Taking on real-life roles
SUNDAY was a private inviteonly screening of December’s movie “Bombshell.” Rules were we may mention it, but we may offer no official reviews this early. Despite the restriction, Lionsgate, who distributed it, and Crosby Hotel, who screened it, came off gracious. They fed us afterwards.
After TV’s series decimating the late Fox TV big bear Roger Ailes, this sexual-harassment “#Me Too” story about Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, etc., again chops him. John Lith
gow plays him magnificently in big-time prosthetics and large
time wardrobe. Co-producer Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and every blonde this side of a hairdresser are in it. Faces behind the news watched it.
Sitting directly in front of me, Gayle King. Sitting right alongside me,
Carl Bernstein.
At the scheduled talk afterward, Charlize, who plays Megyn — and in real life has darker hair — said: “At first I was scared to play her. She’s incredibly well-known, and I only knew her superficially.
“I also knew she was conflicted because she has said, ‘I’m not a feminist,’ and then she takes on
Trump and Ailes. “Our story takes place before the 2016 primaries. A year before Harvey Weinstein and
Ronan Farrow and long before Matt Lauer. “This was harder than playing a serial killer. In 2004, I made ‘North Country,’ a movie about sexual harassment — and to me, this was harder. The issue of sexual harassment is not over.” Lithgow: “I told the makeup people, just let them see my eyes, my mouth and my own hair. Having played a villain before, I always look at their impulsions, what made them. The loneliness of the monster . . . the cunningness of the victim. There were some tough scenes in this one.”
For Pete’s sake
NOT politicking, advocating or campaigning. I be just a simple soul recording the piteous raggedy dregs of this greatest country on Earth.
Of our dim group of egotists, one’s age 11. The husband he met on the Internet told me: “When we’re in the White House, we’ll play the greatest music it’s ever had.” What with Syria, Iran, Iraq, Hong Kong, Turkey, Indonesia, Israel, Paris, England, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Alaska melting,
Washington definitely melting — can anyone want a better candidate?
Holidaze coming
HALLOWEEN. Your actor uncle who was once in “Gladiator” is coming as a sandal . . . THANKSGIVING. Traveling once a year to see relatives only to discover once a year is too often . . . CHRISTMAS. The Supreme Court may one day reverse their reversal against Nativity scenes in Washington. They can’t find Three Wise Men — or a Virgin . . . NEW YEAR’S EVE. Sing “Auld Acquaintance Should Be Forgot” — unless those tests come back positive. An idea for New Year’s Day? Go find some spiritual leaders and celebrate. You may not have seen that much kneeling since
Obama was in the White House demanding respect. New Year’s Day? Read of that little gray mouse who frightened off a big bad cat by barking like a dog. The moral? “Very important to learn a second language.”
Do not pick on me. We’re talking only in New York, kids, only in New York.