Warren Beatty discusses world changes, film, family
“I WOULD say the biggest change the world is going through is the liberation of women.”
That’s what Warren Beatty said recently during an interview with Associated Press reporter Jack Coyle. The famously elusive Warren was chatting with media at a screening of his longawaited movie — his first in 15 years — “Rules Don’t Apply.”
Warren was referring to the increasing higher profile of women in the industry. (It’s not great, but it’s getting better.) Of course, Warren has always been interested in women; once he was Hollywood’s most famous Lothario, unmarried and likely to remain so, it was assumed. Then along came Annette Bening. “Women” became “woman” and family — four children — bested the glittering fun of his longrunning la dolce vita.
The Oscar-winning actor says family life is “far more interesting to me than movies.” And, also: “The idea of divorce appalled me and still does.” I suppose that’s why he waited so long to settle down — to be with a woman he’d never think of divorcing.
“Rules Don’t Apply” is often referred to as “the Howard Hughes movie.” And indeed Warren, who has directed the film and written the screenplay, does appear as the aviator/ movie mogul, circa 1958. But it’s not a biopic. (And Warren, who’s met everyone, never encountered Hughes.)
The story is really about two innocents (Lily Collins and Alden Ehrenreich) put under contract by Hughes, and how they navigate the possibilities, potentials and — surely — the inevitable disappointments of promised stardom. AP writer Coyle describes the movie as “snappy and vibrant.” He also notes, “Sex plays a significant role.” It opens on Nov. 23.
In an eye-roll and a helpless nod to our current super self-absorbed culture, Warren said, ruefully, when he looked over the select audience at this screening of his movie: “You’re all on your iPhones!”
P.S. On Dec. 1, Warren receives the Kirk Douglas Award at the Santa Bar- bara Film Festival. It is rumored that Warren will be handed the honor from Kirk himself, who turns 100 on Dec. 9.
BY NOW it’s not “news” per se, but we still have to scream out our congratulations to the divine, one-and-only Bette Midler. The first-day ticket sales to her coming “Hello, Dolly!” revival shattered Broadway records, at an eye-popping $9 million dollars!
I’m calling it now. Midler’s opening night at the Shubert Theater will be historic. One of those mass love, mass hysteria, “Day of the Locust” (minus the fatal trampling), events that will be talked about for decades.
PEOPLE ARE still raving about Stevie Nicks’ amazing performance of “Landslide” on “America’s Got Talent” last week — a lady, a simple black gown, a microphone, a spare guitar backup and that unmistakable voice. No bells, no whistles, no distractions. The years have gifted Ms. Nicks with an even more evocative, soulful, intimate sound. If you’re a fan, try to find this — it must be on YouTube by now.