'Big Fat' is all that
Letter to the editor
The Oct. 2 editorial about the potential legacy of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding's" box office success asserts that the film "may not represent "high art" and "wouldn't win a festival award."
Granted, as Nia Vardalos' manager throughout the development and production of both the one-woman show and film, perhaps it's impossible for me to be objective. But romantic comedy is generally considered the most difficult kind of film to do well. If "Big Fat" is not a high-quality representation of the genre, what is?
My belief that the film would have -- and still might -- win awards is based upon the triumphs of other films where I had similar responsibilities: the 2000 Sundance World Audience Award and BAFTA best screenplay nominee "Saving Grace"; and the 1999 Edinburgh Film Festival Audience Award runner-up "The Big Tease."
"Grace," "Tease" and "Big Fat" share a common tonality; each is filled with humor, heart and unwavering affirmations of life. It's a recipe many of Hollywood's finest filmmakers, including Capra and Spielberg -- two directors who continually faced accusations that their films "may not represent "high art"' -- have looked to for success.
As for legacies, no doubt "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" re-fuels the independent film dream of winning the lottery. A more lasting reward, however, would be if the major studios begin to better serve audiences' unending desire for films that make us feel better about ourselves and those around us. If development execs not only say, "find me the next 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,'" also buy the script once it's been found.
Finally, instead of necessarily hiring Julia Roberts (whom I love, let me finish) or the closest facsimile available, that just as Playtone Pictures and HBO Films did, the studios stand up for the best acting choices and not simply the most famous.
Not that I'm hopeful. I'm currently finalizing financing on a film to shoot next summer. Last week an executive vice president for a major studio told me, "Everyone on the lot loved the script. Loved it. Except the big division thinks the film is too small, and the signature division thinks the movie's too big."
If only somebody had a Goldilocks division.
Rick Siegel
Marathon Entertainment
