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The Full Monte Cristo

Harper's & Queen Magazine 2000

Name: James Frain
Occupation: Actor
Age: 32
From: Leeds

Story so far: The eldest of eight children, James has worked as a lavatory cleaner, waiter, playgroup leader, and theatre usher before studying at the Central School of Speech and Drama. There he was spotted by Richard Attenborough, who cast him in the literary weepy Shadowlands. James progressed to a slew of roles in acclaimed period films: playing the tortured French film pioneer Jean Vigo, [the ambassador of] the King of Spain to Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth I, Ralph Fiennes's younger brother in the Austro-Hungarian epic Sunshine, and the token good guy in Julie Taymor's Titus. This year, he has played a supporting role in Ben Affleck's action film Deception, and can now be seen doing the romantic interest thing with Natalie Portman in the romantic drama Where The Heart Is.

Buddiest moment:
JF: Working with Affleck in Deception -- He's great. Very friendly and easy to work with.

Luvviest moment:
JF: Ralph Fiennes should get an Oscar for Sunshine.

Starriest moment:
JF: Teasing Natalie Portman about her role in Star Wars: Her face was everywhere when we were filming Where The Heart Is -- even on soft-drink cans. We used to say, "I've just been in a shop and couldn't see you anywhere, Natalie."

Homeliest moment:
JF: I'm desperately trying to buy a flat this year -- but already I've been gazumped twice.

Gooiest moment:
JF: Natalie is incredibly poised and beautiful. I think she is the Audrey Hepburn of our time.

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