Billy Crudup and Me

I am very happy to see the talented Billy Crudup in two films this month (Jackie and 20th Century Women). My contact with Crudup took place at the first Telluride Film Festival my husband and I attended. Unlike other film festivals, the program is a closely guarded secret until opening day. And we knew nothing about the tradition of standing in line, sometimes for over an hour, to get a good seat for the movies and events we wanted to see. Showing up early for one of those lines turned out to be a stroke of luck for me. On Labor Day morning, Billy Crudup appeared in a special Conversation Session at the Telluride Court House. Because I wanted to interview this rising star after seeing his amazing performance in Jesus’ Son, I researched his background on the Internet. Hoping to catch Crudup before the program, Larry and I arrived shortly after 8:30 a.m. and were the first ones in line for the 10 a.m. session.

After a few minutes, a petite brunette showed up and began asking the program coordinator questions about Crudup. Davia Nelson, from PBS (Lost and Found Sounds), had been recruited to moderate the session at the last minute. Eavesdropping on them, I interrupted and recited everything I knew about Crudup’s films, awards and so on. “Would you introduce him for me?” Nelson pleaded.

Without pausing for even a second, I agreed. Crudup sought me out after the program and thanked me personally. However, I almost spoiled this memorable experience with a flippant response. While I was talking with Crudup, a member of the audience came up to speak with the star. He wanted Crudup’s opinion concerning who was a better actor, Skeet Ulrich or Billy Crudup. Crudup answered with a smile, “Skeet Ulrich, of course.”

I added that Ulrich was “the poor man’s Johnny Depp” – to which the man replied, “Really? I’ll tell him that. I’m his father.”

Mortified, I apologized, calling my husband over to bail me out. “I’m just kidding, sir. I’ve always admired your son’s acting; haven’t I, Larry?” I begged. My helpful spouse came through for me again. “Right. She even gave Skeet Ulrich high marks for his work in Chill Factor,” he declared.

Wonder why I haven’t heard from Crudup since our meeting in Telluride?

         

Roger Ebert Remembered

Like so many movie fans, I’m very sad about Roger Ebert’s passing. He was one of the finest film critics ever published -- and also a great guy! I love to read his movie reviews. They never seem formulaic, and he put so much of himself into everything he wrote. In fact, Roger and his work helped motivate me to become a film critic.

My husband and I had the good fortune to meet Roger several years ago at the Telluride Film Festival during the screening of The Mystic Masseur. This film focused on one man’s burning desire to become an author. "Put my picture on the cover," Ganesh, played brilliantly by Aasif Mandvi, insists to the publisher of his first book, a catechism about the Hindu religion. While discussing the movie with Roger after the screening, I mentioned to him that Larry and I identified with the main character because we just finished co-writing a romantic memoir. “Put your picture on the cover just like Ganesh did,” he advised us. (I believe Roger followed his own advice and made sure his photo was seen on many of the terrific books he wrote.)

Roger deserved the various honors he received, which include a Pulitzer Prize for film criticism and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

No doubt about it, Roger Ebert will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans.