Toronto Film Fest

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/11/04 at 8:45am

So I am going to try to attend a few industry screenings. One of the sub themes this year is films about theatre or of theatre productions. Being Julia was the 1st one . It is based on a Somerset Maugham novel cld "Theatre". Sadly I cannot recommend it. The story is about the time in the 30's when there were still actor /managers (Jeremy Irons) who is married to his aging leading lady Julia ( Annette Benning) She's bored & unhappy & has a fling w a golddigging young American who uses her to help his girlfriend advance her career. It gets very "All About Eve" here but Julia triumphs cutting her rival to shreads on stage . Beautifully photographed , lovely costumes it was shot in Hungary to get "period" feel. But there is nothing to the film no real conflict resolution. Benning does a passible English accent but so what?
Micheal Gambon does a nice extended cameo as the ghost of her mentor who advises her but on the whole most of the supporting characters are really just extended cameos. A total waste of talent. Hoping to see Stage Beauty next about the Restoration period. The story is about the last English actor to play a woman & the 1st woman to play a woman on stage. Should be interesting! Updated On: 9/11/04 at 08:45 AM

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 9/11/04 at 10:30am

thanks Sabrelady! :)
I was supposed to volunteer a few nights at the film festival but couldn't get the time off from my other job. There's always next year.....

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 9/11/04 at 10:49am

If any of you are going to a screening at the Isabel Bader Theatre, drop by and say hello - I live on campus at Victoria College at U of T, where the theatre is located.

I was lucky enough to meet Ian McKellen last year at the Bader theatre when they screened Emile. Yay for perks of living on campus!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/11/04 at 11:51am

OHMYGAWDD!!!! BlueWizard!! I am a Vic alum!!( & a Marg Ad girl) & actually I will be doing 1 shift in the aft/eve of Tues @ the Bader theatre. (sdon't know what til I get there!) Come By me!! Updated On: 9/11/04 at 11:51 AM

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 9/11/04 at 6:52pm

My god, you're kidding!! Small world, truly. I was a MargAd boy for 2 years!! (Best years of my life - I love MargAd!) Now I'm in South House. Yay Vic!

I'll PM you!

Updated On: 9/11/04 at 06:52 PM