I do a film because I like the story and I want to give life to a character - I don't necessarily have to agree with the director.

I know people think that I always play these characters who are in control and can chop someone's head off with a look.

I try to make films that I find exciting. It makes me want to get out of bed at five in the morning, have my make-up done and play for the rest of the day.

It doesn't make you feel very good being mean and fierce; it is much nicer playing people who are kind and sweet.

I can't move back to England. My home is in France now. I'd love to but I can't. My family's all there now.

The problem with being a film actress or a movie star is that people see you so huge that somehow you're visually massive or somehow you're in some removed space, which is a television or wherever. It somehow takes your humanity.

Having a career is a bit like navigating an Atlantic crossing - you have to make sure everything is keeping and is balanced.

'The English Patient' was a huge turning point in my career and my life; it became this huge thing. But the whole Oscar build-up got completely out of control; I spent more time talking about that film than I spent making it!

I like the idea that I'm making things that people might think and argue about.

I have never met a woman who works who doesn't feel guilty. I mean we all deny it like crazy but deep down there is always that voice saying you should be at home.

I mean, my father was killed when I was six. And I only have tiny, tiny flashes of memory.

I still absolutely love 'The Sound of Music' and anything with Julie Andrews in it.

If you are a successful actor, which is what I am, then you tend to get labelled very quickly and easily.

I'm very wary of trust, you see.

Sometimes, I think I could have been a major movie star with the vast mansion and staff. I look at my Volvo and think it could be a limousine. I think of the roles I turned down. But then I wouldn't have had any children.

When I speak English, I've been told, I have this patrician way of speaking that's very irritating. It's the whole class thing.

I am sure that, had I grown up with both parents, had I grown up in a safe environment, had I grown up with a feeling of safety rather than danger, I would not be the way I am.

Now, playing a love interest can be really thrilling, if you're working opposite thrilling people.

I'm a bit of a Doubting Thomas - always worrying about things.

As an adult, it's a huge shock to be orphaned; as a child it's just hideous, ghastly.

You don't choose a film because it's made by a woman, you choose it because it's good.

French is a foreign language, but I've been speaking it since I was 18 so it's second nature to me.

People will now go to films with subtitles, you know. They're not afraid of them. It's one of the upsides of text-messaging and e-mail. Maybe the only good thing to come of it.

I think the sheer number of pop stars has kind of drowned out, somewhat, our interest. We're just submerged.