American Riviera Award presented by Chopin – Tribute to Annette Bening

Reviewed by Kathleen Amboy.  Viewed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Arlington Theater.

On January 28th the SBIFF honored Annette Bening with the American Riviera Award, which celebrates an actor’s distinguished work in American Cinema.  Kevin Costner was in attendance to present the award to Ms. Bening, while Roger Durling, the Executive Director of the Festival, hosted the tribute and Q & A.

The tribute began as Roger informed the audience about his first introduction to the actress’ work many years ago in New York City with Coastal Disturbances, a play which  began off-Broadway in 1986 and eventually garnered her a Tony Award Nomination.

Annette Bening has since been nominated four times for an Academy Award, the first was for Best Supporting Actress in her break-out role as Myra in The Grifters (1990), with nominations as Best Actress for American Beauty (1999), Being Julia (2004), and currently she’s up for 2010’s The Kids Are All Right.

In tribute fashion, Annette and Roger sat side by side on stage, while a montage of clips from many of her most popular films played out on the big screen including Bugsy, The American President, Mars Attacks, Running with  Scissors, Open Range, and those previously mentioned above, all intermittently with a question/answer period.

R.D.  How does it feel to receive a fourth Oscar Nomination?

A.B.  It feels fantastic!

R.D.  Do you enjoy all the recognition?

A.B.  Definitely!  (pauses, laughter from the audience)  I experienced my first awards process twenty years ago and can enjoy it more now.  I’ve been married a long time now to Mr. Warren Beatty (audience applause) and have four kids.  I didn’t work for two years after my last child.

R.D.  You go back to the theatre occasionally, do you feel revitalized from it?

A.B.  I do, I do it because I love it.  I like the intellectual rigor.

R.D.  Your characters do not draw immediate sympathy, many seem like “women on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”

A.B.  I guess that’s true, most good characters have diversity.

R.D.  How did you prepare for your role as Nic in The Kids Are All Right?

A.B.  First of all, the script was well written.  I also appreciate Lisa (Cholodenko) as a director, she’s very quiet with the camera, almost invisible, which makes it easy to get into the role and open up to the camera.

During the Q & A, Ms. Bening came across as composed, articulate, warm and sincere.  What impresses me the most about the women, is her ability to hold together successfully her marriage, family and career – I suspect she puts her whole heart into everything she does.  At showtime, just before entering the theater, Ms. Bening and Mr. Beatty were quickly whisked by those of us at the end of the carpet.  Feeling an air of impending victory on Oscar night, I called out to her “good luck Annette,” to which she turned, looked me in the eye, smiled warmly and said “thank you.”