The demands of stardom are not easily ignored: When Jude Law failed to show for a Tokyo press conference in early April with director Anthony Minghella and co-star Renee Zellweger, the disappointment was palpable -- not just among his many female fans, but also that of the film's distributor, who is counting on Law's popularity to sell a Civil War flick in Japan. The fans (and distributor) finally got their wish, though, when Law turned up in Tokyo Saturday to appear at the film's opening.

Watching Zellweger and Law in action, at two separate news conferences, was an interesting contrast in star personas. Zellweger, so sharp and witty on-screen, seemed a bit flustered amid all the attention and gave long, rambling answers that chased their own tails. Law, on the other hand, was both disarming and utterly relaxed, joking with his interpreter, removing his blazer (which caused a collective craning of necks among the women in the back rows), and handling even the most inane questions with charm.

How was he enjoying his stay in Tokyo? "The food I ate last night [teppan-yaki] was simply the best meal I've ever eaten in my life. . . . I woke up this morning dreaming of it!"