VARIOUS: Oscar nominees Helen Mirren ("The Queen") and Peter O' Toole ("Venus") attend the Miramax Films pre-Oscar party in Hollywood

Oscar nominees Dame Helen Mirren and Peter O' Toole made time for some pre-Academy Awards festivities on Thursday night (February 22). They both attended the Miramax Films party at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood with their respective family members. Mirren was accompanied by her husband, director Taylor Hackford, and O' Toole brought his two children, Kate and Lorcan O' Toole. Mirren earned an Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the Stephen Frears-directed film, "The Queen." She pointed out that playing the part required her to get into the role both physically and emotionally. "Well, oh my goodness, there were a lot of challenges," said Mirren. "I mean first of all I had to, believe it or not, age up ten years. But I wanted to do that without make-up, you know. Without too, you know, much make-up. Um, the biggest challenge absolutely was the impersonation side of it. And then going beyond the impersonation." "The Queen" producer Andy Harries says he had more questions than answers before the cameras started rolling on the production. "Would it legally be okay. What would the queen say. Could they stop it? Would we have our heads chopped off. It was all about the beginning. It was about the belief and the realization that we could probably make this movie and get away with it." And "The Queen" screenwriter Peter Morgan says the Venice Film Festival was the first indication that his film was going to be a hit. "It's just been a surreal ride ever since then, to be honest. I mean it's been quite beyond our expectations that people have connected with the movie in this way. I'm thrilled." Meanwhile, actor Peter O' Toole was all smiles as he was escorted by two of his three children into the party. Reporters peppered the legendary star of "Lawrence of Arabia" (released in 1962), who is now up for his 8th Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "Venus," with questions about what it felt like to be honored yet again with an Oscar nomination and how he was preparing to potentially take home the gold. "(How does it feel sir, to be up again. This is your 8th nomination now?) Not unfamiliar. (Laughter.) (What do you think about all of this hullabaloo?) I love it. I'm having a ball. We're, we're here to enjoy ourselves. (You still love it?) Look, do you love it? (Yeah!) He's crept away, Lorcan, but he loves it, too. I'm here with my children and we're having fun. (Do you have your speech written for Sunday?) What? (Have you gotten your speech written for Sunday? There are a lot of odds that have you marching up there and taking the gold.) I, I don't think you'll find the bookies do." "Venus" is an unusual love story about an aging actor who falls in love with a spirited young woman 50 years his junior. Peter O' Toole landed the single Oscar nomination for "Venus," while "The Queen" earned a total of six Oscar nominations.

ITN Source | February 28, 2007

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