Altitude Sickness

Rummage around for those handkerchiefs, think romantic thoughts and prepare yourself for a World War II drama to die for. And boys, at least you'll have something to look at as your girlfriend snivels on your shoulder. In addition to a beautiful period Paris as backdrop, not only will the less than ugly Natalie Portman take time out of both her Harvard studies and Star Wars duties to appear, but Cruise's not entirely unattractive other half will also grace the screen. A romantic epic set in the gallic capital before and during World War II, Head in the Clouds will see Penelope Cruz as a gypsy girl whom Portman's character befriends. The central plot surrounds the love affair between Portman's fashion photographer and a Cambridge student played by newcomer Jay Rodan which yep, you've guessed it, must endure all obstacles history throws at it and triumph over those sorts of adversity romantic movies delight in. The said crunch point in this relationship comes when the spirited young whippersnapper runs off to Spain to bash some fascist arse leaving his girlfriend all alone – except for her vulnerable gypsy friend - to meet Hitler and friends. Good timing, mate. In a quite abrupt change of tone from his last piece, The Parole Officer, director John Duigan will start production from his own script in December.