How can such an expensive party seem so poor?
Last night was New Line's 40th anniversary party. It also celebrated "The Golden Compass," a wannabe-"LOTR" production that plans to be omnipresent come December. The Villa Rothschild was rented for the occasion and the property is every bit as grand as its name suggests.
So why was the evening such a drag?
1. Cranky movie stars. There weren't a lot of them but those they had, didn't stick around. "Golden Compass" stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, but Kidman didn't come to Cannes and Craig scowled through the photocall and got the hell out as soon as it was over. (Overheard: "He's such a pill.") Co-star Eva Green was more amenable. However, if she's not careful, she looks carnivorous.
2. A goddamn VIP section. Boo! Boo on VIP sections at Cannes parties. The VIPs held sway over the villa's terrace and foyer, with security guards stationed at the base of the stairs. People were drawn to the enormous glowing white mansion at the top of the hill, only to repelled as they reached it. Blah. Start segregating and you may as well be back in Beverly Hills. And for what? To protect Brett Ratner from his ravenous fans?
3. Why are we here again? Like the unfortunates born on Christmas Day, it's always tricky to double-dip your celebrations. And New Line had it particularly tough. This 40th anniversary comes in a post-LOTR world with Peter Jackson now in the role of Gollum and on the heels of a disastrous 2006 box office. And "Golden Compass" is still an unknown quantity. Responses to a Cannes screening of "Compass" footage ranged from "Narnia-ish" to "impressive" and "very middle of the road," but at this point, who knows? We've got a giant polar bear as the good guy, which I rather like. At the party last night, however, it was hard to see him from all the smoke produced by the dry ice.
Michael Jones is the film festival editor at Variety.com. 
I''M IN LOVE WITH MOVIE DIRECTOR MARTIN SCORSESSE!
Why was the Cannes Festival a little underated, I know why. The French are mean, nasty and constantly scheming. A little too rich for American newcomers, and established leaders in acting. Pondering if they saved a pretty penny, while many Celebrities were missing. They need to appreciate any Movie director attending a not so popular country. The food is terrible, and they need to hire professional bartenders for a change.
Posted by: Michele, Manitoba | 5/29/2007 5:44:06 PM
LIGHT, CAMERA, WHERE' STUCK IN THE FRENCH RIVERA.
Hey, alot of wonderful Actors and Celebrities were missing. How about creating a new event in USA, where we can't be OUTSHINED by the French anymore. Listen, they're getting ultra rich while our stars look skinny and lethargic, and its not from running. What did they serve at the CAnnes event. Stars should be constantly fed, shrimp, vegetarian, ravioli, Mignon, not ducks.
Tell them to stop saving on our stars, spend like they pay for first class flight to that darn festival. Where was my mate, Mattew McConaughey from 10 Ways to Loose A date!
Posted by: Mark Duvalle | 5/29/2007 5:37:07 PM
Stunning, the reviews on TV were a delight. However, where was Jennifer Aniston, or that great new actor/procuder, Mattew McConaughey. Indeed, I love George, the star stud of the night, but many southerners were out of the picture. Perhaps, they''''re working on new film, but I was hoping to see then all dresses up in todays fashion. Have a wonderful week, and Happy Memorial Day to the Vet''''s in the USA. Yours truly, E.Marie
Posted by: Elizabeth Marie | 5/29/2007 5:17:16 PM
Good question, Bugabalooba. By "poor," I meant a poverty of soul (if you will. Sounds pretentious, but what the hell; we're in France). For all that money, it just wasn't fun. Of course, no one can define exactly what makes a party a good time, but I'd suggest open-hearted sincerity would be a start. It was a feature of the two best festival parties I've ever attended -- and they were on the opposite ends of the financial and aesthetic spectrums.
1. "Moulin Rouge." The film opened Cannes in 2001 with honest-to-god can-can girls, Fatboy Slim as DJ and crepes made to order at 1 am. The whole cast was on hand and having every bit a good time as the guests.
2. "The Yes Men." This was Sundance 2003 and the film was one of the festival's many well reviewed films that year. United Artists was in a death spiral; in no mood to spend a penny more than necessary, the party was at a nondescript cowboy-ish bar off Main Street. However, filmmaker Chris Smith took matters into his own hands and brought in all of his friends from Milwaukee, including a DJ -- the coolest DJ I've ever seen, no offense to Fatboy Slim. He leapt, dazzled and spun behind the turntable and the music was so, so good. I didn't know Chris and he pulled me on to the dance floor and when I took a break, someone else pulled me back. (All of this while wearing hiking boots.) It was a real celebration -- not for any business reason, not because it was a good marketing strategy, but because they were happy to have made a film and to be in Sundance.
That party was so good, it made me wonder what it might be like to live in Milwaukee.
Posted by: Dana Harris | 5/24/2007 1:29:30 AM
We here a Bugabalooba wonders how can this be viewed as a poor party. I wonder how they will view a regular party?
Posted by: Bugabalooba | 5/23/2007 4:58:17 PM