Friday, March 28, 2008

AFI Dallas: 2008 Opening Night Gala

By John P. Meyer

By the time I arrived at the Majestic for AFI Dallas' opening night gala premiere of Helen Hunt's directorial debut, Then She Found Me, the red carpet was overloaded with media, so I went ahead and took my seat in the grand old downtown Dallas theater and watched the events outside unfold on the screen, where a live projection was being routed from a video camera out front.

Most memorable moment: Mickey Rooney mugging for the cameras, attempting to tickle the schnoz of the cute Target pooch and receiving a nip on the finger for his troubles.

After the requisite hour or so of milling around, people settled in for the festivities. I found myself seated across the aisle from Bill Paxton, who starred with Ms. Hunt in Twister several years back, and who - as I recall - was on the opening night red carpet at last year's inaugural AFI Dallas festival.

Following the introduction of the festival itself by luminaries the likes of Liener Temerlin (founder and chairman of the fest) and H. Ross Perot, Jr., Jean Firstenberg came on to introduce Mickey Rooney. Mickey took the stage and refused to let go, talking from his heart (with great erudition and conviction) about his career in the movie business. And talking. It's thanks to Mickey's lovely wife Jan that we all made it home before rooster crowing time, because she noticed that his remarks were running a bit long and walked up on stage to talk him down. Bravo to both Rooneys.

AFI Dallas CEO and artistic director Michael Cain arrived to introduce Ms. Hunt, who took it rather too easy on us (I thought) by speaking for only a minute about how wonderful it was to have her "bizarre little comedy" of an independent film showcased at such a prestigious affair - or words to that effect. Movie time.

When you get a chance to see her film in the theater (and it looks like you will in May of this year, when IMDB indicates a limited release), I suggest you do so. It tells a charming, wise, tragic and beautiful story about a woman (Ms. Hunt) who's simultaneously having the worst and best year of her life. Outrageous fortune batters her from all sides, but she finds strength in herself, her family (including a newfound birth mother played appealingly by Bette Midler) and a boyfriend (Colin Firth) who takes up the romantic reins recently cast aside by a capricious and self-indulgent short-term husband (Matthew Broderick).

There are a number of interesting cameos in the movie, but none more notable than that of Salman Rushdie, who plays the part of Ms. Hunt's obstetrician with convincing aplomb.

Yes, there was a party after the show, but I came home to post this piece rather than attending. The things I do for sleep.

Related stories

• Pegasus News Week in View: Non-presidential election edition (May 8, 2008)
• Pegasus News Week in View: Dallas tells AFI, “That’s a wrap!” (April 3, 2008)

See more stories in:

• Arts > Movies / Film > Film Festivals > AFI Dallas

Comments

Althea Jones Verified

I agree. I was a bit further back from the screen. Just rows from the upper back wall, actually. This did not keep me from enjoying Ms. Hunt's movie. I continued thinking that if I could say anything to Ms. Hunt, it would be, "Thank you for staying with this project throughout the years". It is well done.

I did not purchase a Premiere Pass, to get into the after party, but I want to make it to Niemen Marcus in the next few weeks.

6 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

CastleHills Anonymous

Did anyone see her interviewed on local TV this morning? I hate to say this, because she is such a beautiful woman, but---she looked absolutely skeletal. Starved.

0.00% body fat. Protruding clavicle and neck cords.

I wish actresses didn't feel like they have to do this to themselves. I like her, and I bet most of us would still like her if she gained about 10 pounds.

6 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified

When I saw Helen Hunt I didn't even recognize her! I was thinking, wow, she hasn't aged well.

Perhaps if she gains weight....

6 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )