The Sundance Opening Night Gala kicked off with warm welcome speeches from festival officials, sponsors, and dignitaries, setting the tone for an evening of celebration. As the formalities concluded, attendees were treated to a lavish gala dinner, complete with exquisite food and drinks, creating the perfect setting for mingling, networking, and celebrating the festival's kickoff.
The festivities continued with post-reception parties thrown by studios and distributors, offering even more opportunities for attendees to connect and enjoy the night. Amidst the fun, there were photo booths capturing memorable moments. Lucas, alongside his co-stars Jennifer and Felicity, as well as director Drake and Charlie Bewley, seized the chance to snap a few memorable pictures together.
As the evening progressed, the Sundance Opening Night Gala wound down, concluding without any dramatic twists. Despite the ongoing receptions hosted by studios and distributors, Lucas, his co-stars Jennifer and Felicity, and director Drake decided to step out into the night, marking the end of their gala experience but just the beginning of the festival's array of events.
They hopped into a car, bound for the hotel.
"Ugh, those drinks at the gala got me a bit tipsy..." Jennifer confessed, her hand flying to her mouth.
Lucas couldn't help but laugh. "Given how quickly you were downing them, I'm not surprised you're feeling it," he observed, noting Jennifer's flushed cheeks.
"What do you mean, 'quickly'? I was sipping them at a snail's pace, thank you very much," Jennifer shot back, a hint of defiance in her tone.
"Jen, even a snail's pace was too fast for those drinks. The gala served some top-shelf stuff—California Cabernets mixed with French Bordeaux. It packs a punch if you're not careful," Felicity chimed in, gently patting Jennifer on the back in comfort.
Indeed, the gala's selection was potent: a blend of California Cabernets with French Bordeaux, capable of swiftly inebriating those unaccustomed to its strength.
The combination of the moving car and the alcohol left Jennifer feeling increasingly dizzy, the effects of the night beginning to weigh on her.
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On January 21, 2011, the festival kicked off with an opening screening featuring a film from each competition category, including "Sing Your Song," "Pariah," "The Guard," "Project Nim," and Shorts Program I.
Lucas and Jennifer decided to watch the opening films together. To avoid drawing attention, they both donned caps. Lucas, underestimating his burgeoning fame, initially went without one and quickly found himself overwhelmed by fans in Park City. They swarmed him, clamoring for photos and autographs, much to his surprise.
While Lucas didn't mind the attention, things took an uncomfortable turn when the enthusiasm became too physical, leaving him with a scratch on his face from a fan's sharp nails in the frenzy to reach him.
During their time at the theater, Lucas and Jennifer settled in to watch "Sing Your Song." They noted that the audience was sparse, composed of a few couples and critics there to review the documentary. As the film unfolded over the hour, Lucas found himself unexpectedly moved, the documentary striking an emotional chord with him.
"It's so inspirational," Jennifer whispered to Lucas, clearly moved.
Lucas agreed, "Yeah... It's amazing. Even though he was known as an actor and a singer, he managed to impact the world in so many other ways."
Both actors, Lucas and Jennifer found themselves deeply inspired by Harry Belafonte's life story.
"It's a shame this film hasn't gotten the recognition it deserves," Lucas remarked with a sigh.
"I think it's because documentaries just aren't as popular these days," Jennifer added, sharing in the sentiment.
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On January 22, 2011, anticipation buzzed in the air for the screening of "Like Crazy."
The premiere saw the cast, including Lucas, Jennifer, Felicity, Charlie, and others, alongside director Drake, making their way down the red carpet. Amidst flashes and interviews, journalists probed about the cast's chemistry and their experiences working together, capturing the excitement of the moment.
Finally, the cast and the audience made their way into the theater.
Among those filling the seats were numerous fans of Lucas, present to show their support. The theater buzzed with anticipation, its seats taken by audience members ranging from film enthusiasts to notable critics, including Kenneth Turan from the Los Angeles Times.
Kenneth had previously been impressed by Lucas's performance in "127 Hours," a film that showcased a depth and intensity he found remarkable. He had also seen Lucas in the blockbuster "Inception," where, despite Lucas's strong portrayal of Arthur, he didn't find the performance as impactful. To Kenneth, Arthur's character lacked the relatability he found in Lucas's role in "127 Hours," possibly because "Inception" ventured into the realm of fantasy, straying from the realism that had resonated with him before.
With "Like Crazy" about to start, Kenneth found himself hopeful. He was eager to see if Lucas would match or even surpass the compelling performance he had delivered in "127 Hours."
As the audience settled into their seats, the chatter dimmed, and the theater lights dimmed, giving way to the anticipation of the film's beginning. The screen flickered to life, drawing everyone's attention to the unfolding story.
As the film began, the audience's attention was immediately captured by the opening scene set in a classroom. Felicity, playing the role of a teacher, was discussing the evolution of publishing, tracing the journey from print to digital platforms like MySpace.
The camera then shifted, revealing a young man holding a paper, his gaze fixed intently on the woman speaking at the front. Lucas's fans, recognizing him even with his hair dyed for the role, struggled to contain their excitement.
Particularly the young women in the audience, who were captivated by Lucas's nuanced expressions on screen, barely held back their shrieks of delight. Lucas's eyes sparkled with a mixture of curiosity and fascination as he watched Felicity's character, a detail that did not go unnoticed.
The men in the audience found themselves relating to Lucas's brief but expressive glance. It felt familiar, like seeing a crush in school, evoking a mix of nostalgia and empathy for the character's situation.
The camera's focus on Lucas was brief, yet in those few seconds, the scene shifted, capturing a subtle yet significant exchange. The young woman, portrayed by Felicity, confidently tells the young man, "I don't need to give you mine because I've already done it."
His response, "Well, I'm okay with that," was simple, but the intensity in his gaze left no doubt about his feelings for her.
The young woman appeared slightly taken aback, perhaps shy under his earnest gaze, as she quickly said, "Umm... If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."
"Alright," he replied, his eyes lingering on her as she left the classroom. The camera stayed with him, his expression one of curiosity and a palpable sense of longing.
The audience was wrapped in the moment, the emotion so tangible that couples in the audience whispered to each other, feeling the stirrings of love depicted on screen.
"I think he's fallen in love, right?" a young black woman whispered to her partner, her voice carrying a playful note.
"Yeah. I can see myself in him when I first saw you," her partner whispered back, a sense of nostalgia and warmth in his voice.
"Oh, you..." she murmured, touched and slightly teasing, nudging her partner affectionately.