It does look like Oscar winning screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher of “Precious” will be directing a film from his own original script.
“Violet and Daisy” is the title of a movie that may get a start this summer with two Oscar nominated actresses in the lead roles. They would be Carey Mulligan, of “An Education,” and Saoirse Ronan of “The Lovely Bones.”
The movie is described as a “Thelma and Louise” meets “Superbad” and “Pulp Fiction.” There’s plenty of action, and lots of girl power. “Forest Gump” Oscar winner Wendy Finerman is set to produce, with lots more to come.
Anyway, this was just some of the talk last night at an elegant congratulatory party for Fletcher hosted by his brother, banker Alfonse “Buddy” Fletcher, and famed singer Roberta Flack at said brother’s digs at the historic Dakota apartment house.
Flack was not the only Dakota resident on hand. There to lend support was newly minted Oscar holder and legend Lauren Bacall, along with Tribeca Film Festival founders Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff.
Bacall did joke, after receiving heaps of praise from the Fletchers, that she’s available for work. Maybe Fletcher has a role for her in “V&D.”
Also there to toast Fletcher: director Doug Liman, who’s working with the screenwriter on “Attica,” actor Steve Buscemi and wife Jo Andres; “Cheers” songwriter Judy Hart Angelo; director Whit Stillman; and former film financer Roland Betts, whose credits include all of Bette Midler’s classic Disney/Touchstone from “Ruthless People” to “Down and Out in Beverly Hills.”
Is Fletcher up to the task of directing his first film? Uh, you betcha. The Fletchers are a family of super-achievers, you know. Geoff’s a Harvard grad and so are his two brothers Buddy and Todd. Mom is Dr. Bettye Fletcher Comer, a PhD and Connecticut educator who’s also a trustee for the Bank Street College of Education. I mean, really. And still the hors d’oeuvres were really good!
With that kind of pedigree, you wouldn’t think Fletcher could have written such a gritty screenplay for “Precious.” You don’t see many movies where the main character’s mother throws a TV set at her from a flight of stairs.
“And that,” said the proud Oscar winner, “wasn’t even in the book!”
PS: I just throw Steve Buscemi’s name in here, but come the fall, the popular actor/director is going to be HUGE when his “Boardwalk Empire” hits HBO as the event of .the new season.
And by the way: Roberta Flack–who’s from Washington DC originally– is a New York Living Landmark. She’s working on an album of Beatles songs that should be out this summer. After she spoke to the crowd about the guest of honor, Buddy Fletcher said, “Let’s not forget, two Grammys do trump one Oscar!” Roberta blushed.
