I hate restaurants that play music. You come out for a quiet meal, and you're supposed to put up with all this booming. Why? It's madness!

I knew Richard E. Grant, and I went to him and said "Would you like to [play Kafka in the film]?" and he said yeah, and then suddenly I had all these people who were happy to come along. We got a little bit of money from Scottish Screen to pay for it. I got so many favors because I knew people in the business. I was in a remarkably good position. I got so many favors from people. I got the Monty Python technical people.

My family has to be very patient living with me, if you're playing a part that's not you. You have to get it right.

I can't imagine I'll be the new George Clooney. That's not really in the cards.

I'm so lucky to have worked with Burt Lancaster, who I remember was one of the first people I'd heard swearing in a really interesting way.

Keep going and don't give up. You're doing wonderfully. You'll know how to fly this thing eventually.

A girl once came to my beery flat in Kensal Green, opened the blinds and cooked me breakfast. I married her.