CONFIDENTIAL:
PLAYING A LOBBYIST in “Miss Sloane” was an eyeopener for Jessica Chastain. The Oscarnominated actress (“Zero Dark Thirty” “The Help”) told Confidential that prior to taking the role, she had no idea what lobbyists did. “There’s a lot of money in D.C. There’s no question about that,” Chastain (photo inset) said at a Cinema Society and Piaget screening of her new film, which centers on a lobbyist who takes on the gun industry. “I met with congressmen and senators, and one congressman told me he would usually go to three fundraisers a day to maintain a seat. I think everyone wants to eliminate that aspect of politics.” The redhead was careful when parsing her words about the gun industry and its powerful lobby. “I met with people from (shooting survivor and former Rep.) Gabby Giffords’ organization and they try not to use the term ‘gun control.’ They use ‘gun safety’ or ‘gun violence protection’ because ‘gun control’ leads people to think of confiscation and then it turns everything into a Second Amendment debate, which has nothing to do with the argument for background checks,” she said.
The discussion was all so high-minded until Chastain spotted Edie Falco in the crowd.
“Oh, my gosh, Edie Falco!” Chastain squealed. “I love ‘The Sopranos!’ ”
“Girls” actress Jake Lacy, who stars with Chastain in the John Madden-directed flick that opens Friday, says the real subject of the film isn’t gun control but the way the government operates.
It’s about “the effect that lobbying and slush fund money and billionaires have over the political system and the narrative that we digest,” he explained.
Naturally, the Vermont native is a fan of Bernie Sanders.
“I grew up with Bernie repping us,” he said. “I was excited by what he had to say politically, but also his invigorating millions of people to take part in the political system and not sit back and watch. I hope to be a part of that.”
Celebs including
and watched the political thriller and then headed to the 86th floor of 432 Park to imbibe Qui tequila cocktails such as the Lobbyist’s Libation and Miss Sloane’s Nightcap. The tower was an ironic choice; it was once dubbed “the Oligarch’s Erection” by The New Yorker.