Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Robert DeNiro Rock New York Film Critics Dinner
Roger Friedman
Brad Pitt was hilarious and touching last night accepting his Best Actor award from the New York Film Critics Circle. Joining other honorees Meryl Streep, Albert Brooks, Jessica Chastain and the folks from “The Artist,” Pitt was a little nervous and actually spoke softly from the podium at restaurant.
Angelina Jolie was with him, looking more gorgeous than ever, accepting kudos for her underrated film “In the Land of Blood and Honey.” Viola Davis, herself a nominee for “The Help” from many different groups, presented Best Actress to Streep. Davis joked: “I popped a lot of Stress Tabs when we made ‘Doubt’.” Streep was philosophical, having won the same award two years ago: “We do this for love, and for as long as we can.”
Surprise presenters were Robert DeNiro –who had trouble with “Artist” director Michel Hazanavicius‘s name–and Francis Ford Coppola, who came for “Artist” producer Thomas Langmann. The Coppolas, it turns out, have been long time friends of the Langmann family. Famed late French film director Claude Berri (“Jean de Florette”) was Langmann’s father–his real name was Claude Berel Langmann. And Thomas told me something stunning: when Claude Berri won an Oscar in 1966 for a short film, “Le Poulet” but he didn’t have the money to go to Hollywood and claim it. The Academy mailed it to him instead! Sacre bleu!
Anyway, back to Brad Pitt, who’s on track to win the Oscar for his work in “Moneyball.” He said the award was a big deal considering “I’d never been on ap plane til I was 25.” He talked about coming to New York to audition for a soap opera in 1989. “I had to put myself up in an apartment on Christopher Street,” Brad recalled. “My first impression of the city was There are a lot of guys around here. But they’re so nice!” That got big laughs.
He continued: “On set the clock’s ricking, the camera’ rolling. A lot of what we do comes out of instinct and intuition. I am continually surprised about how much I learn about storytelling and filmmaking from your reviews. We are complex, we are industries to ourselves, we are difficult to each other…we live in continual flux, Christians and Muslims, Democrat and Republican, Denby and Rudin…” — a reference to a recent feud between producer Scott Rudin and film critic David Denby. Again more laughs.
He said: “It never crossed my mind that I’d be here.” And then, almost as an afterthought as he was leaving the stage, Pitt said: “I love films, I absolutely love them. I consider it a great privilege, I thank you for this, it means so much to me, and I’m glad this wasn’t televised.”
Pitt, Streep, and the 77th annual NYFCC awards
Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 12:33 AM Updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 1:03 AM
“I’m so glad,” Brad Pitt muttered, stepping away from the mike, “this isn’t televised.”
Well, he may be glad – or otherwise there’d be endless YouTube clips of him talking about once getting cruised on Christopher Street (or busybodies wondering why he forgot to thank Angelina Jolie in his best-actor acceptance speech).
But there are plenty of movie fans who are probably sad today that Monday night’s New York Film Critics Circle awards were presented without any network cameras around.
Because that means film buffs didn’t get to see Viola Davis present the best actress award to her very real Oscar rival Meryl Streep (“It’s a testament to her that she’d do this in this year, which is her year,” Streep graciously said, on taking the stage.)
It means they also didn’t get to see the sweetly overcome Jessica Chastain barely get through her acceptance speech for best supporting actress without breaking into tears. Or a wry Albert Brooks, a best supporting actor winner for “Drive,” nearly bringing the audience to tears of laughter with his.
But then that’s one of the things that makes the New York Film Critics Awards special. Thirty-odd – sometimes very odd -- critics, and their guests. A dozen or so honorees, and their guests. Three open bars. And no television cameras at all.
But the gala – now in its 77th year – isn’t just an excuse for people to let their hair down (or, in the case of some of the older honorees, let other people’s hair down). It’s also the unofficial start of the big-time awards season, the Iowa caucus to the Oscars’ national convention.
"The Artist," with Jean DuJardin and Berenice Bejo, danced its way into critics' hearts.Not that a certain nervousness doesn’t prevail. “I know the pressure’s on,” Brooks said early in the evening, standing in a crush of people at the Manhattan club Crimson. “But I’m up for it.”
“I just hope I don’t embarrass myself,” Chastain said, already breathless and edgy about her speech.
But once Chairman John Anderson kicked things off, the evening rolled on with good humor and warm feelings. And, perhaps, with an idea of who Oscar’s big winners might be in 2012.
The neo-silent film “The Artist” won the top prizes, picking up awards for best picture and best director. And it got the biggest presenters, too, with the legendary Robert De Niro passing out the directing prize (even though he couldn’t pronounce filmmaker Michael Hazanavicius’ name) and Francis Ford Coppola awarding the one for best film.
But “Tree of Life” won the most nods, with certificates for its photography, and for Chastain’s and Pitt’s performances (although both were honored for other films, as well).
Taking the stage, a visibly trembling Chastain immediately opened the folder to check her citation. “Yeah, says my name,” she joked. “Can’t change your mind!”
But then she went on to thank the critics (who had also honored her for “Take Shelter” and “The Help,”) saying she had read them since she first moved to New York to study at Juilliard. “You guided me,” she said of the reviews she read then. “You opened my world.”
Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" -- a vote-getter.“My God, there’s a lot of guys in New York,” he remembered thinking, walking down Christopher Street. “But they’re so nice!”
Streep, meanwhile – a Circle favorite for “The Iron Lady” – chortled that she’d won her election more handily than Margaret Thatcher ever had. And Brooks, who won for his part in “Drive,” joked that “I would be the opposite of critic-proof. I’m critic-prone.”
There were other prickly in-jokes during the night, several nursed grudges and probably some regrets, as people made snarky jokes about fights with producers, or mourned the loss of jobs.
Also subject for some complaints was the increase in security that came, inevitably, with Pitt and Jolie. In past, more relaxed years, guests like George Clooney or Matt Damon would happily mix and mingle; I have fond memories of casually chatting with Warren Beatty about “Reds,” and meeting Sean Penn at the bar.
This year, there seemed to be many more large men with thick necks blocking the aisles, and a lot of velvet ropes suddenly hemming in the hosts at their own party.
But it was still a fun party. A lovely celebration of great performances, strong writing and amazing films. And whether it’s any sort of prediction of what the rest of the year will bring, it really doesn’t matter. As Brooks said, happily clutching his prize, “This is not the People’s Choice. This is the real thing.”
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
Angeline Jolie Shows Us Who’s Boss In Leather
Oh look, it’ the sexy librarian! Only Angelina Jolie could wear a white blouse and leather skirt and still look so unbelievably hot. Full marks for the jade pendant and the killer pumps too. Angie and Brad Pitt were at the 77th Annual New York Film Critics Awards Gala in New York last night and rocked up looking like — that. BTW, that cane Brad’s toting around? That’s not a fashion statement, although we really wish it was. It’s due to an injury, as he revealed over the weekend, “I was carrying my daughter (Vivienne) down the hill and I slipped. It was either her or me.” Angelina also added that it hasn’t slowed him down, saying, “I like the cane. He’s not that kind of guy. He does everything still.” With his cane, and her leather, this may stray into kinky territory.
PICS: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sizzle at Critics' Circle Awards
By Eleanor Young on Tuesday 10 January 2012
With awards season about to kick off in earnest, Hollywood royalty Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie set flashbulbs alight on the red carpet once again last night, at the prestigious Critics Circle Awards in New York.
Fresh from a dazzling appearance at the Palm Springs Film Festival – where Brad was awarded the Desert Palm Achievement Award - the pair struck a smouldering pose outside the event. And while Brad looked undeniably dapper in a sleek charcoal Versace suit - accessorised with a cooky cane, after he tore a ligament during a ski trip – it was Angelina who set tongues wagging.
Scoring yet another style hit to add to her collection, Ms Jolie was the epitome of chic as she sashayed down the red carpet, choosing a sizzling Ferragamo leather skirt, simple silk blouse and jaw-dropping jade jewels for the occasion.
Despite winning hands down in the fashion stakes, it was Brad who took home an award during the evening, garnering the prestigious Best Actor prize for his roles in Moneyball and The Tree of Life.
Meryl Streep was also present at the ceremony, taking home the Best Actress gone, while rising starlet Jessica Chastain was awarded the Best Supporting Actress prize for her role in The Help.
And with the Golden Globes just around the corner, we can't help feeling this is just a sign of things to come...
