Better, Much Better

Last night I attended a screening of Take This Waltz at the Lightbox.  In case you are unfamiliar, it's the Sarah Polley film that premiered at TIFF last September, starring Michelle Williams, Seth Rogan and Luke Kirby.  The script revolves around William's character Margot, an insecure, anxious young wife who can't recognize the role she plays in her own miserable life.  Proudly Torontonian, the movie features many notable places within the city such as College St., Kensington Market and The Beaches.

Although Williams plays her character well, my favourite actor in the film would have to be Kirby.  As the seductive neighbour, I really did believe the chemistry he had with Margot, and even found myself a little hot and bothered by him at times.  So it came as a big thrill to learn that he was in the audience last night and was going to do a little question and answer session at the end.

Turns out Luke Kirby is hilarious... in a spaced-out kinda way (tee hee).  Not sure if he actually did rock the ganj before the screening, but at one point he decided to lie down on the stage and take the questions from that position.  A bit of an awkward moment, but I loved it all nonetheless.

Upon leaving the theatre, I saw him standing in front of me and suddenly had the urge to tell him something.  After all, this was the guy that played Angelo in Mambo Italiano, a character I really connected personally with (a closeted Italian struggling to understand himself and the traditional family he can't escape).  I shook his hand and congratulated him on his performance in Take This Waltz.  Then I said, "I have to tell you, your role in Mambo Italiano was so accurate. I saw half of my life in that movie."  He gave me a big smile and laughed while saying, "Thank-you."  Then, as I was walking away I heard him call out, "How are things now?!"

I turned around to respond.

"Better.....much better," returning a smile.

And I meant it.

And with that simple question, I like Luke Kirby even more.