ANNETTE BENING, KERRY WASHINGTON AND RODRIGO GARCIA

I co-hosted a luncheon today (with Tina Brown) bringing a bevy of female heft (and beauty) to the jaw-dropping apartment of Christine and Stephen Schwarzman to honor “Mother and Child.” This is a small and remarkable film distributed by Sony Pictures Classics (to be released Fri, I think) starring Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Naomi Watts, Jimmy Smits and Samuel L. Jackson. Rodrigo Garcia wrote and directed it and kudos to him for creating a complex, unexpected, brave film about women, children, adoption and race. I love that this film doesn’t try to give answers/explanations to everything, but then his father is one of the world’s greatest novelists—Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Everyone of the actors (including some you’ve never seen before) are just amazing. Some may find the film controversial. I don’t. Garcia didn’t intend it to be, he said. Any one who has adopted or been adopted should see this. I hope I get to work with Rodrigo one day.

I simply marvel at Annette Bening’s talent. She’s one of the rare ones (like Meryl) who always does what you don’t expect and, thus, keeps you on the edge of your seat. She’s really brave in this one and so nasty sometimes that the shape of her eyes change. By the way, Jimmy Smits gives a knock out performance. His vibe in this is kind of the perfect man we all long for. I made a film with him years ago (1988) called “Old Gringo.” How wonderful to see how he has grown and matured! Kerry is a dear friend. We will do a film together, written and directed by Eve Ensler, next May/June. I couldn’t believe Kerry came to the luncheon cause she is in David Mamet’s play “Race” on Broadway and I remember last year how hard it was to do anything besides show up for the play. She is terrific in both that play and this film. So, by the way, is Naomi Watts…a very unexpected performance.

me, Kerry, Annette. Don't know why my cheekbones looks like I've been radiated in all the photos

me, Christine, Tina Brown, Kerry Washington, Annette Bening

Tina Brown, me, Kerry Washington, Annette Bening and Rodrigo Garcia

Rodrigo Garcia speaking at the luncheon

Tonight I am the “Literary Host” at the table of Annette Tapert Allen, at the PEN Gala for which Annette is chair. Annette is a writer herself and married to Richard’s college (U of Michigan) roommate. PEN is a terrific organization that honors and helps writers around the world who have been persecuted for political reasons, jailed, etc. It will be an interesting evening and I will try to take photos but no guarantee. I am sick—again—think it must be the pollen–and leaving very very early tomorrow to return to Atlanta to prepare for World Fitness Day and pack for 2 months in Paris where I will make the French movie…in French. Whew.

Me with Steve Kroft


Me, Leo, who is dating my editor, the spectacular Kate Medina, and Gala Chair, Annette Tapert Allen

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16 Comments
  1. U’re 4 evr a beauty! Photos on comp or on phne nvr do anyone jstce. Just know”ya r a peach among oranges” ty 4evrythng u do,u r a good soul B^)

  2. Hi Jane,

    Will have to watch out for this film when it comes to Europe. You’re right Anette Benning is really one of those rare ones who come along very seldom.

    Love the pictures. Looks like you’ve been baking bread all afternoon! Is that powder, or flour?? 🙂

    Take care and hopefully you’re not overdoing it and that’s why your sick. Maybe you should slow down for a while.

    Best wishes from Germany
    Jason

  3. Anyhow, we can meet anytime in your father’s movies and Ted Turner’s CNN or Larry King live.
    It’s a kind of way of life in this digital age.

  4. Jane, you look stunning in both white and black! Lovely photos!! xxx

  5. Looks great Jane, was view this youtube with

    Writer/director Rodrigo Garcia (Nine Lives) teams with executive producer Alejandro González Iñárritu to craft this drama highlighting the powerful bond between a mother and her son.
    ‘Mother and Child’ My Words Are Too Harsh

    http://youtubetrailers.com/content/1934

    for me both Annette Bening’s talent and Naomi Watts with her special performances in past production, makes it a interesting film.

  6. waoh! super post one more time! and now the project of the french movie is just o to be shot! and it’s really the good season ,to be in Paris!! and you ‘ve one other movie to be made, nice to read! i would have seen you with great pleasure in Paris, but as i’m a grown-up personn, even with a super jane’s blog, i know fairy tales ,are not real, i can’t help thinking, o god, Jane wiil be in Paris, anyway may be you’ll get the time to post; nice stay in your second country France!

    • The very fact of the intimate interface between Blacks and Whites speaks volumes in my opinion.

      Agreed. But this is what happens:

      If there are no minorities in a movie, many will rightfully lament their absence.

      If minorities are included and their minority status is addressed, some will complain about it because, after all, why not simply let people be people? Why, for instance, if someone is black, is it always necessary to point this out as if it were a problem?

      And if minorities are included and their minority status is ignored, some, like Savannah, will see this as “ignoring reality.”

      If I ever made a movie, it would feature no people at all. Only aliens from outer space. At least that way, I’d be off the hook.

  7. I have to ask you how you can call Mother and Child a film about race when it never adresses the issue. In fact, it so blatantly ignores the issue of race in that no
    comments are made by family members surrounding children in laws races or Annete Benning doesn’t say anything about the race of her grandchild. The total lack of acknowledgment of race in the film actually takes away from the rest of the film.

    • The very fact of the intimate interface between Blacks and Whites speaks volumes in my opinion. xx jane

  8. Sounds like a great movie.

    I always wonder if all people named Washington somehow trace back to George. This is especially interesting if a Washington is of African-American descent. It is also a curious conincidence that Denzel Washington was born in Mount Vernon, albeit Mount Vernon, NY, not VA.

    Some may find the film controversial. I don’t. Garcia didn’t intend it to be, he said.

    Intentions—stated intentions in particular—and outcomes are often poles apart.

    I recall how a few years ago, a famous actress (I believe she had starred in Barefoot in the Park) in reference to The Vagina Monologues uttered the c-word on network TV, and when asked about it later acted surprised that the utterance caused controversy.

    I just thought that was funny. Of course it caused controversy. I agree that it shouldn’t have, but this is America.

    Personally, I’m European, and it always amuses me what Americans get all worked up about, but I’ve come to learn what will cause a stir over here, whether it should or shouldn’t.

    This phenomenon is referred to as the infamous is-ought dichotomy.

  9. Wow you are a busy girl! Love A.B, you are right, she is like Meryl in lots of ways. She is so diverse, every role that she does is different to the last. One of my faves. Looks a good movie, and a great cast! Thrilled for our Naomi! Good to see so many Aussies doing so well in U.S. Can’t wait to see what Rusty and Cate do with Robin Hood! Good luck with the French movie.

  10. No connection to adoption but very interested in seeing this movie. That’s a powerhouse cast for sure.
    Love it that you’re doing the French film. Especially with, I think, Geraldine Chaplin in the cast. Haven’t seen her in a film in ages and always liked her.
    I used to be quite a Francophile, but now when I look back on old French movies, from 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, I see they were tremendously misogynistic (sp?). Do you agree?

  11. Annette Benning has everything, beauty, wit, talent and intelligence. Warren Beatty is a very lucky man, I hope he realises it. Hope you are feeling better in time for Paris. Good luck with all your projects.

  12. Jane:
    You always looked so poised and beautiful.
    Jan

  13. Do you think Mother and Child might get Annette Bening a long-awaited Oscar win?

  14. Hi Jane,

    I discovered your blog reading a great article online in the LA Times this morning. I am 54, and am using you as my role model for aging. 😉 I have a lot of work to catch up with how amazing you look, and how much vitality you radiate!

    I am posting a comment, as I am so happy to see that you acknowledged this film. Last week,I got the movie from Netflix, and I think the whole movie my mouth was hanging open in sheer amazement!

    Annette’s performance was literally… jaw dropping! I was thinking… how did I never hear of this movie or Annette’s performance? The whole cast was so amazing… Naomi, Samuel Jackson… the writer did an astonishing great job. I loved Naomi’s dialogue – especially when she was being interviewed by Samuel Jackson!

    It is definitely one of those movies that stay with you for a long while to come. It is a shame the release was so minimal!

    PS:Melatonin does not work for me. 😉 knocks me out and then I wake up when it wears off, wierd dreams… others have had the same experience. I take Calcium and Gabba, 5-htp… L-tryptaphan… the feel good beta endorphin supplements that relax you.

    PSS: really nice blogging job you are doing! 😉

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