At the suggestion of director Mike Mills, McGregor had brought his 81-year-old co-star to Barney's in Los Angeles to pick up a scarf for Plummer's elderly gay character in their film "Beginners." But Plummer had other designs. "Christopher only wanted to get skinny black jeans," recalls McGregor.

"That was his main goal in life. When we got there, he asked where the jeans department was, and off he went to find skinny jeans." That one of the finest living interpreters of Shakespeare and one of the few remaining greats of classical acting was hell-bent on procuring a hipster staple might seem odd. But then again, Plummer has seldom acceded to the stereotypes of old age.

"I'm glad (my ambition) is still there," said Plummer in a recent interview. "If it faded, what's there to live for? It makes you appreciate other things if you keep working at your job and you love your job. Too many people in the world are unhappy with their lot. And then they retire and they become vegetables. I think retirement in any profession is death,