9-7-03
You know, I was all excited this morning because today was Casa de
los Babys Day! It was the day when I would finally see the
much-anticipated (by me) film starring the delightful Maggie
Gyllenhaal... perhaps I'd even get to ask a question of her at the
film's Q&A. To hope, perchance to dream.
Only... know what?
She didn't come. *pout*
But more on that later.
My first film this morning was the George Hickenlooper documentary
The Mayor of the Sunset Strip, which chronicles the life of
legendary Los Angeles disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer, who's spun
records at KROQ for some 30 years. Brilliant and unexpectedly
heartbreaking, the film presents Bingenheimer as this tiny,
enthusiastic, good-hearted guy whose pure love of music has kept him
going since childhood. Filled with dozens and dozens of celebrity
interviews and countless photos and video clips of Rodney over the
years, Mayor ultimately paints an incredibly moving portrait of
someone embraced by the rock 'n' roll community and loved by many... yet
still painfully alone and living a very modest life.
Both George Hickenlooper and Rodney Bingenheimer were present after the
screening for a Q&A, and Rodney got a standing ovation upon entering
the theatre. He really is a wee man, standing just over 5' tall, but he
still manages to create an unforgettable and unmistakable presence. One
astute audience member pointed out the irony that, during the Q&A,
George was in the spotlight while Rodney was standing in the dark off
to the side... much in the same way that he's done all his life. I kind
of felt like reaching my hand out for a high-five when he passed me in
the aisle on the way into, and out of, the theatre. But I didn't.
Instead, I opted to dry my eyes (did I mention the movie is really
sad?) and hope that the puffiness would subside by the time I stepped
back out into daylight.
There's been a lot of buzz of late for my second film of the day, Sofia
Coppola's Lost in Translation, which recently did gangbusters at
the Venice Film Festival. It's the story of the unlikely friendship
forged between an American actor (Bill Murray) and a young American
wife (Scarlett Johansson) when they both find themselves holed up in a
fancy hotel in Japan. They bond, they hop around town, they talk about
life... and it's all very nice and subtle and well-done, but the film
didn't blow me away. It was good, but not amazing, and I think some
critics may be jumping on a bandwagon that got itself rolling somewhere
else. No one showed up for the screening. There wasn't even an
introduction before the curtain rose.
And speaking of people not showing up...
Despite my hopes and dreams and wishes, Maggie Gyllenhaal is not at the
Toronto Film Festival this year.
Everyone else from Casa de los Babys was, though.
Writer-director John Sayles - who, by the way, is a very, very tall
man! - appeared before the film to say hi, but he was alone. "What???"
thought I. "That's it?!?! He has this big cast of talented women and
NOBODY came for the premiere?!?!" I hoped that they might arrive for
the promised post-film Q&A, but I started to panic that a Maggie
sighting just wouldn't be in the cards for me.
The multi-character drama follows a group of women (Mary Steenburgen,
Lili Taylor, Daryl Hannah, Marcia Gay Harden, Susan Lynch and, of
course, Maggie) awaiting the finalization of adoptions in a nondescript
Latin American country. The film also features periphery storylines
involving some of the locals, including a forlorn maid, her hotel boss
(Rita Moreno) and an unemployed man who dreams of moving to
Philadelphia because, he says wistfully, "It's the cradle of liberty."
As with all John Sayles films, this one is rich in character and
brimming with intricacies. The story is compelling, but would-be
audience members be warned: it doesn't really have an ending. Much of
what we, the viewers, are left to understand must be cultivated through
what we watch beforehand. So anyone looking for a neat structural
package tied in a bow had best look elsewhere.
After the screening, it was time for the Q&A, and my heart leapt when
the lights in the theatre began to come on again and I could see about
a half dozen silhouettes onstage. Yet, when the spotlight clicked on
and the introductions began, Maggie Gyllenhaal was nowhere to be seen.
Mary, Lili, Rita, Daryl and Marcia were all there, though, and had some
cool comments about making the movie and finding their characters.
There was, however, one small incident that reminded me why it might be
better if people's favorite actors not be there for their films. About
halfway through the Q&A, a young woman in the far reaches of the
theatre shouted out that she had a comment. She started by
complimenting the cast on their work, and then launched into a lengthy
and detailed profession of love for her "favorite actress of all time,"
Lili Taylor. At first, it was kind of sweet as she shakily declared
Lili to be the most talented actress around, but it got a little
uncomfortable for everyone when she kept going and going, finally
ending with a request to have a picture taken together. Lili shouted
that she'd meet the young woman in the lobby afterwards (read: okay,
that's enough now, please sit down)... and then the young woman decided
to tell us all that she'd met Radiohead several times and had never
been shaking like she was at this particular night. Finally, John
Sayles stepped in and asked her to stop because she was embarrassing
Lili.
Then it was over and I came home.
One final, albeit random, thought for the day: there are MANY inept and
completely useless volunteers this year. People who have no clue what's
going on or how to do their jobs, so much so that veteran fest-goers
are starting to seriously lose their patience. And so, when the "let's
thank the volunteers for all their hard work!" ad comes up before each
screening, my applause is decidedly insincere. Bordering on sarcastic.
In fact, I think it will cease altogether starting tomorrow.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS: Lili Taylor, Daryl Hannah, Rita Moreno, Mary
Steenburgen, Marcia Gay Harden, John Sayles and Rodney
Bingenheimer... 'cause he's a bonafide star, baby.
ROGER EBERT SIGHTINGS: None today. I wonder when he leaves?
LINE BUZZ: Mixed buzz for Gus Van Sant's Elephant, divided about evenly between loved it and hated it. Extremely positive reactions to
Love Actually, the British comedy I'll be seeing tomorrow, and
some disappointed thumbs down for the new Gong Li drama, Zhou Yu's
Train.
— Vickie
