This is a big week for Oscar winner Helen Mirren.
The famed British actress got to see herself turned into wax yesterday at Madam Tussaud’s in London.
On Saturday, her movie, “Love Ranch,” directed by her famed husband Taylor Hackford, will debut in the Cannes film market. The film market is where distributors from around the world get to see new movies and bid on them. “Love Ranch” was trapped in a business misfire but is now being offered by E1.
More importantly, “Love Ranch” is based on the story of Las Vegas’s Chicken Ranch brothel, the U.S.’s first legal, uh, place for working girls to ply their trade. It also marks the return to film of Joe Pesci, who’s been playing golf and raking in millions from his investment in the Broadway musical, “Jersey Boys.” Pesci hasn’ starred in a film since “Lethal Weapon 4,” which was released in the Paleolithic era.
I ran into the Hackfords yesterday afternoon as they were arriving at the Majestic Hotel across from the Palais. Also this week, Helen told me, she’s presenting an award at yet another event sponsored by Chopard.
Mirren’s moment at Madame Tussaud’s, she said, was exciting. “I’d never been there before. It’s so life like!”
Hackford had the director’s point of view. “You don’t get an opportunity to literally walk around yourself,” he said. “It’s very impressive.”
More on “Love Ranch” this week. It also stars Bryan Cranston, from “Breaking Bad,” and Gina Gershon.
Image: PRphotos.com
