Rudolph Nureyev was hungry for at least three butch men a day, Harvey Keitel sequestered himself in his trailer in a deliberate attempt to totally "inhabit" his role, while Jim Brown stumbled over dialogue (ironically) crafted with his idiosyncrasies in mind.
Those were a few of the juicy tidbits filmgoers were treated to at a double-bill of "Fingers" and "Exposed" last night at the New Beverly Cinema.
Those were a few of the juicy tidbits filmgoers were treated to at a double-bill of "Fingers" and "Exposed" last night at the New Beverly Cinema.
Writer/Director James Toback essentially held court over the festive occasion as a high-spirited (at times mischievous) Quentin Tarantino played foil.
Nastassja Kinski almost slipped into the Theatre unnoticed, until someone spied her.
The fans were ecstatic!
The bill-of-fair was an intriguing mix.
In the earlier film - "Fingers" - a younger Harvey Keitel surprised me with a few moments on film which didn't ring quite true. But later - in "Exposed" - turned in a characterization that underscored his greatness as an actor.
Likewise, James Toback's celluloid offerings were a bit ragged, on occasion.
In the opening scene of "Fingers", for instance, Toback holds a "wide shot" for an excessively long few minutes, then pans in. Not before the trained professional senses there has been a slip-up, of sorts.
In fact - a handful of shots signaled his lack of experience behind the camera - at that juncture of his cinematic career. In a couple of the scenes, the set-ups were quite studied, for instance. Camera pans were quite noticeable, too. On occasion - I was distracted by the movement of the lens - which is generally not a "good sign".
When I asked Mr. Toback if he'd take a different approach to "Fingers" today - given the wealth of experience under his belt since the original release - curiously he noted he'd change scenes which happened to be those that jarred my own filmmaking sensibilities.
But, I have to admit, in - "Exposed" - he redeemed himself. The transitions there were smooth and seamless and allowed the audience to be drawn into the storyline naturally. The down-to-earth director also noted he was inclined to allow the actors to work comfortably within a framework (which was evident by a chord of truth that was struck).
Although from a technical and artistic viewpoint - "Exposed" was a more highly- polished project - there were too many distractions which ultimately derailed the film.
Rudolph Nureyev - cast as a love interest for Nastassja Kinski's character - was a hysterical notion, for example.
During the lively discussion - in fact - Quentin chided Toback about the choice. And, Toback confessed, it was problematic.
Nastassja Kinski almost slipped into the Theatre unnoticed, until someone spied her.
The fans were ecstatic!
The bill-of-fair was an intriguing mix.
In the earlier film - "Fingers" - a younger Harvey Keitel surprised me with a few moments on film which didn't ring quite true. But later - in "Exposed" - turned in a characterization that underscored his greatness as an actor.
Likewise, James Toback's celluloid offerings were a bit ragged, on occasion.
In the opening scene of "Fingers", for instance, Toback holds a "wide shot" for an excessively long few minutes, then pans in. Not before the trained professional senses there has been a slip-up, of sorts.
In fact - a handful of shots signaled his lack of experience behind the camera - at that juncture of his cinematic career. In a couple of the scenes, the set-ups were quite studied, for instance. Camera pans were quite noticeable, too. On occasion - I was distracted by the movement of the lens - which is generally not a "good sign".
When I asked Mr. Toback if he'd take a different approach to "Fingers" today - given the wealth of experience under his belt since the original release - curiously he noted he'd change scenes which happened to be those that jarred my own filmmaking sensibilities.
But, I have to admit, in - "Exposed" - he redeemed himself. The transitions there were smooth and seamless and allowed the audience to be drawn into the storyline naturally. The down-to-earth director also noted he was inclined to allow the actors to work comfortably within a framework (which was evident by a chord of truth that was struck).
Although from a technical and artistic viewpoint - "Exposed" was a more highly- polished project - there were too many distractions which ultimately derailed the film.
Rudolph Nureyev - cast as a love interest for Nastassja Kinski's character - was a hysterical notion, for example.
During the lively discussion - in fact - Quentin chided Toback about the choice. And, Toback confessed, it was problematic.
"Nureyev was such a flamboyant gay man. No overlooking it."
As to his acting, well!
In one scene he breaks into a young lady's apartment and she angrily confronts him. Instead of turning on his heel and making a normal exit, he simply swings open the door with one hand - steps backward a foot or so (still facing her, mind you) - then pulls the door closed with a deft flip of his wrist. That may have worked on stage - but on the wide screen - no way!
The audience cackled!
Toback's fans were titillated when he revealed the dancer's man-size appetite for - well, um - men. And, they roared in disbelief when the easy-going director divulged that Rudolph slept with women, too.
Toback alleged that Nureyev slept with over three hundred women - if only because it was too difficult to say "no" - to 'em. Yeah, those sympathy fu**ks go a long way when it comes to selling ballet tickets!
There were revelations, too, about the underbelly of the "business".
After proudly noting to a backer that he had negotiated a deal for distribution of the film, the funder scolded him for getting involved in "matters" which were beyond his realm of involvement.
"To you it is a film. To me, it's a pair of shoes I'm selling to the highest bidder."
That was a rude awakening, 'fer sure!
Of course, Toback was quick to lament that "Exposed" was misunderstood when it was first released.
But, he was fast on the uptake.
"Jacqueline Kennedy 'got it'."
Allegedly, Jackie arranged for a private viewing of the film. At the end - unlike the others who hurled insults at the screen - the former 1st Lady gasped out loud and wept openly.
For me, it was a different reality.
I wondered inwardly - why is it that characters go to such great lengths in high-speed hair-raising car chases to track down and shoot their arch rival - then carelessly turn their backs on 'em before confirming they're dead as a doorknob?
You figure out the end scenario. A cop-out by a lazy writer?
Talk about Jim Brown - who appeared in a role that fit like-a-glove in "Finger" - garnered a wild raucous reaction from the audience.
There was a lot of scintillating gossip about drugs and orgies at Brown's digs, for instance.
"And, in the midst of the goings-on, it was disclosed that little Mike Tyson (all of eighteen) wrestled on the sidelines lapping it all up.
Funny that," laughed Toback. "With my documentary due out on Mike in February, it appears that after thirty years everything has come full circle."
Toback also joked about how frustrated he was at the time when Jim Brown's dailies came back and he was confronted with a "rotten tomatoes" performance that was stiff and unnatural.
Ironic, that!
The writer made copious notes - after observing Brown in conversation with friends, family, and hangers-on - to ensure he got the rhythm of the actor's speech patterns just so. Even still, Brown couldn't get a handle on the dialogue. Go figure!
As I strolled up to the lobby for a snack at intermission, I bumped into Ms. Kinski snapping up a soft drink and popcorn in anticipation of the second show.
When I queried her about potential acting projects on the horizon, she shrugged politely, and noted she's just a mom now with three children.
Not a bad accomplishment - at all - Nastassja.
But, in view of the luminous performance I witnessed on screen last night that captivated the audience, it's undoubtedly a great loss to the Cinema!
As to his acting, well!
In one scene he breaks into a young lady's apartment and she angrily confronts him. Instead of turning on his heel and making a normal exit, he simply swings open the door with one hand - steps backward a foot or so (still facing her, mind you) - then pulls the door closed with a deft flip of his wrist. That may have worked on stage - but on the wide screen - no way!
The audience cackled!
Toback's fans were titillated when he revealed the dancer's man-size appetite for - well, um - men. And, they roared in disbelief when the easy-going director divulged that Rudolph slept with women, too.
Toback alleged that Nureyev slept with over three hundred women - if only because it was too difficult to say "no" - to 'em. Yeah, those sympathy fu**ks go a long way when it comes to selling ballet tickets!
There were revelations, too, about the underbelly of the "business".
After proudly noting to a backer that he had negotiated a deal for distribution of the film, the funder scolded him for getting involved in "matters" which were beyond his realm of involvement.
"To you it is a film. To me, it's a pair of shoes I'm selling to the highest bidder."
That was a rude awakening, 'fer sure!
Of course, Toback was quick to lament that "Exposed" was misunderstood when it was first released.
But, he was fast on the uptake.
"Jacqueline Kennedy 'got it'."Allegedly, Jackie arranged for a private viewing of the film. At the end - unlike the others who hurled insults at the screen - the former 1st Lady gasped out loud and wept openly.
For me, it was a different reality.
I wondered inwardly - why is it that characters go to such great lengths in high-speed hair-raising car chases to track down and shoot their arch rival - then carelessly turn their backs on 'em before confirming they're dead as a doorknob?
You figure out the end scenario. A cop-out by a lazy writer?
Talk about Jim Brown - who appeared in a role that fit like-a-glove in "Finger" - garnered a wild raucous reaction from the audience.
There was a lot of scintillating gossip about drugs and orgies at Brown's digs, for instance.
"And, in the midst of the goings-on, it was disclosed that little Mike Tyson (all of eighteen) wrestled on the sidelines lapping it all up.
Funny that," laughed Toback. "With my documentary due out on Mike in February, it appears that after thirty years everything has come full circle."
Toback also joked about how frustrated he was at the time when Jim Brown's dailies came back and he was confronted with a "rotten tomatoes" performance that was stiff and unnatural.
Ironic, that!
The writer made copious notes - after observing Brown in conversation with friends, family, and hangers-on - to ensure he got the rhythm of the actor's speech patterns just so. Even still, Brown couldn't get a handle on the dialogue. Go figure!
As I strolled up to the lobby for a snack at intermission, I bumped into Ms. Kinski snapping up a soft drink and popcorn in anticipation of the second show.
When I queried her about potential acting projects on the horizon, she shrugged politely, and noted she's just a mom now with three children.
Not a bad accomplishment - at all - Nastassja.
But, in view of the luminous performance I witnessed on screen last night that captivated the audience, it's undoubtedly a great loss to the Cinema!
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