First Glimpse of Eleanor Rigby

That is the photo of James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain.  Yes, you read that right.  McAvoy and Chastain.......and they are in a movie together!

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her.   That is the name of a unique film by Ned Benson that I've been waiting for since last summer.  It's a romantic drama where James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain play a NY couple dealing with difficult issues in their relationship.  From the press notes:

"The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her is a two-part love story seen through the eyes of a New York couple trying to understand each other as they cope with personal hardship. The different perspectives of “Him” and “Her” result in two films with a unique look into one couple's attempt to reclaim the life and love they once had."

It has a very unique "point of view" premise that I'm really interested in seeing how it will be presented.  It will be part of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this Sept 5 - 15, 2013.  And so with TIFF's announcement of included films, the above photo of the movie was released yesterday.  Now, I'm even more excited to see it!  As if the photo isn't enough already to get you enthused for this movie, wait until you learn about the supporting cast!  It includes the wonderful Isabelle Huppert, Viola Davis, Ciaran Hinds, William Hurt, Jess Weixler, Nina Arianda and Bill Hader.  Isn't that just fabulous??!!

In other Chastain news, she was honored last Sunday (July 21) at the Giffoni Film Fest in Italy with the Experience Award.  Part of the celebration was a Q and A with her before the award was presented.  One question she was asked was how she handles fame and the paparazzi and I'd like to point out her anecdote about attending a cooking class in NYC (around 45 secs of the video).  It's a charming story........

At the Tony Awards Press Room

Venus in Fur closes today.

Venus in Fur

Venus in Fur stars Nina Arianda as Wanda (pronounced Vanda), an actress who boldly pushes her way to audition for a play written by Thomas (Hugh Dancy).  She is tardy, but fully prepared, complete with costumes and an intimate knowledge of the script.  The playwright is directing a production based on Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's novel about Severin Kushemski.  The novel's protagonist is a nobleman whose feelings for Vanda Duneyev, a woman he meets at a spa, lean towards S & M.

Ms. Arianda is a powerhouse on stage, earning a well deserved Tony nomination. A great physical comedienne, she is also by turns, seductive, innocent, brazen. Her performance is riveting.  A play within a play, Wanda abruptly but effortlessly goes in and out of character to question the writer.  Is Thomas revealing his own sexual proclivities through his work? It's a love story, he insists.  As the audition continues, the actress-writer/director dynamics shift.  She starts to dominate the proceedings, the transitions between Wanda/Vanda and Thomas/Kushemski increasingly revelatory for the playwright.

The show doesn't fully resolve the questions of who Vanda is. Is her name really Wanda-pronounced-as- Vanda?  How she does she know so much about Thomas, as well as Vanda the character?  This was probably where it left me hanging.  But otherwise, it's a unique but bewildering study of male-female power struggles and sexual politics.

The show closes 17 June 2012.