I don't think he and Meg were ever married or am I mistaken? No, you are not mistaken. Evelyn was referring to the fact that Colin is now married to another. Hello Ming and welcome to Drool.

Hi Ming...WELCOME (Ya' never know what comment can bring on a newbie...) My comment is just because I seem to be the resident Meg Tilly apologist around here. (Hate to have a woman blamed for a 28yr. old guy's decision. ) But I really have nothing else to say on that point.. Glad to have you, Ming...stick around we love to have new fans come on board.

Thanks, Karen! I did not introduce myself because I have been in Drool ( anything related to CF ) for almost two years thus already felt like a part of yours. The fever of admiration, respect, love to one of the best actors ever breathed brought me to this board. I do not incline to post at all, partly because it is hard for me to express my thought in English (BTW, I am a Chinese - now you know why) but just reading all the posts here, especially to know everything related to ODB, gives me great pleasure! Enough said and go back to my lurking chair, as Chinese say "Zai Jian"!

Ming, do not go back to lurking, you are very welcome and you make yourself understood very well. Stick around. As you know, we all come from different parts of the world and sometimes make mistakes...It is a cozy place, though, I believe :-)

(Evelyn)because I seem to be the resident Meg Tilly apologist around here. Hate to have a woman blamed for a 28yr. old guy's decision. Remember Yoko Ono was blamed for the breakup of the Beatles! :-D :-D And Meg�s just so beautiful in Valmont, she almost makes me jealous because I know he�s actually kissing her in those love scenes, not "Mme T", that�s why those scenes look so true. (Ming)because it is hard for me to express my thought in English (BTW, I am a Chinese Hi Ming! Please don�t lurk, post more! And don�t worry, you�re not the only one here who has hard time expressing oneself in English. Not all of us are native English speakers you know. But I�m trying to relax about the problems because language perfection is not the most important thing here. :-)

Even us (we?) native English speakers take many liberties. Not to worry (at least, I don't :-P). How about CF's physicality in Valmont? My favorites are when he trips out of the boat, when he's creeping into Cecile's room on tip toe, when he pulls off his glove with his teeth (after saying one of my favorite lines, "what shall we do, send for our harps?") and duelling with Cecile with sticks on the lawn.

(Eileen) duelling with Cecile with sticks on the lawn. Love that scene Ming, as everyone says, don't worry about the language thing. Post whenever you have anything to say or want to discuss.

Hello Ming, happy you joined the discussion. (Eileen),but lately, since I've watched him over and over in so many things, Colin's new characters strike me more as conglomerations of older ones). I am glad you said it first Eileen, my feelings exactly. That is another reason I am such of fan of Apt 0. There are some unrepeated moments there that are a treat to watch.

Let's face it, the average person doesn't scrutinize like we do, and we don't have much (relatively speaking) to scrutinize. I've watched some of his films so many times that it has probably spoiled me for anything new--although alot of Edward Pettigrew was fresh, I thought.

alot of Edward Pettigrew was fresh, I thought. Quite right! Even wardrobe got this one right. :-) I am beginning to be prejudiced for his roles where the wardrobe matches the character.

(Moon) I am beginning to be prejudiced for his roles where the wardrobe matches the character. Even though it's television, his wardrobe in Armadillo should be to our liking.

Hello Ming. Your posts are actually better than mine, and English is my native language. I can't spell. I apologize for any strange looking words that may appear in my posts. But enough about me. It's good to know you're here.

Thank you very much for your warm welcome and comforting words, ladies! I'll stick around as long as you are here and as long as CF is ODB here, I promise ;-)

Eileen),but lately, since I've watched him over and over in so many things, Colin's new characters strike me more as conglomerations of older ones). I feel the same...and I hope some erudite person will expand on this. I feel we have seen too many of his films and know his "tricks of the trade". I am doing the same with JE...which is why I like TRT...Annie is refreshingly new ...a real stretch. DQ is more of a stretch than anything he has done in the last ten years.

(Evelyn)I feel we have seen too many of his films and know his "tricks of the trade". Pehaps we have. And maybe there aren't so many different ways to express the same emotions. I am still delighted by them.

(Evelyn) DQ is more of a stretch than anything he has done in the last ten years. Interesting that you picked DQ. I'm trying and trying to focus on Donovan/Daniel and all I see is Paul (yelling), Darcy (gazing at Lucy before he tells her she's beautiful), Joe Prince (striding around, posting flyers), etc. Don't get me wrong, DQ is a wonderful performance and I probably need to scrutinize it more (haha) to fully appreciate it on its own merits. Don't know why, but I find more freshness to Edward though he has his Darcy and Geoffrey moments as well. Maybe I just need to be exorcised before Londinium and RV :-D

Maybe more Playmaker sort of stuff is what we really need? :-D I�ve seen it now. Hee hee and I�m sure I won�t surprise some of you naughty girls when I confess that I�m not shocked, just a little amused and....well, entertained in some funny way that makes me feel guilty ;-) I really expected something much worse judging by some of your "projectile vomiting" comments here. I�m relieved that it�s not nearly as bad as I imagined, it�s just a stupid B-movie but thank god, not nearly as stupid as they can get. You just need some sick sense of humour to be able to almost enjoy it! This movie can�t be taken seriously for a second. But....I must say it�s a bit weird to see our lovely brown-eyed boy do what he does with the scissors. Poor Colin, that�s really beneath him, almost falls into the soft porn category.

(Elena) This movie can�t be taken seriously for a second. Precisely. I've never been ashamed of the movie. Really, haven't we all seen worse? Besides, Colin really looks good here and there's nothing wrong with his acting. I kind of enjoy his performance and looks, especially as Ross. almost falls into the soft porn category. No where near that category IMO.

it�s a bit weird to see our lovely brown-eyed boy do what he does with the scissors. Am I right to remember (can't get to the tape at the moment) that he is forced to manipulate the scissors with his left hand, because the moronic director couldn't visualize a better camera angle? Talk about making films by numbers...

Hello Ming, a belated welcome, I hope you'll post often. BTW, I'm also Chinese, and writing has never been my forte, however, you'll find the ladies here witty and supportive, with many interesting views points. I've the good fortune of meeting some of the them, and they're just as lovely in person. he is forced to manipulate the scissors with his left hand, because the moronic director couldn't visualize a better camera angle? Thanks for the explaination, I've always wondered about that, for a while I thought he was left handed. almost falls into the soft porn category. No where near that category IMO. I agree with Karen, just a couple of very awkward moments� BTW, the above mention scissors scene was included in a preview for the movie, one of several trailers in a movie rented from Blockbuster. Elena: just a little amused and....well, entertained in some funny way that makes me feel guilty ;-) As die hard Firth fans, we deserve a little guilty pleasure every now and then.

(Elena)almost falls into the soft porn category. (Karen)No where near that category IMO. (Emma)I agree with Karen, just a couple of very awkward moments... Hi Emma! Nice to see you here. I�m surprised, maybe we�re not talking about the same thing. I think that the slow cutting of her clothes is not only an awkward scene, it�s a mildly porny scene and the element of a cold weapon onto the bare female skin while the woman is waiting passively to experience what he�ll do to her next is borrowed from pornographic imagery (which the film is repeatedly hinting to anyway. The shower stuff, the mysterious red light, him peeping at her through cameras, the you-know what with Michael etc). Now I know it�s terrible to mention porn and Colin in the same sentence but IMO in Playmaker he was closer to that genre than in anything I�ve seen so far. Not too close of course. But I�m sure we�d all see the film very differently if Colin wasn�t there. Because he is there I honestly can�t say that the film is complete rubbish like he said himself! Oh no, this precious film is a very valuable piece of Colinology! ;-)

(EmmaE)for a while I thought he was left handed He plays a left-handed person in SLOW. (Elena)pornographic imagery (which the film is repeatedly hinting to anyway Agree with you, Elena.

He plays a left-handed person in SLOW. And in Plmkr...?

(Arami)And in Plmkr...? Will have to check ;-)

Will have to check ;-) Oh, the things we suffer for that man... ;-)

Will have to check ;-) Will soon be able to check, have just managed to secure a copy through eBay sohopefully in a couple of weeks I'll know what you're all talking about!

Tracy, what a treat... brace yourself... ;-)

I'm bracing, I'm bracing!!

"Playmaker" is beyond belief and beneath contempt, well at least Jennifer Rubin's "acting" is. On the plus side you do get to see CF naked. As a friend of mine said, "You can see pubic hair.". How good is the pause on your machine?

(Cheryl) How good is the pause on your machine? LOL - Mmmmm..that does it I'll just have to go and test it out on HOTP....again!

How is your copy of HOTP holding up? Any need to replace it due to wear and tear?

Well it is still watchable but the Maria/Courtois scene has seen better days, I've got a widescreen TV which goes bonkers when it is playing , flicking between normal & letterbox view ..it makes it very diffcult to concentrate on...erm...matters in hand as it were!

In hand...and other places?

I can't think what you mean :-D Not many about this evening are there? It's not often I get to have a real-time chat. What's in your VCR at the moment?

I'm trying to catch up on the Oscar nominees, so I've just seen "Election". I'll be going out a little latter. Since is the CF film discussion topic, the film of his I've been watching most lately is "Donovan Quick". This was fun, but I've got to go get ready to go out.

Hope you enjoy your evening (?) (sorry I don't know where you are)...I'll just go and sulk now as I haven't seen DQ and don't think I will in the short term. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm currently watching Dutch Girls which I have recently acquired. I'm sorry to say this ladies but I was a little disappointed. Granted there were nice short shots and some winning smiles but I dunno...it just didn't seem to go anywhere for me, perhaps that was the point! I hadn't realised that so many 'faces' from other CF works were in this, TS, AL, the blond chap who played Delahay in AC whose name escapes. It was good to see all that bad 80's fashion again and hear those funky disco tunes...Ah happy days!

Tracy, you're doing so well adding to your Colin collection. I'm surprised you were disappointed by Dutch Girls. You must have had higher hopes for this than I did. When I first heard the title I was afraid it was going to be a Porky's Goes to Amsterdam type of film so I was actually relieved it wasn't that bad. I think it's kind of a charming flick for that kind of teen movie. Hey, it's no Camille and Evelyn knows that's my nadir for Colin's film career. Don't you just want to give little Neil a kiss and a cuddle? Poor innocent lamb. It was fun picking out the young actors. Do you mean James Wilby (Philip Dundine)? I know you've seen him in a bunch of things though he wasn't in Another Country. Robert Addie played Delahay, I think. I know, I know, it's a little sick to admit knowing these little details. ;-)

Thannks Heide - Robert Addie that's the bunny I knew somebody would pick me up there. When I first heard the title I was afraid it was going to be a Porky's Goes to Amsterdam type of film LOL! The cover to the vid is a little worrying and definately gives the above impression. Is that lad in the scarf on the cover supposed to be ODB?? *splutter, choke* Don't we always have high hopes for Colin's outpourings (!)- I can't remember where it was but I read someone on the web raving about DG or perhaps it was just Col's appearance as Neil which granted is cuddlable and indeed kissable though he should have dropped the scarf! I have only watched it the once so perhaps a few more viewings will make it "improve on closer inspection". Yes the collection's coming along in leaps and bounds...Wings of Fame is on the way to me too so I'll be able to regale you all with my pearls of widsom on that too, I'm only missing a couple to films now (including Camille- though from what you say, Heide, should I bother?)! You know where to come for a Colin-a-thon if ever you're in the neighbourhood (I'm sure Firthettes of your calibre will have all DBs works but the offer's there nontheless)!

The answer is here: ;-D http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.657

Thank you Karen!! How could you have forgotten, Bethan? ;-))

I never would have remembered that in a million years. But after reading the article I bet Neil was reading "The Joy of Sex" by Anthony Powell;-) Not so very serious stuff after all;-D

when you edit something, you tend to remember every, little thing as you've gone over it 40 million times. ;-)

I had that same thought, Heide;)

In the interests of preserving our sanity, anyone interested in discussing a film? Think the next one up is [ta-duh!!!] Apartment Zero

Just when I am over-worked, exhausted and expecting lots of Italians in the next week and two and three and... you are starting on Apt.O!

Let's wait until the Italians have gone...cause that's Moon's film and we've put her off now for almost a year. Perhaps we should do one that no one likes ('cept me)...like "Camille" so everyone can have a hearty laugh.

Perhaps we should do one that no one likes ('cept me)...like "Camille" so everyone can have a hearty laugh. You know us so well, Evelyn. Hack, hack...cough, cough. Quoting that harridan, Prudence, "Why can't he find himself a proper mistress?" We could always find value in discussing the funny hats Armand wears. My personal favorite is that fez-like thing he wears in Moscow.

I like young Colin in Camille. One can see how some of his acting style has evolved. And those hats! He does smile alot too. I would be most obliged if Apt. O could be postponed. :-)

Ooh, goody, Camille! The firthfilm I love to hate! The one in which Greta sheds new light on acting: how to laugh, cry or cough using the exact same expression! Let's discuss the death scene first ;-P

(Moon) Just when I am over-worked, exhausted and expecting lots of Italians in the next week and two and three and... you are starting on Apt.O! So if we put it off for you, you will promise to contribute more than "horrible film, cannot watch, can we move on." Right? ;-)

Karen!!! I happen to like more than dislike Camille, FYI! ;-)

I happen to like more than dislike Camille, FYI! ;-) A ringing endorsement if I ever heard one. Are we ready to start this week or should we wait 'til April 17?

Little discussionlets have sprung up on numerous topics recently. Appears that people want to talk about one Colin work or another. Since we have so many new people here, who are bursting at the seams to talk about such classics as Fever Pitch, HOTPig, among others, why don't we just choose one and let'r rip? ;-)

Great idea Karen to re-open a topic,there can never be enough CF discussions for me.I have no preferences as to what film we discuss,The two you mentioned are two of my favourites and are so very different from each other but then I think of FF and Vso I find it impossible to pick so I think you should choose one and I'll go with the flow

Well...somebody has to get the ball rolling ;-) FP is such a fun movie to watch. I'd hazard a guess that I watched it several times a week when I first got the tape, then once a week for quite some time after that. And the cassette is in my car's tape player, like, all the time!! (wonder if other drivers get scared when they see my hands hitting the steering wheel to the beat of FYC) Colin's Paul is such an interesting character. So disheveled, so huggable. Don't you wonder what he and Sarah did most of the time (besides the obvious, that is directed at you, Judy!!) as they had absolutely nothing in common, especially music (a Bread woman).

Yippee thank you Karen!I'm now sat here screenplay & cd at my side.Where to begin I have to agree with you about him being disheveled & huggable but you forgot shaggable(have a reputation to live upto). Surely that is the only thing you would get upto with him.I would have been his perfect mate I love football,don't like Bread and loved his boxers. One of my favourite scenes was at the interview,he looked gorgeous in his jacket & tie & I really felt for him in his discomfort (or did I mean to say I felt him to help his discomfort) Another fave was him asleep on the park bench I would have done a BJ and stared at him while he was asleep.Oh and didn't he look so big stretched out I'm looking at that pic in the screenplay at the moment,those curls,that mouth oh help!

Can we not have a cold shower topic to cool down rampant droolers?

(Judy)I would have been his perfect mate I love football,don't like Bread and loved his boxers. And pizza? Bet you'd like that coffee too..and what came after;-) Thanks Boss..I'll start watching now...let the fun begin;-))

(Evelyn)..and what came after:-)mmm yes please but I wouldn't let a small matter of a carpet delay the deed...I'm into carpet laying BTW re-enjoy the film!

(Judy) but you forgot shaggable Ahhh nevah forget shaggable. Is understood at all times as a given. Only one, maybe two (am mulling over Charlie Holroyd's shaggability now), movies in which I haven't found Colin's character to be "shaggable." I would have been his perfect mate I love football, don't like Bread and loved his boxers. But did he want to share any of that with Sarah? It's far easier to claim, "you don't understand any of us."

(Karen) Only one,maybe two(am mulling over Charlie Holroyd's shaggability now),movies in which I haven't found Colin's Character to be "shaggable." Ah its not fair some people get the best jobs have you not heard of delegating? 'But did he want to share any of that with Sarah?' Did Sarah wanted to share any of it with him,she scoffed at what was important to him.

(Karen) Colin's Paul is such an interesting character. So disheveled, so huggable ...so stuck at age 16. One of the reasons I consider FP among CF's best is that he absolutely convinces me he's an adolescent inside a man's body. One of my favorite scenes is where Ted approaches him about the head of year job. 'It's more work, why would I want to do that?'. I love it when he's jumping around with the team after the goal is scored--just one of the boys. Don't you wonder what he and Sarah did most of the time as they had absolutely nothing in common, especially music When I first saw the video, I thought their relationship was entirely unrealistic. Everything about their getting together was wrong. Over time I've just accepted it as 'opposites attract.' At first, they probably don't have much of a relationship outside the bedroom. Sarah says in the 'fixture list' scene, "we've been seeing eachother...well, we've been sleeping together for 6 months." Another of my favorite things about FP is how Paul's love of Arsenal infects everyone around him. We see young Paul's mother and sister becoming more involved along with him, discussing the team over dinner. We see his mother dressing her cat in Arsenal colors. We see Sarah and then Jo become affected. Part of it has to do with caring for Paul--since Arsenal's important to him, it becomes important to them; it also has to do with getting caught up in the spirit of football. It comes together so well during the cup final, when they're all watching and rooting. Lastly, as a rabid [American] football fan (of a team which has been called 'doomed to mediocrity') I completely relate to Paul as a fan. When your team wins and you're there, you really do feel as though you made a difference (especially when crowd noise forces a penalty). Paul's desire leave before halftime during the big match is completely understandable to me, as is his 'love them and hate them all at the same time' line.

(Eileen) I've just accepted it as 'opposites attract' have to agree there,I struggled to see what it was about Sarah that Paul found appealing.I thought that RG was a weak link in the film and it was CF's strong presence that carried her.read in an interview with RG a couple of months ago that she had struggled to find work since FP.I'm not surprised.

Well, I'm watching and reading the script as I go along...and finally understand some of their mumbling.It really is a sweet movie...but only because of ODB. Paul, IMO , is a loser, but a lovable one, because Colin makes him so.And you forgive him for all his juvenile antics and think them endearing.... It's a credit to his versatility and covering himself with the mantle of every role he takes. But you do have a point, Eileen, that Pauls' love of the game is infectious. And of course in the end he admits that there is more of a balance in his life...but I'm not there yet. Little Paul sure mimics Colin's walk and he has dimples!! My screenplay intro says :"A number of brilliant actresses [who?] read for the part, but none seemed to understand how it was possible to love Paul.....RG understood immediately and intuitively that Paul wasn't so bad...In audition she struck up the right note of indulgent impatience,while showing ..sarah buttoned-up neuroticism".I didn't think she was so bad...'cept for her voice. Wasn't an easy role. Question:Do all state school kids in UK wear uniforms?I assume this school is a state school. Droolable movie ...and he had such a good time making it.

Thanks for suggestion to join discussion Karen! Just saw Fever Pitch again not that long ago. I agree with Evelyn that Paul is so appealing because of CF's great talent. And it's great fun to watch CF in this role, so obviously enjoying himself. I wasn't as put off by their opposite personalities as some. Sarah needed some loosening up, and Paul needed to learn to be in an adult relationship. Can see how they'd be drawn to each other. I thought she was pretty patient with him until she feared he was going to impose on her freedom. But I'm glad she got more swept up in spirit of things than she intended. Don't you just love the ending? I'm thinking particularly of the adorable way Paul yells out the window, then realizes it's Sarah and makes the choice to run after her. *Sigh* Still, I'm very glad he didn't miss the big win. It's so funny and cute, the way he dives for the T.V. I would have been devastated for him if he had missed it.

(Evelyn, quoting screenplay) none seemed to understand how it was possible to love Paul.....RG understood immediately and intuitively that Paul wasn't so bad... Thanks for this info, Ev. I can see Sarah being attracted to Paul, but I had a harder time accepting Paul being attracted to Sarah. For example, during the parent conference, he's got a long line of people waiting to see him while she has nobody. He's clearly more popular than she is and she's attracted to that (not to mention his looks, even with that hair and stubble). So what if he was obsessed with Arsenal, had no ambition and always left the toilet seat up? ;-) On the other hand, I would think that the quasi-adolescent Paul would reject the staid, file folder counting, buttoned-up Sarah--but he didn't exactly hunt down other women; she was there, available and interested. If she hadn't made that first, unexpected overture one can assume he never would have. You can see they go on to have a relationship based on a lot of teasing. For example, Sarah's comment about his having a (I think) Bollock Brothers album (yoo hoo, screenplay possessors, is this what she says?); she hides his Arsenal boxer shorts and he finds them (v. nice little bit); at the end she says he's still a 'horrible human being', etc. My favorite lines: P: 'What are these for, then?' S: 'Nothing, just to look nice.' P: 'Are they yours?' What ludicrous questions, Paul! Hel-LO! S: 'What are you thinking about?' P: 'Oh....stuff.' and 'I've got the vary the answers...I mean, I can't say Arsenal every time, can I?' P, quoting Byron: '...black and old gold...crap.' Don't know why, but they crack me up every time.

(Eileen) Bollock Brothers Yes, that is correct. Do you think Holly Aird would have made a better Sarah? I read both she and Mark Strong had tested for the leads. The scene that always cracks me up is when Paul is talking to the headmaster, Ted: P: I thought you'd be pleased. T: About which part? The clandestine affair? The accidental pregnancy? P: Not those parts maybe. But me applying for the job. That's good news, isn't it? T: Are you a complete fool, Paul? I'll talk to you later.

(Eileen) she was there,available & interested.If she hadn't made that first,unexpected overture one can assume he never would have-great explanation Eileen, I've always had trouble with Pauls attraction to Sarahbut that helps to explain it a bit better for me

In answer to the question about school uniforms,yes most English secondary schools have a uniform although compared to what I had to wear that's a very loose term.

(Eileen) she was there,available & interested.If she hadn't made that first,unexpected overture one can assume he never would have-great explanation Eileen, I've always had trouble with Pauls attraction to Sarahbut that helps to explain it a bit better for me

Oops I sat on tha keyboard!

(Eileen)S: 'What are you thinking about?' P: 'Oh....stuff.' and 'I've got the vary the answers...I mean, I can't say Arsenal every time, can I?' The Christmas shopping scene...my second favorite...after the restaurant scene. Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah..."thinking about DH Lawrence". But he can't pull off the act.He's such a sincere, uncomplicated bloke. s. ..But why did you lie. P. I've got to vary the answers , haven't I? I can's say Arsenal every time. The restaurant scene is a winner, not just because the napkin/fire part..which is funny. But when he tells her about all his plans ...mortgage, bigger house, applying for job... s. Oh Paul, I don't want to extinguish your napkins with one haand and change nappies with the other P. That was just a one-off. I've never done that before. I promise it won't be a regular feature of life.. S. Paul, I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do about this yet. Do you understand? P. Yes. well..not really, no. [Watch his eyes...there's a hurt there.]Big contrast to COF when Simon Westwood tells Nan she has to have an abortion.How does he get his eyes to talk like that.. [Karen, Heide...aren't you proud of me?...I'm really getting into this FP mode;-)]

How does he get his eyes to talk like that.. Method acting? He lives the part, becomes the character, pours the emotions from his own heart. For that particular moment he is Paul and he means it.

(Judy) at the interview, he looked gorgeous in his jacket & tie & I really felt for him in his discomfort Yes, that is probably one of the only scenes where he truly looks like he's trying to be serious and adult but Stephen Rea won't let him be. You've pointed out something very interesting though. After Ted notifies him that he didn't get the job and Sarah comes over to console him, he does the 18 years rant about how he couldn't possibly care about that "poxy job." Do you believe him? During the interview, it did look like he was trying to give it his best shot. (Judy) asleep on the park bench...those curls, that mouth oh help! Oh help is right! That flat-footed running! ;-) (although markedly better than MOTM and SIL) (Judy) Did Sarah wanted to share any of it with him, she scoffed at what was important to him. Did he appear to care about anything that was important to her? But that would've been another movie. Their entire relationship can be summed up by the exchange in the corridor when she complains about the football chants. Paul: You'll get used to it. Sarah: I don't want to get used to it. (Eileen) At first, they probably don't have much of a relationship outside the bedroom. Sarah says in the 'fixture list' scene, "we've been seeing each other...well, we've been sleeping together for 6 months." I agree, very telling comment. However, Paul is aware that she has a sister and Paul's mother does know about her, so they are a couple in some sense. (Eileen) how Paul's love of Arsenal infects everyone around him. It's called colonization and will leave it at that or else will turn into Shazzer and go into huge rant. Where's my Chardonnay? ;-) (screenplay) "but none seemed to understand how it was possible to love Paul...RG understood immediately and intuitively that Paul wasn't so bad...In audition she struck up the right note of indulgent impatience, while showing..Sarah buttoned-up neuroticism". Loving Paul shouldn't be difficult to understand, but staying with him is the hard part because of the realization that she'd have two kids on her hands and have to handle it all by herself. She's such a realist and wouldn't for a moment think that she could change him. She knew she'd have to take him "as is." Sarah's reason for staying with Paul is so eloquently put forward by Hornby in the pub scene with Jo. Jo: If everything's as bad as you let on, how come you haven't been applying for jobs in Pitlochry? Sarah: I don't know, really, I suppose... I know Paul's gone completely mad, but it sort of rubs off on you somehow. Paul sort of rubs off on you. Quite a reason. Hornby is terrible in understanding women's feelings. It's just as bad in High Fidelity. Most people scratch their heads trying to figure out why Laura went back to Rob. Hornby seems to favor "the path of least resistance" philosophy to life. (Sadie) Sarah needed some loosening up, and Paul needed to learn to be in an adult relationship. She sure did and perhaps he could be taught the rudiments of adult behavior, but am only hoping that he makes it to age 21 or so. ;-) (Eileen) but he didn't exactly hunt down other women; she was there, available and interested. If she hadn't made that first, unexpected overture one can assume he never would have. Absolutely. He definitely noticed her and mentioned her to Steve at the night game, but he completely wrote her off because he assumed she wouldn't be interested in him. "Oh, she's just one of those women. You know, if you like football, you must be a yob." Which leads into one of my favorite lines by Paul: "a) she hates, b) I hate her and c) what's the point of all that anyway? It's a fucking waste of fucking time." The path-of-least-resistance philosophy of life strikes again. (Eileen) What ludicrous questions, Paul! Hel-LO! Actually, they aren't. But for their meaning you'd have to have read FP, the nonfiction book. P, quoting Byron: '...black and old gold...crap.' (Eileen) Don't know why, but they crack me up every time. As well they should. Poor Sarah was expecting Paul to quote one of Byron's great romantic sonnets but instead he quotes from The Destruction of Sennacherib, which is about a battle but sounds remarkably like a football match. (Donna's fav scene) T: Are you a complete fool, Paul? I'll talk to you later. I love that one too, Donna. Then two seconds later, we see Sarah walking across the playing field and the first words out of her mouth are, "are you a complete fool?" (Evelyn) Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah I don't think so. Paul tells her exactly why he lied. He is like a child. He blurted out the truth. He tried to cover up what he was really thinking about. S: Paul, I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do about this yet. Do you understand? P: Yes. well...not really, no. (Evelyn) [Watch his eyes...there's a hurt there.] Big contrast to COF when Simon Westwood tells Nan she has to have an abortion. My reading of his eyes is that he truly doesn't have a clue as to what she means. He automatically says yes, but he hasn't grasped that she means she's considering whether to keep the child.

My reading of his eyes is that he truly doesn't have a clue as to what she means. Right - and that's why he is hurt. He doesn't like not being able to follow her meaning instantly. She is practical and smarter (in more ways than one) and he is intellectually lazy (stuck with his immaturity). Yet another example of how they don't "click" together. They don't seem to be well matched, yet there's something which attracts one to the other nevertheless. Maybe it's that reluctance to look for a more suitable partner (or any other partner, for that matter) which someone mentioned above a little while ago. Neither can be bothered, so they try to make the best of what's readily available. It's anybody's guess if they succeed in the end, but our hopes and wishes are for the best. That flat-footed running! ;-) (although markedly better than MOTM and SIL) Yes, what is it with this man's certain movements? He is sometimes so awkward and ungainly... His feet didn't seem flat on stage in the Donmar, so it's not a physical impediment. Mind you, I think this gawkiness is very endearing.

(Arami) Yes, what is it with this man's certain movements? He is sometimes so awkward and ungainly... But he's a top-notch stair taker (MLSF, DQ hopping on the bus, etc). I rewind often. Second to none. ;-)

Karen I don't think he was bothered about the job,he never considered it as a career move,(as explained byhis reasons- enough money for season ticket etc)witha baby on the way money became more important & being promoted was his way to show Sarah he was trying to grow up.I think it was his conception of an adult thing to do & never his wish. 'but that would have been another movie' agree sarah's character was never given any detail & my problems with her stem from this.P & S knowing about each others mum & sister was,to me,NH's weak attempt to introduce a bit more depth into their relationship. Karen (MLSF,DQ hopping on th bus etc) I rewind often. now you're rubbing it in ;-)

he's a top-notch stair taker Oh, yes, of course... Also it seems that his feet turn slightly inwards when he's in a hurry.

(Sadie) I thought she was pretty patient with him until she feared he was going to impose on her freedom. That's an interesting thought. At what point are you suggesting he's imposing on her freedom? I'm assuming it's during his suggestion they get married but am wondering if it might even be before. Of course now Sadie's gone disconnected so she can't answer my question. :-( (Eileen) I would think that the quasi-adolescent Paul would reject the staid, file folder counting, buttoned-up Sarah--but he didn't exactly hunt down other women; she was there, available and interested. If she hadn't made that first, unexpected overture one can assume he never would have. Bingo! Not that he seems to be in the position to reject too many women. They're not exactly knocking down his door. A relationship with a woman is not a high priority for Paul but easily available sex is manna from heaven. And our dear Paul mistakes this sexual relationship with a mature love relationship. Oh, why do I love this dear boy so? Probably because I tell myself he really is maturing as the film progresses. And probably because he's just so damn cute.

I like Ruth Gemmell in the part. Think she's just saucy enough besides being pert and cute. Love how small she is and how easily she gets swallowed up in those big hugs. Grrr.... (Karen) You've pointed out something very interesting though. After Ted notifies him that he didn't get the job and Sarah comes over to console him, he does the 18 years rant about how he couldn't possibly care about that "poxy job." Do you believe him? During the interview, it did look like he was trying to give it his best shot. Hmmm...I'm unsure. Agree he seemed to give it his best shot (and probably wore his best [only] suit-yikes). But then never in the following scenes does it seem that he's at all disturbed. My guess is it would have to bother him at some level but he's so good at rationalizing away real life failure. By the way, I hate watching this scene - can't stand that Stephen Rea's character is allowed to get so out of hand. I fast forward through this. (Karen) Which leads into one of my favorite lines by Paul: "a) she hates, b) I hate her and c) what's the point of all that anyway? It's a fucking waste of fucking time." The path-of-least-resistance philosophy of life strikes again. The man doth protest too much. (Karen)Karen (MLSF,DQ hopping on th bus etc) I rewind often. (Judy(now you're rubbing it in ;-) But there are so many others to choose from which you have seen, dear. You surely love the several stair scenes in Fever Pitch. Thinking right now of the one when Sarah comes to console over the loss of his promotion. He answers the door in all his black t-shirt, blue jeaned, stubbled glory (biting my finger here to keep from sighing). Glumly trudges up the stairs. Which brings up a favorite sticking point of mine. Why doesn't Sarah have a key to his flat? At this point they've been "sleeping together" for more than 6 months. They obviously have sex a lot (I mean, wouldn't you?) and most likely always at his place. I'd want a key to come and go as I please at this point. I don't think it would occur to him to refuse if she asked for one.

Heidi you've given me a few things to think about. "love how small she is and how easily she gets swallowed up in those big hugs." Yes I love those big hugs too but its Colin's hugging technique that gets to me,I don't think of the person he's hugging I just think of myself in that position. "his best(only)suit-yikes" I love him in that suit it's very Paulish-out of fashion-just had a terrible thought I bet it's Colins really -erm well whatever he still looks cute in it. "several stair scenes in FP" ah well that will have to keep me going for a while,I know he's got long legs but you'd think at his age he'd be used to them. Its becoming a trademark of his that stride,those stumbles,there's no disguising them no matter how much he changes from film to film.

)(Evelyn) Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah (Karen)I don't think so. Paul tells her exactly why he lied. He is like a child. He blurted out the truth Of course you have the benfit of having read the book;I haven't .(And don't plan to...I'm not a NH fan, only Colin).But I don't think he maliciously mean't to deceive her....just bringing up a topic he thought she might enjoy (DHLawrence) rather than Arsenal again.)But he couldn't carry it off...so he told her the truth. It was S. who accused him of lying. (Karen)My reading of his eyes is that he truly doesn't have a clue as to what she means. (Arami)Right - and that's why he is hurt. He doesn't like not being able to follow her meaning instantly. Again...I haven't read the book. But I looked at his eyes again and IMO he wants to "do the right thing"...and Sarah's ambilvalence about "what to do"about the pregnancy disturbs him. Paul can follow what people say. Paul is simple,... but not a simpleton. He's no Forrest Gump...sitting on a bench eating a stupid box of chocolates;-)

Great discussions�don't mind if I jump in. (Donna)P: I thought you'd be pleased. T: About which part? The clandestine affair? The accidental pregnancy? P: Not those parts maybe. But me applying for the job. That's good news, isn't it? T: Are you a complete fool, Paul? I'll talk to you later. This is one of my fav funny moments too, show how that Paul is completely clueless. (Evelyn) Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah (Karen)I don't think so. Paul tells her exactly why he lied. He is like a child. He blurted out the truth (Evelyn) I don't think he maliciously mean't to deceive her....just bringing up a topic he thought she might enjoy (DHLawrence) rather than Arsenal again.)But he couldn't carry it off...so he told her the truth. It was S. who accused him of lying. Shows that Paul is trying to live up to Sarah's expectation of him. That he is not just a YOB. (Heide) Which brings up a favorite sticking point of mine. Why doesn't Sarah have a key to his flat? At this point they've been "sleeping together" for more than 6 months. At first I thought it was just one of those movie devices, if S had a key, we would have the "Would you please, please�" scene out the window, nor the last minute near miss of the final goal�nor the lonely and rejected Sarah. Which leads to the very last scene, when Sarah said, "I've never seen him so happy" maybe it help her understand Paul a little better. The more I watch the film, the more I like RG. In the restaurant scene, the expression on her face was priceless when Paul started comparing her to the football coach. One of my male friends called FP a feel good film, he has no idea how good �

(Heide) Which brings up a favorite sticking point of mine. Why doesn't Sarah have a key to his flat? At this point they've been "sleeping together" for more than 6 months. So what? To "sleep with" someone doesn't mean giving away your privacy to them...

Paul is simple,... but not a simpleton. Well summed up.

(Gi)So what?To"sleep with" someone doesn't mean giving away you privacy to them... but if you thought he/she was the one then surely a key to your flat wouldn't be an issue.Another sign that Paul wasn't interested in a serious relationship with Sarah. The issue of the key had never crossed my mind until this discussion & I'm not sure it crossed NH's either. Evelyn I've never read the book either but bought the screenplay as soon as it was available but only because of Colin.Wasn't part of the hooh-ha at the time that it wasn't enough like the book,if thats the case has it any relevance to the discussion? Karen I take it that you've read it would you recommend it to help understand the film more? If so I'll head to the library Monday;-)

Hi all, I have read the book (some time ago and admittedly after I had seen the film) but I don't think it helped understand anything much except the various scores of Arsenal's matches through out the 70's and 80's! The film appeared to be vee-rry loosely based on the book in that it's about a football obsessed bloke from Maidenhead...and that's about it( or maybe I skipped a few pages and missed the plot!)

(me) At this point they've been "sleeping together" for more than 6 months. (Gi)So what? To "sleep with" someone doesn't mean giving away your privacy to them... But giving her a key would keep him from having to trudge up and down those stairs all the time. On the other hand, we wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing him trudge up and down the stairs. I understand your point now about the plot device, Emma. ;-)

(Judy)Another sign that Paul wasn't interested in a serious relationship with Sarah. IMO he is v. serious.In the restaurant aft she tells him "I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do about this yet..... S. I can't see this working out. P. This is my last chance. S. Don't be silly. what does that mean? P I don't know. That's just what it feels like. Paul like others of his gender has a problem articulating his feelings... flowers 'n chocolates...that'll do it! ~~~~~~~ Emma, dear, I am always proud of you.And you are welcomed to jump in anytime... Soooo glad you are getting to see your fave on the big screen. Do they know you at the box office? ;-) I would give anything to see P&P on a big screen with stereo sound..... Pure bliss ;-))

Evelyn that snippit of conversation is not proof,to methat Paul is serious,Sarah makes all the moves in their relationship.Marriage etc only occured to P whenhe found out about the baby,if it wasn't for the baby I think their differences would have drove them apart eventually.

(Evelyn) [re: lit buff] Of course you have the benfit of having read the book; I haven't (Evelyn) [re: eyes] Again...I haven't read the book. Let me make this perfectly clear, the nonfiction book does NOT contain anything of the storyline (except the Arsenal season) from the movie. However, the voiceovers have been lifted from that book. What benefit it does provide is little bits and pieces that Hornby threw in from his life that actually do enhance your understanding of the character and his life. None of these are crucial to your enjoyment of the movie. One example is the ritual of the sugar mice that Steve refers to while they're playing pool at the pub, which is glossed over. Another example is when he first visits the apartment and is checking out the knick knacks. Hornby devotes several paragraphs to what you can tell about girls by the furnishings in their rooms.I was so intrigued by her tastes and whims and facies, and her belongings induced in me a fascination for girls' rooms that continued for as long as girls had rooms. (Now I am in my thirties they don't have rooms any more - they have flats or houses, and they are foten shared with a man anyway. It is a sad loss.) Girls' rooms provided countless clues as to their character and background and tastes; boys, by contrast, were as interchangeable and unformed as foetuses, and their rooms, apart from the odd Athena poster here and there...were as blank as the womb....We had passions instead of personalities, predictable and uninteresting passions at that, passions which could not reflect and illuminate us in the way that my girlfriend's did...So that's why Paul is so interesting in knowing whose stuff it was. He was sizing her up. He's not that simple. Glad to see the discussion has taken off... Must read now in depth, but wanted to correct any misunderstandings about the other book. I loved the book and do recommend it.

Oh yes, and I don't think there was anything "malicious" in trying to cover up his preoccupation with Arsenal. I merely think he was embarrassed and desperately grasped at something/anything so he wouldn't look like a moron in her eyes. ;-)

And about those keys... They are in the nonexistent purse with her wallet needed to pay the cabdriver. Actually, I can imagine a scene where Sarah asks for a key (all perfectly efficient in her mind). He agrees, but cannot be relied upon to have a duplicate made. She keeps asking and he keeps forgeting to get it done. Finally, she says, "I can do it for you (just like the fixture list scene in bed)." And Paul says, "You don't understand us. You never will." ;-)

And about those keys. Has she actually moved out of Jo's flat?Is she living with Paul full time or just staying overnight now and then...for the "last six months." ~~~~~~~~~~~ (judy) that snippit of conversation is not proof,to methat Paul is serious,Sarah makes all the moves in their relationship Of course everyone is entitled to her opinion... But aren't most guys "commitment -phobic"? I certainly don't recommend pregnancy as a ploy (doesn't always work!).But sometimes gals have to plant the seed of marriage as an option in a relationship...;-)Paul isn't a sleaze-ball, IMO he was thinking "for the long haul"...eventually.He's not methodical, or organized he lives "in seasons"...

It still bothers me that he sits in front of a blackboard covered with misspelt names of famous writers... I come from a part of Europe where teachers are expected to be paragons and it is sad to see that similar standards are not always adhered to in my adopted home country. In fact I do recall having read about teachers who can't spell (so the film is true to the reality).

(Evelyn) Of course everyone is entitled to her opinion Yes and at least we agree on the fundamental thing- Colin so we have to differ on somethings,it keeps the conversation flowing;-) I'm not sure that Sarah's the type to let the seed be planted on purpose,after all she's worried about her job,(maternity leave etc) & the fact that she's not sure that she's going to keep the baby,the shock at his half-hearted proposal shows that even she's realizing that the relationship is eventually doomed. I can understand Paul more than Sarah(because I relate to his feelings for his team) I've never took toher character. For me its one of Colin's most enjoyable & easy-to-watch films & for those reasons I've just accepted the relationship as a happy ever after ending. Arami don't get me started on the subject of teachers in this country,they cannot spell,they have the strangest ways of teaching Maths .I've taught my son more than they have! (Tracy) Vee-rry loosely based (Karen) The non-fiction book does NOT contain anything of the storyline. Well I think that lets me off then!

(Evelyn) I would give anything to see P&P on a big screen with stereo sound..... Pure bliss ;-)) Yes, P&P and Valmont on the big screen, that'll do me. I think the biggest difference between P & S is their people skill. Paul has an easy relationship with most people, the students and parents like him, not so with Sarah. The opening of the film �with the students repeating Ms. Hughes�she started off on the wrong foot. (karen) And about those keys... They are in the nonexistent purse with her wallet needed to pay the cabdriver. It always bothered me that she left the kids' present behind. Unless that polka dot dress has some very deep pockets. (judy) Arami don't get me started on the subject of teachers in this country,they cannot spell,they have the strangest ways of teaching Math At my daughter's school, when they teach students how to write, spelling is not stressed until later. First, learn to write, then the spelling will come.

(Arami)I come from a part of Europe where teachers are expected to be paragons Oh dear, I hope Paul is not supposed to exemplify a paragon....nice guy...but... (Tracy) Vee-rry loosely based (Karen) The non-fiction book does NOT contain anything of the storyline. But it must talk about Paul... Books always give one a better insight into a character...and discussions on this board have always been enhanced by the folks who have read the book. Question:Pl explain"fixtures" re: Arsenal (Judy)I can understand Paul more than Sarah(because I relate to his feelings for his team) LOL Paul relates everything to his feelings for the team...even marriage... P.Look, I know where this is going,and you're dead wrong. I am capable of commitment and the long haul and all that stuff, and if it doesn't happen with you, well, that's because of you, not me. Twenty-one years I've been going to arsenal. Twenty-one years! S.Paul I don't know if you've noticed , but Arsenal are a football team. P. And you think there's a difference? S. Yes, I do. P Well, that shows what you know about it ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Judy) For me its one of Colin's most enjoyable & easy-to-watch films & for those reasons I've just accepted the relationship as a happy ever LOL I haven't watched this film in two years.And won't again til we discuss it. I have no feeling for any football team. I'm only viewing it because it's a Colin film that we are currently discussing... .