|
Crowd-loving Uma Thurman makes
a new fan at Sundance
HAVE A RED
ONE: Uma Thurman hands out balloons at Sundance.
/ Photo courtesy of Matt Thurber
By Ben Hansen, special contributor
January 23, 2009 | Every now and then, you meet someone
who changes your day. Up until Monday, I appreciated
Uma Thurman in her movies -- watching her deal out vengeance
in the Kill Bill movies and playing a perfect
Mrs. Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction. Now, I can
honestly say I'm a fan.
Wednesday night, I was able to go to the premiere
of the Motherhood movie. While standing in
the press line, waiting for actors to make a quick entrance
for photos and duck into the film, I saw a surge of
flashes shooting off outside, and saw a bundle of red
balloons emerging from the lightning effect outside.
Enter Uma Thurman, dressed to kill, excited for the
movie and with a massive bundle of red balloons strung
around her wrists. Uma not only poised for pictures,
she walked back and forth in the photo line, giving
out balloons and smiles and carrying on a conversation
with anyone who wanted the opportunity to talk to her.
She stayed in the red carpet area for several minutes,
until the show crew finally pulled her to enter the
building.
While sitting in my seat in the theater balcony, I
was again surprised to see Uma -- this time entering
the theater, and stopping to sign autographs for anyone
who asked her. Again, she was loyal to her fan base,
and seemed thrilled to be a part of the event. And again,
the show crew pulled her away and took her to her seat.
Once seated, Uma was turning around, acknowledging all
fans present and conversing with those who were close
enough in proximity to speak with her.
Uma's role in Motherhood wasn't as action
packed as the defining roles that I had seen her perform
in the past. Regardless, she again was brilliant in
her lead role as Eliza Welch, a mother dealing with
everyday nuances that seem to intensify at a moment's
notice while trying to fight the constant battle between
nurturing and having an identity of her own. The audience
in the theater was completely enthralled in the show,
justifying that director Katherine Dieckmann had made
the perfect choice for the role.
After the movie, the cast and crew celebration party
at the St. Ives Sensory Spa and Gallery was slammed.
Uma, along with fellow Motherhood stars Minnie
Driver, Anthony Edwards and Jodie Foster were all in
attendance, and stayed the length of the event, each
taking time to socialize with their fans and friends
alike. Minnie Driver played a musical set, but again
it seemed that the evening belonged to Uma. I was fortunate
enough to have the opportunity of sharing a minute of
her time, and found her to be everything a fan hopes
for in meeting an idol -- outgoing, humble, and friendly.
In the age of me-first mentality celebrities, it is
incredibly refreshing to get to see a celebrity who
is devoted to and excited to have the opportunity to
spend time with her fans. I now have my Kill Bill
DVD back up on my shelf, complete with a personalized
autograph offered to me by Uma. She is the true definition
of a star, both on and off the screen.
MS
MS |
