Jake fits in lunch and a premiere - and talks Rendition (with the occasional b**p)

And so it begins... There is so much to report on tonight, I think you should sit back, kick your shoes off, open a bottle of something, open a box of something (preferably with soft centres), take some deep breaths and try and keep up with busy Jake. Let's being with...


10 October 2007 - Lunch

The 10 October kicked off for Jake with lunch at favourite Joan's on Third with a good friend (how I wish we had valet parking round here). It looks like the meal was too good to leave unfinished, so Jake left with a bag of extras and was in the mood for an infamous Gyllenhug, amid smiles.





10 October - LA Premiere

That evening, out of the blue - a la Zodiac LA premiere - a premiere for Rendition was held in LA at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences theater. No crowds, no fans, just press, cast and guests. The kind of event that makes me extol the virtues of the film festival to the high heavens. Movie fans are a crucial part of a film's success but it's a sorry state of affairs to see them take absolute bottom place in a studio's list of priorities (a stark contrast to London's celebration of Jamie Foxx and The Kingdom last week). But on the plus side, there were some fabulous photos from the premiere and from the party in Beverly Hills afterwards. It was also good to see the wonderful Meryl Streep in attendance.






Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep was at the premiere in LA last night and she took the time to talk about her long acquaintance with the young Jake Gyllenhaal: "He was a friend of my son (Henry) in grammar school and would come over to my house to play. I remember … his sister, Maggie, was having a '20s speakeasy party, and the boys were bartenders." The thought of Jake serving drinks from a bar... mine's a double.


Two Sides of a Story

Thanks to Stephanie at IHJ, all of us can now see last night's HBO special Two Sides of a Story: The Making of Rendition. It is spoilery in one sense, it spends some time talking about the filming of one explosive scene which dictates much of what else happens in Rendition. So if you don't want to see it just yet, remember to watch it after 19 October or when the film reaches your shores. It shows that the film was all about presenting a balanced story. In the words of screenwriter, the Lovely Kelley Sane, 'if you want security, this is the cost.' Gavin Hood praises Jake for creating a character that is detached while still maintaining a contact with the audience.


Gavin describes filming in Morocco as 'cinematically a dream' and the film shows his transformation of a town centre in this 'fictional North African country.' Meryl discusses the complexity of her role and expresses sympathy for those who are drawn to be public servants. Her character is 'standing in for America.' Reese Witherspoon reflects that she was so drawn to her role - that of an American living as part of a Muslim family - that she was the first to sign on for Rendition.


Cinemax press conference videos

In these two video links (thanks Jantoinette!), you can see Jake, Gavin, Peter and Reese discuss Rendition for Cinemax. It includes parts of the infamous pie chart scene but these are not spoilery. They are well worth watching for Jake's correction of Gavin for calling his character a CIA officer and not an analyst (this is in the first clip). Also in the first clip Gavin praises Jake for his good work, to which Peter pipes up saying Jake did 'a really f*****g good job.' Jake responds with 'Thank you very f*****g much.' Do yourselves a favour and watch the clip! Part 2 is here.


Yet again, Jake heaps praise on the shoulders of Matt Damon for his role in The Good Shepherd - 'I think that's a great performance.' He also says - showing that perfect comic timing again - he stole from Richard Burton and The Spy Who Came in From The Cold.


Pictures from IHJ - there are plenty more there! Source for picture of Meryl.