Was it easier doing this film having worked with Ashley Judd before on "Kiss the Girls"?

I think we developed a shorthand, if there's such a thing, on "Kiss the Girls". But for us the way of working together was just there. Every time out with every actor, there's a lesson. There's something you learn. I don't necessarily catalogue it. The next time I work with her I'll know a little bit more than the last time I worked with her. That's about it.

What drew you to this film?

I like movies with very capable women in them. I really like those. The golden flower or the shrinking violet, those kind of female characters are boring! I've done two films with Ashley and I've seen maybe six or eight other films she's been in and she's always this rather capable character.

Was there a good atmosphere on set?

Of course. We don't do pranks or practical jokes - I don't pull chairs out from under her or anything like that. I'm not one for making faces behind the camera while someone is working. The only thing you might catch us doing is dancing!

You seem to have made a trademark out of playing the wild card character.

I don't know. I'm always asked that question and it comes as a surprise to me. Because I'm labeled as that in the movie, it's sort of stuck as a part of my persona but I don't claim it. It's not who I am.

"High Crimes" opens in UK cinemas on Friday 25th October 2002.