Two shots of espresso please!

I grew up in England where there wasn't really any coffee to speak of until the mid-nineties. We had instant. People would come from far off lands that did have coffee would occasionally visit and refuse a cup of Nescafe gold blend. We'd wonder why.

I really acquired a serious coffee habit in Cambridge. I think the best espresso that I've ever had is to be found in Salvino's Cafe on Emmanuel Street, right in the centre of Cambridge, near the bus station.

Now, I'm very fond of the Caffe Nero in Muswell Hill, I know, I know, it's a chain, but the staff do actually pay attention when they make the coffee and there is a good bunch of regulars in there to talk to.

This is the movie that I always watch when I know that I'm actually recovering from a cold.

Much is made of hats in the film. I think hats symbolise reason. At one point Gabriel Byrne, having dreamt that he lost his hat says that there's nothing more foolish than a man chasing his hat. But that's what Gabriel Byrne is doing all through the film chasing his hat, recovering his reason after the one foolish move of sleeping with the bosses girlfriend. Maybe that's why it's such a good film to watch when you're ill. You get knocked down, but you get up again.