So, another TIFF has come and gone. The frenzy is over for another year. And not one movie star did I see. Of course, it might have helped to go to one of the Red Carpet events, but that seemed like far too much trouble. And I'm not sure I really want to meet a big name star. Just seeing George Clooney walk into a theatre or out of a restaurant might fill me with tingly excitement for a few hours, but to actually talk to him would fill me with nervous dread. What would I say that could be original? Or not stupid? You hear of people who have met one of their favourite stars and gushed over how much they were loved in a certain role... except they were not the one in that movie. I would be mortified if I made that mistake. I would probably be so tongue-tied, I would either forget to breathe or would come up with some gibberish before my idol was gently steered away by some brusque handler. Besides, I would much rather see someone famous actually doing something, even an interview, or a reading. Or better yet, a play.
As much as I love the idea of the Toronto International Film Festival, I feel no need or desire to pay more money to see a movie that may be Oscar worthy first, before it goes into general release. I also don't need to see it on opening night. Though, I do draw the line at waiting for it to come to television. Films were made for the big screen and seeing with dozens of other people to get the shared experienced and excitement. The movies I went to see were the more obscure ones and the 'shorts'. Okay, I only went twice. Way back, in TIFF's infancy when it was still known as The Festival of Festivals, a group of us from work would head up to the theatres and wander from one to the other and talk to people in line to find out what they had seen and then rush from one screening to another. i saw a lot of interesting films that never made it into general release. Now, your selections must be pre-ordered and they aren't held in any of the no longer standing independent theatres. And, because I don't live in Toronto, it makes it even more challenging to attend.
Anyway, I wonder if any of you have met anyone famous? Or if not, who would you like to meet? And more importantly what would you say to them?
Why are we so impressed with these people? It's not like they save lives, it's not like they're anything special, really. They just spend their days play acting and getting paid oodles of money for it.
ReplyDeleteThe closest I came was passing Harry Bellafonta right on the sidewalk and having him check me out. I was younger and better looking then.
ReplyDeleteI would like to have an earnest conversation with Meryl Streep. She seems like an interesting person.
Jazz: I guess it is because we think we know them since we see them all the time on tv or in the movies. And many of them do look lovely....
ReplyDeleteNora: I remember you writing about that! Meryl Streep would be a great choice to have a long dinner conversation with.
ReplyDeleteI live in Connecticut, and I was eating at a restaurant known for visits from famous people. I didn't know that at the time... I just loved their seafood. Meryl Streep came in with a very small child. This was in 1992, mind you. One of the women in our group was chomping at the BIT to go talk to her, and stood up to do just that. I yanked her down. Ms Streep was with her family, smack in the middle of the room, and the child was behaving very badly.
ReplyDeleteMeryl looked just like every harried parent on the planet, only every eye was alREADY on her to begin with. And the child started to really wail, so she did what every responsible parent on the planet does--she scooped up the child and walked out.
Well, woman xyz leaped up with a lame, "I need a smoke, I'll be right back." And she started to FOLLOW Meryl out. My friend calmly got up and said, "I could use one, too. I'll go with you."
Outside, Meryl went right, and my friend GRABBED Ms xyz and headed left, with which I, along with the rest of the restaurant, began to laugh.
We had resumed our dinner together when Meryl returned with a calm child and sat down. My friend and I glanced up and she mouthed to us, "THANK YOU."
Not a conversation, but I've never forgotten that moment, and I've never again forgotten that these are people, with lives. NOT just like mine, no. But people in the ozone layer of fame still have fussy children, exhaustion, and days they'd like to shrink into the floor.
Now. I actually DID talk to Bruce Springsteen...
I guess my favorite encounter was when Rodney Dangerfield called Dad and me up to the stage so Dad could take our picture. I was a goofy 16 year old and so said nothing at all. Or if I did I don't remember. Also around that time I met Aerosmith and was kinda drunk and was all gushy and lied and told them I had all their albums (I had one). I think my Bette Midler encounter cured me of ever approaching a celebrity again.
ReplyDeleteJeannette: that is a great story. some people can be totally oblivious to social cues. actually, I wonder how xyz's version of events would sound!
ReplyDeleteGeewits: being on stage with Rodney Dangerfield would be too scary - who knows what kind of comic insult would come out of his mouth.
ReplyDeleteand yes, it would be a cure!
She was MAAAAADDDD. But she'd also had three glasses of wine and by the end probably did not remember Meryl was there. At one point, my then husband suggested that someone should take HER out of the room until she could behave. My other friend tried to get her to go out for some fresh air, but to no avail. Let's just say she did not remain even the casual friend she'd been for long. She's been married three times since then!
ReplyDeleteI saw Colm Meaney getting out of Boots at Heathrow once. But he is only semi-famous I guess. In Québec, you live in the Plateau and you see plenty of local stars around, I lost count. I was taught acting by one.
ReplyDeleteJeannette: I'd say Ms Streep owes you!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of people like your no-longer-casual-friend, I am reminded of that I Love Lucy episode where she sees William Holden (I think it was him) at a restaurant and keeps changing tables to get closer and eventually hangs over the back of the booth gazing at him as he eats.
Guillaume: I'd say he was a fairly big name actor. Though, to be honest, I probably wouldn't recognize many of them out on the street.
ReplyDeleteI once saw JK Rowling in Harvey Nicks in Edinburgh, going down the escalator as we were going up.
I met Brian Mulrooney when he was still Canadian PM and he shook my hand. Does that count as some one famous or rather infamous? I could not wait to wash my hands.
ReplyDeleteLGS: I saw him once too, though I believe I only shook Mila's hand. I understand. His son is host of an entertainment [gossip] television show.
ReplyDeleteI wish to see only the stars in the sky! Today I post of trees. Trees - our four sisters .
ReplyDeleteCheers from Perth!
Jenn: those are probably the best stars - and hard to see in Toronto as well!
ReplyDeleteGrace Jones and I were checking into the British Airways Club Lounge at Heathrow Airport, London, at the same time. She was whisked into the First Class section though...but she's very tall and was covered head to toe in furs.
ReplyDeleteScott: sometimes meeting someone famous can make you feel a little small, eh?!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever met anyone famous, but I have been just a few feet away from Royalty as they sped past in a car.
ReplyDeleteMaggie X
Nuts in May
Sorry I haven't been around. Been a rough couple of months. Will e-mail you.
ReplyDeleteMaggie: I swear the Queen waved directly at me as she sped past in a car one day.
ReplyDeleteNr Nighttime: sorry to hear that. and I did get to meet you as an actor, that was pretty neat!