American Riviera Tribute (SBIFF 2020) USA

Review by Christiana Leonardo. Attended at the Santa Barbara international Film Festival 2020.

Previously awarded to the likes of Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullet, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette for outstanding achievement in American Film, this 2020 American Riviera award was earned by Renée Zellweger.

Renée is the most pleasant little thing hailing from Katy, Texas.  Interviewed by Scott Feinberg, a Hollywood Columnist we gathered at the Arlington theater to award Renee on her brilliant body of work.

This was my first tribute ever attended and I did not know what to expect. We began watching a compilation of her career that began back in ’92 working in Texas. Snippets of Texas chainsaw Massacre, Bridget Jones Diary, Chicago and other works by Zellweger splayed encapsulating her wide range as an on screen artist.

Scott Feinberg seemed ill-prepared as an interviewers, asking intensely loaded and double barreled questions to which he was visibly uncomfortable and flustered once the response did not come out as he had clearly hoped. He did not have a good dynamic with the artist and it was not a fluid interview. At points Renée even had to disregard questions as she didn’t know what Scott was asking.

Although, Zellweger is an excellent and humble storyteller. She earnestly expressed her love for the craft and collaborative process of film.

The two initially discussed her humble beginnings as an actress, the decision to come to LA from Texas then how she “had us at hello” in her breakout film, Jerry McGuire. In between tales of her live clips of two or three films would play in chronological order to be discussed next. I felt the clips were humorous, sexual, unintelligent and clearly chosen by a man. I checked and, sure, enough, Mike McGee curated the shown clips.

Scott pulled some Hollywood PC no-no’s like ask about a period of deteriorating mental health in her life, prying then backing off when she was not as forthcoming as he had dreamed that to be (you aren’t Barbara Walters!). He even made a comment that other actresses wouldn’t have gained the weight she did to play Bridget Jones Diary. It’s 2020! Zellweger brushed off that lame comment gracefully.

The reason she is here this year is for her most recent and stand-out role as Judy Garland in Judy. Singing all of the tracks on her own shows the virtuosity of this actress.

The bubbly and talented Renée Zellweger is on to more projects and this tribute of hers humanized her and validated her as an artist for all those present. I am now taking recommendations on how to view Judy!


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