Upcoming
December 31
January 2
Cargo 200
January 7
Silent Light
January 9
How About You
Yonkers Joe
January 16
Cherry Blossoms
January 21
Of Time and the City
Pollack on Minghella
Anthony Minghella "was a realistic romanticist," says the director's former partner Sydney Pollack in a statement printed in Variety's 3.18 story (which appears in the print edition today). "[He was] a kind of poet, disciplined by reality, an academic by training, a musician by nature, a compulsive reader by habit, and to most observers, a sunny soul who exuded a gentleness that should never have been mistaken for lack of tenacity and resolve.
"The cliche that you don't know anyone well until you've lived through wars with them, is an absolute truth. Sometimes making films is a form of war. Having weathered several with Anthony, I will tell you that his dignity never softened, his artistry never suffered, and his mind remained as sharp and clear in wartime as it was in quietude."
It is sadly significant that the authors of the Variety story -- Adam Dawtrey, Dade Hayes, Ali Jaafar -- and their editors have described Pollack in a parenthetical reference as "gravely ill." I'm not aware of this being stated in so many words in a major publication before. By the timing and luck of the draw, we're living through a very mournful and tragic streak right now.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on March 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM
comment #1
Stephe96
says ...
Wait a minute! Pollack is reported as being "gravely ill?" Yikes!
Posted by Stephe96
at March 19, 2008 12:16 PM
comment #2
Midwest Doug
says ...
Jeff, I'm assuming you know more, and man that stinks.
Posted by Midwest Doug
at March 19, 2008 1:22 PM
comment #3
p.Vice
says ...
[Deleted due to sheer, utter tastelessness and cruelty.]
Posted by p.Vice
at March 19, 2008 1:28 PM
comment #4
rr3333
says ...
Are we sure its THE Sydney Pollack (as in the 'Tootsie' director) ???
Posted by rr3333
at March 19, 2008 2:44 PM
comment #5
Gordie Lachance
says ...
The news has been out on Pollack for a few months now (though as Jeff mentioned, it hasn't been 'officially' publicized until now).
What I had heard was that he had (stomach? liver?) cancer that metastasized all over his body.
It's a sad shame. It took both Minghella's and Pollack's influence to get Michael Clayton made. Hopefully there's still some people left out there who care about quality films.
Posted by Gordie Lachance
at March 19, 2008 2:52 PM
comment #6
The Hoyk
says ...
Once again, when it comes to demonstrating the most tasteless snark with no redeeming humorous value, p.Vice does not disappoint.
You are going to miss out on everything cool and die angry.
Posted by The Hoyk
at March 19, 2008 2:55 PM
comment #7
Stephe96
says ...
In my experience, "gravely ill" is reporter-speak for "it's only a matter of days now." Anyone know how long Pollack's been sick?
Posted by Stephe96
at March 19, 2008 3:13 PM
comment #8
Leonardcoenbrothers
says ...
He's been ill since sometime last year. His granddaughter is active on a message board I've frequented and has confirmed that he had cancer, I believe of the stomach, that has spread significantly. Doesn't look good.
Posted by Leonardcoenbrothers
at March 19, 2008 3:30 PM
comment #9
MattyC
says ...
"You are going to miss out on everything cool and die angry."
Best response to a heckler Ever.
"You dumb douchebag."
Patton Forever!
Posted by MattyC
at March 19, 2008 7:56 PM
Post a comment