JOEL SCHUMACHER - SCHUMACHER DEFENDS FARRELL

Director JOEL SCHUMACHER has hit out at critics of COLIN FARRELL's wild behaviour - insisting he was far worse at his age.

Schumacher - who directed Farrell in hit movie PHONE BOOTH - is bemused by the attention 28-year-old Farrell's well-documented womanising and heavy-drinking attracts.

He tells PAGESIX.COM, "Colin Farrell likes to smoke, drink and do women. What young guy doesn't? At his age I put a needle in my arm three times a day."