Vital Questions from Last Night's Q&A for The Wrestler

We have sat through some terrible Q&As, but it seems that Seattle audiences go out of their way to embarrass themselves in front of directors. Last night’s Q&A with Darren Aronofsky, following his new film The Wrestler (out in Seattle theaters January 9th), was truly cringeworthy:

1. "What happened at the end of the movie?"
2. "You seem to make all your movies on the East Coast. Would you make a movie on the West Coast?"
3. "The Sopranos finale ended with the screen going to black. Did you see that show and decide to use that for the film?"

Thankfully, once again, the person being asked these inane questions was gracious. Says Aronofsky: "Yes, I am constantly ripping off The Sopranos. No, actually, I've never even seen the show. Movies just tend to end with a black screen."

And for the record, Mickey Rourke is as good as everyone says he is. We're gonna go out on a limb here and make a bold prediction: Mickey Rourke takes home the Best Actor Oscar this year. It's a big, painfully personal comeback performance, and we think that there's a lot of goodwill in Hollywood for Rourke, a lot of people who are happy to see him onscreen in a role that befits his talent. So, suck it Frank Langella, you may be an esteemed stage actor, and you may have done one hell of a Richard Nixon, but you're practically a Brit, and therefore not one of us. The Academy is going for Rourke this year.

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By Audrey in Arts & Events on November 25, 2008 12:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Simonian

@ Yarek: You try living as hard as Mr. Rourke and see if you don't end up puffy as well. This does look worth checking out.

And generally on the topic at hand, I always cringe when, after a question has been asked, it is clear that the person who's supposed to answer it has no idea what they have been asked. I know I try to ask intelligible questions, at least. Ideally they are intelligent as well.

Audrey

It has been pointed out to me repeatedly that Frank Langella is not British. Thanks to you good people who actually click through the links. Stage actor, British, same difference right? I have quasi-updated the post to reflect this.

@o Sano: I've got no problem with the standard q&a fodder about cost or production schedule. But I do have a problem with asking questions that make us all look dumb. As to the film, you're right, it's more about Rourke's performance than the plot.

MonkeyPilot

Looks interesting. But why does Mickey Rourke look so... puffy?

partyfernandez

for those interested, here's the trailer for the movie (i'm way too excited to see this) - http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/the-wrestler/trailer

Simonian

FYI, Frank Langella was born in New Jersey.

o Sano

i was there last night too and totally embarrassed. i seen the same posse of people (hello warren report nerdlingers) that ask the same retarded questions - - i.e., "how much did it cost to make your movie" or "where did you get the idea to make this movie" and that genius question is usually from a movie adopted from a novel. ugh. and it does not stop at these screeners - seattle international film festival is home of the inane q & a sessions. thank god aronofsky was gracious and graceful. also, rourke will nto doubt bet a nom but this movie was slightly not weighty enough in my humble opinion. he was great - the script, eh?

Troy Morris

"Yes, I am constantly ripping off The Sopranos. No, actually, I've never even seen the show. Movies just tend to end with a black screen."

Classic.