Ladies in Lavender at the Toronto Film Festival: 2004A review by (Doc) Kathryn
My flight home was delayed, and I did not arrive in Portland until 4:30 am, then I had to work all day, so I'm pretty worn out right now, but I'll tell you some of what I remember about Charlie's Q and A session. I chose a seat in the middle of the front row (not the greatest for movie viewing but definitely the perfect spot for Charlie-watching,) and I put my hand up right away. The moderator picked me for the second question, and I stood up and said " Your movie is PERFECT, Charlie" and he said "Well, thank you, Kathryn" (that's right, he did, right there in front of everyone.) Then I asked him when he first read the story by Locke what was there about it that grabbed him and by what process was he able to envision it as a film. He gave a long answer about it being the fairytale quality of the story got him first, and then the way it dealt with feelings of love that are universal to us all, but that most contemporary movies seem to assume occur only in those aged 15 to 22, when they can in fact occur in people of any age, even for the first time. (This got a big round of applause from the middle-aged women in the crowd.) He said that he read the story again and again and that "celluloid frames" kept appearing in his mind and that Judi and Maggie were always in them. He said he did not think he could have made the movie if the two of them had not agreed to do it. There were so many questions about so many aspects of the film. It was such a pleasure to watch him discuss it. He was obviously enjoying himself and so was the audience. There were questions about each of the main actors and their characters, about the time spent in pre and post-production and the actual shooting (36 days!) He spoke quite a bit about the music, which pieces were mentioned in the story and which were chosen and why, about Nigel Hess and the beautiful score. He was asked if Daniel Bruhl actually played the violin (no he doesn't,) how long he spent practicing to do it in the film (one month,) who did play the music (Joshua Bell.) He called the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra "a pretty good band" and said that it took a long time for the hairs on the back of his neck to go down after he spent 4 days with the orchestra and Joshua Bell during the recording of the music. He was asked a lot of questions about the funding, how he was able to get it without having any sex in the film and the stupid things he had to do to please the investors. For example, he changed the script from "she (Natasha McElhone's character) got on the bike and rode away" to "she got on the bike, hiked up her skirt, and rode away." There were questions about the artist (Natasha's character was a painter,) and he said everyone called him "Rembrandt" but that he couldn't remember his real name, then he said "Oh yeah, his name is Freddie, Freddie 'Rembrandt'". He told what it was like working with Judi and Maggie, and how professional they were, always ready to work, in make-up and costumes, every morning at 7 am and how hard they worked everyday until 7 pm even though they are both nearly 70 years old. He said whenever he was around Judi "I just wanted to hug her tight, and Maggie, too, but not quite so closely." He talked about the cinematographer, why he chose him, certain techniques that were use. And about the location and the extras and their accents and so many things, I just cannot relate them all here. I should have taken a tape recorder, I guess. It was a wonderful experience, I can tell you that. Oh, he was asked if he would be directing more movies and he said that he certainly hoped so, but that he also wants to continue acting for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is "a damn site easier!" Charlie looks like a million bucks: trim, fit, relaxed and happy. He has done a wonderful job and you can just see it in him how optimistic he is about the future. The best is yet to come, Angels! (I tried to talk him into doing another play but he said "I can't afford it!") |
I did talk to him, I gave him a big kiss and told him it was from all his
Angels, I sent your good wishes and congratulations, and he said to send you
all his love. I have to say, he looks absolutely fantastic. He made my heart
race and sent shivers up my spine.