Julia Roberts Not Acting Like A Pretty Woman
So here’s an interesting tidbit to chew on this morning with your toaster tart: Julia Roberts has come back in a big way with a new film, Duplicity…but she acted with Animosity towards Roger Friedman from Fox when he showed up at the premiere:
Is it important for entertainment journalists to write nice things about movie stars? Do they even read their own press? Or are they so much in their own world that they just let their publicists tell them what’s going on in the world.
Once, Warren Beatty, whom I do consider the smartest guy in Hollywood, told me: “The biggest mistake you can make is to think no one’s reading what you write.”
But that’s Warren, he’s in a different league, and he knows everything going on around him.
Not so Julia Roberts, apparently. Mother now of three kids, she probably doesn’t have the time to read anything. She certainly doesn’t read this column. When she saw me last night at the premiere of her sleek new thriller, “Duplicity,” Roberts didn’t hesitate to cut me dead. She was rude, downright nasty, and dismissive. She snubbed me in front of other people to make her point, and later cut in between me and director Tony Gilroy to make her point. Her behavior was unexpected and chilling.
So what was the problem? Her officious publicist, Marcy Engelman, said: “She knows you broke the embargo on her play and wrote bad things about her.”
Indeed, a top agent at the party said, “Julia said, ‘that’s the man who writes bad things about me.’”Wait: you’re thinking, even if that were true, would a gracious person do such a thing in public? That’s something to consider.
In any case, another producer, a long time friend of Julia’s, then proceeded to tell me she’d absolutely remembered me writing something terrible about Roberts. “I know you did,” she said.
Woah! Claws out, me-ow! But wait…just what is the backstory here? Roger had gone to see Julia just before she was to open on Broadway in Three Days Of Rain back in 2006, and he wrote a review in which he not only mentioned the enthusiastic response from the audience but a few other nice things as well:
I was stunned. For the record: When Roberts was a week away from opening in “Three Days of Rain” on Broadway in April 2006, she was getting terrible advance buzz in the local newspapers. The gossip snipes said she looked bad, and couldn’t act. As an ardent fan of Roberts, I thought I’d go over and see what was happening. After mentioning the enthusiastic audience and the celebrities who’d already come to see her, I wrote:
“As for Julia: She was very good on Saturday afternoon. We heard her clearly in the last row. She has a strong stage presence and I suspect it will just get better and better as she warms up for opening night. She is funny and charming when appropriate, somber and grim with conviction too. She has all her lines digested and you cannot take your eyes off of her. She actually injects some life into that first-act character with some real Roberts sarcasm. It’s most welcome. In the second act, though, she combines her best riffs from her performances in “Steel Magnolias” and “Ready to Wear,” among others.
And she does not look thin, gaunt or unhappy. Quite to the contrary, she has a supple energy. Our audience went wild for her, with a standing ovation and cheering. So there.
As our usher said, she’s already very good and by opening night, pow!
So retract those claws, kitties. And get ready. No, she’s not Cherry Jones or Phylicia Rashad — yet. But she’s a movie star and can act circles around anyone, and she’s going to be a sensation in the papers on the morning of April 20.
My guess is this will open the door for her to alternate doing plays and movies, and that can only be a good thing.”
This may be the ultimate example of ‘a good turn will not go unpunished.’
After the play actually opened, he wrote this about her:
Most reviewers, in fact, did not care for Roberts when the play opened. She got creamed by the regular theater critics. The morning after opening night I wrote:
“If anything, she seemed more relaxed on stage this time around, and significantly improved. It will be interesting to go see her at the end of the run in June … When Roberts returns to Broadway in a couple of years — which she will undoubtedly do — I hope it’s in a romantic comedy or a farce where she can show off her real talents.”
Um….and? So where’s the terrible and bad things? He said she wasn’t Phylicia Rashad…but then, who is? Ain’t nobody like Claire Huxtable, child, so just give that sad idea up. But other than that…? I can’t say as he was overly impressed, but he hardly decimated her, unlike some of the critics at that time.
So, was there something in the original article that she didn’t like? I took the time to look it up (because that’s just the kind of hard-edged investigative journalist I am). Here’s a bit of the meat after I trimmed off some of the fat (you know, the typical gushing over which celebs had gone to see her and all that rot):
Richard Greenberg wrote “Three Days of Rain,” and it debuted off Broadway in November 1997 at the Manhattan Theater Club. Patricia Clarkson, John Slattery and Bradley Whitford originally played the roles now taken over by Roberts, Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper.
The play was nominated for a Pulitzer but didn’t win. You can see why. The first act can be tedious no matter who is in it. Reading reviews from many different productions confirms that. And the woman’s role in that act is thankless.
The second act of “Three Days” is more of a showcase for the actress in the trio. Reviews show that in every case, after trudging through the monotony of the first act, the actress playing Lina gets to shine. It’s usually hers for the taking. The character sports a Southern accent, gets to be a little bit madcap and is generally quite winning. I’m sure Julia responded to that.
Reports from the first preview — very unfair to do that — were that Roberts was having trouble being heard in the back of the theater. People said she looked thin or scared. Someone said she came off like Erin Brockovich. I really had trouble believing any of this, so off to the box office I went for a sneak peek.
This is not a review (I know the press agents are all swallowing Mylanta right now). But safe to say, “Three Days of Rain” will be a critical hit to accompany its ticket sales. The men are accomplished and do just as you might expect. Paul Rudd can do anything, so you never have to worry about him. Cooper, whom I know from television, is fine. I say this without giving detailed analysis.
As for Julia: She was very good on Saturday afternoon. We heard her clearly in the last row. She has a strong stage presence and I suspect it will just get better and better as she warms up for opening night. She is funny and charming when appropriate, somber and grim with conviction too. She has all her lines digested and you cannot take your eyes off of her. She actually injects some life into that first-act character with some real Roberts sarcasm. It’s most welcome. In the second act, though, she combines her best riffs from her performances in “Steel Magnolias” and “Ready to Wear,” among others.
And she does not look thin, gaunt or unhappy. Quite to the contrary, she has a supple energy. Our audience went wild for her, with a standing ovation and cheering. So there.
As our usher said, she’s already very good and by opening night, pow!
So retract those claws, kitties. And get ready. No, she’s not Cherry Jones or Phylicia Rashad — yet. But she’s a movie star and can act circles around anyone, and she’s going to be a sensation in the papers on the morning of April 20.
My guess is this will open the door for her to alternate doing plays and movies, and that can only be a good thing.
Basically, what he said was he had a problem with the script, not the actress, that Julia would get more comfortable, and he even went out of his way to praise her. So maybe there was a problem with the actual opening night review of the play (again, after I trimmed off the typical celeb-butt-kissing)?
Opening night performances are generally not for the public, so this added to the sardine-like crush going on in every direction.
The show got a standing ovation at the end, but I have to admit the response was a tad muted after that wildly enthusiastic matinee I went to 10 days ago.
Also, no one from the audience offered Julia roses, which I think she deserves for bravely jumping into such an overwhelming project.
If anything, she seemed more relaxed on stage this time around, and significantly improved. It will be interesting to go see her at the end of the run in June.
In the end, though, “Three Days of Rain” was a strange choice for Julia Roberts to make her Broadway debut. The first act is tedious at best and the second act, while more lively, doesn’t explain much about the characters.
When Roberts returns to Broadway in a couple of years — which she will undoubtedly do — I hope it’s in a romantic comedy or a farce where she can show off her real talents.
You may be interested to know that Julia’s Playbill notes, which are very short, give us a clue about her favorites among her films. She lists “Ocean’s Twelve,” “Closer,” “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” “Full Frontal,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “The Mexican,” “Erin Brockovich” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding.”
They are weird choices considering that “Ocean’s Twelve,” “The Mexican” and “Full Frontal” are completely awful; she had a bit part in “Confessions”; and Cameron Diaz came close to stealing every scene in “Wedding.”
Where is her signature film, “Pretty Woman” or “Mystic Pizza,” “The Runaway Bride,” “The Pelican Brief,” “Notting Hill,” “Steel Magnolias” (Oscar nomination there), “Conspiracy Theory,” “Mona Lisa Smile” or “Stepmom”?
Julia, no one would blame you for having a long resume!
And once again, his issues seem to be more with the play itself than with Julia, whom he goes out of his way to praise and offer support for. Perhaps Roger was confused with some other, harsher critic?
Apparently, Movie Stars (note the capitals and emphasis…apparently Julia is One, so we’re told) don’t actually take the time to read their own press or have brains and thoughts of their own. Oh no. They have “people” to read their press for them, just like they also have “people” to tell them their opinions and they have “people” to tell them when they are getting bad press and when they are getting good press, and who to fawn over and who to snub:
In any case, I wouldn’t have thought that what I wrote about Roberts in her play could have justified the scene at last night’s party. It was not pretty, and it was meant to be devastating. Her associates said, “This is what she was told.” And that’s even worse: to think that most people in Hollywood start many conversations with these words: “I was told you wrote (blank).”
But then, I guess Julia can’t read her own press, because she’s so blind that she can’t see when she’s parking in a handicapped spot. I can totally see why she needs “people”.
So, the next time you’re snubbed at a chi-chi swanky-swanky party thrown by some of the Beautiful People by a genuine dyed-in-the-wool Movie Star, don’t take it personally. Their “people” told them to hate you. At least, that’s what I tell myself as consolation.
And Julia, one last thing…my grandma always told me ”pretty is as pretty does”.
Pink Stripe WordPress Theme Designed by Joni Mueller &
She’s probably still bitter with everyone for the reviews on Mary Reilly
Comment by froose — March 19, 2009 @ 11:31 am
I wish the “pretty woman” name would go away.
It’s getting old.
IMO She was NEVER pretty, and never will be. Sorry.
Props to her for being the sister of Eric Roberts who I adore. The Pope of Greenwhich Village is one of my favs.
anyways….getting back to JULIA…..
As far as this movie goes, I don’t go to movie theatres, as people make too much noise and it makes me nuts AND the cost.
I do rent movies…. but this one is not on my list of “must sees”. sorry
Comment by No So Pretty Woman — March 19, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
Sorry! TL/DR
(too long/didn’t read)
Comment by Yawwwwnnnnn — March 19, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
Much ado about nothing…
Please stick to what u do best – like exposing CO$.
Comment by Jonathan — March 19, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
Roger Freidman, as usual, is exactly right. Julia Roberts pretty much showed her true colors when she not only began dating a newlywed (now her husband-the one who parks in handicap spots) but had a T-shirt made insulting his wife. (A low Vera-how clever Julia)
Rhymes with witch.
Comment by Rachel — March 19, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
k, glad you saw this. I saw the Fox News story (love Roger Friedman, he’s always going after the CoS) and thought, ah-ha, more proof Julia thinks she is THE shizzle. Also, she’s a homewrecker too, she just chose to wreck homes “beneath” her station and so therefore, no one cared.
Straight up BEEYOTCH.
Oh, and Johnathan, what we do best is create original content about what WE want to talk about, because you know, it’s OUR site. Get your own and go crazy on the cult, but in case you are confused, look at the header. CELEB GOSSIP.
Comment by D — March 19, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
I have to confess that I long for the old studio days, when The Man would control all press and you could like your movie stars. I agree with Rachel. I have despised Julia Roberts ever since that t-shirt. I even remember the pic of her wearing it during a “romantic, spontaneous picnic while taking a break from filming” with Danny Moder. I thought, fine, your personal life, but you wore that t-shirt to coerce and humiliate an innocent party in that whole mess…shows what an ill-bred, spoiled-rotten diva you are. Plus, not so sure about that ability to act allegation.
Comment by P2 — March 19, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Hiya Jonathan!
I don’t expose the CoS, that’s Dawn’s epic win. I just twaddle on about celebs. Coz, y’know, it’s a celeb site and all.
But thanks for playing! Be sure to pick up your consolation prize!
Comment by k — March 19, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
#3: Uh, yeah, I know what tl;dr means.
Didn’t seem to be tl;dr earlier, though…
Comment by k — March 19, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
k twaddles like no other
Comment by froose — March 19, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
[...] Source: k [...]
Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » Julia Roberts Not Acting Like A Pretty Woman — March 19, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
Oh no, nobody was supposed to see that!
Comment by k — March 19, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
If somebody could find that photo of Julia wearing the “A Low Vera” shirt…well, I can’t pay ya, since I’m poor as a churchmouse, but I’d be super grateful.
brosnanfan (at) gmail (dot) com
Comment by k — March 19, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
I couldn’t find the pic anywhere, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. I did however see it myself, I think in People Magazine of some such publication. Her soon-to-be in laws were not pleased.
Has anyone else seen the hilarious Family Guy episode that featured the following:
Peter Griffin: [to Carter] I promise, you’ll love it here, even more than Julia Roberts loves herself.
[cut to Julia Roberts, standing in front of a display of candles]
Julia Roberts: Hi, I’m Julia Roberts. You know, a lot of people died in the tsunami, but don’t worry, I didn’t. And I’ll be here to entertain you and love my life for many, many years to come. Me! ME! MEEEEEEE!
[hugs herself and laughs uncontrollably]
Comment by Rachel — March 19, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
From what info I’ve been able to dig up, I think it was in May 2002, if that is helpful to anyone.
Yeah, I sat here earlier and looked, but got busy and had to stop. For whatever reason, my husband seems to think that his supper is more important than my research. Men, hrmmph!
Comment by k — March 19, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
she is not pretty and she is average with talent. she thinks highly of herself. typical bore.
Comment by hi — March 20, 2009 @ 2:28 am
Hmmm…sounds like someone needs to put her big girl panties on. I remember in high school how girls used to act this way towards people. But as you grow up to adulthood, I thought you are supposed to leave those childlike tendencies behind. She needs to stop admiring herself so much, and thinking that she is all that and a bag of chips with a diet coke on the side.
Comment by Jersey — March 20, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
Aww… and I used to like Julia Roberts, too >_<
Though… never thought she was too pretty…
Comment by Brooke — March 23, 2009 @ 12:22 am
ANGELINA JOLIE RULES NOW ANYWAY…..buh-bye JULIA!!!
…it’s not all about you anymore…
PS: Julia Roberts is the REAL homewrecker who sunk low torturing her baby-daddy’s ex…but everyone picks on Angie. Angie and Brad have more class in their pinky’s than Danny Moder and Julia ROBBER does in her whole body.
PPS: Please end the 2005 pity-party jen.
Comment by Luanne — March 24, 2009 @ 4:46 am