Jolie Night in Santa Barbara

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Last night's Angelina Jolie tribute at the Santa Barbara Film Festival was arranged when it seemed seemed like a reasonable or even bordering-on-likely prospect that she would wind up with a Best Actress nomination for her Mighty Heart emoting. The fact that it didn't finally happen (Jolie was probably elbowed out by The Savages' Laura Linney) doesn't change my opinion that her performance as Marianne Pearl in Michael Winterbottom's film was the best of her career.

Snapped near the beginning of last night's Angelina Jolie tribute at the Santa Barbara Film Festival -- 2.2.08, 8:50 pm.

Jolie was affable, cheerful, relaxed on-stage. Pete Hammond handled the questions with his usual ease and aplomb. Clint Eastwood, director of The Changeling, in which Jolie costars, presented her with the fest's Performance of the Year award.

Before the 8 pm event finally began at 8:35 pm, Jolie and Brad Pitt spent most of their time mingling with screaming (it's slightly more correct to say "squealing") fans, taking their time posing for photos and signing autographs and generally paying respects . I was calling it a "Day of the Locust-sized mob" as I stood and marvelled outside Santa Barbara's Arlington Theatre. The red-carpet paparazzi got to snap photos as Jolie and Pitt strolled inside, but no interviews. (Or none that I noticed.)

The outdoor after-party, held near the Bacara Resort in Goleta, was mostly a bust due to inclement weather and not enough shelter. Heavy sprinkling (i.e., not quite a full-on rainshower but dense enough to turn your hair into a wet floor mop and make your clothes damper and damper, depending on how oblivious you wanted to pretend to be) sent guests huddling under food tents. Local weather has favored the SBFF for many years, but this year precipitation and cool (sometimes outright cold) temperatures invaded.

Soggy revelers at the after-party.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 3, 2008 at 7:32 AM

comment #1

p.Vice says ...

The fact that it didn't happen should always change your opinon, Jeff. Let others think for you and you'll be a much happier person.

Posted by p.Vice at February 3, 2008 8:46 AM

comment #2

Mr. Kockum says ...

You voted for Bush, didn't you, p.Vice.

Posted by Mr. Kockum at February 3, 2008 9:13 AM

comment #3

EOTW says ...

Didn't this happen a couple of years ago when Giamatti got robbed for his work in SIDEWAYS and went anyway? No matter what, I didn't watch A MIGHTY HEART until a couple of weeks ago but I was pretty impressed. Then, I watched MR AND MRS SMITH for the first (and last) time a couple of nights ago. Jesus, what a vapid, stupid excuse for a film. I'm surprised it stuck at all. I can't even remember the plot at all. The whole thing was like a 2 hour underwear ad. That being said, Ms. Jolie is just flabbergastingly attractive. It's almost ridiculous, really.

Posted by EOTW at February 3, 2008 9:22 AM

comment #4

D.Z. says ...

Shouldn't a tribute be for an actress who's actually had an extensive resume? Not someone who's really only known for Tomb Raider and Sky Captain and home-wrecking...

Posted by D.Z. at February 3, 2008 10:38 AM

comment #5

actionman says ...

Wasn't blown away by Jolie in the film, or the film itself, but I do think she did passionate work in A Mighty Heart, and overall, the film is noble, intelligent, and very well made.

Posted by actionman at February 3, 2008 10:49 AM

comment #6

Stacy Atlas says ...

re: "her performance as Marianne Pearl in Michael Winterbottom's film was the best of her career;"

I entirely agree; however that isn't saying much. Her performance was constantly upstaged by her awful wig.

Posted by Stacy Atlas at February 3, 2008 10:58 AM

comment #7

Wrecktum says ...

DID SHE LOOK PREGNANT?

Posted by Wrecktum at February 3, 2008 11:00 AM

comment #8

JBF says ...

Shouldn't a tribute be for an actress who's actually had an extensive resume? Not someone who's really only known for Tomb Raider and Sky Captain and home-wrecking...=================================================================================================
Well DZ, she took away Aniston title of Hollywood Queen. So for me thats reason enough to have a tribute.
She put that TV has been on her place.

Posted by JBF at February 3, 2008 6:19 PM

comment #9

bfm says ...

The lady has won an Oscar. I think she's known for a little more than Lara Croft.

Posted by bfm at February 3, 2008 7:19 PM

comment #10

Undercover Brother says ...

More that Lara Croft? Everything on Jolie's resume is either horrific or totally inconsequnetial. Even the bogus, forgettable movie she won an Oscar for. And the preview for "Wanted?" Stupidity in spades. Her CGI ass in "Beowulf" was as memorable as it's going to get.

Posted by Undercover Brother at February 3, 2008 11:07 PM

comment #11