MovieChat Forums > The Singing Detective (2003) Discussion > SideTracked - TIFF

SideTracked - TIFF

posted 21 years ago by webrageous
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Hi Keith,

I watched you, Robert, Katie, and Steven Haft online for the press conference to TSD and I must say I was overjoyed. From what I saw, the press there really loved the film, at least judging from the 27-28 minutes of the press conference that I was able to view. I was really excited for you all!

You did a really good job, I thought, of answering that first question from the moderator about how the film evolved from the original BBC series. When I first heard about this film well over a year ago (when word got out that Downey was going to be in it), I tracked down a copy of the original series and was absolutely blow away by it. I have a feeling though, that I may be in the minority when it comes to the American audience in terms of being willing to devote that many hours to such a complicated piece of material. I have to admit, seeing the BBC series for the very first time that I felt really lost until I was 2-3 hours into it and things finally started to click. I am hoping that with this new film, you'll bring the Dennis Potter experience to the mainstream and bring him to the attention of geeks like me who are willing to take that extra step and watch the original work.

Robert seemed to be in such good spirits! I was thrilled to see him looking so great and it didn't surprise me at all that many of the questions were directed toward him. It was great to hear from Steven Haft that he and Dennis Potter were talking about this film back in 1992 when Downey dazzled everyone in his performance as Chaplin and that Mr. Potter actually thought that Robert was somebody who could really "get him" and would be ideal for the part. I think it's marvelous that the Director who's been chasing this movie for 10 years and the actor who was actually thought of for the part actually got to make this film. It's as if it was meant to be.

I'm very happy for all of you. I hope your experience in Toronto was wonderful. Please share your thoughts on your time there when you get back.

take care,
Jennifer

[–] sidetracked 21 years ago

Hi Jennifer,

Toronto was really terrific. Robert was in great shape, great spirits. The audience reaction at the big screening was all I could have hoped for - lots of big laughs, lots of applause during the film for specific scenes, and a lot of people standing up and applauding at the end. Definately the best audience response I've yet seen for any of my films.

It's also a wonderful festival in general. Well organized, friendly, and the audiences up there are true film fans. A friend of mine brought the first film she produced, a tiny budgeted comedy called 'Easy'. No big stars or anything, but their theater was packed with 600 people.

The challenge for TSD is going to continue to be those people (especially press) who think the very act of re-thinking the original is some kind of sin. I had one journalist start our interview by saying 'why not just re-paint the Mona Lisa?'. I had one writer come up to me after the second screenng and go on about 'why wasn't Robin Wright Penn more mean and bitchy like the wife in the original', until I pointed out that if she was, the whole ending of the film would make no sense emotionally.

The trick will just be continuing to hammer at the idea that this was Potter's concept, Potter's idea to do, and Potter's re-thinking.

But, overall I was pretty thrilled with the whole thing. I think the energy from the audience really revitalized Robert, and all the rest of us. When you make a film this odd, there's always the question, 'Will people get it? Will they go with it, have fun with it?' Watching 1300 people get into the film's eccentricities got all of our spirits charged up for these crazy/busy last weeks leading up to the release.

Best,

Keith

[–] Cassie-op 21 years ago

Hey Keith,

I left a private message for you.

Linda Bouley

[–] gamoffs 21 years ago

Keith, I was there at the Elgin Theatre on Monday the 8th sitting 2 rows behind you guys. It was magical wasn't it! I could tell that Robert was having a great time and heard him lol on several occasions. It was so great to see him looking so well and to know that he appreciated our show of support for him. I think you did an excellent job on this movie and hope that you keep recieving responses like the one at TTIFF at every showing. :-) I also wanted to thank you for being so generous with your time and answering our questions here on this board. Good luck!
Sheila :-)