We watched Spoiler Alert last night – one month to the day since the premiere. Don can’t stop talking about it. He really, really loves the movie and, of course, he’s my biggest fan. I have a little distance on it now and it is truly a beautiful, warm, heartbreaking and funny movie. Michael Showalter is the bee’s knees as a director. And Jim and Ben, my heavens, how wonderful they are in these roles. The thing I love about it – something Don and I have discussed a lot this morning – is that it’s a movie about life and love and heartbreak that has two central characters who just happen to be gay. It’s a healthy step forward, I think. And a necessary one.
I finally got to really see my scene. Believe me, I’m just a little blip on the screen, but the night of the premiere I was so surprised that some of my lines that I thought had been cut were back in the movie, that I didn’t really take in what I said or how I said it. So we rewound the scene a couple of times. I was an actress for many years but I was a stage actress. Film acting is very, very different. You have to pull it back, you can’t get away with the largeness of onstage acting. Don keeps going on about how real I am in the scene and how well I adapted to film acting in that scene. I listened to the director when he told me to be a bit quieter, for one thing. And I think that because I had been watching so many scenes being shot – watching Jim and Ben and Sally and Bill and their approach to the camera – that some of it rubbed off on me. Anyway – dare I say it without sounding egotistical? – I’m proud of the way it came out. It’s a pivotal moment in the film and it paves the way for the next few interactions. Of course, no one really likes the way they look onscreen, myself included, but that is beyond my control; heck, I was 69 when it was filmed.
Anyway, I will admit to a little thrill when I see it. And I will definitely admit to an even bigger thrill when I listen to Ben playing an American character. He really aced it and boy oh boy, was it a pleasure and honor to work with him.
Sigh of happiness.
I decided to pack the little putz houses away because I had been thinking of doing this. (I’ll take a distance shot soon.) We were moving the pew back to its usual home and I hesitated about placing the McCoy under it once again. So, now we’ve got this, which I’m still tweaking, but I like it. I especially like the way it cuts through the dark mahogany of the piano. Mahogany is not my favorite finish, but it was a big deal when my grandparents purchased this piano.
I finished the Herron, returned it to the library and picked up another book that had come in. We ran some errands. Don is making black-eyed peas for the new year and I found some coconut cream, so I’m going to try another batch of Linzer Tart cookies.
I’ve started Desert Star, the newest Michael Connelly. It’s like having a reunion with an old friend. He’s a wonderful writer.
Okay.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
I thought the same thing when I read that last Michael Connelly. He’s such a comfortable read for me, too.
Your piano vignette is beautiful! I love all of that aqua pottery and that sweet little chinoiserie lamp with the red shade is the perfect accent. It brings in the red of the ship’s stacks—I love it all!
Oh, thanks so much, Shanna!
Stay safe.
yay to seeing the movie again … and especially to you acknowledging your talents and contributions (much different from being egotistical)!
yay to puttering that leads to your liking a new arrangement of favorite things! (i like it, too.)
yay to black-eyed peas for new year’s (or any day, really)! we have them early on new year’s day, cooked to near-mushiness, put on toasted whole wheat bread and some pepper on top.
yay to cookies, too!
and to more books!
here? i am in a waiting room right now, pending approval of x-ray clarity for a mammogram … a good time to say, please get checked, everyone! and be well in every way!
doesn’t feel like a friday to me nor does it seem like december (set a record high of 60 degrees here yesterday) or like 2023 starts in less than 48 hours … but it is and it does. happy new year to everyone. be safe!
kathy
We’re getting the same high temperatures. Very disconcerting after the frigid temps we had last week.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Congrats
Two actors in the family.
Happy 2023 soon
Well, there has always been two actors in the family. I just wasn’t doing it anymore; once an actor always an actor. But I started acting earlier than Don – I think he started in high school but I was acting at the age of 11.
However, that being said, Don has never seen me act; I had stopped before I met him. So he’s thrilled to see me on screen. It’s a big deal to him.
Stay safe.
So early
Imagine that
Amazing woman
xo
What an amazing experience…or experiences! To be on film as well behind the scenes helping others…how neat! Again, enjoy your reading and stay warm! I like the monochromatic McCoy display!
I do, too!
Thanks so much, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Just saw Spoiler Albert the other night. Beautiful and heartwarming love story. It was quite a thrill to see you in it and remembering all the stories you shared with us while filing it.
Again, congratulations on your big screen debut!
Thank you so much, Cathy. I’m very proud of my work on the film, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.
Stay safe.
Your McCoy pottery is a breath of spring in a grey blustery winter. Amazon is selling Spoiler Alert for $21.98 and you can pre-order. I think you were meant to play that role, Claudia. Enjoy your Michael Connelly book. I used to read all his books but stopped for some reason. I must go figure out which ones I haven’t read and start again. Take gentle care. Hugs, Elaine
I’ve done that before with some authors. Then I have to play catch-up.
Stay safe, Elaine.
Hello , Nurse Claudia! Watched “your” movie . . . paid the big bucks. :-) Really enjoyed it. I wanted to say to my husband “hey, there is my friend!” Anyway, great coaching job . . . NEVER would have known that Ben was British . . . and loved your scene. Hooray all around. Happy New Year, from your friend you’ve never met.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Chris! I so appreciate them.
Stay safe!
I saw the movie a couple of nights ago. It achieved its emotional impact without being maudlin and I liked the construction of the story as it unspooled. Your character made a big impact in a very quiet way. I wish someone like you had said those things to me when my husband was dying, but it wasn’t just what your character was saying, it was the way that you Performed and unknowing, tender, and supportive way. What a great experience! I would have never known that Ben was British. Congratulations
Thank you so much, Nora. Your thoughts about the movie mean a great deal to me. I’m so glad you liked it.
When my dad was on his death bed, we talked to him and told him we loved him. We thanked him for everything and told him he could go, that we would be fine and that it was time to reunite with my mom. So this scene really resonated with me.
Stay safe, Nora.
I love how the McCoy brings out the ocean in the picture behind it! Very pretty.
Weird climate change weather today, I didn’t fill the bird feeders this afternoon for fear of tempting any “emerging from sleep to get a snack” bears. My grand daughters played with water balloons this afternoon! it was 64 , Lol. To be 6 and 9 again! :)
Yes, the weather changes are really extreme. Last week we were in single digits, this week we’re in the fifties. Crazy.
Stay safe, Betsy!
Looking forward to seeing this movie, starring Claudia Hill. It may be a while but I still look forward to it.
You’ll see it eventually!
Stay safe.
Glad that you’ve been able to see Spoiler Alert again and to watch your part in greater detail. I searched on Amazon Prime UK but it’s not showing as available so i’ll keep looking in the New Year.
I have seen the trailer on YouTube and also can’t hear any trace of Ben’s English voice😀
I don’t think it will be available until January but I seem to remember it will premiere there sometime in that first month of the year. It was out for two weeks here before it became available on Amazon Prime, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
I still haven’t seen it — I’m not sure it’s even still here — things seem to come and go so fast. So thanks for the info on your other post about streaming options. I’d love to see you, of course, but it sounds like such a lovely and timely movie. I’m glad you were able to spend more time with watching the film.
That McCoy looks terrific there. I think that’s a great idea!
It is a supremely lovely movie, Jeanie.
Thanks so much.
Stay safe.