People tend to view history as if it were another planet and think the modern world was invented in 1963. I don't agree.

Maggie Smith has a unique sense of comedy, based on a somewhat ironic view of real life, making it both funnier and more sad. But perhaps her greatest ability, or at least the one that most intrigues me, is how she can convey deep and powerful emotion without a trace of sentimentality.

If you're in the movie or in television, your failures are very public, and so are your successes. You weigh them up against each other, really.

Every writer has to make an emotional journey from artist sitting in attic to being part of a business. The writer of a film is like Tinkerbell. You are only there because people believe in you. The moment they dont, because youre a pain the arse, youve lost.

Plenty of friendships are sustainable through dinners and lunches, but will not stand a week away. So be careful with whom you go on holiday.

I think I have a very detailed sense of observation. I am interested in the details of people's lives and what information these details give.

War makes early risers of us all.