Opening Night: In Bruges

My first celebrity sighting of the festival.  As we waited for the ballyhooed screening of "In Bruges" to begin, one of my party caught across the room (she is almost positive) none other than the first name you think of when you think independent film, Kevin Sorbo, TV's Hercules.

Before lights out, the audience was greeted by the festival director, who lauded the growth of international indie filmmaking and the mayor of Park City, Dana Williams.  A soft-spoken man in a black ski vest, Williams welcomed his visitors and pleaded with us to wear sensible shoes, take the public buses and be kind to your waiters and waitresses.  Sound advice all.

"Bruges'" director Martin McDonagh, briefly introduced the film, bringing to the stage for a bow stars Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, the latter of whom, in Prince Valiant haircut, did the requisite maintenence of his bad boy credentials by shouting something  completely indecipherable at McDonagh.

I found the film a fairly enjoyable comic thriller, sort of a moodier, more messagey version of "Sexy Beast" or one of its peers in the contemporary British tough guy genre.   The lurches from foul-mouthed comedy to soulful  self-examination seemed to leave many in the house cold, however.  The applause after the film was  polite, but distinctly underwhelming, particularly as, I am told, these open night galas often inspire standing ovations. In the  lobby,  one woman remarked that for her money the best hit man with a conscience movie is still "The Professional."  That said, the buzz was more positive than negative, not by so much, however.

Stopped by the post-film party, also covered by Greg Ellwood, as the crowd seemed to be dying down. I found a strange mix of teenagers and frat boys dancing to tribal techno.  The buffet was a major disappointment for my first Sundance major event - very dry beef and chicken skewers, out-of-the-freezer tasting potstickers and mushy egg rolls were all I found.  Talk in my circles was heavily focused on altitude sickness, dehydration and exaustion from travel.  I fear I have failed Sundance on my first day here.  Perhaps the dream will come alive in me again tomorrow.

-- Richard Rushfield