Alan Taylor

Alan was the ultimate ally. In life, art and politics. I trusted him absolutely.

He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his like again.

EMMA THOMPSON

1 JANUARY

And closing the 2000 diary, noting how this has become more of a notebook, even has a few blank pages … Good? Bad? I’m becoming more self-conscious? More closed?

20 MAY

6.30 About a Boy. The kind of depressing English film where single mothers and Amnesty workers are ugly people in oversized sweaters.

11 NOVEMBER

HP.

7.15 pick-up.

In Dumbledore’s office with Maggie … My speech is unlearnable. So some serious laughing goes on. Plus Maggie’s stories of the Ladies in Lavender premiere: ‘Miriam Margolyes looked like a Sherman tank in sequins.’

I realise as soon as that [Snape’s] ring and costume go on—something happens. It becomes alien to be chatty, smiley, open. The character narrows me down, tightens me up. Not good qualities on a film set. I have never been less communicative with a crew. Fortunately, Dan [Radcliffe] fills that role with ease and charm. And youth.

25 FEBRUARY

7.30 Rufus Wainwright. Palladium.

This was an amazing feat. 2¾ hours of up and at ’em singing with some shocking brilliance from Martha Wainwright sort of tossed in. Kate McGarrigle skipped and sidled on and off as well. Rufus pays homage and lightens the load on himself with flicks of irony. Somehow it was never a camp-fest. Like watching a conjuror.

7 JULY

… I have finished reading the last Harry Potter book. Snape dies heroically, Potter describes him to his children as one of the bravest men he ever knew and calls his son Albus Severus. This was a genuine rite of passage. One small piece of information from Jo Rowling 7 years ago—Snape loved Lily—gave me a cliff edge to hang on to.

A whole new working relationship, this time with Tom Felton [playing Draco Malfoy]. The story of this so-far-6-part epic is one minute there were all these little kids … now? Found Maggie in her trailer vulnerable and fuck it—all at once.

26 DECEMBER

1.30 Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Woman’s Weekly tosh from Woody Allen.

29 DECEMBER

1pm Lunch w. Dan Radcliffe at Cafe Cluny. One minute he was 12 now he’s 19. When did that happen? And he’s sensitive, articulate & smart. And owns a 3 bed apt in NY.