Sundance, For Better or For Worse

Sundance can be potentially divisive in Park City.  Some get annoyed and complain and others embrace it; I fall into the latter category.  Yes, there is tons of traffic and it is hard to get around.  Yes, people in fur coats and even furrier boots clog up Whole Foods (Smith’s is fairly safe though).  But when else does a film festival come to your hometown bringing amazing films from around the world and you can be among the first to see them? 

Our first year living in Park City my kids were young and their grandparents took them to Salt Lake for the whole first weekend of the festival.  We had a house full of guests (also without kids) and we went from movie to movie (waiting in line for leftover tickets), out to lunch at Zoom where we saw Robert Redford, crashed random parties and walked all over Main Street.   It was like we were visitors in our own town.  I always have fun at Sundance, but nothing equals that first year and the freedom and novelty of it all.  My girlfriend has proposed that we rent a hotel room in town for the weekend, get our husbands to baby sit their own children and "do Sundance" like true film aficionados (who seemingly have no responsibilities). However, in the middle of school and ski season, this is a difficult proposition.

One thing I love about Sundance is how it transforms Park City from a “small resort ski town” into a puffy-coated-quasi-Hollywood experience for 10 days.  Stores that typically house lame t-shirts, nature photos or ski clothes suddenly transform into hip bars, music cafes, dance clubs, “pop-up stores” with trendy clothes, or computer labs showcasing the latest film technology.   For instance, I tried to see David Gray perform at one of the music cafes.  I was late (I had to drop my daughter off somewhere after school - those damn responsibilities can really get in the way!) and the line was too long when I arrived, so I didn’t get in.  I heard him through the door and he sounded awesome.  I waited for about 30 minutes and concluded that my chances of gaining entry legally before his set was over were 10% at best.  Just then, two guys approach our forlorn line (with our ears pathetically pressed to the door) handing out passes to another music café with a live guitarist.  I venture up to that venue (replete with a see-thru bar and modern bar furniture) and happily listen to acoustic music (not as good as David, but still enjoyable) while sipping a heart-warming hot chocolate made with real milk, topped with homemade whipped cream and marshmallows AND chocolate sprinkles.   Later, I walk into a gallery and I’m offered a hot mulled pomegranate cider with rum and homemade turtle brownies (hmm I see an alarming trend here that is not supporting my new year’s vow to abstain from sugar).  The friendly gallery owner shows me a unique exhibit from an artist that uses old books and resin to create art (pictures, coffee tables, etc.)  Did I mention that earlier in the week I went to a One Republic concert?  Did I mention that said concert was only 3 miles from my house?

And of course, there are the thought-provoking films that are featured at the festival.  Some of them can be offbeat (or downright bizarre), but for the most part I have loved everything I’ve ever viewed.  I think part of my benevolent feelings stem from the audience energy at the festival.  People cheer, laugh and give standing ovations.  It is not like seeing Dolphin Tale at the dollar theatre.  The documentaries are usually the best.  I walk out of these films saddened about the world, or happy to the point of tears, in some cases cued to take action on a pressing environmental issue, but always realize how much there is to learn in the world and how thankful I am that someone has taken the time to educate the rest of us. 

This year I saw a film called “Liberal Arts” written, directed and starring Josh Radnor (who I now have a huge crush on).  It was an outstanding movie about a 35 year-old college admissions administrator (Jessie) who returns to his Alma mater and ends up in a relationship with a 19 year-old student.  There were many quotable quotes that I wish I could remember, and significant messages about mentoring, relationships and life.  My favorite part of the movie is when the student (played by Elizabeth Olsen, who is a talented young actress) gives Jessie (played by Radnor) a CD of classical music.  As he listens to the play list back in NYC, his whole view of the city changes and it skillfully illustrates how music facilitates transcendence. Allison Janney also has a brief but hilarious performance in the film, and Richard Jenkins is fabulous as a retiring professor.  I have tried multiple avenues to obtain the classical play list, but so far I have zero clout in Hollywood so I haven’t gotten very far (even after I informed Josh’s publicist that I had a blog with 7 followers!).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1872818/

Embracing something typically requires some leap of faith.  Either you are going to see Bradley Cooper walking down Main St, or you are not.  You might get in to a movie after waiting in line, or you might not.  The film might be amazing, or it might be an oddball.  All the actors might be at the Q&A, or just the producer.  If you maintain an open heart and mind, you never know what might happen.   That’s why I dress up for movie premieres; it is feasible that Josh Radnor might jump down off the Q&A stage, pick me up in his arms and sweep me off to LA with him on his private jet.  You have to be prepared; anything is possible at Sundance.

P.S. I'm sure all would be well with Josh until he read my blog and discovered it takes me an hour to get ready for bed.  I think I would have to lose the sticker and the retainer for our relationship to move to the next level.