Favorite Men

Fell in love with him in Shallow Grave. He has topped my list ever since. The man is almost problematically handsome along with being a tremendous actor. Plus, he sings, dances, isn't afraid to be naked, and plays gay with a fervor and commitment to be admired and savored. There's nothing sexier than being comfortable in your own skin. Add to that the fact that he comes across as such a genuinely pleasant fellow in interviews, and he just has it all. I think he is the best of everything, and I don't anticipate that anyone will knock him out of the top slot. He's that good.

Fell in love with him in The Office. He is just so thoroughly likable and endearing in everything he acts in. He's an absolute button.

Fell in love with him in Different for Girls, and was lost forever when I saw him in Maurice. Again, a man comfortable in his own skin. That goes a long way with me.

Fell in love with him in Shame, and first became intrigued by him in Inglourious Basterds. It is a difficult undertaking to play a character we are meant to be both attracted to and repelled by, but he pulled it off with finesse and mastery. I also enjoyed him thoroughly in A Dangerous Method, where, to a lesser extent, he played a character of similar duality. Finally, he solidified himself in Jane Eyre, balancing the gruff, and again, sometimes repellent, qualities of Mr. Rochester with the desperate, love-starved parts.

Fell in love with him in Penelope. He was so earnest and bluntly passionate, qualities that he also brought to his role in Atonement. He bring intensity and vulnerability to his heroes, and I'm completely sold.

Fell in love with him in The Prophecy. He brought nuance to a character that, in the hands of a lesser actor, would come across as either merely scary or just plain silly. Everything else I've seen him in has distinguished him as an actor equal to any task. I'm deeply smitten.

Fell in love with him in Van Helsing and Better than Sex. I saw him first as Faramir in The Lord of the Rings, but when I saw that he was willing to make himself ridiculous I was completely won over. Then, when I saw him in Better than Sex, I could appreciate him even more.

Fell in love with him in War Horse. He was just so tender and earnest, so even though he has a very small role, he distinguished himself in no time. Since then I've been very pleased with a variety of his performances.

Fell in love with him in Pride and Prejudice. His Mr. Darcy is absolutely flawless, and now I'll see anything he's in. Very handsome and very talented.

Fell in love with him in Ode to Billy Joe and Jeremy. He has a passion and intensity that is irresistible, and he is just so remarkably cute. Late in life he grew into a beautiful man, and in interviews he seems like a truly kind and grounded individual.

Fell in love with him in Different for Girls. He was the perfect match for Graves in that movie. Very vulnerable. He practically disappears into the character.

Fell in love with him in Evening. The rest of the film I could take or leave, but he impressed me deeply with his tortured performance. I had seen him in other films before that, but hadn't given him much thought one way or another. His portrayal in that film, however, won me over completely.

Fell in love with him in The Shining. I had no idea until that role that he was such a gifted actor. I think he was the perfect fit to play Jack Torrence, a good yet flawed man who loses his sanity but ultimately not his humanity.

Fell in love with him in Havoc. I'd seen him in other things before that, and had appreciated him in Six Feet Under, but I was mesmerized by him in that particular film. He disappeared inside that character. He had such charm and charisma, then turned around and became utterly despicable, and managed to be completely believable either way. His status was further solidified when I saw him in Bottle Shock. He was so earnest and passionate. So intriguing.

Fell in love with him in Robin of Sherwood. He has the most astounding mullett, and yet I find him incredibly hot.

Fell in love with him when I recognized him in Bent after seeing And the Band Played On. Imagine my glee when I heard that he would play Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He can be so smooth one moment, and then so playful in the next. The epitome of charming.

Fell in love with him in The Full Monty and Normal. He can play heroes and villains with equal credibility, and my heart swelled when I watched him struggle with his identity in Normal.