Portman at a peak
Sometimes the stars align and an actress seems to be at a publicity apex. Such is the case with Natalie Portman, 29. Everyone has heard she is pregnant and engaged. She won a Golden Globe Award for “Black Swan,” and it’s a pretty sure bet she will get a best actress Oscar nomination for “Swan.” Now her first romantic comedy, “No Strings Attached,” opens in theaters Friday, Jan. 21.
“Strings,” which co-stars Ashton Kutcher, is directed and co-written by Ivan Reitman. He had a string of hit movies in the ’80s, including “Ghostbusters,” “Stripes” and “Kindergarten Cop.” Sadly, he hasn’t had a hit since the 1993 comedy, “Dave,” which starred Kevin Kline. Maybe “Strings” will end his dry spell. Meanwhile, his son, of whom he is vocally proud, is Jason Reitman, 33. Jason has had three hits with his first three films (“Thank You for Smoking,” “Juno” and “Up in the Air”). By the way, I am virtually certain that Olivia Thirlby, 24, who plays Portman’s sister in “Strings,” is the daughter of a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father. Her breakthrough role came in “Juno,” playing Juno’s funny best friend.
A Jewish ‘English rose’
The British film “The King’s Speech” is now a certified critical and box-office hit and is playing in theaters across the country. As you probably heard, it is about the stammering problem of King George VI (the father of Queen Elizabeth II) and how he partially overcame that problem with the help of an unorthodox therapist. The original screenplay is by David Seidler, 73, an American Jew who was born in England, and Helena Bonham Carter has a starring role as Elizabeth, the queen consort of King George VI.
It isn’t a big role, but look for veteran English Jewish actress Claire Bloom, who is about to turn 80, as Queen Mary, the mother of George VI. The real-life Queen Mary personified the look and manner stereotypically associated with the British aristocracy. Bloom has long been able to pull off such aristocratic non-Jewish roles, despite the fact that all four of her grandparents were poor Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. She once said that she was tickled when early critical notices described her as a “perfect English rose.”
Old friends — reunited
George Segal, 76, and Jessica Walter, 69, co-star in the original TV Land cable series, “Retired at 35.” (It started on Jan.19. Encore showings every day through Sunday, Jan. 23. Check TV Land website). The premise is that a successful 35-year-old New Yorker named David (Johnathan McClain) decides to leave the rat race and move in with his parents (Segal and Walter) in a Florida retirement community.
Walter has been friends with Segal for 40 years. She first worked with him in “Bye Bye Braverman,” directed by Sidney Lumet, which came out in 1968. She also played Segal’s ex-wife on the TV series “Just Shoot Me,” and Walter’s husband, Ron Leibman, worked with him on a number of movies and TV shows.
A Grey moment of joy
During a week of bad news (Debbie Friedman’s death, the Arizona shootings), one thing really brightened my day. After being off YouTube for a long time, a video of Jennifer Grey singing “Duvid Crockett: The King of Delancey Street,” has re-appeared. This
mostly Yiddish parody song was penned by Grey’s grandfather, comedian Mickey Katz. Jennifer Grey is a revelation on this video — so charming, funny and musical. Check it out — you’ll smile: http://tinyurl.com/4n8hojy.
Columnist Nate Bloom, an Oaklander, can be reached at [email protected].