La Fortunata Vita: A Report from the Match Point Premiere

The man who said ‘I’d rather be lucky than good’ saw deeply into life. People are afraid to face how great a part of life is dependent on luck. It’s scary to think so much is out of one’s control. There are moments in a match when the ball hits the top of the net and for a split second it can either go forward or fall back. With a little luck, it goes forward and you win…or maybe it doesn’t, and you lose.

That line is taken from the opening narration from Match Point, Woody Allen’s new film and his return to glory. I am well aware of luck. It was a major factor in my getting the assignment to cover the premiere of Match Point at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. When the offer was available, I immediately requested it without knowing what the task would entail. I made contact with the Dreamworks rep and he informed me that I would get “a spot on the line for Red Carpet Coverage and two tickets for the screening.”

I was excited, but had no idea what I was in for. The Red Carpet?! Was I really going to be among the huddled masses of paparazzi and interviewers, covering this event of the famous and rich like Marcello Rubini from Fellini’s La Dolce Vita? What had I gotten myself into now? I am great in conversations, but not always good about getting one started, especially with strangers. What the hell was I going to ask these people? Definitely nothing about who they are wearing. Maybe I should ask about the business and if being here is part of the job requirement? Dare I be a smart ass like Stuttering John and ask ridiculous and embarrassing questions that combine world affairs and personal hygiene?

I brought Senora Bicho along as my +1. The press set-up was 6:30 pm. Of course, traffic was more brutal than usual. To travel the 42 miles from my home to LACMA took almost three hours, meaning we traveled at a rate of 14 mph, which isn’t as settling on the nerves as one might imagine. I got to the Will Call table and they didn’t have my name. Ugh! I’d been burned before at events and it would certainly be understandable to lose out on this huge opportunity since I’m representing a small fish in the pond of entertainment. I asked if the passes were under the site’s name and was told I wanted the press check-in. The woman handling press told me I had to be escorted down to my spot. Two guys from Reuters checked in after me, so I felt fine.

Article Author: Gordon S. Miller

Gordon S. Miller is the artist formerly known as El Bicho, the nom de plume he used when he first began reviewing movies online for The Masked Movie Snobs in 2003. Before that year was out, he became that site's publisher. …

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