Hop on board.

I went along to see 'The Social Network' with the friend who introduced me to it, slightly nervous the movie was going to do a hatchet job but no. It is a forensic look at what started the whole new world of communication and to judge by the two noisy Zuckerberg nerds who shut up like clams as soon as the film started, compelling film making of the highest sort.

The film tells us that people who make a great deal of money aren't always well rounded and that satisfying a market is not necessarily a soul enriching process. Not a huge surprise there but it is written by Aaron Sorkin and therefore has laugh out loud moments, fabulous dialogue, meticulous characterisation and a structure that pays off.

But it is not, as it has been accused of, misogynist. The injured girlfriend has the best 'Take That!' scene I have seen for a long time and because women are seen realistically does not make it demeaning to females. It is demeaning in its depiction of what American students have to go through to attend 'college'. What are they running in these places? Thunderdome? Is this Animal Farm? Yup.

A couple of things bemused me...does Justin Timberlake have green makeup in the denouement scene? Methinks he does. I have heard of 'comment' in performance but to do so in makeup seems extreme.

I think casting Andrew Garfield was genius. Anyone who can play brilliant, loyal and decent without being a pain is a master of his art. Rooney Mara as the wounded girlfriend is wonderful too and I look forward to her as Lisbeth Salander in the American version of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.'

You have to wonder at Jesse Eisenberg in the lead. His face, voice and persona seem to inhabit this role. Just when you think you feel some empathy for this man, you see the curl of his contemptuous lip and want to hit him all over again.

Finally, any director who can make a boat race exciting is talented...to put it mildly. Thank David Fincher and take your heart pills.

To see a trailer of 'The Social Network' click here:

What's not to like?

I hadn't realised how much I love being on set but shooting 'PURPLE FLOWERS' this week was the clincher. What's not to like really?
You meet talented people from all over the world, get fussed over and made up, immerse yourself in another life, tea and coffee is brought to you and then you get paid. It is a bonus if you like the script, cast, director and production team.

Shooting this beautiful short film had its startling moments too. For some reason, I had not factored in that I had to do the emotional work on the first day - but it was fine. I had worked with director Julian Ryan in his former life as Assistant Director on 'Paradise Road' - he is calm and insightful and brings things to the set to inspire and inform his actors. He gave Christian Byers some 'Buster Keaton' short films and a book of Oscar Wilde to scan. He is also good at letting you know what is not right without making you feel small and adept at steering you in the direction he wants without crowding you.

Christian Byers is in line for some great upcoming movies and once again he showed why everyone wants him. Working with him there are always surprises and the scenes feel fresh and spontaneous. Newcomer Airlie Dodds played his girlfriend and the two of them reminded me of the eighth wonder of the world...wise souls in teenage bodies.

Drew Bailey won an Oscar Nomination for his film 'Miracle Fish'. He is a great producer and if you want to see why, click on below and... fasten your seat belt.

To see 'Miracle Fish' click here: