Last night was the "opening day" of Eat, Pray, Love, the movie starring Julia Roberts....which was partially filmed here in India. The movie is based on the "best seller" written by Liz Gilbert, which share's the same title.
I guess it is safe to begin talking about this now that the movie has been released in both the US and now India.
Linda has been on a "gag" order since the filming of the movie.............yes......it's true, a gag order! This meant that I have also been unable to put anything in print regarding the movie.............until now......I'm ready to "TELL ALL".........are you ready for the "juicy" Hollywood gossip?
Before the gossip.......I awakened this morning to read Roger Ebert's review of the film.........2 Stars......and a rating of "Fair"............Roger.....while you are entitled to your opinion........there are are at least 20 people who enjoyed the movie and rate it much higher!!!! maybe even higher than 4 Stars!
Now the story and the gossip!
About one year ago, Linda received a call from one of her "bestest friends", who prefers to remain nameless.....it was a last minute invitation to participate as an "extra" in the movie.......Nameless's "number one hubby" as she refers to him, was to attend but due to work, he was cancelling.......and Linda was asked to "tag along".....with the understanding from the Director's Assistant that she would not be paid for attendance......she would simply be a "volunteer extra"......so, no lucrative salary like Julia!
The instructions.....wake up at 3:00 am.........be at the movie set by 5:00am.......bring two dresses..........the wardrobe department would select which one she would wear....no camera's.......no discussing the film before it is released......and on and on ....Nameless's entire family was participating.....kids and all.........and as it turned out, Number One Hubby also was able to arrange his schedule to participate as well........so Linda was a "tag along".
Linda and Julia spent a great deal of time together on the set........sitting just a few feet apart.......and yes Linda confirmed that she is truly a "Pretty Woman" in person, but much shorter than she appears in her films.
There is a great deal of waiting on a movie set........endless takes.........more waiting.........more takes......camera positioning.......more waiting.....and hearing the song "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang over and over and over again..........during one of the breaks, Linda shared that she was able to get a glance of Julia's children who traveled with her while she was filming......not bad for the children who visited Italy, India and finally Bali.....
http://www.sobermusicians.com/Tunes/celebrate.mp3
After a very long day........ Linda arrived home around 7:00pm that night, exhausted but excited and not knowing if she would be in the film.......one never knows in a situation when reels and reels of film are shot.......and after the final editing........if they made the final cut.
The film hit the cinema's in the US on August 13th..........and the telephone and emails started pouring in......Linda made the film.............requests for autographs also.......real time "movie star" moments.........but her Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card has not arrived in the mail as of yet.
It has been a long two months waiting for the film to come to the big screen here in India.......
Last night, the red carpet was waiting for Linda........at the PVR Gold Cinema at the Ambiance Mall in Gurgaon.......a theater experience much like home............large reclining chairs in a huge auditorium.....where you pay out of your nose for a seat.......but it was the only way to watch Linda's debut on the big screen.....
What scene..???? about halfway through the movie.........the character Julia Robert's portrays (Liz Gilbert) is attending the wedding of a young Indian girl who she meets at the ashram and befriends........the Indian wedding causes Liz to recall her own wedding......and a flashback to her "first dance" takes place......
It is during this flashback scene that Linda appears, as a guest at the wedding, sitting at a table watching the newly married couple..........the entire scene in the 2.5 hour movie lasts about 1 minute........and it took over 12 hours to shoot!
As the camera focuses on the dancing of Liz's husband, Linda can be seen sitting at the table at least five times as the camera angles change........about 15 seconds of time on the big screen! Hint: if you want to see Linda, she can be seen several times just over the shoulder of the groom....clapping and smiling on cue.
Hey.............everyone is entitled to 15 seconds of fame..........but who would have thought that it would have happened in India.
About a week later, while I was in Jaipur on business, I received a call from Linda.......Nameless, through her film connection, was asked by the Director's assistant if she could find a "Tall handsome American" to play the role of a doctor.........I thought it was very nice of Nameless to think of me........I fit two of the criteria at least..........but unfortunately work prevented me from participating......by the way, I looked for the "doctor's" scene in the film, but I don't think it made the final production anyway........so for now, the house has only has one Movie Star......!
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