Flicker: ‘Colour Me Kubrick’Rremarkable Acting by John Malcovich, Triumphant “Hedda Gabbler at A.C.T.

by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave, 2007-02-16

FLICKER BIT: COLOUR ME KUBRICK

Imagine Stanley Kubrick, the film director living in a lower class neighborhood in London and going to Bars (Gay-ish) and hitting up on hustler types. He tells people that he is living quietly, because he is so tired of all the Hollywood razzle dazzle. And because he is Stanley Kubrick everyone is all too eager to pick up his drink tabs and wine and dine him because Kubrick drops hints about a new movie that he is casting and he is looking around for new talent. “Tom Cruise”, wanted to be in it – but I turned him down. He just wasn’t right for the part.” John Malcovich plays the role of Stanley Kubrick in this film that was put together with a lot of input from the Kubrick family. The key word here is “Imagine” because this tru-ish story is about a con artist who pretends to be Stanley Kubrick. But, his passport shows that he is really Alan Conway

Through the 1990’s the real Conway managed to pull off an amazing and brilliant scheme to become the director (Kubrick) who lived much of his life as a recluse. Hardly anyone knew what he really looked like, so it was easy to convince people that he was the real deal. It was a marvelous deception. While he lies back on his bed you can practically imagine what is going through his mind. “OooooooooooH, what fun I’m having. The drinks are free. I’m so adored; I’m being showered with gifts…everyone wants to be seen with me. OooooooooooH…it’s all so grand.” At times Malkovich reminds of Norma Desmond waiting for the cameras to start rolling. Believe me – this con artist has convinced himself that he is Kubrick – even though some of the Hollywood stories that he tells, has holes big enough for a semi truck.

The film becomes bigger than life is this quirky but funny film. And it’s all done in a Kubrick-esque way. Anthony Frewin, Kubrick’s personal assistant, wrote the screenplay. Film buffs will be just ecstatic. Here is one particular juicy scene. The make believe Kubrick walks up to a young man in a bar and says something about working on a movie. The young man says: “Are you some kind of Hollywood producer or something? Kubrick leans over and whispers in his ear. – “I’m Stanley Kubrick”. The kid is seemingly entranced, but he has a plan. He begins to name several of his favorite Kubrick films and throws one in that was directed by Stanley Kramer. Through all of this the imposter is smiling his approval at the praise of the films. The young man says to him: --“The last film I mentioned was directed by Stanley Kramer. If you’re going to pretend to be someone who is famous – you better do some research.” A Chagrined fake Kubrick slinks out the door. Beware of those film buffs…they will trip you up every time.

Another ruse he would use to impress people is to seek out a really classy neighborhood and tell his adoring new fans the address. The would pull up to pick him up and he would be on the doorstep – saying that he thought it would be better if he met them outside. “It would take less time. I’ll invite you in next time.” Of course, after they realized that they had been scammed, they would return to the address demanding to see The Director. The residents knew of no such person. There were always posh addresses for him to give out. And, it worked like a charm. Malcovich cons us too. We fall in love with him. We want him to succeed in his reckless con game. His lies become endearing. He pressed many ego buttons on the screen, and he also pressed ours.

This is the one movie that you won’t want to miss. It will only play at the Lumiere for one week March 23 – March 29. If you think that La Cage Aux Follies was hilarious – wait until you see this. It’s engrossing, entrancing and exceptionally well written and witty. Here is the cast: John Malkovich, Marisa Berenson, Ken Russell, Richard E. Grant. The extremely exciting directing is by Brian Morse.

I believe that this film will overwhelm the theater and that it will continue at another venue like perhaps The Embarcadero for a very long run. Maybe months. It’s the best fun you’ll have this year.

RATING: FOUR BOXES OF POPCORN!!! - Trade Marked – (highest rating)
(Awarded a Lee Hartgrave Fame Award)

HEDDA GABBLER



A.C.T. has out done themselves with a first class production of Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabbler”. The sets are just terrific. I especially liked the Sweeney Todd look of the walkways high above the stage. It added to the mystery that was about to unfold. This play is over one hundred years old and it has been re-translated from Swedish many times. This version was just translated again in 2007. And it probably is the best. The re-working gives the play a little more modern feel to it. Oh, it not quite “The Devil Wears Prada”, but it could be. And there would nothing wrong with that. Hedda, in my view is already an evil bitch. Why not make her more blatant in her imperial ways?

Hedda is a depressed person who is married to a man who she does not love. She is in love with another, who has plenty of problems of his own. Drinking is one of the main ones. However, we he meets a woman who is helping him stay on the wagon, Hedda becomes jealous. It’s the if I can’t have him syndrome, then no one can have him. So – she sets out on a plan to ruin him and everyone else around her.

Hedda is a tragic person. You almost feel sorry for her, but at other times you dislike her intensely. And Rene Augesen managed to torment everyone on stage along with the audience with her remarkable chameleon performance. Her husband Jorgan Tesman (Anthony Fusco) is just perfect as the straight-laced Professor. Boring to a fault, but a good man. Stephen Barker Turner keeps our eye wide open with his strong and stirring performance of a brilliant writer who falls under the spell of evil and drink.

Richard E.T. White brought some new vision to this old chestnut. It seemed fresher than it has in years.
RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!
SEEN AND HEARD

Many Celebs have stayed at the Ramada Plaza across the corner of The Orpheum Theater. Chorus boys, Chorus Girls and even a big star now and then. There was a time that big names Like Eartha Kitt and Troy Donahue stayed at the Fox Plaza in its heyday. It was glamorous then. Now, if they stay near The Orpheum – it will be at the Whitcomb Hotel. The what? … you say. Well, it seems that the new owners of the Hotel want to cash in on the History of the Hotel. It was originally the Whitcomb, and after the 1906 Earthquake, it even served at the official City Hall because the other one came tumbling to the ground. By the way – the New Library sits on that site. And there is nothing underneath but sand. The Whitcomb has already started renovating the 7th floor rooms.




The Photo of Lee Hartgrave Boy Reporter is by Jim Ferreira – Film Noir & Hollywood Glamour. www.lafterhall.com.

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