Set in New York at the beginning and the end of the twentieth century, Winter΄s Tale unfolds with such great narrative force and beauty that a reader can feel that its world is more real than his own. Standing alone on the page before the book begins are the words, I have been to another world, and come back. Listen to me. In that world, both winter and the city of New York (old and new) have the strength and character of protagonists, and the protagonists themselves move as if in a vivid dream. Though immensely complicated, the story is centered upon Peter Lake, a turn-of-the-century Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn, a young heiress whom he encounters in robbing her house, and who eventually will die young and in his arms. His love for her, and a gift of grace, will allow him after the most extraordinary and painful explorations and discoveries to stop time and bring back the dead. To follow him, his predecessors, his inheritors, and his companions is to experience one of the great stories of American literature.

Colin Farrell in talks for 'Arthur and Lancelot'
WB restarts David Dobkin pic after postponement
By Justin Kroll
Colin Farrell is in talks to star in Warner Bros.' "Arthur and Lancelot."

David Dobkin is writing and directing the pic which was expected to go into production in January but was postponed due to budget concerns. Charles Roven will produce.

At the time Kit Harington was set to play King Arthur and Joel Kinniman was on board to play Lancelot, but when Warners pulled the plug both actors fell out due to scheduling conflicts.

With Farrell the film not only now looks to be in motion to get back up in running but the studio now has that more recognizable star in place which some sources say was part of the reason Warners was weary about moving forward back in January.

Plot details are vague. Though Dobkin is known more for his comedies like "The Wedding Crashers" and "The Change-Up," insiders this pic will be more in the vein of "Braveheart"-style action.

Dobkin will also produce with Roven, Richard Suckle and Lionel Wigram.

When my party pal Colin beat drink demons it was just the cue I needed
Says Upstairs Downstairs star Neil Jackson



UPSTAIRS Downstairs hunk Neil Jackson might be a lowly chauffeur in the glossy BBC1 drama – but he has friends in very high places.

In fact, he credits movie pal Colin Farrell with helping him beat his drink problems.

The actor, who plays womanising Harry Spargo in Upstairs Downstairs, became friends with the Irish superstar when they met on the set of 2004 Hollywood blockbuster Alexander.

Big-shot Colin took the starring role as Alexander The Great, and Neil played his right-hand man, Perdiccas, the commander of Alexander's infantry.

Encouraged to bond like real soldiers, the pair and their showbiz co-stars began drinking heavily.

So when Colin got clean, it was the wake-up call Neil needed to get his own career back on track.


Neil, who has also starred in Quantum Of Solace as Mr Slate, said: "Alexander was the most debauched period of my life.

"It was nine guys with a lot of money in their pockets being put in the finest hotels in Marrakech, Bangkok and London.

"We were actively encouraged — which I think the bosses started to regret — to band together like we were in an army. We had two weeks of boot camp where they bonded with us as we did drill, studied battle plans together and all that sort of stuff. Then we were dumped in hotels.

"Every night was drinking, a lot of girls, and a lot of mischief was gotten up to, combining the drink and the girls.

"It was a lot of fun. There were several nights where we'd be sitting in one another's hotel room, you'd look at the clock and it'd be 5am and we were being picked up at 6am to go to work. You'd carry on doing what you were doing and go straight to work after that."

Neil believes that both he and Colin developed drinking problems on the set of the movie — but that Colin's was worsened because of his fast rise to global stardom.

Neil said: "The way he dealt with the sudden meteoric rise to fame he had was by adopting the persona of the character he first created, which was the drinking, swearing, womanising Colin Farrell.

"Alexander was a tipping point for him where he was starting to believe he was that character.

"After Alexander, he did two films — the second being Miami Vice — then he checked into rehab and got himself clean. He cleaned up his act and was then respected for being an actor, which he should be because he's phenomenal."

While the spotlight remained on Colin, Neil began drinking every day and admits his habits almost became "destructive".

Watching his friend go through the same issues and re-emerge stronger than ever after seeking help encouraged Neil to cut down on his boozing.

But it wasn't easy. He said: "A few years ago, after I'd done a couple of films and some TV shows that got me some note, I found that all family and close friends seemed to want to hear about were the fun Hollywood stories.

"They wanted to, in some way, touch that world. I found myself adopting that personality, becoming the drinking raconteur and filling the necessity that I thought they wanted from me as opposed to being myself. I started to develop a bit of a drinking problem. I needed a drink every night, I needed a drink to get me to sleep.

"On an average night I probably had about five or six pints and a couple of shorts. Several nights I'd go out, then I'd have more.

"It was only through remembering the road that Colin had gone down, and the conversation we'd had about it when we were on set, that I was able to recognise it myself and stop it before it became destructive. I can see how you can quickly lose yourself in this industry.

"I think my situation began with Alexander because we all became so comfortable with drinking, and drink was so much a part of everything we were doing that my tolerance increased.

"When the party stops, no one wants to be the last person dancing. There's an element of that being on film and TV sets.

"It's a fun, close-knit family when you're doing it but at the call of 'Cut!' on the last scene on the last day, you jump back into reality. After Alexander, and then going on to a couple more films, moving to America and getting good work there, it was easier to deal with if I put on the mask of happy-go-lucky Neil as opposed to allowing any of my own insecurities and natural self to inhibit.

"It was through being fortunate enough to talk to Colin that made me realise it wasn't the healthiest way of approaching this industry or myself."

Winning a role in Alexander was Neil's big break — but he reckons meeting Colin was the luckiest thing. Neil said: "He's taught me the most about being an actor, and moreover — when I get there — being a star.

"He was incredibly gracious and graceful and very disarming.

"There was nothing hostile or unapproachable about him. There's nothing selfish about him in the slightest. He was incredibly generous with his time."

Sadly, the pair's busy careers have meant they haven't seen each other in a while.

Neil admitted: "We haven't stayed in touch unfortunately. I stayed in contact with his sister, who was his PA. We arranged one more drink but he wasn't able to make it. Then I moved to LA and we lost contact. I'd love to work with him again. My agent is a good friend of his and every so often I get little messages from him through her, just asking how I am and saying he'd seen something that I'd done. It's lovely."

Yet Colin has left a positive legacy in the life of Neil, who is now clean-living.

Neil said: "I still like a drink, but I don't drink anywhere near as much as I used to. I've become more of a sensible old man.

"Now I love going to a bar, sitting with a friend and having a decent chat — they're the kicks I get today.

"I've gone through the partying phase and feel no need to dust off the shackles on that again."