old Nissan car - even older than mine! One of the (many) reasons I like him! Another snippet, on role choice, he was offered the lead role (the Jack Nicholson role) in a major US TV re-make of The Shining, but turned it down even though (I quote him) "he could have done with the money" because he didn't think he could match JN. Was that a good career decision? It must be awfully d fficult to decide sometimes. Don't envy him:-) Will submit again... Fingers crossed!

TEP Renate, I agree with you about Al-Mushy (love that!)'s relative youth and immaturity. He was much older in the book. Maybe that's why K went back to dependable Geoffrey when war was imminent. What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me.

NAN'S MOVIE GAME (not to be confused with "RENATE'S MOVIE GAME" which is the more respectable and dignified, though less drooly, version of the two) ;-p (Nan) Brilliant idea Marilyn! Big tub, Kevin, Colin--what more could I ask? Well, maybe that big hockey player with whom I am so madly in lust ;-p Can you imagine? I would probably need constant mouth to mouth just to keep from fainting---hyperventilation does that to you...;-p (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D When this game continues in this direction do you mind if I remove my name from it? :-)) Might be bad for a serious career in another business than personal entertainment... :-)=) LOL! We certainly wouldn't want to hinder your career dearest--well...okay. I'll take the blame (credit?) for the truly twisted games...;-p

QUIRKY ROLES / FORGET MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD (Nan) Then again, look at Mel Gibson. I first saw him in "Tim" maybe 15 years ago and while I thought he was stunning, I never would have believed that he would eventually fit so easily into the Hollywood mainstream. He is certainly o more talented than Colin, but perhaps his more classically handsome face had something to do with it ;-p Wasn't "Tim" adorable?!!! BTW, I don't think MG "classically handsome". If you look at his features - his face only comes to life with his eyes, but then-!. Without their expression he wouldn't look so dashing at all - the shape of his face or his mouth is nothing to get mad about (don't talk about his body here :-)) ). In respect to facial proportions IMO Colins features are much more classical (AND he has those dimples!) - but I agree with you that MG looks more mainstream handsome. And I think he's a g fted actor, but he seldom makes full use of his talent; a good director, too. But, the main reason why MG is so successful in Hollywood is IMO because he is determined - he went straight into that direction, full energy, even if it took quite some years to get into his mega-star position. (See what determination can do for you if you look at some of the present super-stars... talent and success are not necessarily in the right proportion) I'm always impressed by Harvey Keitel (though he does give me the creeps now and again, like Christopher Walken) Did you mention CW by accident, or did you know I am one of his biggest fans? For a long time he was rather alone on top of my personal list of "World's Best Actors", until you know who came along :-)) And in his case it is so, too, that he seems to make often choices not easy to understand. and I can easily see Colin being an underground star. But I have to say that Keitel's choices seem to be a little better than our beloved's :-( But then - we don't know what the options were to choose from. And Keitel has been around for a long time - and for many years not at all successful. RENATE'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) See now if you were his agent I could rest easy ;-) Slumber, dear maid! If I were his agent I would talk to Peter Weir next, Ridley Scott and Nora Ephron. It seems to be a bit quiet presently around Peter Weir. I used to like his movies very much. He has the talent to put together efficiently a great emotionally moving theme with a wonderful love story and male leads I particularly liked, and female leads I could identify with easily. Remember "Witness", Fearless, The Year of Living Dangerously, just to name a few. 'Green Card', a likeable story, could be improved by another cast. I was disappointed, thought GD and AMcC had no chemistry. But make it CF an ..... Juliette Binoche? :-)) Well that's THE idea - turn the Green Card story around... though I would not seriously recommend a remake of anything. I'd talk to Ridley Scott because all of his films turn out to be almost perfect. And Nora Ephron for her witty and romantic scripts. (Sleepless, Harry and Sally) TUMBLEDOWN (Nan)...... I also did a lot of rewinding because I was having a problem hearing some of the dialogue. This is not fault of the tape, just a common problem of mine when watching a movie where people have British or Irish accents--particularly when they are using slang. The fact that Colin is half paralyzed doesn't help either because he had to mumble. And I thought only I had this problem. I am relieved. :-)) I am determined to get the screenplay somehow. I was particularly impressed with the physical elements of the performance: the learning to walk part, the way one side of his face actually looks paralyzed (how did they do that?), the shaking from pain and frustration. Really good. And though he looked definitely paralyzed and injured I thought he was the most attractive victim of war in a film I ever saw.... I think I got the nurse-syndrome instantly. (Guess my middle name? :-)=) ) BTW, I think he had some help from the mask department. His left upper lid was "immobilized" with something. BTW, I really wanted to know more at the end. They don't tell you anything about what's happened to him or Hugh, whom I didn't like but wanted to know about just the same. It is not the worst reaction to a film of this kind of subject, to get curious. It has actually raised my interest for something I did not care about at all before, the Falkland war, the riot about the "Tumbledown" film, and what became of Robert Lawrence. BTW, I thought the actor (who?) who played Hugh has a very good voice. ...... there are quite a few drooly moments where Colin is looking most handsome ............ I really like the running scene--looking most yummy he is! Wouldn't it be great to get something more of this energetic Colin? I confess: after I had overcome the first shock with the subject of the film, so after the second or third viewing, I found it is a real Colin-drool-movie for me, and started rewinding for other purposes than just to understand the lines. :-)) But I say again Renate--he's too thin LOL!! I can't help it--he's got these wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs--needs some pasta ;-p Not pasta - I say: workout. (I'd offer myself as a personal trainer any time. Would enjoy it myself, I suppose :-)=)... ) DARCY DROOLING / TECHNICAL PROBLEMS (Nan) ... The software lets them in and all looks normal and they when they hit "Submit" it looks as though it has accepted it but a little message shows up saying "file cf.buffer doesn't seem to exist". Don't ask me--it's out of my realm. Have you ever checked if it's got something to do with the ISP, or browser? Remember that f.e. AOL does not allow it's members to enter the Pemberley chat - maybe a similar idiosyncrasy (voc?)? And does it also happen on other topics or only on "51"? Ah, here's my sherlock vein: what do they have in common?

BALDING BRUTES (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. (Nan)Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D Oh, but I know your beloved balding brute and I'd have no problem making room for him in my tub (she says very respectfully) - LOL!! ;-D TEP (Nan)Long as it is, I really enjoyed TEP (even without enough Colin). I can't believe I'm saying this, but I was once again rooting for RF getting the girl. He's not CF, but he is mighty attractive...something about the eyes I think. Yes, indeedy, Nan - the man IS attractive!! RF oozed sex appeal as Almasy - the eyes did it for me, too! - but when he touches Catherine's face for the first time, ooooh, I was a goner. I have to see it again to remember moments better, but I recall their dance being particularly seductive, as was their rub-a-dub-dubbing. I can remember the anguished look on Geoffrey's face - even then I felt he needed some comforting (yoohoo, over here Colin!). And, Renate, I agree with your opinion of JB - she's a go geous, talented actress. BTW, I read that the RF/JB version of Wuthering Heights will be available to rent Oct. 14! BACK TO MR. SEXY PANTS (Nan)Actually I liked him quite well when I saw Valmont, several years before P&P2. But I think the "Darcy moment" for me was "On foot?". Of course, I was thinking he was very lovely before that moment, but something about that little scene flipped me on: the small, dimpled smile of amusement, dark perfectly placed ringlets, eyes squinting from the sun, the little "right this way madame" gesture, long coat billowing in the wind and then...the walk...aaaaaah. Yes, that did it. Your turn...;-) Oh, that was good, my splashy friend. I was predisposed to falling for Darcy after hearing the raves in the Pond - but I wasn't prepared to fall to my knees!! I first saw the potential at the Meryton assembly after he'd insulted Lizzie - she walks by barely able to contain her laughter as he watches her with those melty eyes and eyebrows ever so slightly furrowed - only to look away ever so briefy - but he can't help but look again - oh, and at that moment I somehow managed to notice the whole package: the chin, the jawline, that perfect nose, the curly mass of hair, those sexy sideburns - add the voice, those LEGS, shoulders, neck, and voila! I have to admit to liking that "On foot?" scene quite a bit, Nan, and he's so brilliant during the Netherfield ball scene - so smug and lovely at the same time - I think that was what pushed me over, although I got the big nudge at the Meryton assembly just minutes before. ;-)

BALDING BRUTES (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. (Nan)Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D (Marilyn) Oh, but I know your beloved balding brute and I'd have no problem making room for him in my tub (she says very respectfully) - LOL!! ;-D please post picture! . Stop - very curious - preferably in tub - stop

TEP RF - the man oozed sex appeal (MARILYN) But CF would have been perfectly cast as Count A. He suggests more physical strength and spiritual depth. (RENATE) RF had every opportunity to ooze sex appeal - scenes in the tub,seductive dances etc! I must admit to a feeling of regret at times that Colin was scripted to play (and play very well, even to the way he sits down) the slightly buffoonish 1930's ex-public school boy type who probably couldn't satisfy his wife. Whilst Count A gazes soulfully at K, Geoffrey dances and sings silly songs, whilst Count A makes passionate love to K, Geoffrey plays Santa Claus. (Although I think there is great tenderness and sadn ss in this scene between husband and wife - the only chance for Colin's fine eyes to come into play, and surely he realises that she has been unfaithful at this point). And there are very few scenes where you can physically contrast CF/RF. CF is actually taller and more broad shouldered, and much stronger and more robust in build than RF, who has a very slight, skinny build. Geoffrey would dominate Count A physically but you never see this. There's a hint in the opening scene where Geoffrey pokes fun at the Count ("broken car - not much good") and looks at him quizically. This is how I would have liked to see Colin throughout!! And when they both walk towards the plane w en Geoffrey leaves for Cairo, you can see the physical contrast - but then the camera switches to Count A gazing at K, and re-engages sympathy for the K/Count A relationship. I suppose I really want to see Colin in roles in which he allows his masulinity to dominate (like a more mature Count A) and doesn't downplay it!! Brings us back to the question of going for the right roles. Although I would be interested to hear Colin's views..I don't get the impression he sees himself as romantic hero!! Shame!! BTW, why does K return to Geoffrey? Is it because she loves him,she feels remorse, she recognises that her relationship with Count A is against the social mores of the time, she just needed a sexual fling, war is imminent and Geoffrey is dependable and English??? And again why do our sympathies have to be directed always towards K/Count A and away from poor old Geoffrey(their love matters, is romantic, his isn't. You can see I don't really like the script!!:-) TUMBLEDOWN The screenplay by Charles Wood is an excellent read (only 50% is dialogue, the rest is background scene/ character setting). I've posted the ISBN earlier.Publisher is Penguin Books but could be out of print.

test

This is actually Nan doing a rather bizarre test ;-p

It works!!! :-) Well, hot damn! Thanks Terry ;-) Okay all you lurking droolers--you can post now!

I'm back! Now I know that all of you missed me so much but you'll have to control your excitement!!! I am going to try and finish my carriage horse naming contest and I desperately need all of your help! Please check the details on the keepsake board and post suggestions there if you have any! Your help will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks! Now I can finally start drooling again!!!

COLIN'S ROLE CHOICES (Ann) He doesn't want to become bored with doing the same role over and over again. I don't blame him; I wouldn't want to either. I sense that he doesn't have the best feel for scripts. Or a lousy agent. ;-) Doing many different types of roles would certainly be my goal too if I were an actor, so I understand his impulse. However, I think the way to get really good roles is to "go mainstream" if given the opportunity (even if it is a "type" you've already played) after which your choices could significantly increase. I read an interview with Kevin Costner once where he said that people were critical of his choice to do 2 baseball movies back to back (Bull Durham and Field of Dreams). hi answer was someting like "why shouldn't I play two parts that I like just because the movies are about the same sport?" It may not have seemed like a good idea to his agent, but look what those two movies did for his career. Some actors can read a script and know that the movie will be great, others rely on their agents, and others punt. I think Colin is a bit in the last category. He seems to do a lot of mediocre movies. Yes he does. We adore the man, but the movies are usually unsatisfying--for me anyway. I agree--I think he wings it a lot. (Bethan) As to Colin punting for roles (ANN), I agree (I think), but I think it must be very difficult sometimes to know what will/will not be a success. ATA had all the right ingredients, including a good director. This is true. If he had read the book (and I imagine the original script was similar--before they chopped his part to hell) he surely saw that Jess was a perfect part for him. Hmm... (Bethan) Another snippet, on role choice, he was offered the lead role (the Jack Nicholson role) in a major US TV re-make of The Shining, but turned it down even though (I quote him) "he could have done with the money" because he didn't think he could match JN. Was that a good career decision? I don't know--I think he's got a point there. It could be just an endearing bit of humility (or insecurity) but I really think Jack Nicholson was perfect for that role. He's so creepy to begin with and that movie is probably the scariest I've ever seen. There is something so frightening (to me anyway) about being trapped in that huge place in the dead of winter with a psycho husband chasing you with an ax. I think Colin was right about that decision. There are some roles that don't need to be redone. POSTING PROBLEMS? (Bethan) Just to say I'm still here but having problems actually logging in and submitting. You should be okay now--let me know if you're still having trouble. TEP (Renate) Don't get me wrong: I think RFdid a good job as Count All-mushy, in particular the injured one. But there is something about TEP that allways irritated me, kept me away from getting involved into the Almasy/Catherine love story, while I felt very strongly with the husband even when I had not yet discovered Colin at that time! That's it! Maybe that's why I didn't weep. I really didn't feel that this was a grand scale love story but more like lotsa good sex--LOL! I did feel badly for the husband because he seemed to be the only character really in love with anyone else. I think now I can name it: RF is too young for this role, He does have a rather youthful feeling about him, but it didn't really bother me. BTW, Sean Connery can do anything he wants as far as I'm concerned! ;-p What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... Oh can you just imagine the beauty of that? You've got my mind going in all different directions... (Bethan) Renate, I agree with you about Al-Mushy (love that!)'s relative youth and immaturity. He was much older in the book. Maybe that's why K went back to dependable Geoffrey when war was imminent. What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me. BTW, Renate--I thought Count Al-Mushy was quite inspired ;-p I didn't read the book so maybe that's why I accept RF in that role. That whole ending part didn't really work for me either. I had my Kleenex all ready too ;-( I still liked the movie, but I would have enjoyed a big, juicy cry at the end...oh well. TUMBLEDOWN (Bethan) The ISBN of the screenplay is 0-14-011198-0 but it may well be out of print. I bought it in a secondhand bookshop (it's on some university literature syllabi now). It's not likely that I could find that, but thanks for whatever information you can pass along. I really am very curious to know more. I still feel like they left a lot unanswered. HIS LEGS! (Nan) Wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs (Bethan) Oh Nan, you're too hard on him! I think he's filled out a bit since Tumbledown! A very little bit ;-p You know why Darcy's thighs are so appealing? The clothes. Colin's body was made to wear those clothes: broad shoulders, narrow hips. breeches that show only thighs and then the boots (where's Margaret for this?) -- that's what does it. The boots make his legs look bigger (or more muscular) than they actually are--and a bee-yew-tee-ful thing it is! ;-D Have a look at your favourite film again (yes, Playmaker!) - legs look OK there. His arms, I grant you, are rather slender - but I like them :-) Oh must I?;-p As I've said before, I feel so badly for Colin in that film that I can't even get up enough saliva to really drool...tis a pity ;-) QUIRKY ROLES / FORGET MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD (Renate) Wasn't "Tim" adorable?!!! BTW, I don't think MG "classically handsome". If you look at his features - his face only comes to life with his eyes, but then-!. Without their expression he wouldn't look so dashing at all - the shape of his face or his mouth is nothing to get mad about (don't talk about his body here :-)) ). In respect to facial proportions IMO Colins features are much more classical (AND he has those dimples!) - but I agree with you that MG looks more mainstream handsome. "Tim" was a terribly sweet movie--I haven't seen it in years but I remember thinking he was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. Obviously, I've added several to that list since then. ;-p Anyway, if you look at MG now, I think that his features are perhaps, not as perfect as they once were. But he still fits my description of "classically handsome". For reasons which I can't explain, I find Colin's looks less conspicuously handsome. OTHER ACTORS WE LIKE (Nan) I'm always impressed by Harvey Keitel (though he does give me the creeps now and again, like Christopher Walken) (Renate) Did you mention CW by accident, or did you know I am one of his biggest fans? For a long time he was rather alone on top of my personal list of "World's Best Actors", until you know who came along :-)) And in his case it is so, too, that he seems to make often choices not easy to understand. That was indeed an accident, I had no idea you were such a big Walken fan. He really does give me the creeps--but I think that's the choice of roles. "The Dead Zone" spooks me every time I watch it and yet I am still compelled to watch it every time it's on. RENATE'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) See now if you were his agent I could rest easy ;-) (Renate) Slumber, dear maid! LOL! I'm afraid you're a number of years too late to use that title...;-p If I were his agent I would talk to Peter Weir next, Ridley Scott and Nora Ephron. I can't make up my mind about Nora Ephron. I always feel like her movies are trying too hard. Remember "Witness", Fearless, The Year of Living Dangerously, just to name a few. You know how I feel about "Fearless"--that movie is very nearly perfect, especially considering its dreadful subject. 'Green Card', a likeable story, could be improved by another cast. I was disappointed, thought GD and AMcC had no chemistry. But make it CF an ..... Juliette Binoche? :-)) Well that's THE idea - turn the Green Card story around... though I would not seriously recommend a remake of anything. There you go! Green Card could have been significantly improved by those changes. You really want to see CF and JB together don't you? LOL! TUMBLEDOWN (Nan)...... I also did a lot of rewinding because I was having a problem hearing some of the dialogue. This is not fault of the tape, just a common problem of mine when watching a movie where people have British or Irish accents--particularly when they are using slang. (Renate) And I thought only I had this problem. I am relieved. :-)) I am determined to get the screenplay somehow. Nope, wasn't only you. There are a few things I still can't make out. After he's been shot and he is carried and placed on the rock--he keeps mumbling something. Is that "I want a cigarette"? I can't seem to get it. And though he looked definitely paralyzed and injured I thought he was the most attractive victim of war in a film I ever saw. BTW, I think he had some help from the mask department. His left upper lid was "immobilized" with something. He was looking mighty pleasant even when they are showing the less than pretty right side of his head. I remember thinking (as he was laying on the hospital bed weeping and mumbling) that his lips looked much fuller than I thought they were. Geez, this is sick...;-D BTW, I thought the actor (who?) who played Hugh has a very good voice. I hadn't noticed--Colin overload ya see...I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing him in every scene... so after the second or third viewing, I found it is a real Colin-drool-movie for me, and started rewinding for other purposes than just to understand the lines. :-)) Yes, me too. And I feel a little guilty about it ;-) BACK TO MR. SEXY PANTS (Marilyn) he's so brilliant during the Netherfield ball scene - so smug and lovely at the same time - I think that was what pushed me over, although I got the big nudge at the Meryton assembly just minutes before. ;-) Oh Netherfield is the nail in the coffin for me. Man owns me from that moment forward! I spend the remaining 4 hours thinking, "Good God, Elizabeth! Have you no hormones?" LOL!

BALDING BRUTES (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. (Nan)Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D (Marilyn) Oh, but I know your beloved balding brute and I'd have no problem making room for him in my tub (she says very respectfully) - LOL!! ;-D (Renate) please post picture! . Stop - very curious - preferably in tub - stop Oh...okay Renate--for your edification then...but I want you to remember that he's MINE! I'll gladly share Colin with each and every one of you, but this one belongs to me ;-p This photo is, coincidentally, called "The Look": Doesn't he look like he'd eat you alive--wicked brute that he is...*sigh/grunt*

Okay...I clearly did something wrong. Here's the link... Messier

Before I go nuts, writing till my fingers fall off, this is a test.

TUMBLEDOWN (nan) I never saw him before in a pair of jeans that did him justice (not even in ATA). I really like the running scene--looking most yummy he is! You even get a pretty bare butt shot--more flattering than the one in "Advocate". But I say again Renate--he's too thin LOL!! I can't help it--he's got these wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs--needs some pasta ;-p Thanks, Nan, for your persistence...I'm finally here. Now about that physique of his. Nice legs, nice butt...but he needs some upper body work. I've recently rented both the Advocate and Femme Fatale, which uncover a lot of his hidden talents, and I really do think he needs to enlist a personal trainer to build up that chest and those scrawny arms. I mean, pretty soon, he will get to a place in his career where he won't do any those types of scenes (like the big stars), so in the mean time, I want to ee him realize his potential. The frame is there, but there needs to be some muscle on those bones. Since you mention the jogging scene in ATA, I was ticked off. Since when would someone jog in Iowa's 90+ degree summer in long sweatpants. He should have been wearing thin nylon shorts. Much better. TEP I really disliked that movie, perhaps, because CF was playing a cuckholded husband. Totally unrealistic to me. RF reminds me of a lizard, those sharp angular types do nothing for me. Give me the cherubic any ol' day. BASIC DARCY DROOL Definitely had me hooked when he said "on foot," and gave that wonderful little smirk. Since I've seen CF in a few roles so far, I must admit that he really needs to keep his hair dark. He looks too young when he goes au naturel. Thank goodness his hair was dyed for Jess. MOVIE GAME Anything in costume. That's why I'm glad that someone earlier suggested Robin Hood. It had occurred to me that CF would have been great (not that Kevin didn't look good--he always does). Now, my suggestion: I can see him in espionage/thriller types of movies. JKust recently, I've seen trailers at the movies for a new movie about the Jackal starring Bruce Willis (the Jackal) and Richard Gere (an IRA terrorest who helps the authorities). That got me to thinking about those types of movies, and I can CF as either of the two characters. I also go back to a TV movie of the Bourne Identity with Richard Chamberlain. While Jason Bourne was American, who would have cared if he were British!! All for now. Thanks again, Nan, I'll try to live up to the high standards all of you have set for his board ;-) Karen

NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) (not to be confused with "RENATE'S MOVIE GAME" which is the more respectable and dignified, though less drooly, version of the two) ;-p I bet, your's is more - eh - satisfying? :-)) (Renate) When this game continues in this direction do you mind if I remove my name from it? :-)) Might be bad for a serious career in another business than personal entertainment... :-)=) (Nan) LOL! We certainly wouldn't want to hinder your career dearest--well...okay. I'll take the blame (credit?) for the truly twisted games...;-p "You cannot do your job honestly, if you are having a career." Colin Firth (Probably badly paraphrased) Adieu, career, welcome twisted games! :-)=) TEP (Bethan) What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me. Now you say it .... I always wondered how beautiful and tidy Katherine looks in death after how many? days in a dark cave. I would look ten times as messy after only one afternoon in a tourist bus. All-mushy's timing of the last days is too unclear, it distracts a bit from the emotional issue. (Bethan) I must admit to a feeling of regret at times that Colin was scripted to play (and play very well, even to the way he sits down) the slightly buffoonish 1930's ex-public school boy type who probably couldn't satisfy his wife. Whose fault was this???!!! :-)) The more I think about the more I appreciate Colin's performance. The 'buffoonishness' and his clumsy costume, singing silly songs and playing Santa, and unflattering haircut (and hat), might have easily led to a somewhat ridiculous figure, but Colin gave him a quiet dignity (By the way, that is what all Colin characters have in common: dignity). With just a few scenes he suggests a depth none of the others in the desert story line has. The Tuscany characters seem to be deeper. Strange. Or not so strange. Come to think of it, these characters have each and everyone a history, the desert characters have not. Although I think there is great tenderness and sadness in this scene between husband and wife - Beautifully said. I think it is one of the strongest and most important moments of the film. I suppose I really want to see Colin in roles in which he allows his masculinity to dominate ......... and doesn't downplay it!! Oh, yes, please.... Hhhhmmmmmmm TEP is a case for fanfic! 'GEOFFREY'S STORY'! Anyone here who dares? (Oh, the time, dear, the time!) Whilst Count A gazes soulfully at K, Geoffrey dances and sings silly songs, whilst Count A makes passionate love to K, Geoffrey plays Santa Claus. Hey, if there are any guys lurking!!! Here's Auntie Renate speaking, and here you can learn a lot about women! :-)). It's ususally the quiet, cold, unapproachable, even unpolite or snobbish men that women dream of (Mr Darcy, Count Al-mushy, Rick Blayne, any Western hero), while the sociable, socially responsible, friendly, nice guys come second or never (no pun intended) (Charles Bingley, Geoffrey Clifton, Victor Lazlo - exception: Mr Knightley). What a pity. Silly women. What a waste. (What are we to do? My solution: keep both; Nan, I think you are on the right way. Probably we should create a kind of pr miscuity board here. When Arami returns and finds us here straying around in foreign tubs she will set us straight, you bet!) Can anyone here think of more examples (not of foreign tubs, silly!), or contradict me? TUMBLEDOWN SCREENPLAY (Bethan) The screenplay by Charles Wood is an excellent read (only 50% is dialogue, the rest is background scene/ character setting). I've posted the ISBN earlier.Publisher is Penguin Books but could be out of print. Bethan, do you know by accident the name(s) of the biggest London bookstore(s)? I tried to check out online, but was not yet successful. A name would be very helpful.

BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) (Renate) please post picture! . Stop - very curious - preferably in tub - stop (Nan) Oh...okay Renate--for your edification then...but I want you to remember that he's MINE! I'll gladly share Colin with each and every one of you, but this one belongs to me ;-p This photo is, coincidentally, called "The Look": Doesn't he look like he'd eat you alive--wicked brute that he is...*sigh/grunt* Okay...I clearly did something wrong. Here's the link... Messier ...- and I thought you like the tidy type - ? The linked page enfolded slowly ... seven, fourteen, twenty... thought at first which of these approximately 50 hunks does she refer to, or is it the whole team she longs for? And then came .....THE LOOK! .... LOL! Quite a difference, ladies. Nan, don't worry, but I think I will stick to Colin, or just in case I should long for the hard stuff I can still turn to Christopher Walken. ;-)) Thanks for sharing. Good to get to know each other. LOLOL! PS: Don't you like Willem Dafoe? He has quite a brutish chin, too. BTW, another interesting example how an actor bridges the gap between mainstream Hollywood and offbeat theater. The Wooster Group is definitely strange and experimental, but his Scorsese Jesus was a powerful screen performance. Saw recently a short interview with him, and he seems to be a very normall, honest, nice kind of person. HORSES, HORSES, HORSES, HORSES (Stacey) I'm back! .......... Now I can finally start drooling again!!! GOOD! WHEEEEHEEEHEEE! BBBRRRRHH! Snicker! TEP (Nan) I did feel badly for the husband because he seemed to be the only character really in love with anyone else. Good point. BTW, Sean Connery can do anything he wants as far as I'm concerned! ;-p Truth is truth. ... What about Colin in the Connery role in "Marnie"? Not possessive enough? (Renate)What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... (Nan) Oh can you just imagine the beauty of that? You've got my mind going in all different directions... Could you please specify which directions you have in mind? Pleeease! More upward? Or rather down? OTHER ACTORS WE LIKE (Renate) Did you mention CW by accident, or did you know I am one of his biggest fans? For a long time he was rather alone on top of my personal list of "World's Best Actors", until you know who came along :-)) That was indeed an accident, I had no idea you were such a big Walken fan. Have you ever seen The Deer Hunter? Or Heaven's Gate? King of New York, Communion. The Comfort of Strangers? (Creepy!) He is - like Colin - intense and minimalist at the same time. And though he has never had THE breakthrough there can be no doubt that he is one of the most respected actors around. TUMBLEDOWN He was looking mighty pleasant even when they are showing the less than pretty right side of his head. I remember thinking (as he was laying on the hospital bed weeping and mumbling) that his lips looked much fuller than I thought they were. Geez, this is sick...;-D LOL! My sentiments exactly. Wonder all the time: there's something about his lips. I think it depends how much he allows his lips to relax, or puts them tightly together. And then there's the camera ankle: when the camera looks upward into his face his lips are ......ehemm..... *samoooch*. Remember one of the first shots in Tumbledown when he gets out of the car? so after the second or third viewing, I found it is a real Colin-drool-movie for me, and started rewinding for other purposes than just to understand the lines. :-)) Yes, me too. And I feel a little guilty about it ;-) That gets better with every viewing ... (probably the guilty feeling is the reason why I hope that the real Robert Lawrence is happy now. :-) )

This is my first time posting here. Was led here from RofP. Just discovered P&P2 (and CF) a month ago, so I've missed alot of good discussion. Had some questions: - What is TEP? - What is a Picard Manoever (after CF says, "What?!")? - What is a "vest-thingie"? - What does DTBT mean? Thanks.

NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) (not to be confused with "RENATE'S MOVIE GAME" which is the more respectable and dignified, though less drooly, version of the two) ;-p (Renate) I bet, your's is more - eh - satisfying? :-)) And exhausting dearest--just exhausting! ;-D (Renate) Adieu, career, welcome twisted games! :-)=) Hallelujah! She's seen the light...;-p TEP (Bethan) What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me. (Renate) Now you say it .... I always wondered how beautiful and tidy Katherine looks in death after how many? days in a dark cave. I would look ten times as messy after only one afternoon in a tourist bus. LOL! I was thinking the same thing--it was like a 50's sitcom; not a hair out of place, wearing lipstick...then again, I guess they couldn't make her look all "Tales from the Darkside" (does that translate Renate?) otherwise it could be quite ugly... (Bethan) I suppose I really want to see Colin in roles in which he allows his masculinity to dominate ......... and doesn't downplay it!! (Renate) Oh, yes, please.... Hhhhmmmmmmm Oooh, we're breaking out the testosterone! YAY! (Renate) Hey, if there are any guys lurking!!! Here's Auntie Renate speaking, and here you can learn a lot about women! :-)). :-D (Renate) while the sociable, socially responsible, friendly, nice guys come second or never (no pun intended) LOL!! I guess we feel the nice guys are boring. Men do the same thing--I've often found that they seem to be inexplicably attracted to the shall we say, snappy women of the world. (Charles Bingley, Geoffrey Clifton, Victor Lazlo - exception: Mr Knightley). What a pity. Silly women. What a waste. (What are we to do? My solution: keep both; Nan, I think you are on the right way. Probably we should create a kind of promiscuity board here. Works for me--where do I sign up? ;-p When Arami returns and finds us here straying around in foreign tubs she will set us straight, you bet!) Tis true...she will not be happy with us ;-) On the other hand she is a seasoned drooler and I'm sure appreciates men other than Colin--though I've never seen her mention it ;-o Besides, bringing in other droolees is always a good way to liven up the Colin droolfest--get to compare them and all. (Renate) BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) ROTFLMAO!! :*-D (cryin' I'm laughing so hard). As you are well aware (being far more lingual than I), it is pronounced "Mess-yay", but you may refer to him as Mark, Mess or Moose as the mood strikes you. I prefer "Mess" myself...;-p Messier ...- and I thought you like the tidy type - ? Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) (Renate) The linked page enfolded slowly ... seven, fourteen, twenty... Sorry I should have warned you that it was a slow one. However, I notice that the long wait did not curb your curiosity ;-p thought at first which of these approximately 50 hunks does she refer to, or is it the whole team she longs for? Well, now that you mention it...(I'm kidding, just kidding) ;-D And then came .....THE LOOK! .... LOL! Quite a difference, ladies. He's looks like the anti-Colin, don't you think? Nan, don't worry, but I think I will stick to Colin, or just in case I should long for the hard stuff I can still turn to Christopher Walken. ;-)) Thanks for sharing. Good to get to know each other. LOLOL! I somehow knew you'd have that reaction. Mess has that effect on women...either they are madly in lust (like myself) or they can't imagine what I see in him. No matter--that's my ideal, scars and all. Also, unlike Colin, I've actually seen him in person quite a few times--even walked past him on the street--I assure you, I know what I'm talking about. ;-)... ;-)... ;-)... See now, dear Marilyn got the hots for Mess the moment she saw that picture...win some, lose some :-p Tell you what, if I can have Mess I will relinquish all claims to the Master (inclusive of HIS INCROYABLE) in a New York minute ;-D Love the Master, but gotta have Mess ;-p PS: Don't you like Willem Dafoe? He has quite a brutish chin, too. Geez, you really have a thing for the quirky men don't you? LOL! I never really thought about him if you want to know the truth. OTHER ACTORS WE LIKE (Nan) BTW, Sean Connery can do anything he wants as far as I'm concerned! ;-p (Renate) Truth is truth. ... What about Colin in the Connery role in "Marnie"? Not possessive enough? I never saw it--I know...sacrilege. (Renate)What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... (Nan) Oh can you just imagine the beauty of that? You've got my mind going in all different directions... (Renate) Could you please specify which directions you have in mind? Pleeease! More upward? Or rather down? South dear, always South ;-p I should rather like to see Colin as Almasy (not Almushy in this sequence or else that would defeat the purpose) in the scene in the kitchen--now THAT'S what should have happened in the silver mine in Nostromo... (Nan) That was indeed an accident, I had no idea you were such a big Walken fan. (Renate) Have you ever seen The Deer Hunter? Yes, very impressive and powerful and satisfying. Or Heaven's Gate? King of New York, Communion. The Comfort of Strangers? (Creepy!) None of these I'm afraid. ;-( TUMBLEDOWN (Nan) He was looking mighty pleasant even when they are showing the less than pretty right side of his head. I remember thinking (as he was laying on the hospital bed weeping and mumbling) that his lips looked much fuller than I thought they were. Geez, this is sick...;-D (Renate) LOL! My sentiments exactly. Wonder all the time: there's something about his lips. I think it depends how much he allows his lips to relax, or puts them tightly together. Really, they looked so much fuller than they normally do that I was wondering what happened to them. BTW, I liked it ;-p Big on lips I am--hence the thing about the big brute... Remember one of the first shots in Tumbledown when he gets out of the car? No I don't. I have to check again. You mean I missed another good lip shot? WELCOME CLAUDIA (Claudia) This is my first time posting here. Was led here from RofP. Just discovered P&P2 (and CF) a month ago, so I've missed alot of good discussion. Oh but there's so much more to come! (stop it Renate!) Good to have you here. I just adore new Colin fans--so much energy for splashing about ya see ;-D Had some questions: - What is TEP? The English Patient. We type as little as we can around here...;-) - What is a Picard Manoever (after CF says, "What?!") Whoa! You really must have hit the archives--I'm impressed! The "Picard Manoever" is a term used by Star Trek fans to describe a movement Captain Picard makes when he rises from his chair. He tugs on the waist of his uniform top, pulling it down so it lays flat. Quite a while ago someone mentioned, I think it was Amy, that Darcy makes a similar tugging motion on his coat when he rises after saying "What?!" . - What is a "vest-thingie"? I don't recall seeing that post, but it could have been before my time. I assume someone was asking the correct name of a garment. You know what? It sounds like something I would say! ;-D I wouldn't be surprised if I had, but I really don't remember that one. Anyone else? - What does DTBT mean? Doin' The Bingley Thing--It means to make mistakes while posting. It's called "the Bingley Thing" because of something said in P&P (the book) about letters written by Bingley...They "mean nothing to their receipients" as he "leaves out half the words and blots the rest". There is a more detailed explanation somewhere at RoP--I think it's in FAQ. Okay Claudia, now spill it--tell us all about the Colin fever you have...When did it start? What scene? Favorite Darcy moment? We want to hear all the gory details ;-D

TUMBLEDOWN (Nan) I never saw him before in a pair of jeans that did him justice (not even in ATA). I really like the running scene--looking most yummy he is! You even get a pretty bare butt shot--more flattering than the one in "Advocate". But I say again Renate--he's too thin LOL!! I can't help it--he's got these wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs--needs some pasta ;-p (Karen)I'm finally here. Glad you made it! Sorry for the trouble... Now about that physique of his. Nice legs, nice butt...but he needs some upper body work. I've recently rented both the Advocate and Femme Fatale, which uncover a lot of his hidden talents, Indeed they do...you chose 2 good ones for drooling. and I really do think he needs to enlist a personal trainer to build up that chest and those scrawny arms. I mean, pretty soon, he will get to a place in his career where he won't do any those types of scenes (like the big stars), so in the mean time, I want to see him realize his potential. The frame is there, but there needs to be some muscle on those bones. Well I certainly agree about the legs (as everyone knows by now ;-p) But I'm just fine with the rest of him. A few weeks ago Arami (who is away from her computer for a bit) said something like his body was "endearingly imperfect" and I liked that. There is something so accessible about someone so normal-looking. As we've been discussing this last week, I think Colin has no interest in either being a "romantic hero" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. his choices are sometimes strange, but hat's another story. My point is that I can't picture his being "buff"...I'm just intimidated by men whose thighs are thinner than mine! ;-p Since you mention the jogging scene in ATA, I was ticked off. Since when would someone jog in Iowa's 90+ degree summer in long sweatpants. He should have been wearing thin nylon shorts. Much better. Oh please--you're too cruel!! Thin legs and all, if I had gotten to see him running in shorts I would not have left the theatre in such a testy mood. I too couldn't understand why they thought sweatpants were necessary--unless they thought his legs were too skinny too--LOL! TEP (Karen) I really disliked that movie, perhaps, because CF was playing a cuckholded husband. Totally unrealistic to me. Spoken like a true Colin fan ;-) BASIC DARCY DROOL (Karen)Definitely had me hooked when he said "on foot," and gave that wonderful little smirk. So...I'm not the only one? ;-p Since I've seen CF in a few roles so far, I must admit that he really needs to keep his hair dark. He looks too young when he goes au naturel. Thank goodness his hair was dyed for Jess. I agree--I like his hair better dark too and Renate has a thing for his eyebrows ;-D I don't know if it's about youth or about his coloring (skin and eyes) are flattered by the darker hair. What I really think is important is the dark Darcy lashes (that were dyed to match his hair)--made those big chocolate pools (I love that Marilyn!) so very prominent. MOVIE GAME (Karen) Now, my suggestion: I can see him in espionage/thriller types of movies. Just recently, I've seen trailers at the movies for a new movie about the Jackal starring Bruce Willis (the Jackal) and Richard Gere (an IRA terrorest who helps the authorities). That got me to thinking about those types of movies, and I can CF as either of the two characters. Now that you mention it--I could picture him in a "No Way Out" kind of movie, I'm too big a Kevin Costner fan to suggest that he be replaced entirely ;-) How about "The Net"? (sorry Marilyn, don't mean to push aside Jeremy;-p) I also go back to a TV movie of the Bourne Identity with Richard Chamberlain. While Jason Bourne was American, who would have cared if he were British!! I've never seen that...and I love Richard Chamberlain... Thanks again, Nan, I'll try to live up to the high standards all of you have set for his board ;-) You can thank Terry--he did the work. I just whined like the frustrated female that I was (am?) ;-D

Thank Dave and Kaylene Thaler, Dave installed his newest release and fixed the permissions problem.

Thanks Nan, Terry, Dave and Kaylene for solving all the problems!! Much appreciated. BTW, if I have difficulty in submitting, how do I let you know... By e-mail? (If so, where.) Or could I post somewhere in ROP (Ramble?) which I still check regularly. Too much to catch up with now - I WILL BE BACK!

Bethan~ Rather than posting a Spring problem at RoP, I would prefer if you emailed me at either nan@www.spring.com or nan@ntr.net the ladies at RoP have enough going on over there. ;-)

Welcome Karen, Claudia, and Stacey - so happy you've found our silly, drooly group! ;-) "MESS"... (Nan)Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) LOL!!! Renate, see the "rest" - believe me, you won't look at this beautiful, balding beast the same way again. ;-).... (severe drool dribble) DARCY DROOL (Karen)Definitely had me hooked when he said "on foot," and gave that wonderful little smirk. (Nan)So...I'm not the only one? ;-p Heavens, no, dearest!! In fact, I visited the smirk again last night - oooh, yessss - and the glances at Meryton and Lucas Lodge - Nan, he's got huge, melty Hershey bars for orbs, I tell ya!! :-D Speaking of smirks, here's a good one - back at Meryton (sigh) when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh, the walk...I haven't even come to the Netherfield ball yet and I'm jello. ;-) RENATE'S GAME (Nan)Now that you mention it--I could picture him in a "No Way Out" kind of movie, I'm too big a Kevin Costner fan to suggest that he be replaced entirely ;-) That limo scene is right up there with Crash's "long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days" (am I close?) in the "oh, my" category...;-) How about "The Net"? (sorry Marilyn, don't mean to push aside Jeremy;-p) That's okay, Nan, Colin can seduce with the best of 'em and it would be fun to see him smooch and snarl. So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!!

Thanks Nan, Terry, Dave and Kaylene for solving all the problems!! Too all of you, my thanks as well!! BASIC DARCY DROOL (Nan) I don't know if it's about youth or about his coloring (skin and eyes) are flattered by the darker hair. I read somewhere that his looks were described as angelic or cherubic, whatever, but doesn't that bring to mind those two angels (Raphael's ???) that are on all manner of commercial items these days? When I watched "Another Country" and "A Month in the Country," all I could see were those angel faces and how much CF resembled them (even though he tried to hide it with a moustache). Permanent dye for all future roles. Light-haired guys are rarely taken seriously, I give you Robert Redford as an example. TUMBLEDOWN (Nan)A few weeks ago Arami (who is away from her computer for a bit) said something like his body was "endearingly imperfect" Is that a reference to his moles and the "connect the dots" game you've all been drooling about?? Being a person with moles in many of the same spots as CF, the connect the dots game could have two participants!! Believe me, I'm no "hunkist." I would rather cut my toe nails than go to an Arnold Schwartzenegger movie; however, a little definition wouldn't hurt. I like the long, lean look of his legs and behind. Reminds of long-distance runners. In FF, he picks his wife up out of the wheel chair. How did he do that with those stringy arms of his? Speaking of gross things, on my second viewing of FF, did you notice that in the opening sequence--the wedding--they put CF in a short-sleeved shirt!!! Can you imagine a man getting married with a short-sleeved shirt under his jacket. I looked diligently for cuffs, but they were no where to be found. What a turn off!! From the fashion-impaired Joseph Prince...to the impeccably dressed Darcy. (Nan)Colin has no interest in either being a "romantic hero" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. his choices are sometimes strange, but hat's another story. Who cares what he wants!! I followed the discussion of how he appears to be taking the Harvey Keitel quirky role route. I tend to think that, especially in the past, after Valmont, he took roles for money...when he needed some, he would do something. I don't think this guy really has a roadmap for his life/career. Too bad! After reading all sorts of articles on FoF, I'm amazed at his naivete with taking the role of Darcy. One of the greatest male roles of all time, comparable to Rhett Butler in appe l IMHO. My point: we all see him as having greater potential than he does. I, for one, would not like to see him taking the HK route...unless it delivered a full frontal as in "The Piano." (Nan)I'm just intimidated by men whose thighs are thinner than mine! ;-p Who isn't!!! (Renate)What about Colin in the Connery role in "Marnie"? Not possessive enough? Not possessive enough for who??? He can play possessive types, he was certainly possessive in FF. Oh I need to find tapes of his other parts (oops, I mean roles). I'm going through withdrawal...perhaps if I go looking for Mel around town, I'll get a fix. Oh where could those vans be today?

What's that? I did not hit "submit response". Buzz of, Count Allmushy!

I've tried several times before to post this, here we go again: NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) Hallelujah! She's seen the light...;-p A MAN! AMEN! TUB (Renate) Probably we should create a kind of promiscuity board here. (Nan) Works for me--where do I sign up? ;-p And the name for the new wet board: "The Tub". BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) (Nan) Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) I haven't seen the 'rest' yet, but I can imagine where you got the idea from that our dear boy's limbs are too thin. Why don't you compare him to RF, f.e.? ;-)) TUMBLEDOWN Really, they looked so much fuller than they normally do that I was wondering what happened to them. Have checked again: I suppose its mainly the camera angle and the light. And the fact that he allows his lower jaw to drop a bit now and then, lips half open - yummy! (Renate) Remember one of the first shots in Tumbledown when he gets out of the car? (Nan) No I don't. I have to check again. You mean I missed another good lip shot? Above mentioned "sexy lower lip" from a low camera angle. Nan, you asked about one line Robert Lawrence mumbled when he laid there injured. (don't find the right message, here are some people on this topic - I have two in particular in mind - who write these terribly long messages ..:-)=) ) Could it have been: "The boys think I'm dead, the boys think I'm dead"? Would make sense, because they left him lying there on the rock, exposed, while they had to duck and cover, and he thinks they will leave him there for dead. All this dirt and blood and noise - pretty realistic, but I feel drooly..... you are right - this is SICK! :-)) WELCOME From me, too, Claudia and Karen, and Stacey, welcome back. (Nan) Oh, but there's so much more to come! (stop it Renate!) Wot? Moi? I would never dare to suspend any pleasure..... ;-)) BASIC DARCY DROOL (Nan) I agree--I like his hair better dark too and Renate has a thing for his eyebrows ;-D I like them also when they are in 'invisible mode'! It's just that I like his varying looks, his diversity. It's so exiting what he will come up with next. Cannot wait for the first pictures of Secret Laughter of Women. "MESS" (Nan)Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) (Marilyn) LOL!!! Renate, see the "rest" - believe me, you won't look at this beautiful, balding beast the same way again. ;-).... (severe drool dribble) (Before the two of you get completely carried away: much as I respect your Mess-ieur, Mesdames: just a little hint - here's the COLIN drool) :-)) But then I don't really mind - leaves more space in the Darcy tub. "Fitzwilliam, my soap just slipped! Is it here..? Got it! There is something - oh, no, a soap is it not, alas..." DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) Speaking of smirks, here's a good one - back at Meryton (sigh) when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - Love that one, too! It shows that there is also a private, sweet Mr Darcy, for those who want to see it. RENATE'S GAME (Marilyn)....... "long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days" (am I close?) For your benefit I hope you are...:-)) THE TUB So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!! And me in a tub with Colin, Christopher, Willem, Alan, Antonio, Jeff, Sean, Harvey, Kenneth, Harrison, Ray, Jon, Jeremy, Kevin, Ciaran, Jonathan, and - - - the Greater London *and* the L.A. telephone directories.... The marketing people for bath tubs will have to review their construction and sales concepts, if this trend spreads. DUMB BLONDES? (former BASIC DARCY DROOL) (Karen) I read somewhere that his looks were described as angelic or cherubic, whatever, but doesn't that bring to mind those two angels (Raphael's ???) that are on all manner of commercial items these days? Nothing to tempt me. I've known these cherubs for many years now, but they never made me drool.... :-)) There must be something more to CF. (Karen) Permanent dye for all future roles. ... Light-haired guys are rarely taken seriously, I give you Robert Redford as an example. ???????! ??????? Why do you think that RR - of all actors and directors - has difficulties to be taken seriously, in life or in his roles? CAREER AND FAME (Nan)Colin has no interest in either being a "romantic hero" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. his choices are sometimes strange, but that's another story. Who cares what he wants!! Wot! I call that selfish! Is that love?! I followed the discussion of how he appears to be taking the Harvey Keitel quirky role route. I tend to think that, especially in the past, after Valmont, he took roles for money...when he needed some, he would do something. He admitted to that in an interview, if I remember right (Where is Encyclopediarami when you need her?!). But that is quite a while ago. He's back on track. The Harvey Keitel route, hopefully, and not the Albert Finney route (we wouldn't get to see much of him). Do you really see him mainstream Hollywood? In which position would you like to see him? (Nan! Don't say it! Or, no, please do!) I don't think this guy really has a roadmap for his life/career. Too bad! He's not Demi Moore, right. Don't you know those famous quotes: "You can't do each job honestly if you are having a career" and "You have to be deranged if you want to be famous." CF. My point: we all see him as having greater potential than he does. Speak for yourself, girl. :-)) But seriously, you have to explain this. How would you define his actual potential? And potential as what? As an actor? As a star? In the US, or in the rest of the world? I, for one, would not like to see him taking the HK route... .....but which one? POSSESSIVE? (Renate)What about Colin in the Connery role in "Marnie"? Not possessive enough? (Karen) Not possessive enough for who??? He can play possessive types, he was certainly possessive in FF. Joe Prince acts possessive, IMO, but is not, he's a liberal husband, but forced by circumstances. Stephen Whalby is, if you will, ultimative possessive :-). I don't doubt CF's ability to give a stunning performance as The Possessive Male (*sigh*), but there is a big difference to SC. The latter always radiates a possessive masculinity, while CF is a very different type of man and actor, more sensitve, and "delicate". He's more 'The Seducer' than 'The Conquerer'. The closest he came to that type of man was Darcy in his first proposal scene. (Or did I forget something? Nostromo? Didn't see that yet.) ATA A 1000 ACRES And Karen, I understand that you have seen ATA? What about a bit of a nice little drool on Jess?

DON'T THINK THIS GUY HAS A ROAD MAP FOR HIS CAREER I think he has - it's just that sometimes he falls in love and disappears to the wilds of Canada or Rome, when maybe (only maybe!)he should be hanging around in agents offices in LA!:-) And don't forget he's a very accomplished stage actor - He's always got an alternative road! AND, I've said this before, but sometimes I think we overestimate his choices. Someone asked him in an interview what happened to his career after Valmont and he replied (smiling!) "F*ck all happened!" Ditto, post Darcy, he said th t work actually (incredibly!!) petered out for him for a while. NOT WEARING NYLON SHORTS IN ATA! Some compensation - in WOM he apparently dives into an icy lake and presumably will be wearing a 1930's type bathing suit, knitted jersey wool, rather clingy, guaranteed (shall we say) to distinguish the men from the boys! But my bet is that we'll only get a rear view followed by a waist high shot of him emerging (as in P&P). But I'm only guessing! :-)BTW in P&P Andrew Davies' script has Darcy diving in naked, but Colin apparently said "no"! The fully clothed dive was his idea - very spontaneous but infin tely less revealing. But then we got the wet look! HIS LEGS,ARMS etc Oh, too, too critical!! He's got the build of an endurance athlete (distance runner, soccer player)- no surplus flesh! I've posted on this before (it's worth repeating!) but I've got a friend who saw Colin perform on stage in the lead role in Chatsky (about a Russian intellectual returning home) three to four years ago (and she was sitting very near the stage) She said that he looks very powerfully built on stage (some actors look puny in the flesh) and has a strong physical presence. Plus, he's got a m rvellous deep voice voice, is an excellent actor and he's v. v. handsome. Definitely worth repeating!!!! So there's my claim to fame.. I know someone who has sat within 10 yards of CF for two hours (and wasn't disappointed!!) TUMBLEDOWN Renate, you got the words right! To try for a copy of the screenplay you could email the Ann Day Booksearch (Address: Mary Meadow Cottage, Farnborough Hill, Farnborough, Hants GU14 8AT U.K. Email 101550.1723@compuserve.com) HIS Middle NAME May be able to shed some light on this, says she tantalisingly, but only if Arami gives on his shoe size! (Fair exchange:-)So we'll all have to WAIT!!

DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) I visited the smirk again last night - oooh, yessss - and the glances at Meryton and Lucas Lodge - Nan, he's got huge, melty Hershey bars for orbs, I tell ya!! :-D LOL! More chocolate comparisons ;-) Speaking of smirks, here's a good one - back at Meryton (sigh) when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh, the walk...I haven't even come to the Netherfield ball yet and I'm jello. ;-) I haven't watched P&P2 in so long that I'm getting antsy for it...I think I'll take a break from the usual stuff tonight and watch tape 1 of P&P2. The only problem is that it's like potato chips...one is not enough--I always say "just one more" and before I know it, it's 5 hours later... RENATE'S GAME (Nan) Now that you mention it--I could picture him in a "No Way Out" kind of movie, I'm too big a Kevin Costner fan to suggest that he be replaced entirely ;-) (Marilyn) That limo scene is right up there with Crash's "long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days" (am I close?) in the "oh, my" category...;-) "Oh my" is right! And yes, you were very close m'dear (left out only "soft" between deep and wet) ;-p So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!! But of course pal, know yourself out ;-D BASIC DARCY DROOL (Karen) I read somewhere that his looks were described as angelic or cherubic, Yeah I remember that too--I think it was here actually ;-) When I watched "Another Country" and "A Month in the Country," all I could see were those angel faces and how much CF resembled them (even though he tried to hide it with a moustache). He does have quite the innocent, boyish face in those--in "Dutch Girls" too. So sweet. I much prefer the older Colin...yummy masculine thing that he is. Permanent dye for all future roles. Light-haired guys are rarely taken seriously, I give you Robert Redford as an example. Yep, Colin looks better with the dark hair IMO. But I happen to be very fond of Robert Redford, for many reasons. The fact that he's blond doesn't bother me in the least. In fact, blonds used to be my type ;-) CONNECT THE DOTS (PART II) (Karen) Is that a reference to his moles and the "connect the dots" game you've all been drooling about?? Being a person with moles in many of the same spots as CF, the connect the dots game could have two participants!! It is indeed a reference to that conversation--and a fun one it was. But I liked Renate's version better--where the dots on two bodies have to meet. Sounds like you're perfect for that one Karen ;-p Believe me, I'm no "hunkist." I would rather cut my toe nails than go to an Arnold Schwartzenegger movie; LOL!! I love Arnold--but not for drooling...I would like to just stand next to him and see if he's real, that's all. ;-) however, a little definition wouldn't hurt. It wouldn't hurt any of us. Since I am constitutionally opposed to the whole fitness craze I have no right to tell him to work on his six pack, when I refuse to myself...;-D I like the long, lean look of his legs and behind. Reminds of long-distance runners. In FF, he picks his wife up out of the wheel chair. How did he do that with those stringy arms of his? I never thought of that! Actually I'd never really thought about his arms. I guess that I concentrate on the legs because we seem to see them more often. (Nan)Colin has no interest in either being a "romantic hero" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. (Karen) Who cares what he wants!! Well...I do. Regardless of the fact that we all break him down into little parts (like the legs) and talk about him as if he was an object of art, I always remember that he is a person with a right to choose his weird roles. Even if I don't approve of them I will always defend his right to make them. I followed the discussion of how he appears to be taking the Harvey Keitel quirky role route. I tend to think that, especially in the past, after Valmont, he took roles for money...when he needed some, he would do something He did mention somewhere (I think Bethan knows the whole quote) that he did the hideous "Playmaker" because he needed the money and was "desperate" to spend time with his young son (who lives in LA). Gotta pay the rent ya know... My point: we all see him as having greater potential than he does. I, for one, would not like to see him taking the HK route...unless it delivered a full frontal as in "The Piano." LOL!! How often do you see that? Anyway, I'm sure he realizes what he can do--especially after his definitive Darcy. But he always strikes me as a very laid back sort, not overly ambitious or driven until he has to be...quite like myself come to think of it. We, as fans, see what we want to see--his Darcy was so perfect and he can do so many different things well, we are desperate to see him in the roles we would choose. That's why Renate's game is so fun...you get to really let loose on the fantasy. The reality is that he appears to be attracted to roles that will never make him very famous or very rich...but if he's happy--who am I to complain? ;-) Oh I need to find tapes of his other parts (oops, I mean roles). I'm going through withdrawal... I hate when that happens! I've seen about 12 of his movies (and own most of those) and I always go back to P&P2. Others have their moments, but P&P2 is the only one that has true magic throughout.

POSTING PROBLEM (Renate) I've tried several times before to post this, here we go again: I've had some problems myself last night and this morning. Fortunately, it appears to be only the common server thing (whew!) NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) Hallelujah! She's seen the light...;-p (Renate) A MAN! AMEN! Sometimes you really kill me Renate! PMP!!! ;-D TUB (Renate) Probably we should create a kind of promiscuity board here. (Nan) Works for me--where do I sign up? ;-p (Renate) And the name for the new wet board: "The Tub". Perfect--as always...I'm gonna use that one ;-) BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) (Renate) I haven't seen the 'rest' yet, but I can imagine where you got the idea from that our dear boy's limbs are too thin. Why don't you compare him to RF, f.e.? ;-)) 'Cause I don't have the hots for RF ;-p TUMBLEDOWN (Renate) Nan, you asked about one line Robert Lawrence mumbled when he laid there injured. (don't find the right message, here are some people on this topic - I have two in particular in mind - who write these terribly long messages ..:-)=) ) Waaa, waaa, waaa--okay I'll cut them down to more digestable chunks if it makes you happy. Don't worry old friend, I often think they are too long myself--it's just easier for me to do it all at once... Could it have been: "The boys think I'm dead, the boys think I'm dead"? That's the one! Couldn't figure that out for the life of me. I had the same problem with about 30% of the dialogue. "MESS" (Nan) you gotta see the rest! ;-) (Marilyn) (severe drool dribble) (Renate) Before the two of you get completely carried away: much as I respect your Mess-ieur, Mesdames: just a little hint - here's the COLIN drool) :-)) Well I'd give him is own topic, but I think only me and Marilyn would be in there slipping on the floor wet from drool. Also, I don't really want to encourage too much feminine adoration of my guy because he's MINE!! And you thought Megan was bad with the WET SHIRT-LOL! You ain't seen nothin' yet. ;-) But then I don't really mind - leaves more space in the Darcy tub. "Fitzwilliam, my soap just slipped! Is it here..? Got it! There is something - oh, no, a soap is it not, alas..." LOL! ;-D THE TUB (Marilyn) So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!! (Renate) And me in a tub with Colin, Christopher, Willem, Alan, Antonio, Jeff, Sean, Harvey, Kenneth, Harrison, Ray, Jon, Jeremy, Kevin, Ciaran, Jonathan, and - - - the Greater London *and* the L.A. telephone directories.... Now THAT'S the spirit Renate! Go to it sister. You can have all of the above (even Colin and Kevin) as long as I get the brute ;-p

DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) Speaking of smirks,...when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh Boy, oh boy, do I know what you mean. I saw that scene for the first time during the A&E classroom showing. Loved it. What that man can do with his face!! RENATE'S GAME (Marilyn)....... "long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days" I don't know about you guy, but I wouldn't mind having some breakfast cereal with Kevin after he paints my toenails, if you know what I mean ;-) I can't believe this--I've only posted twice and in both I've referred to toenails, can't help this one, but I promise no more. DUMB BLONDES? (former BASIC DARCY DROOL) (Renate) Nothing to tempt me. I've known these cherubs for many years now, but they never made me drool.... :-)) There must be something more to CF. I totally agree, that's why he's sooooo much more droolable with darker hair. Perhaps, subconsciously, we picture him as a little more devilish than his cherubic face would connote. Dark-haired guys seem to have more mystery to them...now that I've made some ridiculous generalizations...I'll go on to explain my Redford comments!!!! (Renate) ???????! ??????? Why do you think that RR - of all actors and directors - has difficulties to be taken seriously, in life or in his roles? Don't get me wrong, I have drooled over RR for many years. However, for most of his career, he was typically cast as the pretty boy and he tried and tried to pick roles that would be a significant departure from what was usually offered. The only director to truely appreciate him is Sidney Pollack. After Redford gained famed and fortune (Butch Cassidy), he was able to exploit other abilities on acting, directing and social causes. I have lots of RR films on tape at home...from "Barefoot in the Park" here he displays his great comedic timing to "Out of Africa," where you can't get more droolable (except, perhaps, "The Way We Were") and was underated for his performance. Oh, how I would've loved RR to take a grimy handkerchief out of his pocket and dab at my lips :-) BTW, he too has a small butt and lean legs, maybe that's what's so attractive.... CAREER AND FAME (Renate) He's back on track. The Harvey Keitel route, hopefully, and not the Albert Finney route (we wouldn't get to see much of him). Do you really see him mainstream Hollywood? No, not mainstream Hollywood...probably, more like a Kenneth Branagh. Since my viewiing of him in contemporary pieces is pretty limited, I've kind of gotten used to him in period, costumey roles. Especially, those costumey roles where he loses the costume, period!! (Renate) In which position would you like to see him? (Nan! Don't say it! Or, no, please do!) OOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhh!! Are we going to vote on this???? (Renate) Don't you know those famous quotes: "You can't do each job honestly if you are having a career" and "You have to be deranged if you want to be famous." CF. No, sorry. Never read those famous CF quotes. But they sound very typical of most actors before they hit it big. Granted, fame and derangement are closely linked; however, most actors would agree that the more famous actor gets the better role!!! Didn't I read some supposition here about CF getting RF's role in TEP had P&P aired a little earlier--when the casting was being done and Darcy Mania had taken over England. ;-) (Renate) How would you define his actual potential? And potential as what? As an actor? As a star? In the US, or in the rest of the world? Oh my!!! This is getting way too deep. All I want to do is see him in good roles, either as a "Seducer" or "Conqueror" makes no difference to me. If he's a good actor, he should be able to do both creditably. So far, I would agree, he has been playing the seducer (except in the Advocate, where he was the one being seduced!!). I think he just needs a good Miramax film under his belt and then the better offers would roll in. ATA A 1000 ACRES (Renate) What about a bit of a nice little drool on Jess? Yes, I saw it. Went the very first day it was out. I wanted to see it before I read the reviews in the paper, before Siskel and Ebert panned it, etc. I wanted to form my own opinion. I think Nan did an excellent job when she reviewed it several weeks ago. At that time, I was dying because I couldn't throw in my two cents. But, let's see...what was droolable...ah yes!!! I've got it. I loved the part where Jess runs his hand across JL's back in the kitchen. There is positively the same electricity that you can feel when Darcy and Elizabeth's hands meet (in close up) at the Netherfield Ball. In the book, here were a couple of other such gestures that didn't make it to the film (most notably, the ass pat at the freezer)--too bad, would have made the attraction between Jess and Rose more believable. Oh yes, what was it? The "back as big as Texas" I don't recall who coined it, but he did take up the whole screen. I was truely amazed (and grateful) for the amount of screen time he had in the first half. He seemed to be in nearly every scene. Too bad, they didn't let him do more. Jeans could have been tighter!! The other guys' were. Regarding the accent, I thought he was quite good. I am always amazed when a foreign actor does the American thing. Having seen L.A. Confidential lately, I was shocked when I saw Russell Crowe on Leno. Russell Crowe is from Australia and in LAC, he's an LA cop. If we hadn't known CF as well as we do, would we be so critical. I bought it!! NOT WEARING NYLON SHORTS IN ATA! (Lizbeth) in WOM...will be wearing a 1930's type bathing suit, knitted jersey wool, rather clingy, guaranteed (shall we say) to distinguish the men from the boys! Those suits never looked on anybody, as I recall. But WET and more clingy, yes, I'd pay full admission!! HIS LEGS,ARMS etc (lizbeth) Oh, too, too critical!! He's got the build of an endurance athlete ...he looks very powerfully built on stage (some actors look puny in the flesh) and has a strong physical presence. Plus, he's got a marvellous deep voice voice, is an excellent actor and he's v. v. handsome. No argument from me on any of those points. I like his long, lean (or as some call them thin) legs. I adore his voice, and he has bowled me over with his acting. (I never thought anyone could top the LO Darcy.) [you] know someone who has sat within 10 yards of CF for two hours (and wasn't disappointed!!) I'm sure I wouldn't be disappointed as well.

CAREER AND FAME (Renate) In which position would you like to see him? (Nan! Don't say it! Or, no, please do!) Geez, I don't know how I missed this one before...tsk, tsk, tsk (must be slipping...) But to answer your question dear Renate of the Looking Glass, I should be quite content if he just picked something comfortable...he doesn't even have to pay attention to me if doesn't want to ;-p COLIN TALKIN' DIRTY (Bethan) Someone asked him in an interview what happened to his career after Valmont and he replied (smiling!) "F*ck all happened!" I just love those British expressions...the all part is not common here ;-) NOT WEARING NYLON SHORTS IN ATA! (Bethan) Some compensation - in WOM he apparently dives into an icy lake and presumably will be wearing a 1930's type bathing suit, knitted jersey wool, rather clingy, guaranteed (shall we say) to distinguish the men from the boys! Oh yum!! BTW in P&P Andrew Davies' script has Darcy diving in naked, but Colin apparently said "no"! The fully clothed dive was his idea - very spontaneous but infinitely less revealing. But then we got the wet look! I think he was just tired of showing his bare butt--does that often I've noticed. HIS Middle NAME (Bethan) May be able to shed some light on this, says she tantalisingly, but only if Arami gives on his shoe size! (Fair exchange:-)So we'll all have to WAIT!! I wasn't even aware that he had one...hmmm..."Fred"? ;-p

Thanks for answering my questions. I had stumbled across archives during that frustrating time when I couldn't post anything to this board. Although it's an unhappy thought to see how much good stuff I've missed in the past, the one good point is that so many people said exactly what I would have said anyway. So I just couldn't experience it in "real time." I can deal with it. Getting back to the CF/P&P2 experience, the "On foot?" scene had a huge impact, as well as the prowl at the Neth. ball (and, of course, the first couple minutes of their dance together). On repeated viewings, I noticed more good stuff: the little "Hmmm"s, the walk, little rolls of the eyes now and then, all the things that so many others have detailed in their posts. Also compelling to me are the scenes where he is searching the streets of London. It's a nice piece of film making, Elizabeth safe at ho e with her family, Darcy dealing with the dirt and scum of the world to protect her. (But maybe I just like the way his pants fit in those scenes .... ok, I admit it.) What is so compelling about this actor playing this character? I haven't figured it out (and do I really care?). But he is so expressive in such a subtle way. Even, just after "On foot?", when Mrs. Hurst says, "She looked almost WILD", you could get CF's impression from just a one quarter view. It's amazing how he can express so much without saying anything.

DARCY DROOL Have to join the "On foot" brigade - I really sat up and took notice! I like the way his pants fit (CLAUDIA) Tut! Claudia, do you mean to say you weren't debating whether Andrew Davies's use of flashbacks was true to the spirit of Jane Austen - like the rest of us!!:-) And talking of tight pants, has he ever worn them, apart from in P&P? This is not a rhetorical question - I am genuinely seeking information!:-) All I can recall are on a scale from normal to baggy. And even when he gives interviews, references to his trousers are distinctly unexciting - "brown corduroys", "crumpled trousers" (can crumpled be tight?) and (E-e-e-K!!!)even "jogging bottoms" (the favorite resort of all fashionably challenged males - or perhaps he had actually been out jogging!) I rest my cas ... He can express so much without saying anything (CLAUDIA) Oh so true - even in smaller roles like TEP this is very apparent. The eyes always have it!

Someone (sorry, too lazy to go back up and look) wanted to know what a "vest-thingie" is. This reference came up in conversation last spring, when someone commented on how attractive Darcy looked in his vest-thingie (his waistcoat) when Elizabeth burst on on him while he was playing billiards. (An early sign of keepership?);-) About his movies~~~ I have a fondness for The Wings of Fame. He's at his lanky best---so much so that my DH will be getting a blue shirt like the one he wore in the movie! I love his long-legged strides, Boots or not, and he's very active in this movie---lots of walking! I don't understand, however, why this director and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position. . . . This is my meager contribution. Those of you who parse so wonderfully for pages and pages, you have my admiration and my respect! Meggin

Hi! This is my first time posting here. I've been reading for a couple of days. I tried posting before but their were problems. BTW, thank you Nan for your e-mail. I found about this place from RoP. I usually hang out at the P&P2BB. Wow, this place is for me. Usually, I can't talk about my obsession with actors with friends because they just don't understand. Well, I just tell them that they are missing out. I saw ATA a couple of days ago. I must say that I was disappointed in the movie overall, but it was a nice treat seeing CF in something new. I've realized now how much make-up they put on him in P&P because he barely had any on in ATA. Makes a huge difference, this make-up business. This is it for now. I'll be posting more in the future. Alicia, glad to be here.

Sorry ladies, it was having some posting problems this week (it was my turn I guess ;-p) DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh (Karen)Boy, oh boy, do I know what you mean. I saw that scene for the first time during the A&E classroom showing. Loved it. What that man can do with his face! I find it really interesting that his expressions are so subtle (the tiny blink after "had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner", the little eye roll after "what are you telling Miss Bennet?") Then again, once you're hooked, you watch that film so closely that nothing escapes your notice. RENATE'S GAME (Marilyn)....... "long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days" (Karen) I don't know about you guy, but I wouldn't mind having some breakfast cereal with Kevin after he paints my toenails, if you know what I mean ;-) I can't believe this--I've only posted twice and in both I've referred to toenails, can't help this one, but I promise no more. LOL! We forgive you the toenails dear ;-) Kevin is a big favorite around here...especially the Bull Durham role. I wonder why that is? All of us Colin fans seem to have a little thing for Kevin Costner as well...do they have anything in common you think? DUMB BLONDES (Renate) ???????! ??????? Why do you think that RR - of all actors and directors - has difficulties to be taken seriously, in life or in his roles? (Karen) Don't get me wrong, I have drooled over RR for many years. However, for most of his career, he was typically cast as the pretty boy and he tried and tried to pick roles that would be a significant departure from what was usually offered. I agree. I don't think he really got the opportunity to take control of his career until after he directed "Ordinary People". BTW, I really did not like that movie at all, but I understood why everyone else did. I was (and still am) upset that it won the Oscar that year instead of the far superior "Raging Bull"...just my opinion. The only director to truely appreciate him is Sidney Pollack. After Redford gained famed and fortune (Butch Cassidy), he was able to exploit other abilities on acting, directing and social causes. I have lots of RR films on tape at home...from "Barefoot in the Park" I have that one too--you can't help but love it. Even Jane Fonda, who normally irritates me, is quite adorable. "Out of Africa," where you can't get more droolable (except, perhaps, "The Way We Were") See Renate? ;-p In case you missed it Karen, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I thought RR had been perfectly cast in TWWW. I don't think Renate likes that movie very well. I weep like a big idiot every time ;-) BTW, he too has a small butt and lean legs, maybe that's what's so attractive.... I've never been enough of a RR fan to really pay attention, but I hear that he's quite a small man--not that it takes away from his appeal for me at all. ;-) CAREER AND FAME (Renate) He's back on track. The Harvey Keitel route, hopefully, and not the Albert Finney route (we wouldn't get to see much of him). Not to get off track here but what do you guys think of Albert Finney? I thought that he was the most sympathetic character in Nostromo, but I haven't seen him in many other films. Although "Scrooge" is one of my favorite holiday films. I'm big on Christmas anyway, but if I don't watch that particular version of A Christmas Carol every year, I don't feel like it's Christmas...know what I mean? Well that was a weird tangent ;-p (Renate) Do you really see him mainstream Hollywood? (Karen) No, not mainstream Hollywood...probably, more like a Kenneth Branagh. Since my viewiing of him in contemporary pieces is pretty limited, I've kind of gotten used to him in period, costumey roles. Especially, those costumey roles where he loses the costume, period!! LOL! There are a few of those aren't there? Not nearly enough for my taste, but you take what you can get I suppose. ;-) I think Kenneth Branagh as a completely different animal. (No offense Cheryl dearest, just an expression ;-p) He may not be as commercially successful as say Mel Gibson, but he is very well respected and known for quality work. Also, he gets involved in all aspects of a film (in fact I don't really think of him as just an actor or just a director--there's a whole package thing happening there). If Colin were half as well known and respected in the US as KB, I should be very pleased indeed. (Renate) In which position would you like to see him? (Nan! Don't say it! Or, no, please do!) (Karen) OOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhh!! Are we going to vote on this???? Feel free--I already gave my answer ;-.) ATA A 1000 ACRES (Renate) What about a bit of a nice little drool on Jess? (Karen) I loved the part where Jess runs his hand across JL's back in the kitchen. There is positively the same electricity that you can feel when Darcy and Elizabeth's hands meet (in close up) at the Netherfield Ball. I didn't even notice that! Damn, looks like I really should see it again...;-) Oh yes, what was it? The "back as big as Texas" I don't recall who coined it, but he did take up the whole screen. Didn't it though? Even if it was just a camera angle thing it still got me all happy! ;-) Jeans could have been tighter!! The other guys' were. Skinny legs ;-p (Karen)(I never thought anyone could top the LO Darcy.) Not offense the the marvellous LO, but that version has so little relation to the P&P I know, that I can't even watch it.

FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT (Claudia) Also compelling to me are the scenes where he is searching the streets of London. It's a nice piece of film making, Elizabeth safe at home with her family, Darcy dealing with the dirt and scum of the world to protect her. (But maybe I just like the way his pants fit in those scenes .... ok, I admit it.) LOL! I saw a conversation in the archives about whether Darcy "dresses" more often to the left or the right. Too funny! ;-.D Isn't it nice to know that you are not alone Claudia? ;-p (Yoooo-hooo, Cheeeeryyyl--where are you for this conversation?);-) (Claudia) What is so compelling about this actor playing this character? I haven't figured it out I think we've all tried to figure this one out, but never really came to anything conlusive except perhaps the obvious answer of perfect casting. If you come up with anything, please share it. Apparently Colin was not overly enthusiastic about this role and had never even read the book before being offered the part. He also said that his aunt begged him not to take the role because she didn't want him to destroy her girlhood Darcy crush. Even his brother said, "Isn't Darcy supposed to be sexy?" LOL! As if Colin isn't. Anyway, if he can do this with a role he wasn't thrilled about, can you imagine what he could do with a role he desperately wanted? ;-) TIGHT PANTS :-D (Bethan) And talking of tight pants, has he ever worn them, apart from in P&P? This is not a rhetorical question - I am genuinely seeking information!:-) ;-D The only one I can think of is the running in jeans sequence in Tumbledown. I really liked that part ;-p FAVORITE COLIN ROLES (Margaret) I have a fondness for The Wings of Fame. He's at his lanky best---so much so that my DH will be getting a blue shirt like the one he wore in the movie! Excellent Boot Lady!! So good to see you dear ;-) I like WOF too, for completely drooly reasons of course. That is one strange film. I really liked the premise but I felt they didn't do very much with it. Somewhere in the middle it just gets weird. However, he is looking quite delectable throughout. ;-.p I love his long-legged strides, Boots or not, and he's very active in this movie---lots of walking! And he's got another one of those long coats flowing behind him as he takes those yummy long strides. I don't understand, however, why this irector and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position. . . . LOL! I've often wondered that myself.:-) The director of The Advocate has him in the same position. I know nothing about filmmaking but I would take a guess that it must be a flattering angle from which to film. WELCOME ALICIA! Hi! This is my first time posting here. I've been reading for a couple of days. I tried posting before but their were problems. BTW, thank you Nan for your e-mail. Ah, you got it. Good. Thank you for sticking with us through the technical problems. Wow, this place is for me. Usually, I can't talk about my obsession with actors with friends because they just don't understand. This is indeed the place for you then! In addition to Colin there are plenty of other actors who have their own topic here. Feel free to dive into those boards too.

HIS LEGS,ARMS etc (Bethan) Oh, too, too critical!! ....... She said that he looks very powerfully built on stage ......... and has a strong physical presence. Plus, he's got a marvellous deep voice voice, is an excellent actor and he's v. v. handsome. Definitely worth repeating!!!! This comment makes me all weak ........flutters all over me!.. :-)) Please repeat it at regular intervals! TUMBLEDOWN Bethan, thank you very much for the book search address! BTW, Bethan, I tried to email you, but it came back twice - email me? HIS Middle NAME - ANOTHER GAME (Bethan) May be able to shed some light on this, says she tantalisingly, but only if Arami gives on his shoe size! (Fair exchange:-)So we'll all have to WAIT!! So we have to pass away our time...another opportunity for a game: Everyone has 5 guesses, within the next 3 days.:What's his middle name? (Nan) ........ Regardless of the fact that we all break him down into little parts (like the legs) and talk about him as if he was an object of art, I always remember that he is a person with a right to choose his weird roles. Well spoken, Nan! TUMBLEDOWN (Renate) ... (don't find the right message, here are some people on this topic - I have two in particular in mind - who write these terribly long messages ..:-)=) ) (Nan) Waaa, waaa, waaa--okay I'll cut them down to more digestable chunks if it makes you happy. Don't worry old friend, I often think they are too long myself--it's just easier for me to do it all at once... DON'T you dare to cut them down!!!!! I love your long posts. I'm not afraid of long texts! :-.)) CAREER AND FAME (Karen) No, not mainstream Hollywood...probably, more like a Kenneth Branagh. Since my viewiing of him in contemporary pieces is pretty limited, ... Contemporary makes a big difference, IMO, but not less attractive. MOTM (terrific!) is not yet available on NTSC, as far as I know, but 'Hostages' is. And FP (a must!) he's just......just.......just..... irresistible. When it's out on PAL on Oct 27, it cannot be too long until it will be available on NTSC, hopefully, for you. I would say Kenneth Branagh is not the best example, because he is at least as much a director (and producer (?)) as an actor - he usually creates his own roles. I think that make a big difference. I keep on thinking in which position I would like to see him ("On top! On top!") :-)) Probably Jeremy Irons is a good example how an English actor can become a big star on both sides of the pond, and not getting used up by the Hollywood machinery. He was in big epic roles as well as in smaller and even quirky m vies. But it took many years to become the icon he is now. PANT, PANT, PANT! (was before A 1000 ACRES) Jeans could have been tighter!! The other guys' were. Oh, dear. This obsession again. :-)) Every conversation about CF seems to run into the topic of pants after a while...... NOT WEARING NYLON SHORTS IN ATA! ...see what I mean? And now for something completely different: DARCY DROOL I like the way his pants fit (CLAUDIA) And talking of tight pants, has he ever worn them, apart from in P&P? This is not a rhetorical question - I am genuinely seeking information!:-) ............?!!! :-)) VEST OF THE SUN... (Meggin)...... how attractive Darcy looked in his vest-thingie (his waistcoat) when Elizabeth burst on on him while he was playing billiards. ......-so much so that my DH will be getting a blue shirt like the one he wore in the movie! This is my meager contribution. Welcome here, Meggin. Don't call it meager. It's pretty rich! You have brought in - for a change :-)) - a T-SHIRT, and spoken about the VEST! And you introduced the elementary question we have never really answered before - though this is dangerously close to the former item again (remember that tiny little grey-blue triangle in left lower corner of screen?) : .... why this director and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position. . . . Which I, BTW, would not want to have changed! You don't like it? What do you think, did the actors have a word on it? Probably they tried to avoid the clich�. It must be pretty difficult to find some new aspects for the camera of a too-well-known subject. MAKE UP (Alicia) I found about this place from RoP. I usually hang out at the P&P2BB. Wow, this place is for me. Welcome, Alicia! (Alicia) I've realized now how much make-up they put on him in P&P because he barely had any on in ATA. Makes a huge difference, this make-up business. Do you remember enough, that you can describe the difference more detailed? Since I will have to wait for the treat of Jess until March 1998, I need to know every detail! Was he absolutely cleanly shaved or had he a dark shade on his chin? Had dark or light eyebrows, lashes? And, BTW, did you recognise any of the Darcy gestures, such as back-of-hand-to-mouth, clearing his throat etc.? CAREER AND FAME AND SANTA (Nan) I'm big on Christmas anyway, but if I don't watch that particular version of A Christmas Carol every year, I don't feel like it's Christmas...know what I mean? Well that was a weird tangent ;-p Indeed, it was. :-) MYfavourite Christmas movie is 'Die Hard I'. :-)) Love it! And the one with Jimmy Stewart which title I can never remember. And my fav Christmas song is "Driving home for Christmas" by Chris Rea..... BTW, I spotted the first Christmas cookies already in August this year ... :-)) ........but where was I? Oh, yes my favourite Santa Claus is Geoffrey Clifton..... phew, got the way back again in the very last minute. What would I give for a hug by him at Christmas! Or any time of y ar, come to think of it. And not just a hug.

Ooops, Meggin, did not recognise you as Margaret the Boot Lady, but you are? How are the boots, clean and shiny? Or did they fall victim again to the cute little Pemberley pups?

I've seen about 12 of his movies (and own most of those) and I always go back to P&P2. Others have their moments, but P&P2 is the only one that has true magic throughout. I agree! I just can't get enought of that man! I think the reason I keep watching it over and over (besides the obvious) is that I keep hoping that I will see something I missed, or that there will be a whole lot of scenes that weren't there, like the wedding night for instance. I just want there to be MORE of their relationship. Can't we BEG Andrew Davis to write more, with our guidence or course! :) And it is on tomorrow night YEA!!!

]Ooops, Meggin, did not recognise you as Margaret the Boot Lady, but you are? I am. (I've always loved the way CF speaks those 2 words, as Darcy, during the dance at Netherfield). I began here as Meggin, but went to my real name when the Republic left Spring. Why? Because a new member of the Republic, impressively smart and funny, had a similar name (Megan, of course) and I did not wish to cause confusion. However, I had not reckoned that so many would keep referring to me as Meggin when I'm in chat---so, maybe I'll go back to being Meggin as there is little danger that someone will mistake me for that wonderful soul, Megan. ]How are the boots, clean and shiny? But of course! They're all ready for Megan to use in November when she defends her thesis. With His Boots, the WET SHIRT, and Lesley's waistcoat (the vest-thingie ;-)), Megan will be soooo spiffy! And, for the record, let me state emphatically that I very much appreciated the scenes where CF makes love in a sitting position. However, it's not usual to make love that way and I found it odd that it occurred in more than one movie!;-) Later......Meggin

MAKEUP (Renate)Do you remember enough, that you can describe the difference more detailed? Was he absolutely cleanly shaved or had he a dark shade on his chin? Had dark or light eyebrows, lashes? And, BTW, did you recognise any of the Darcy gestures, such as back-of-hand-to-mouth, clearing his throat etc.? I don't know if this will be much help because I practically forgot half the movie. He wasn't very cleanly shaven. His eyelids looked different. I think they looked puffier. And I looked very hard for Darcyesque gestures but barely found any (or maybe I wasn't looking very hard enough). I tried to find a hint of "The Look" but didn't succeed. There was this one scene in which he touched the back of Jessica Lange. It was subtle and it reminded my of his subtlety in P&P. Overall, he looked younger. PANTS Pants seem to be a big topic here so I'll put in my thoughts. In P&P, I thought he looked best at Pemberley when he's in the outfit he changed into right after the pond scene and runs down to meet Elizabeth. He was wearing khaki colored pants and a dark top. His hair looked gorgeous. And he keeps fidgeting with that ring of his. I always watch the Pemberley scene the most. Alicia

POSITIONS (Meggin) I don't understand, however, why this director and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position... Haven't we all agreed that CF is multi-faceted!!! I seem to recall that in FF, a lot of the love-making is pretty horizontal. The most memorable being where she is on top and his face is perfectly expressing a "near-out-of-body" experience!!! He almost seems to be mouthing "oh....stop." Oh, gee, I wonder what she is doing???? Maybe this belongs on the "promiscuity" board. RENATE'S GAME (nan) Kevin is a big favorite around here...especially the Bull Durham role. I wonder why that is? All of us Colin fans seem to have a little thing for Kevin Costner as well...do they have anything in common you think? Definitely, a boyish look and both are pretty lean in the leg department. Are they interchangeable though? Not really, KC was ok as Robin Hood (wouldn't wear tights though) and IMHO he can't do period English roles; I mean, could you see him as Darcy. I think not!! However, there is an undercurrent of sensuality beneath those boyishly good looks. Kevin has been one of my favs for a long time...Since he's such a big star he doesn't bare the bod anymore. Our loss! DUMB BLONDES (nan) ...from "Barefoot in the Park" I have that one too--you can't help but love it. Even Jane Fonda, who normally irritates me, is quite adorable Isn't she?? And then, he made another film with her...The Electric Horseman..I'm so glad she isn't making movies anymore!!! (nan) ...I thought RR had been perfectly cast in TWWW. Perfectly, cast. Does he not exemplify the ultimate, rich WASP guy, as a contrast to Barbra. Total opposites that do attract--for a time--but that cannot forever. OLIVIER (nan) No offense the marvellous LO, but that version has so little relation to the P&P I know, that I can't even watch it. I know what you mean. When I saw it many, many year ago, I hadn't read the book. But I just loved LO (an early crush of mine) and it was reinforced by his Heathcliff (I still think his is the best--I can't countenance RF's mean mad Heathcliff), Hamlet, Maxim DeWinter (need I go on). I just saw the old P&P again on TV and was totally disgusted by what they did to the story. However, I will never be disgusted by LO's portrayal of Darcy--despite the script!! Signed a "loyal lord larryite." FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT (Claudia) (But maybe I just like the way his pants fit in those scenes .... ok, I admit it.) (nan) whether Darcy "dresses" more often to the left or the right. Oh, my!!!! And I thought I was the only one who noticed that switcheroo, but was too ladylike to bring it up. Since it's up, I mean the topic can't be kept under wraps anymore, I didn't think men did this? It is one side or the other? I mean a tailor will ask so that he knows how to deal with the inseam length for one leg vs. the other. Ok, what's the deal here. From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. CAREER AND FAME (Renate) Contemporary makes a big difference, IMO, but not less attractive. MOTM (terrific!) is not yet available on NTSC, as far as I know, but 'Hostages' is. And FP (a must!) he's just......just.......just..... irresistible. I just saw "Hostages" and you are so right!!! He was great and, while I know I have been critical about his body in all those other films, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE!!! I just thought I'd emphasize that fact. OK, I'm uyp to 11 CF films now and, with the exception of "Another Country" and "A Month in the Country," this guy has been taking off his clothes in every one. Granted, he is only in the tub in P&P, but I'm amazed...maybe that's why he didn't want to dive into the pond in the bu f. He has certainly exposed himself more than most other actors. But I definitely liked him in Hostages and it gave me a new perspective on possible roles for "Renate's Movie Game"!!! While the hairy look isn't my cuppa, he was certainly appealing when he was allowed to shave...and then wearing those "little nylon shorts." I loved the line when he wakes up in the new cell and barely takes a look at the other occupants and says: "Don't they ever kidnap women around here?" CF looked especially good in comparison to Ciaran Hinds. He was soooo flabby looking (I know th t will offend many who liked his Captain Wentworth. I liked his Captain W, but he is better clothed.) (Renate) Probably Jeremy Irons is a good example how an English actor can become a big star... I thought about using him as an example, and for the most part I would agree. He started out in BBC period pieces (Brideshead) and has now graduated to action villain (Lethal Weapon 3). But there's one disgusting role of JI's that keeps coming back (and up on me) that I can't forget. The name of the film eludes me, but it was about twins. I really hated that movie. MAKE UP (Renate) Re: Jess I need to know every detail! Was he absolutely cleanly shaved or had he a dark shade on his chin? Had dark or light eyebrows, lashes. And, BTW, did you recognise any of the Darcy gestures, such as back-of-hand-to-mouth, clearing his throat etc.? Gee, I guess I didn't focus on his being made up in P&P. Yes, his hair was dyed and permed (I think) and he had to grow those great big sideburns... As Jess, his hair was dark, kinda wavy and close cropped. It's been a couple of weeks, but I don't remember the "five o'clock shadow" look on his face as was so prevalent as Darcy. Because I was so thrown by the lack of accent, I don't think I caught every single nuance. Maybe when it gets to the cheap shows ($2.75), I'll put myself through it again! Th t should be in about a week, given it's less than stellar performance at the box office. BTW, he doesn't wear a pinky ring in this one. (Alicia) There was this one scene in which he touched the back of Jessica Lange. It was subtle and it reminded my of his subtlety in P&P. Nan, go back and watch it again. As I said, this is worth the price of admission. Can this guy do more with the tiniest of gestures??? Sorry about the long post, but I had at least 3 days of messages to absorb.

No need to apologize for long messages on this board. They are welcome! Or does anybody mind? Speak now or be silent on this subject forever! THE BOOT KEEPER I am. On foot? Wot? Ah, I love them all, these shorties (? :-) ). Ok, Margaret-Meggin, I think I've got it. :-)) A name for every boot. (Meggin) And, for the record, let me state emphatically that I very much appreciated the scenes where CF makes love in a sitting position. Oh, do you, indeed? I second that statement. And Joe Prince apparently did, too. :-)) MAKEUP (Alicia) I don't know if this will be much help because I practically forgot half the movie. I know what you mean. I have seen Fever Pitch 4 times, but it is simply difficult to recall particular scenes exactly RENATE'S GAME (nan) All of us Colin fans seem to have a little thing for Kevin Costner as well...do they have anything in common you think? (Karen) Definitely, a boyish look and both are pretty lean in the leg department. Are they interchangeable though? Not really, KC was ok as Robin Hood (wouldn't wear tights though) and IMHO he can't do period English roles; He was just ok, (Loved Rickman!) but I always imagine Mel Gibson in that role, but he made Hamlet at that time. And I thought, it would be interesting to see a completely American version of Hamlet with KC. (I have so many unmade films in my head). But with King Lear in Iowa not really taking off I'm afraid we will have to wait for that a while. But back to Colin. Would he have made a better Robin Hood? Silly question, surely he would. But somehow, strangely, I cannot see him in that role. (Karen) However, there is an undercurrent of sensuality beneath those boyishly good looks. KC is so quintessential American, I don't see him in anything non-American. He is good at quiet, low-key acting. And, speaking of "Undercurrents", he reminds me a bit of Robert Mitchum, another one of these quiet, low-key actors. BTW, that would be a wonderful role for Colin, the Mitchum role in "Undercurrents". OLIVIER (Karen) (I still think his is the best--I can't countenance RF's mean mad Heathcliff) His hair, Louisa, his hair! Sorry Rafe. The HAIR and the EARS. They stuck terribly out in one scene, and I got never over it, though I liked the film alltogether, and Colins little brother, too, a sickly creature, but cute. Love Olivier, too. For many years he was for me the incarnation of male beauty (Hamlet). In fact, I thought, when I discovered CF first in P&P, that he reminded me uncannily of LO. Imagined him in every LO role, in particular as Maxim de Winter, imagined him playing LO's life. FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT / DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (nan) whether Darcy "dresses" more often to the left or the right. (Karen) Oh, my!!!! And I thought I was the only one who noticed that switcheroo, but was too ladylike to bring it up. Since it's up, I mean the topic can't be kept under wraps anymore, I didn't think men did this? It is one side or the other? ........ From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. He was upset, a bit beneath himself then .... :-)) But no, there are essentials a man would never forget, I suppose. Probably it had something to do with the fashion of the time, and what we see is just the shirt not properly tucked in... . For they did not wear underpants in those times, but long shirts which tails they wore between the legs ... and probably used to show off (But never Mr Darcy!). BTW, a statistic: only 20% of men prefer the left side, and 80% right, or was it the other way round? CAREER AND FAME (Karen)OK, I'm uyp to 11 CF films now and, Now that two of you mentioned it, I have counted the number of CF films I have seen, too. It is 18. Wouldn't have thought it. with the exception of "Another Country" and "A Month in the Country," this guy has been taking off his clothes in every one. ATA, too? But I definitely liked him in Hostages and it gave me a new perspective on possible roles for "Renate's Movie Game"!!! And? (Renate) Probably Jeremy Irons is a good example how an English actor can become a big star... I thought about using him as an example, and for the most part I would agree. He started out in BBC period pieces (Brideshead) and has now graduated to action villain (Lethal Weapon 3). Wasn't he in 'Die Hard with a Vengance', too? Hope he takes this direction only for a change, and not permanently! :-)) MAKE UP Gee, I guess I didn't focus on his being made up in P&P. Yes, his hair was dyed and permed (I think) I think he has natural curls, at least wavy, and there is reason to believe that he considers himself to be dark-haired. He should know. It's been a couple of weeks, but I don't remember the "five o'clock shadow" look on his face as was so prevalent as Darcy. Do you mean the growing facial hair with "five o'clock shadow"? Another hint that he is rather dark. Has anyone ever checked if - oh, I not ask here - check myself. Means Playmaker and HOTP, again. Alas. :-)) Because I was so thrown by the lack of accent, Did you notice anything about his voice, a change, being stange, different?