Kim Basinger is a Movie Star

Last week I went to the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood to see Kim Basinger in person for her tribute from the American Cinematheque. The program included screenings of Basinger's newest feature The Door In The Floor, co-starring Jeff Bridges, and L.A. Confidential, for which Miss Basinger won an Oscar for her supporting performance.

Although I've enjoyed her work for years, I've never really considered her a great actress. My opinion hasn't really changed, but I do enjoy her presence on screen and in person she is even more lovely.

I remember first seeing Kim Basinger over twenty years ago in the 1983 film Never Say Never Again, which featured the return of Sean Connery as James Bond. She was a total babe and I quickly developed an adolescent crush on her. Now she is a big movie star and an Oscar winner. Even my students from various countries overseas know who she is.

Basinger arrived at the theater with her own entourage. There was her publicist and an assistant, plus at least two big beefy guys in suits who served as her security guards, as if anyone at the Egyptian would hassle her...it's not that kind of crowd. It was strange to see the security personnel there, and somewhat comical as they shielded her from the movie audience as she entered and exited the theater. (I heard later from a friend who said Basinger has agoraphobia and therefore mistrusts crowds.)

I've seen a lot of famous stars hold court at the Egyptian. They often come to promote their current movie (The Door In The Floor comes out on DVD Dec 14th) or the relive the glory days of a classic film. Never have I seen a star arrive with a security detail. She is a big star in the classic Hollywood sense: strikingly beautiful, somewhat talented, and extremely glamorous.

The Door In The Floor is based on the novel A Widow For One Year by John Irving. It's a decent film focusing on the first third of the book (an oustanding read by the way) and it's a very sad story, full of grief and emotional performances and Miss Basinger held her own with Jeff Bridges, who never ceases to be extremely entertaining.

After the screening, Miss Basinger arrived to discuss the film with the head of the American Cinematheque, who asked leading and pretentious questions as usual. She did a fine job of replying equally pretentiously ("The director told my agent, 'if she fears the role, she'll take the job'"). Then there were a few questions from the audience. Nothing surprising or exceptional. I wanted to ask her about Never Say Never Again, but I was too shy to raise my hand and probably wouldn't have been noticed since I was sitting toward the back of the house.

At the conclusion of the Q&A, Miss Basinger posed for a few publicity photos, then she was whisked away by her security detail through the emergency exits, entourage in tow. Ah, the life of a movie star.

After a short break, the double feature continued with L.A. Confidential, the great film directed by Curtis Hanson (whom I saw two years ago at the DGA), and the role for which Miss Basinger won her coveted Oscar. Ironically, when an audience member asked her about playing that part, Ms B couldn't even remember her character's name. Oh well, easy come easy go.

P.S. I just realized today, Dec 8, is Kim Basinger's birthday. Happy Birthday, Kim!