The Night I Met Anjelica Huston

     
     I tried regularly to get out to the Miami Book Fair, but some years were trickier than others. The older my two kids got, the harder it got to take in. When they were in a double stroller, my husband and I could just stroll them along--even if it was a little annoying to the patrons, and a little hard to maneuver down the narrow streets and over the curbs.  This year I had an incredible draw, which I came across by chance. I got an email from the MIFF inviting me to a reception revealing next year's poster.  It happened to mention a reading by Anjelica Huston an hour later as part of the Miami Book Fair.  I was excited.  I rarely get that close to celebrities.  Miami isn't exactly L.A.; so you're lucky if you come by an actor now and again.  I was stoked.  

     I did my social media research: looked at some old photos of Ms. Huston from the 70s when she modeled, was on the cover of Vogue, and was with Jack Nicholson attending Oscar parties and jet-setting.  I googled information not only about her, but also about her father.  I was impressed.  They're an impressive family: Hollywood royalty so they like to call them.  She came from a Dynasty, and I just had to meet her.  So I bought my ticket, and told my 240 followers on Twitter.    

     The day of the event the weather was abysmal.  A rain, rain go away kind of day.  I listened to WDNA on the ride over.  I felt like I should have a Woody Allen type experience from beginning to end.  I parked my car, made my trek, found the building, and was then told to get on the back of the line.  The guy in front of me said I should feel lucky to be 1st.  I looked upset.  He said, "just think of it as being in line but in reverse order."  I didn't think it was funny, but I thought I should still be cordial.  The line stretched down the corridor and around the corner.  I kept thinking this might be the line for the book signing, and something got lost in the advertisement.  But before I could digress, the line started moving, and I quickly secured a good seat--the last on the lefthand side of the auditorium in typical lefty fashion.   

     I took pictures.  I saw awards being handed out to dignitaries.  People I should know.  People clapped.  People smiled.  People were giggling.  People introduced to introduce other people.  And then Ms. Huston came on to the stage, and I started glowing.  There were bright lights, so my pictures weren't coming out very good. I adjusted my IPhone as she spoke during her interview paying attention to both and not doing either one quite so well.  So I took the best pictures I could and put the phone away.  I listened as she told anecdotal stories about her childhood and shared memories of working with her father.  She revealed he obstructed her chance at being in Franco Zefferelli's "Romeo and Juliet" to be in one of his films instead.  Her father and Jack Nicholson were very enamored of each other, especially while filming "Pritzi's Honor." She loved playing witches, always wanted to play Morticia Adams, and how her favorite movie role was playing Lily Dillon in, "The Grifters."  

     That's when I got my brilliant idea to ask her about John Cusack.  I'd always admired him as an actor.  But I thought to myself, she should be the focus, not John Cusack.  However, somebody from the audience gave me an in.  He asked Anjelica about collaborating with Wes Anderson; so the carpe diem light went off. So I did.  I got on line.  I had my moment.  I can remember everything I said.  Everything I asked.  "Hello Ms. Huston.  I've had a 30 year crush on John Cusack." To which she replied, "What woman hasn't?" The audience chuckled.  Me: "You've been in several movies with him. Three I believe.  Was that intentional?"  To which she replied, "Of course it was intentional. Yes!" She expressed emphatically.  I explored further, "What's it like working with him?"  By this point, I was completely absorbed and entranced.  She talked about how much time she spent with Cusack working on "The Grifters," made reference to his good looks, called him a brilliant actor who wasn't working as much as he used to, and that he doesn't get the recognition he deserves.  Anjelica told a story of how she'd only do the cameo in Robert Altman's film, "The Player," if she could do the scene with John, which they shot in a day, and they also worked a couple of days together filming Martian Child.  She referenced his fast brain and his enormous talent.  The audience was amused. She sort of made these facial expressions like she was remembering something good, and was remembering shared moments that made her feel joyful.  We exchanged thank yous.  The audience clapped, there were smiling faces; I did good.  

     From then on, I was in a fog.  I kept thinking about my questions, and how I'd tell my friends on social media.  They'd be impressed. I'd tweet John Cusack, and see how he'd respond.  And then I started paying attention again; and then it was time to close out the event by Huston reading from the prologue of her book. Her smile was priceless; it was endearing.  I got on my last line.  This time to get Anjelica's signature on the title page of her memoir, "A Story Lately Told."  When I got near the front, I handed one of the student volunteers my IPhone.  I hoped a good picture would be taken.  It wasn't such a great day hair wise, although Anjelica's hair looked fabulous.  I wore a head scarf and had my hair pulled back; I barely had any makeup on.  I worried about how I'd come out.  Snap.  Snap.  A look.  A smile.  "You're a lovely woman." "Thank you."  And that was it.  

     I had to run and see how the photos appeared.  I looked decent; she looked lovely; I could post a picture on Facebook; I could post one on Twitter.  I immediately tweeted John Cusack to tell him of my exchange with Anjelica Huston.  I just knew he would respond.  He had to.  On the drive home I kept thinking about how nice the whole experience was.  It didn't feel like a dream or anything--just a very nice memory to tell people about.  When I got home, I checked my Twittter, and there it was: a response from John Cusack.  He said something to the effect of what a wonderful human being she was--one of his favorite people, and honored her magnificence.  That was it.  Mission accomplished.  I favorited his response.  I got likes on Facebook:)  It was nice.  So pleasant.  So light.  I did good.  I met Anjelica Huston.  It was a memorable night.