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Jude Law: Is It His Year Again? How Did This Happen?

Roger Friedman
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58579116Weren’t we all kind of Jude Law-ed out after his big run of movies in 2004 ‘ six altogether and none of them really so good. Remember “Alfie,” “Sky Captain,” “Lemony Snicket,” ‘”Closer,” “I Heart Huckabees,” and a cameo in the the Oscar nominated “The Aviator”? Chris Rock made bad jokes about it at the Oscars.

Well, all of a sudden, we’re back to square one. Law puts in a great performance as one of the three fantasies in Terry Gilliam’s “Dr. Parnassus.” He filled in for Heath Ledger after that actor’s tragic death.

Now this week he’s opened in “Hamlet” on Broadway, winning raves. His performance is sensational, and has Tony Award written all over it.

But next, and just a few weeks away, comes Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes.” Law plays Dr. Watson, the sidekick of Robert Downey, Jr. From the looks of the trailer, this is not only Ritchie’s best film (not saying much, but still), but a blockbuster. And Law in the trailer has the look of a winner. (So does Downey.) The man is a multi-tasker, that’s for sure. (And no pun or double entendres intended.)

Give him credit. And maybe an Oscar nomination. This, by the way, would be his third.

SOS for ‘Trucker’: Michelle Monaghan Is the Melissa Leo of 2009

Roger Friedman
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Getty photo

Getty photo

Attention Academy voters, and movie fans: Friday brings a Best Actress performance in a very indie film called “Trucker.” For all the actresses who say no good parts are written for women, this is it.

We saw it at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2008 ‘ that’s right, 2008 ‘ and have waited all this rime for its release. Michelle Monaghan stars as Diane, driver of an 18 wheeler, who must be tough as a guy and still be soft enough for motherhood.

Monaghan’s textured performance, directed by James Mottern, is reminsicent of Melissa Leo in “Frozen River,” Bonnie Bedelia in “Heart Like a Wheel,” and Charlize Theron in “North Country.” Writing in The Hollywood Reporter, Stephen Farber, one of my favorite film writers, compared Monaghan to Sally Field in “Norma Rae” when he saw “Trucker” in April 2008.

What can we do to rally the Oscar troops for Michelle Monaghan? “Trucker” has been sitting around, cash poor, for 18 months. This is a travesty when you think of some of the films that have come and gone in that time. Now Plum Pictures is sending it out there. Let’s greet it with the enthusiasm it deserves.

You can read all about “Trucker” at www.truckermovie.net. I just realized when I went there that the producers are using a quote of mine from my old column. I compared Monaghan to Melanie Griffith in “Working Girl.” So be it; I stand behind the quote. Monaghan’s co-stars are Benjamin Bratt and Nathan Fillion, each of whom do excellent work.

“Trucker” gets a very slow rollout this weekend and next in New York, Los Angeles, and a couple other cities. The website has all the information. There are also special events in New York tomorrow night and Saturday night, in the East Village, and in Westchester at the Jacobs Burns Center where the very smart Janet Maslin will do a Q&A with Monaghan.

By the way, if you don’t know Michelle’s name off the top of your head, here’s a primer: the statuesque brunette was Casey Affleck’s girlfriend and partner in “Gone Baby Gone,” and Tom Cruise’s wife in “Mission: Impossible 3.” (Nice they found some tall guys for her in “Trucker.”) She has four more movies on their way since “Trucker” including “Due Date,” the Todd Phillips comedy she’s filming right now with Robert Downey, Jr.

Can Mo’Nique Survive Her Own Talk Show?

Roger Friedman
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If I weren’t so completely captivated by the saga of a large, feisty’ TV personality named Mo’Nique I doubt I would have watched the first two episodes of her late night talk show on BET this week. It is a total train wreck, sort of the ghetto version of “Fernwood Tonight.” Looking at it, all I could think was, How did this happen? Oh my lord.

If it weren’t that this Mo’Nique is about to open in a movie called “Precious,” none of this would matter anyway. Before “Precious,” Mo’Nique was not someone I really knew about. At 42 she’s a comedienne who’s been confined mostly to black sitcoms like “The Parkers.” Her only real movie role was in Lee Daniels‘ “Shadowboxer.” Her character’s name was, ironically, Precious.

So Daniels thought of her to play Mary, the abusive mother of the title character in his extraordinary “Precious,” based on the novel by Sapphire. It’s a low-low budget movie. Mo’Nique probably didn’t think much would happen to it. But after the audiences at Sundance saw her in “Precious” all hell broke loose. Mo’Nique should be on her way to the Academy Awards. But it’s unclear whether she considers that important. She has a talk show to do, after all.

“The Mo’Nique Show” can only get better. Right now, it’s too unbelievable for words. Luckily, the mostly caucasian voting members of the Motion Picture Academy will not see it, and have no idea how to access it. This is in Mo’Nique’s favor. In any other season, the show wouldn’t matter, and would have the chance to grow. But with “Precious” about to pop, the talk show is Mo’Nique’s calling card. And it’s a loud one.

The only equivalent I can think of to this situation is Eddie Murphy, who was the odds-on favorite for Best Supporting Actor from “Dreamgirls” two years ago. Then his god-awful movie, “Norbert” came out, and Alan Arkin took home the statue. Eddie picked up and stormed out of the Oscar-cast. He didn’t get it.

Still, I include the above clip of Mo’Nique promoting the BET show because it sheds a different light on her. She’s completely likeable. And sensible. She’s over 40, she’s worked hard, and she’s not putting any eggs in one basket. She tells those interviewers that “when all this goes away.” she’ll be left with family. That’s what comes first.

But someone down there in Atlanta should tell Mo’Nique a couple of things. One: “Precious” is real, and Best Supporting Actress could change her life in good ways. It’s the Academy Award. It’s time to take it seriously. And second, if Oprah is your influence, then show it. Being the female Arsenio, out of Atlanta, is a strange choice. Take this first week to get it all out of your system. Do people really want “Soul Train” in talk show form? Maybe not. And consider that when Queen Latifah realized she could have a film career, her own talk show shut down fast.

It’s just a thought…

Christie Brinkley’s Porn-Loving Ex Is King of Da-Nile

Roger Friedman
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Nothing Christie Brinkley can do will rid her of Peter Cook.

Months ago, I was told by insiders about Cook’s latest attack on Brinkley in what should have been a closed divorce case.

You remember Cook, and so, too, does the judge in their case. Cook is the guy who had an underage girlfriend while he was married to Brinkley. He also liked porn, and used to watch it on his stepson’s computer, naked, while pleasuring himself. We know this because he admitted it in court two years ago.

Last year, the same stepson was supposed to go on a school trip to Egypt. (Yes, I know: only kids in the Hamptons take these sort of trips. We thought going to the Peabody Museum in New Haven was a big deal.) Cook is dragging Brinkley into court, claiming that she purposely made the kid miss the trip by failing to provide his passport.

For months, I’ve heard, this is one of Cook’s many efforts to embarrass Brinkley. Would she actually make her son miss a big trip like that? Cook is the King of Da-Nile if he really believes that, friends say.

Indeed, if Cook presses this case, there’s a chance the judge will bring in a significant witness: 13 year old Jack, the boy in question. Apparently he knows what happened. In one of those suburban car chases that involve exes delivering things to mailboxes, etc, the son is well aware that Brinkley left his passport, as ordered by Cook, in his mailbox. Where it went after that, only Cook ‘ or his mailman ‘ knows.

Why this case is set to proceed next week is anyone’s guess. Brinkley’s side says it’s “frivolous.” That’s an understatement.’ Brinkley, meantime, remains Sphinx-like until she testifies. Cook, however, has his porn to help him walk like an Egyptian. He should see that the writing is on the wall.

Michael Jackson Movie May Not Have Advance Screenings

Roger Friedman
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The film about Michael Jackson’s tour rehearsals, “This Is It,” is being kept fairly secret right up until its opening.

“This Is It” is set to open on Wednesday, October 28th, released into theaters for two weeks by Sony. But so far no advance screenings have been scheduled other than one for the cast and crew, in Los Angeles, on Monday the 26th. The location is being kept hush-hush, too.

One screening for the Jackson family was cancelled, I am told, when Michael’s brother Randy insisted on bringing a guest. Sony said no, and the screening proceeded without any family members.

Many showings of “This Is It” have already sold out in advance. Sony is readying a CD soundtrack which will be released the same week, to capitalize on the film’s popularity.

A source who’s been working on “This Is It” told me yesterday: “The tragedy is, the film is great. The public is finally going to appreciate Michael Jackson, and it’s too late.”

Meantime, the book of Michael Jackson taped interviews, by Shmuley Boteach, has not been much of a hit. It’s listed around number 332 on amazon.com. The average customer review is 2 out of 5 stars.

Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet: Secret Project; Jude Law Rules Broadway

Roger Friedman
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The biggest news on Broadway last night, besides Jude Law’s stunning debut in “Hamlet,” is that Kate Winslet and Hugh Jackman have been making short film together. Shhhh. It’s a secret. No one knows what it is or why they’re doing it. Maybe it will become clearer now. Just a weird note, because Winslet would be perfect in the film version of “A Steady Rain,” the play in which Jackman is now appearing with Daniel Craig on Broadway. I’m just sayin’…

Even Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, Kate’s husband, didn’t seem to know much about it as he arrived for “Hamlet.” The opening was a little celeb-starved, surprisingly. Janet McTeer, Natalie Portman, hit songwriter Desmond Child, Victor Garber, and Barbara Walters were pretty much the extent of it.

A lot of A listers will be kicking themselves, too, when they see the reviews for Jude as the haunted Danish Prince. He’s terrific, and holds his own carrying this three-hour Donmar Warehouse production directed by Michael Grandage and written by, you know, William Shakespeare.

While this “Hamlet” comes with a strong British cast ‘ I particularly liked Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ophelia and Kevin R. McNally as Claudius. But it’s Jude who has the most to prove after appearing in countless mostly middling movies, trying hard to be a movie star and at the same time finding himself in constant tabloid hell. (If you don’t know it, a past, short-term lover just gave birth to his fourth child.)

Most tabloid celebs don’t have the goods, and when it comes down to it, are famous for being famous. Not Jude Law. He first came to prominence on Broadway in “Indiscretions” (1995) last on a bill featuring Kathleen Turner, Roger Rees and Cynthia Nixon. Fourteen years later, he returns to New York theater and makes a splash. This is no simple or easy project. This is a whole “Hamlet,” with very little trimmed. The second act is longer than the first, and Law seems to grow even livelier as the play continues. He has the goods. This “Hamlet” will do a lot to advance his career as a serious actor.

He isn’t as haunted as some other Hamlets I’ve seen in recent years, like Kevin Kline or Liev Schreiber. Law’s Hamlet is less overwhelmed by his father’s ghost than angry about his mother’s affair with his uncle two months after the father’s death. But “Hamlet” is a play of depths, with a lot of issues to explore. It’s all going to end the same way anyway. And you can’t help but feel for him at the play’s conclusion.

FYI the last time “Hamlet’ was on Broadway, he was played by Ralph Fiennes. It seems like yesterday, but it was the spring of 1995 ‘ the same time Jude Law was making his debut down the street.

Streisand Beats Mariah, By A Nose

Roger Friedman
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streisand barbra 250x300 Streisand Beats Mariah, By A NoseThe CD sales for last week are in, and the winner is: Barbra Streisand.

Streisand sold 176,000 CDs compared to Mariah Carey’s 172,000. It’s just four thousand copies. You could say Streisand beat Carey by a nose!

The two divas are surrounded, however, by contemporary rock groups. Paramore came in at No. 1, Breaking Benjamin at No. 4, and Alice in Chains at No. 5.

Still, for Streisand especially it’s a nice win. Her “Love is the Answer” album, produced by Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall, was marketed brilliantly with her Village Vanguard show in New York. The CD will likely not sustain a high level in coming weeks, but for a debut, it’s excellent.

Carey, of course, will have a long run on the charts with “Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel.” Her Foreigner cover single is a hit, and Carey has many more to come. Plus she’ll have a lot of extra publicity from her movie, “Precious,” next month.

Elsewhere on the top 50, the Beatles are still selling! Their four biggest albums–remastered versions of Sgt.Pepper, Abbey Road, the White Album, and Revolver — are all on the charts. But buyer beware: get the Beatles stereo box set. It has everything, and is totally worth it. I’ve just spent a few days listening to the “Past Masters” CD in the box, with the singles versions of “Let it Be,” “Across the Universe,” and “Love Me Do.” Nothing better!

One More Best Actress Possibility: Abbie Cornish

Roger Friedman
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cornish abbie 250x300 One More Best Actress Possibility: Abbie CornishI’m getting flack for not including Abbie Cornish, star of Jane Campion’s “Bright Star,” in the Oscar mix!

Sure, toss her name into the game. We’ve already got “Precious” star Gabby Sidibe, Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, Hilary Swank, Penelope Cruz, and a few others. To think that a couple of months ago this category looked slight. No more!

Cornish was very good in the second “Elizabeth” movie with Cate Blanchett. Somehow that film wound up getting trashed — it was wrong, I think — and Cornish had to start over. She was also unfortunately part of a Hollywood soap opera in the divorce of Ryan Phillippe from Reese Witherspoon. Well, Hollywood is baptism by fire!

Cornish is currently shooting “Sucker Punch,” the Zack Snyder film with a big cast including Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm, Carla Gugino and Vanessa Hudgens. But I do think “Bright Star” will make a comeback in awards season, and look our for Miss Cornish. She may just surprise us all.

Sharon Stone Bringing Star Parade to the Hamptons

Roger Friedman
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For once, the Hamptons International Film Festival looks good. It starts Thursday and runs through the weekend, with Sharon Stone leading a parade of celebs to the beach.

One exciting thing: “Solitary Man,” the Brian Koppleman–David Levien movie featuring Michael Douglas in a standout performance, is the festival’s centerpiece. I loved this film in Toronto, and can’t wait for it to get a distributor. Is there no Pauline Kael out there to champion this tough little movie? If this were 1977, “Solitary Man” would be a must see. Owen Gleiberman, where are you?

A few months ago I had a quick bite with the new Hamptons director Karen Arikian. She promised there would be an overhaul of the HIFF, with fewer films from other festivals and more stars. After all, the Hamptons are always written about as if they’re Hollywood East. (They’re not, but hey.) Arikian has come through on her promise.

They’re going to have parties, seminars, and screenings with stars galore. Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan in “The Greatest,” another terrific film featuring hot newcomer Carey Mulligan. And the closing film is Terry Gilliam’s superb “Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus” with Heath Ledger in his final performance helped out by Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Colin Farrell.

Me, I’m going to the Sunday “Conversation with Steve Buscemi” at Guild Hall. He’s one of the smartest actors-directors-producers around, and his wife Jo is really nice, too.

Oliver Stone Gets An Education from Carey Mulligan

Roger Friedman
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Oliver Stone has started shooting “Wall Street 2″ with Carey Mulligan. Sort of. There are rumors that the film hasn’t had a smooth take off, but that it’s finally in the air, so to speak.

Stone turned up last night for the first of three premiere screenings this week of “An Education,” the film that should earn newcomer Carey Mulligan a Best Actress nomination. Mulligan is also starring against Shia LaBeouf in “Wall Street 2.” Accompanying the director was his famous French mother, Jacqueline, who couldn’t praise Mulligan more. She loved “An Education.”

Stone held forth after the film ended at Brasserie 8 1/2 with several members of the press as well as Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard. The latter is mesmerizing and charming as Mulligan’s con man suitor in “An Education.” He’s also primed for some award action in the film, which opens Friday. Lone Scherfig’s movie is one of the best of the year, Like “Precious,” it made its debut last January at Sundance and has been waiting for a chance to entice audiences.

Along with Stone and Mulligan came LaBeouf, who’s been rumored to be in a real life romance with Mulligan while they’re making “Wall Street 2.” You know how these things go. And in predictable old-school fashion, the young actors seemed not be getting along, which got everyone talking. Who knows what’s going on?

Stone is excited about “Wall Street 2.” He says Charlie Sheen may indeed make a cameo. I got the sense that the decision comes down to his fee. (Charlie ‘ do it!) Michael Douglas is making his return as Gordon Gekko, but Stone is also excited about La Beouf. “Wait til you see him in this film,” he crowed. No word on whether Sylvia Miles will return as a high powered realtor, but it would be hilarious if she did ‘ and a nice touch. Twenty years ago she was sort of playing Linda Stein, realtor to the stars. Stein was murdered last year in real life. It could be a cool tribute.

And Carey Mulligan? She’s 24, poised to be the new Audrey Hepburn. If “An Education” is marketed right, she’ll be in awards contention with another newcomer, Gabby Sidibe, from “Precious.” as well as heavy hitters like Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, and Hilary Swank. How’s she holding up? “I’m just not thinking about it,” Mulligan said sweetly.

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