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Review: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey Do Their Best Work in Woody Allen’s Existential Morality Tale

Roger Friedman
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Review: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey Do Their Best Work in Woody Allen’s Existential Morality Tale

Woody Allen is back in the land of “Crimes & Misdemeanors” and “Match Point” with “Irrational Man.” His latest film, a morality tale murder mystery, was shown this morning in Cannes for the press and tonight opens out of competition. I thought it was certainly on the level of “Blue Jasmine,” a real Woody winner that is disturbing and totally involving. I predict a massive ovation in the Palais des Festivals tonight.

The title “Irrational Man” is a nod to William Barrett, an American legend who brought the existentialists (Sartre, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, etc) here in 1958 with a book of the same name. The movie also embraces Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) who wrote about ethics and lying. Much is made of all of this in the film but you don’t have to know more than Philosophy 101 to get this movie.

Joaquin Phoenix plays a washed up alcoholic womanizing philosophy profession who arrives at a liberal arts college in Newport, Rhode Island with more baggage than Kim Kardashian on a weekend holiday. Right away he gets involved with two women: Parker Posey is a married professor on campus who pursues him in an affair; Emma Stone is a student who falls for him before they even meet.

As Phoenix’s Abe Lucas devolves (he’s drunk, impotent and not much of what he was) he searches for a way to restart his life. He and Stone’s Jill overhear a conversation in a diner that makes the movie take a sharp left. “Irrational Man” is not about a love triangle, but about Abe’s overreach for redemption. He does something terrible, tries to rationalize it, and must live with consequences.

Woody’s screenplay is deceptive because it’s much more sophisticated than it appears at first. Forget all this older man-younger woman stuff (Phoenix is hardly an old man). The movie is about Abe thinking he’s avenging a wrong (we never learn if that happens) and in the course of this, committing the most egregious act. Is he a hero or a villain? Or just a self-absorbed slob who cannot navigate life?

The fact remains that Phoenix is exceptional, Stone does maybe her best work, and Parker Posey makes us wonder why she’s never been in a Woody Allen film before. The three of them anchor the film perfectly. There are several good supporting players, including Ethan Phillips and Betsy Aidem as Stone’s parents. Plus, Bette Midler’s real life daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, makes a sweet feature film debut as one of Stone’s student friends. She’s got a million dollar cherubic smile.

“Irrational Man” could teeter toward what we call the “smaller” Woody Allen films. But it’s a movie of ideas that are framed in actual plot– very economically told. It falls into place much like “Match Point,” effortlessly. And even though you know what Abe is going to do– and he does it– you still want to see what the outcome is. The ending, which you can guess once you’re toward the end, but I won’t tell you here– is sort of perfect for an existentialist.

Allen punctuates the film not with his usual New Orleans jazz or classic songbook, but Ramsey Lewis’s jazz instrumental “The In Crowd” and other Lewis numbers that give the story an out of time feel. Cell flip phones are used occasionally but otherwise this movie could be taking place at any time before smartphones ruined our lives.

The Legend is Gone: B. B. King Dies at Age 89

Roger Friedman
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The Legend is Gone: B. B. King Dies at Age 89

B. B. King died late last night in Las Vegas. He was 89. He won 15 Grammy Awards. But more importantly, he left an incredible legacy and a canon of work that will continue to influence musicians for ages. I had a great moment once with BB, on the stage at Radio City Music Hall. There was a break during the taping of Martin Scorsese’s blues documentary. I was talking to Bonnie Raitt, and BB, who did not know who I was from a hole in the wall, motioned for me to get Bonnie’s attention. She came over, and he said, “I just want you know you’re the best slide guitarist I’ve ever heard.” Wow. Bonnie was startled and grateful. The King had bestowed this honor on her. And he was happy to do it. Now that BB is dead, let’s just sit back and remember his incredible gift.

Mariah Carey Has Bronchitis, Cancels Show at Las Vegas Caesar’s Palace

Roger Friedman
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Mariah Carey Has Bronchitis, Cancels Show at Las Vegas Caesar’s Palace

Mariah Carey has had to cancel at least one show in Las Vegas. She says she’s been struggling to fight a bad case of bronchitis.

Carey wrote on Instagram: “Hey guys.. I’ve been fighting bronchitis for the past few days.. almost better but on mandatory vocal rest per doctor’s orders. I’m so sorry to cancel tonight’s show but I promise to make it up to you!!! Love you always, MC”

We’ll see what happens next. Her new greatest hits album comes out next Tuesday. She has shows scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday in Vegas. On Twitter, her fans are sending Mariah get well messages by the bucket.

Harry Shearer Is Leaving “The Simpsons” After 27 Years, He Says Over Schedule

Roger Friedman
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Harry Shearer Is Leaving “The Simpsons” After 27 Years, He Says Over Schedule

Harry Shearer has been with “The Simpsons” since Day 1, 27 years ago, when the comic series was part of “The Tracy Ullman Show.” He’s voiced Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, Otto, Smithers, and many other characters over the years. But on Twitter this morning he announced that he’s leaving. He says his departure is not about money, but about time.

Shearer has always been involved in other projects including his excellent You Tube series, “Nixon’s the One.” He also regularly tours with singer songwriter wife Judith Owen. Apparently negotiations have been going on for a while. But the whole thing exploded this morning at the Fox upfronts.

The show says they’ll replace him. But Shearer, who famously starred in “This is Spinal Tap” and often appeared on “Saturday Night Live” in its early days, is irreplaceable. Maybe the two sides can still work it out. Springfield won’t be the same!

Susan Sarandon Plays Marilyn Monroe’s Mother in Lifetime Movie, Still Hot Enough to Play Marilyn

Leah Sydney
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Susan Sarandon Plays Marilyn Monroe’s Mother in Lifetime Movie, Still Hot Enough to Play Marilyn

Susan Sarandon gets to play Marilyn Monroe’s mother Gladys in a new Lifetime movie, “The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe.” But really, she’s hot enough to play Marilyn still. An Oscar winner and multiple nominee, Sarandon in real life is a grandmother, which is hard to believe.

She’s also perpetually outspoken and always clever– but always in New York. The LA premiere of “The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe, directed by Laurie Collyer (premieres on May 30 and 31st) brought Susan west. The movie stars her own daughter, Eva Amurri, as the younger version of Gladys.

At the Q and A, when asked by moderator Brooke Anderson (of ET) on how she prepared for the role, Susan answered “Would you believe me if I said I went into an institution for two months? “ The crowd was respectfully quiet to which Susan then quipped, “I didn’t, but it sounds so intense and believable.” She then gave kudos to her co-star Kelli Garner, who is terrific as Marilyn and added, “I didn’t have the pressure of playing someone so well known as Kelli did, so you’ll never know if I did a good job or not.”

Sarandon explained her success. “You just have to do the work. You depend on the wigs and the wardrobe. I had the fear of chewing up the scenery and not grounding it in Gladys’s pain and in her reality. I also took the cue from my daughter Eva, and worked on what she did in my performance. I’ve played the old Eva too, so we switch off.”

Susan gave sage advice to Kelli. “You want to survive in this business? Know your best angles. “ Executive Producer Keri Selig explained that what drew her to make this film — based on best selling author J Randy Taraborrelli’s book. She explained that, “The story that most people don’t know is about her mother outlived her daughter by 22 years. Also, Marilyn was constantly running away from her mother’s mental illness. The truth is that Marilyn was a strong woman, she said no to studio heads, she had her own production company. She was ahead of her time. She left all her husbands, they didn’t leave her. She wasn’t trampled on, she was a smart and intellectual woman.” Writer Stephen Kronish then added, “Marilyn will never get old. It’s kind of a great career move, dying young.”

CSI News: Ted Danson Joining Patricia Arquette Spin-off, Show Creator Asking Fans to Submit Finale Ideas

Roger Friedman
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CSI News: Ted Danson Joining Patricia Arquette Spin-off, Show Creator Asking Fans to Submit Finale Ideas

Ted Danson used to play Sam Malone, the guy who never loses. Now Danson will movie his “CSI” character over to “CSI: Cyber” with Patricia Arquette, a smart move that keeps perennial star Danson on screen on CBS for a time to come.
No word on what happens to Elisabeth Shue, who I think comes out short here. Too bad, because she’s so good.

CBS has also announced that William Pederson and Marg Helgenberger, the original stars of “CSI,” will return for the two hour finale on September 27th. The show’s creator Anthony Zuiker went on line a few minutes ago asking fans for ideas about what storylines they’d like to see on that final show.

Paris Jackson, 17, Returns to Social Media: “As a female, I am reckless and a rebel”

Roger Friedman
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3
Paris Jackson, 17, Returns to Social Media: “As a female, I am reckless and a rebel”

Paris Jackson is back on Twitter. It will be two years ago on June 4th that Michael Jackson’s then 15 year old daughter posted an ominous message after a series of undetected warnings that her jaunty, prodigious messages were a facade for a troubled teen. There were rumors that she tried to commit suicide. Paris was packed off to private school in Utah.

At the time, her Twitter account had ballooned up to 1.24 million followers. Many of them had joined up two years earlier when Paris led the public movement to find her grandmother and guardian, Katherine Jackson, whom she feared had been “kidnapped” by Michael’s siblings. Paris was precocious so when she posted a sad quote from Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday” no one took notice that something was wrong.

But now Paris is back. She came back on February 11th, with a new unverified account and handle. She’s grown up into a beautiful young woman. She’s smart, and savvy. At the time she was sent to boarding school, Paris had lined up a Hollywood agent and made a deal to voice an animated movie. For age 14, she was a little out of control. Now her Twitter and Facebook accounts indicate that she knows what she’s doing, and taking it slow. She “only” has 300 followers. Smart. She does seem obsessed with her boyfriend, who is older, calling him her “hubby.” Take it slow, Paris.

Here’s what she wrote back on Feb 11th. Cool:

Reveals from Blythe Danner Movie Premiere: Uma Thurman Looks the Same, Phylicia Rashad Talks “Creed”

Roger Friedman
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Reveals from Blythe Danner Movie Premiere: Uma Thurman Looks the Same, Phylicia Rashad Talks “Creed”

I learned a lot at the premiere lunch and dinner on Monday for a lovely film called “I’ll See You in My Dreams” which stars Blythe Danner, Sam Elliot, Rhea Perlman, June Squibb and Mary Kay Place. The movie opens in New York and L.A. on Friday.

First of all: Uma Thurman did not have face altering plastic surgery last winter. She looks the same as ever, gorgeous, and age appropriate for a movie star. I introduced her to “Doctor Zhivago” composer Lucy Simon at the dinner following the evening screening at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. “I’ve known her since she was 18,” I told Simon. “Sixteen!” Uma cried.

Indeed, we go back to the mid 80s when she was spray painted gold for the prototype cover of Fame magazine. She has always been gracious, funny, and endearing. I said, “You look the same. All the tabloids said you had plastic surgery.” Uma laughed. “I’m waiting for my first face lift! I can’t wait!” She added: “That night, it was make up. I let the stylist try something. It photographed that way.”

I sat next to Phylicia Rashad at the screening. I asked her, “Are we still friends?” “Yes,” she insisted. Has she spoken to Bill Cosby lately? “You know we’re not going to go there,” said with a sly smile. We talked about her role she shot in “Creed,” the “Rocky” movie directed by Ryan Coogler about Apollo Creed’s grandson. “I had a great time,” Phylicia advised me. “You’re going to love it.”

She loved “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” as did the audience which included Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito, Bob and Lynn Balaban, Sam Elliot–the great cowboy actor who rarely comes to New York, the aforementioned Lucy Simon and husband David Levine, Rutanya Alda, and theater producer/former rock journo Lorraine Alterman Boyle (also the widow of the great Peter Boyle).

Earlier in the day  Candice Bergen hosted a lunch for Blythe Danner and Sam Elliot at Le Cirque, no less. Blythe’s director son Jake Paltrow was there with pregnant wife photographer Taryn Simon. You know this was all a big deal because the wonderful and legendary Liz Smith was right at the main table, along with famed book agent and former publisher Joni Evans.

I was disappointed, though: the invite promised Katharine Ross, wife of Sam Elliot for 31 years, my movie crush from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “The Graduate.” The Elliots live in Malibu on the beach, they have a grown daughter, and stay out of the limelight. Where was Katharine? “Our dog is very ill,” Sam said. “Katharine is so attached to him. She loves him, and couldn’t leave him.” He promised to bring her to New York in August when he returns to promote “Grandma” with Lily Tomlin.

Oh wait– I buried the headline. Sam turned down the Craig T. Nelson role in “Grace and Frankie.” What happened? “it was too silly,” he said. “And Craig did it just right. When Jane Fonda saw me in this, she understood.” (When you see Nelson Ambien sleep walk, you’ll see what he means.)

One more thing– you think all celebrities know each other. They don’t! After all this time, Candice Bergen and Blythe Danner are just nodding acquaintances. At lunch, Candy toasted Blythe, who plugged Bergen’s latest book. They may become friends. Peggy Siegal put them together, and they agreed it was a good idea.

Do see “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” It was written and directed by a young guy, Brett Haley, who avoids cliches in this Sundance selection. Danner, Elliot, and all the actors give honest, restrained performances that really resonate and hit home. In other words, you’ll like it, and there are no cartoon characters involved.

NCIS Cliffhanger As Mark Harmon Is Left Bleeding in a Fake Arab Market

Roger Friedman
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5
NCIS Cliffhanger As Mark Harmon Is Left Bleeding in a Fake Arab Market

Don’t get excited. I enjoy “NCIS” reruns as much as the next guy. The CBS colossus will go on forever, like “Bonanza” or “Dallas.” It’s “Mission: Impossible” for the exhausted. People love it, love it, love it. They’ve already spawned “NCIS: New Orleans” and “Los Angeles.” You know they’re working on Miami, or San Francisco, or Peoria next.

Tonight, “NCIS” classic, so to speak, left us with a cliffhanger. That’s if you believe Mark Harmon’s Gibbs is going to die in an Arab market. A little boy shot him twice. Gibbs is down, and there’s a lot of sand and dust. Don’t worry: Mark Harmon will be making “NCIS” shows well into the next century.

And what about Cote de Pablo? She left and starred in “The Dovekeepers” for CBS, which has now been cancelled. She doesn’t have anything else going right now except for a pretty bad looking thriller called “The 33” coming to theatres this fall. My guess is that Ziva makes a guest appearance or two next fall. Let’s see what happens.

Broadway: “Curious Incident” Wins Outer Critics, Also Wins Audience Award with “Finding Neverland”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: “Curious Incident” Wins Outer Critics, Also Wins Audience Award with “Finding Neverland”

A lot going on today: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play. The British import also won the Broadway.com Audience Award along with “Finding Neverland” for Best Musical.

The Outer Critics Prizes are listed below. Alex Sharp wins Best Actor for “Curious Incident.” It’s first ever Broadway show, or any legit show, I think. A year ago he was graduating from theater school at Juilliard. “An American In Paris” won Best Musical. “Hamilton” won a lot of awards in its off Broadway run. Therefore it won’t be eligible next year. Robert Fairchild won Best Actor in a Musical, because of that ballet thing he does so well. My personal choice would have been Brian d’Arcy James in “Something Rotten,” but what can you do?

The OCC is good predictor of Tony Awards. Keep that in mind.

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY

The Audience

*The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Wolf Hall

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL

*An American in Paris

It Shoulda Been You

The Last Ship

Something Rotten!

The Visit

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY

*Between Riverside and Crazy

The City of Conversation

The Nether

Rasheeda Speaking

The Village Bike

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL

A Christmas Memory

Disenchanted

The Fortress of Solitude

*Hamilton

Lonesome Traveler

OUTSTANDING BOOK OF A MUSICAL

(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

*Hamilton

It Shoulda Been You

The Last Ship

Something Rotten!

The Visit

OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE

(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

*Hamilton

It Shoulda Been You

The Last Ship

Something Rotten!

The Visit

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY

(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

The Elephant Man

Fashions for Men

The Heidi Chronicles

Skylight

*You Can’t Take It With You

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL

(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Into the Woods

*The King and I

On the Town

On the Twentieth Century

Side Show

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY

Stephen Daldry The Audience

*Marianne Elliott The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Scott Ellis The Elephant Man

Scott Ellis You Can’t Take It With You

Jeremy Herrin Wolf Hall

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL

Scott Ellis On the Twentieth Century

Thomas Kail Hamilton

Casey Nicholaw Something Rotten!

David Hyde Pierce It Shoulda Been You

*Christopher Wheeldon An American in Paris

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER

Joshua Bergasse On the Town

Andy Blankenbuehler Hamilton

Warren Carlyle On the Twentieth Century

Casey Nicholaw Something Rotten!

*Christopher Wheeldon An American in Paris

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN

(Play or Musical)

*Bunny Christie The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Bob Crowley An American in Paris

Scott Pask Something Rotten!

David Rockwell On the Twentieth Century

Michael Yeargan The King and I

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN

(Play or Musical)

Gregg Barnes Something Rotten!

Bob Crowley The Audience

William Ivey Long On the Twentieth Century

Christopher Oram Wolf Hall

*Catherine Zuber The King and I

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN

(Play or Musical)
*Paule Constable The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Jeff Croiter Something Rotten!

Rick Fisher The Audience

Natasha Katz An American in Paris

Japhy Weideman The Visit

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Reed Birney I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard

Bradley Cooper The Elephant Man

Stephen McKinley Henderson Between Riverside and Crazy

Ben Miles Wolf Hall

*Alex Sharp The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Greta Gerwig The Village Bike

Jan Maxwell The City of Conversation

*Helen Mirren The Audience

Elisabeth Moss The Heidi Chronicles

Tonya Pinkins Rasheeda Speaking

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Christian Borle Something Rotten!

Brian d’Arcy James Something Rotten!

*Robert Fairchild An American in Paris

Peter Gallagher On the Twentieth Century

Tony Yazbeck On the Town

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

*Kristin Chenoweth On the Twentieth Century

Leanne Cope An American in Paris

Tyne Daly It Shoulda Been You

Kelli O’Hara The King and I

Chita Rivera The Visit

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

Paul Jesson Wolf Hall

*Richard McCabe The Audience

Alessandro Nivola The Elephant Man

Nathaniel Parker Wolf Hall

Bryce Pinkham The Heidi Chronicles

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY

*Annaleigh Ashford You Can’t Take It With You

Patricia Clarkson The Elephant Man

Francesca Faridany The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Julie Halston You Can’t Take It With You

Lydia Leonard Wolf Hall

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

John Cariani Something Rotten!

Josh Grisetti It Shoulda Been You

*Andy Karl On the Twentieth Century

Paul Alexander Nolan Doctor Zhivago

Max von Essen An American in Paris

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Heidi Blickenstaff Something Rotten!

Victoria Clark Gigi

Megan Fairchild On the Town

*Ruthie Ann Miles The King and I

Mary Louise Wilson On the Twentieth Century

OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE

Joe Assadourian The Bullpen

*Jim Dale Just Jim Dale

Tom Dugan Wiesenthal

Cush Jumbo Josephine and I

Benjamin Scheuer The Lion

JOHN GASSNER AWARD

(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)

*Ayad Akhtar The Invisible Hand

Halley Feiffer I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard

Elizabeth Irwin My Mañana Comes

Markus Potter Stalking the Bogeyman

Benjamin Scheuer The Lion

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