The Hot Button by David Poland

Wednesday, 3 February 1999

RANTING & RAVING

Good morning. I'm writing this column on Tuesday morning, just having experienced my first decent night of sleep in 10 days. But I'm still a bit groggy, so I'm turning over today's column to you. (For Sundance coverage from the last two weeks, click here) and work you way back through the days). As is so often the case, when I do an emotional column (click here), it gets almost as much response as, say, Armageddon. Normally, I try to edit out compliments and kindness for public airing, but, a) I'm really too tired and am being comforted by the praise amongst the rest of the thoughts and, b) in these cases, it's a bit too integrated for me to pull. So please excuse the self-indulgence. (You do so often, why will this day be different?) I promise to be back to my normal self before this week ends. Until then, here you are. And thanks, as ever, for writing in and supporting this column. It wouldn't be worth doing without you.
From slohandlea: "Dear David: I am a 71-year-old dreamer of wild dreams of attending Sundance. I discovered roughcut.com and your reviews and my life has changed. You have made Sundance 'live' in your reviews every night. Where else would I have ever found the greatest description of Tim Roth. I thought I was the only one who appreciated Tim Roth. Now with my weekly dose of great reviews in EW and being able to access your superb reviews (forget the grammar) I feel I have it all. Now, if only 'Homicide: Life on the Streets' was entered at Sundance as a film...
"By the way don't be mislead by my screen name 'slohandlea.' No, I'm not a 30-year-old hunk, I'm a 71-year-old grandmother who loves movies, and, not being able to see them all in this little town of Athens, Ga., has to rely on reviews such as yours and all those great reviewers of EW. Thanks again, see you on the Web again next year!"
(DAVID NOTE: I hope you don't wait until next year to come hang out.)
From Leo: "Dear Mr. Poland, My hometown team just got demolished in the Super Bowl. It's been a year since I wrote you last, and I still work at a gas station for a living. I'm still significant other-less, but wait 'til the movie gets made! That should be around 2007. I mean, I know how you feel and all: the constant battle between the mind and body, the body and the soul, art and commerce, next year's Chayefsky and next month's rent. But come on! You just spent 10 days, almost expense-free, at the showcase for what will possibly be the biggest and brightest stars of Moviedom's next century. Sarah Polley could be the Faye Dunaway of the [next century's] teens. The DP of Three Seasons could go on to make 2010's 2001. And you got to talk to them on a bus. You get to shed first light on what could be the brightest spots on the Hollywood map in the near future.
"I know this cannot compare to being in one of those spots, but I also know that I, along with many, many others, would be totally in the dark as to the actual events of the movie industry these days were it not for your honest and entertaining reportage. You're one of us; you're a young-people-these-days. You're different from the rest, one of the only ones I can trust to give an honest opinion about things, no matter who you contradict. That is art. And as painful as I know it may be, it's as important for an artist to do his art as it is for a construction-worker to... construct things. Or else society crumbles, or in the least we're left with endless sequels to movies ripped off of '70s television shows. In the few short days since my phone service was reconnected, The Hot Button has become a part of my daily routine. You would be sorely missed.
"Besides, you can always write. I know it sounds trite, but Raymond Carver was a drunk longshoreman and still managed some really great short stories. Raymond Chandler was a clerk of some kind. I work at a gas station, and I'm three-fourths of the way done with the first screenplay of the five that you said I should write in order to learn the craft. No one will buy it, but I like it. I don't know what form The Hot Button will take in the next five or six years to come, but I hope you are still around to thank for the advice and encouragement that you gave me. If not, keep writing! Good writers are rare and endangered, as I'm sure you know. Keep the faith, and don't let the grind get you down! P.S.: Jennifer Jason Leigh was my first crush. If you ever see her, say hello for me."
(DAVID NOTE: Leo, what can I say? Keep fighting, see American Movie ASAP for better and for worse and thanks for taking the time out to encourage someone to whom the world has already been quite generous.)
From Jane: "I really enjoyed your column where you talked about life and movies and the art of making films and covering creativity. You seem to be one of the few journalists out there willing to acknowledge (at least, this is what I got from it) that you have a desire to create rather than report on other people's creativity. I have more respect for critics and journalists who exhibit some sort of creative spark rather than people just looking to take the piss out of people because they're upset they never had that spark, that urge in the first place. So keep it up!
"As for your question regarding actors who changed your life, I don't know that I can pinpoint one particular actor as inspiration -- I'm a screenwriter, for crying out loud. But I will say that there's nothing better than seeing a movie where everything comes together -- direction, writing, acting, the whole shebang -- that makes me really glad that I want to make movies and that maybe I'm not a complete moron for working so hard to get into the business. What brings me most joy: actors like Tim Roth, Ewan McGregor, Tom Hanks, Jodie Foster and Kevin Spacey, who inhabit characters rather than playing themselves with different hair colors; films that make my jaw drop at the vision and stories laid out before me (like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The English Patient, Contact, Saving Private Ryan, and lesser epics like Out of Sight, Reservoir Dogs, and Trainspotting); and, of course, smart, intelligent writing. When it all works right and it all comes together... ahhh. Life is good. Take care (and lay off the hooch!)"
From Susan: "Welcome home, David. Thanks for your columns from Sundance. I particularly enjoyed your 3:00 a.m. career crisis column (disguising itself as a Rant and Rave). Unlike Fran, I thought it was clear that Ally Sheedy was just an example of finding joy in one's work that you seemed to be pining for at the moment. The column beats the heck out of box office numbers in my book. I like looking in on another's introspection even when it's the 3:00 a.m., haven't slept much in 10 days, bordering on maudlin type. Being articulate about it helps considerably; and you always are. Keep 'em coming."
From Jon: RE: Reaching For The Hand of God: "If that is what Hollywood movies are truly trying to do, I suggest that writers and artists join the Peace Corps or the seminary instead. Mother Teresa wasn't even trying to reach for the hand of God. She was selflessly helping the less fortunate. Movies...? They said it themselves -- that's entertainment."
(DAVID NOTE: This guy is a hard ass, huh? Mother Teresa, I believe was touched, as much as one can be, by the hand of God. I suppose the clever turn of phrase was my way of talking about finding those moments of peace inside of the art. And I do have them here at The Hot Button. P.S.: I think I should have some barbecue with this guy and rough him up a little. Sounds like some cruise ship lothario to me!)
From Krillian: "Tim Roth and Ally Sheedy in one week? Dave, I want your life. I actually tried to make it up to Park City on Saturday, but I had a wedding and I had to help my in-laws move. No further insights from my brothers. (One brother was working the lifts when Val Kilmer tried to go down the big hill for the first time.) Jake told him to 'have fun' and Val said, 'Thank you.' I got an email from Jake headlined 'VAL KILMER TO JAKE: THANK YOU.' (DAVID NOTE: Krillian was the one responsible for the funny ROTD letter on Day Five) What can I say? Other than Sundance, we don't get many famous folk in these parts, and when we do, it's some low-budget film starring Ewan McGregor who turns to the nearest media whore to tell them how lame Utah is."
From Mary: "Well, David I just want you to know that I'm reading your heartfelt introspection of a column, leading me to some introspection of my own. I relate to the feelings you expressed, and I am much further from the art than you. I get my vicarious hit from my son, who has been a confirmed actor since the age of 5. He is 23 now and might be someone you'd heard of, but he got sidetracked by a love affair with music, which he decided to pursue for a while. But acting is still where his heart and future is, and I get to share the love and experience of a really talented person. I think it's something I would have done had I been aware of how much I loved it. Probably not germane to you, but my stab at empathy nonetheless. (DAVID NOTE: Very germane.) Good writing is an art, sometimes it feels like a forgotten or at least a fading skill. It's always a pleasure to read what you write, even when I disagree with it. Glad you're sticking around."
WRITER OF THE DAY: What more can I add? Thank all of you for sharing such personal thoughts. My search for balance continues. And with folks like you to support me, I may even find it. (And thanks again to the roughcut.com crew for their support throughout.)

E ME: What do you really want to know about? Oscar nominations are coming. Sir Ian McKellen is coming to roughcut.com. The SAG awards are coming. The Oscars are coming. ShoWest is coming. The insanity of 1999 continues. How do you want to be a part of it all? Come on, fess up!