Tornoto Day Whatever: Michael Cera, Vera Farmiga and Gabby Sidibe
I think I forgot to blog again yesterday. Time has become a blur.
Spent the whole day writing and doing interviews. Great way to enjoy a film festival.
Talked to Michael Cera, Vera Farmiga and Gabby Sidibe from "Precious."
Cera's "Youth in Revolt," one of the Michigan films here, is absolutely hilarious, probably his best lead role yet (no, it's not as good as "Juno," but...). A classic teen virginity comedy that's completely over the top, with a great cast and script.
Farmiga turned out to be very down to earth, thoughtful but straight-speaking and fun. She's one of those actors whose work is so seamless you never notice how good they are. In "Up in the Air" she shares the best chemistry with George Clooney that he's had onscreen since "Out of Sight" with Jennifer Lopez.
Hmmm, both "Air" and "Sight" were partly shot in Detroit. Maybe Clooney needs to consider shooting more movies in the area.
Gabby Sidibe was such a different interview it's hard to describe. She's not a movie star, yet she's the star of one of the year's best movies. Even so, she's got a 9 to 5 clerk job in a place where most people don't know she's in a movie set to come out in November.
She was extremely articulate, extremely self aware, very funny and witty and in no way has her head in the clouds. She knows this is probably a passing thing, she's enjoying it while she can.
The most interesting question of the upcoming awards season is whether everyone will just write off Gabby's incredible performance because she's not an "actress" by trade or particular aspiration. As far as I've seen -- and I've seen a lot -- it's the most moving, startling and astounding performance of the year.
Yet I have a feeling she won't get a best actress nomination simply because she's not of the biz. Maybe she'll get some breakthrough recognition, but that's silly because let's face it, she's probably not breaking through to anywhere else. This is her time.
As far as I'm concerned, as of now -- and I haven't seen "An Education" or "Broken Embraces" and I'm sure a few others -- but right now she's my Detroit Film Critics Society pick for best actress.
