Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

There is more meat and mileage in complex characters, like 'Running with Scissors.'

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

If you want to make idols accessible - which I think Shakespeare should be - then you have to bring a human touch, make it self-effacing and warm.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

At home, our parents never compared us. I mean, there were seven of us kids. Obviously, I always looked up to my brother and his work, and I have nothing but utter respect. But I never felt we were in competition.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I think 'The Handmaid's Tale' always had that power since it was written over 30 years ago. This extraordinary piece of feminist literature had its fan base then, but TV has given it an enormous reach.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I guess, as an actor, you have to bring something personal to the character - you've got to identify and love one element of the character, or else you can't really inhabit and find ownership.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

Working backstage as a teenager made me realise there's not much glamour in this profession - just lots of hard work. That's a good thing to learn early on.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I've got a vendetta to destroy the Net, to make everyone go to the library. I love the organic thing of pen and paper, ink on canvas. I love going down to the library, the feel and smell of books.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

Give me a sword fight any day.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I think academics are infuriating. For every expert on Shakespeare there is another one to cancel his theory out. It drives you up the wall. I think the greatest form of finding out the truth is through fantasy.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

From the age of about five to twelve I was very bad, a hideous little terror who beat people up. I was a member of the Rough Gang - we went around and terrorized all the pupils in school.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I love new writing, new blood, modern works by unknown writers.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I don't know what my limitations are until I reach them. I look for the challenge.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I think everything I do is my early work. I can't wait to get on to the later stuff.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

It all felt like a terribly long time. It would have meant that I had to make five movies in five years and if you don't like the movies, too bad. I guess I just wanted my freedom, and I think my life has been incredibly enhanced as a result.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

But it's a strange thing when people judge you because you're not doing some big Hollywood film. Are you suggesting I should be in 'The Dukes of Hazzard?' I mean, hello?

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I can only put myself in the process and try to learn through the process. Sometimes it will go well and sometimes it won't.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

There are always going to be times when it doesn't flow as much as you were hoping. So of course I'm going to fail. And when I do fail I hope I fail better and better, again and again. I am happy to fail.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

You know what? Joy is the only guide. I'm going to have fun regardless.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I love life. I'm fascinated by human behavior because that feeds back into my work.

Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes

I fall in love with contradictions without understanding. I can't really portray them unless I do. So in a roundabout way I have to fall in love, it's my duty. If love is about understanding and understanding is compassion and compassion is love, I have to have compassion towards the world.