Sir Ian McKellen Charms the Brits. And Other Oscar Stories.
Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 7:05PM Nathaniel again in my last post directly from LA. I'll have to leave you in the good hands of Team Experience tomorrow as I'm travelling back across the country to home base NYC. This afternoon I had the pleasure of attending a Brit-heavy brunch with various BAFTA & Academy voters to honor Sir Ian McKellen in Mr. Holmes, one of the year's biggest indie hits.
Look at the starry talent that showed up to support him...
Jane Seymour, Sir Ian, Sir Patrick, Kathy Bates, and The Lovely Laura Linney
Did you know that Jane Seymour and Sir Ian McKellen go all the way back to 1980 together, having co-starred in Amadeus (1980) on Broadway? She was wife to Tim Curry's Mozart and McKellen was Salieri (and won the Tony) but none of the stage cast were used in Milos Forman's Oscar-devouring film version in 1984. I was able to say hello to all the actresses. I informed Kathy Bates of her devout fanbase at The Film Experience and she credited American Horror Story for giving her new fans but admitted the bloodiness of the show was a bit much for her (same) and that drinking the fake blood was disgusting. We even talked about her Oscar-winning work in Misery as I shared earlier today on twitter.
I asked Kathy Bates if she'll be seeing MISERY on Broadway. "No. But I sent them flowers from 'your #1 fan.' I know that's corny!."
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) November 15, 2015
Longtime readers, particularly "par3182" who named her thus, will be happy to know that "The Lovely Laura Linney" is now aware that at The Film Experiencce we only ever refer to her by that full title and have for years. One may not even say 'Laura Linney' in casual conversation as it must be properly heralded with 'The Lovely'. She beamed with all the apple-cheeked radiance we've all fallen for repeatedly over the years.
McKellen's close friend Sir Patrick Stewart was also on hand. Though McKellen singled several attendees of the party out beautifully as he spoke to the crowd, about his fellow X-Man he joked...
Patrick Stewart and I are practically married at this point. But his wife is here so we won't talk about that."
I personally admitted to Sir Patrick that I keep almost going as him for Halloween. "That is a terrible idea!" he proclaimed, destroying my future dreams of Professor Xavier drag.
As for the man of the hour, Sir Ian McKellen was just as funny, warm, and winkingly arrogant as you could expect. 'I'm very good in the picture!' he agreed without shame with those twinkling eyes while chatting. He was a delight to talk to and especially gracious to fellow actors.
I told the twice Oscar nominated actor that I thought the makeup work to age him up for Mr. Holmes was incredible -- the actor is a spry 76 but he plays Sherlock Holmes as a frail 90something. He agreed and mentioned that "the big hooter" specifically helped him in feeling like someone else. Looking into the mirror after hair and makeup and seeing the character taking shape is a great help. 'Your body starts to join in,' he remarked hunching over to recall the aging affect. When it comes to actors and transformation, he quipped 'I knew what DNA was before the scientists!'
related: current best actor chart | more on Sir Ian
Reader Comments (11)
Have you seen the clips from last night's governors awards? Laura was there to gash over Gena Rowlands. And Meryl presented Debbie Reynolds granddaughter with her Hersholt statuette.
Have you seen the clips from last night's governors awards? Laura was there to gush over Gena Rowlands. And Meryl presented Debbie Reynolds granddaughter with her Hersholt statuette.
seeing my [user]name in the same sentence as the lovely laura linney means i may as well shut off the internet. seriously, this will not be bettered
I am wildly impressed by your mad cocktail party skills. To get in gems about prospective Halloween costumes and TLLL seems quite the feat. Reminds me of you telling "God" about her TFE cover. These bits are no doubt refreshing to creative types who love praise but probably tire from hearing the same empty compliments all the time. Yours are to be treasured for their specificity.
Wonderful tidbits Nathaniel :)
Whenever I see Sir Ian I think of that glorious footage of he and Cate Blanchett rolling around together on the set of The Hobbit. They are going to interview each other for an episode of Variety's 'Actors on Actors' series. I am going to watch the shit out of it.
Who doesn't love Ian McKellen?!?
Would totally love to see him pick up a couple more noms while we still have him and his future projects don't sound that great. I haven't seen Mr. Holmes but even if he is doing the boring Oscar bait thing, IF someone must get in for doing that I hope it is him and not Eddie!
Sounds like quite a lovely event! Ever since seeing McKellen and Stewart onstage together in Godot it has been my dream to hang out with the two of them. I don't think there's a chance in hell they'd disappoint.
I thought Sir Ian was absolutely tremendous in Mr. Holmes, even though the movie itself was pretty standard BBC fare. He should absolutely be in serious consideration for the Oscar. I so wish The Lovely Laura Linney was getting more demanding roles than this, which was a big ol' nothing.
How fun. Great group of actors. I saw Brooklyn and loved it. Soarise is magnificent. I also forgot to include Legally Blonde among my favorite comedies. Here's to a safe and secure week for all.
I LOVE THE LOVELY LAURA LINNEY!
I cried over the whole Gena Rowlands honorary ceremony segment, and as if it couldn't be better, Laura came and I died.
I would much rather McKellen get a nod for MR HOLMES than Michael Caine for YOUTH. I compare the two not just because they're older British actors, but because the films are almost hardwired to be of more interest to older audiences. YOUTH will have an advantage, but I walked out of both films thinking "gosh, older audiences are gonna love this!" And as seen by the bountiful, leggy box office ($17mil! $10mil more than I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS) I think it's accurate.
Ian McKellen is going to win it this year. Umm, if he gets nominated of course