To: Sidetracked


I'd really like to first thank you Mr. Gordon for taking the time to answer questions people have posted about "TSD" and have been browsing here for a quite a long time. However, this is my first time as a writer to this forum. I watched the initial six-part mini-series and thought it was an engrossing and brilliant piece of work. I didn't want it to end. Having been a fan of Downey's for well over a decade (Since he blazed onto the screen as Julian Wells in 'Less Than Zero' followed up a few years later with a superb performance as Charles Chaplin. By the way, "Back to School" is a family favourite. Jason Melon and Derek Lutz were a hilarious duo!) I greatly anticipate watching him work his magic in the Michael Gambon role while acknowledging he will make it his own. I read most of the reviews that were written when "TSD" premiered at Sundance and it's clear to me that this film is one which deserves (and hopefully will receive) respect. Personally, I admire filmmakers, directors and actors who are unafraid to take a risk by working with challenging material like this story. Based on what I read from reputable critics, this is going to be a piece of work to be reckoned with. (That's a beautiful thing.) I believe people should watch this movie (and any movie) with an open mind and perhaps attempt to reconcile the story after the fact, once the dust has settled as it's a lot to absorb. When I watched the mini-series, there were sequences that were confusing at first, but once the film concluded it all made perfect and fascinating sense. I found myself thinking about it a day or so afterwards. My question to you is about the dancing scenes in the movie. Katie Holmes (Like her too.) portrays the role of the nurse and you have explained that she dances in the film. Does she dance with Downey's Dan Dark character at any time during those hallucinations? Many fans of both actors are hoping so! Thanks so much for your time and I wish you all the best with this film! Sarah H

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Hello,

First, thank you for your kind and supportive words. It's always nice when people are excited to see something you work on (of course, then you worry about disappointing them! Nothing makes it easier for people to feel let down by something than lots of anticipation. Yikes.)

Katie doesn't literally dance with Robert, but she does dance in the same scene with him. She actually dances in two hallucinitory numbers, one to 'At the Hop', where she is one of several doctors and nurses who briefly dance around Robert's character's bed, before the number opens up into a bigger, even more surreal dance number, where the actors playing doctors and nurses dance along side many professional dancers while Robert's alter ego character sings (and dances a bit) up on stage.

In the other number, 'Mr. Sandman', Katie 'sings' directly to Robert in his fantasy, and they are together in the number, but the majority of the dancing is being done 'around' them by professional dancers.

I hope that's not too confusing. Hard to describe in short hand.

I hope you'll enjoy the film!

Keith

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What you've described here regarding the fantasy scenes is not confusing at all, especially since it's so similar to the way the original film was done. There's a still from your film of Robert Downey and Katie Holmes (I think they might be seated in a car.) which is breathtakingly beautiful. Incredible. I wonder, is it taken from one of the songs you've described? One of the reasons so many of us are eagerly anticipating this movie is not only because of the wonderful and complex story Potter conceived, (and rewrote for the remake of the original) but also because of the stellar cast gathered together for this most amazing project. With Downey at the helm, along with Mel Gibson, Robin Wright Penn, Katie Holmes and Adrien Brody, I can't imagine it not resulting in anything but a movie-goer's delight. The entire ensemble cast is excellent and the tale is such an intricate yet intriguing one. Recently, my husband and I watched "The Chocolate War" and thought it was terrific. A very bold and innovative story it became as each scene built towards the unexpected, but satisfying ending. (It's not necessary that everything needs to tied up in a neat little bow once a movie reaches it's conclusion. Life's not usually like that.) The reason I mention this film is because I know you directed it and we wanted to get a taste of what we might expect in "TSD". You don't need to worry at all about disappointing anyone. I have a feeling it's going to be time well spent. I hope you don't mind, but I must tell you there are a great number of Downey fans who are very excited about seeing him return to the big screen in such a challenging role like this one. It's tailor-made for an actor with his diverse range and talents. Thanks again Keith for answering my questions about the song and dance sequences/fantasies. Every time I read something new about this revamped film, it just makes me want to see it all the more! Looking forward to the end of October! All the best. Sarah H

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