They called it the “two-hour rule.”
The lore that explains the very beginnings of Palms Springs — that oasis in the desert known for its 360-degree mountains and its mid-century modern mojo. On the cusp of the Great Depression, at a time when big studios basically “owned” their stars, strict work contracts mandated that talent remain within a two-hour distance of Los Angeles, which essentially transformed a sleepy town of date farms and dude ranches into a celebrity playground, it all eventually taking on a life of its own.
Mary Pickford, Lana Turner, Gary Cooper: they all came then. Where Debbie Reynolds honeymooned with Eddie Fisher. Elvis and Priscilla, too. Where Cary Grant chilled and Marilyn Monroe was “discovered.”
They still come to this day and never more than on that night, just days into the new calendar, when the annual gala for the Palm Springs International Film Festival happens. The first awards show outta the gate, and now in its 36th edition — falling just before academy voters begin to vote — it was, as usual, a celebrity bang last Friday: a night of stars giving other stars accolades (and Dale Chihuly-designed statuettes, as is the tradition here). An awards show that’s not televised, so things tend to be a little looser and, because everyone being honoured already knows they’ve won, they come with prepared speeches. (They tend to be better.)
In terms of Oscar tea leaves and celebrity politicking, it’s always a perspicacious place to be. And so it was again as I made it to the vast dinner teeming with industry folk, power-gays and Palm Springs socialites in January night minks and their Ozempic sheaths.
From Jolie to Garfield, via Selena, and everything Fiennes, everyone was there! A few takeaways:
Moore is more
The “demi-ssance” started with a bang back in Toronto — when Demi Moore was everywhere, at every Toronto International Film Festival party, enjoying her renewed moment, c/o her meaty new role in “The Substance” — and it’s only burgeoned since. Days before she would grab a Golden Globe and go on to give the speech of the night there — “Thirty years ago, a producer told me I was a ‘popcorn actress.’ And at that time, I made that mean that this wasn’t something I was allowed to have. I could do movies that were successful, and that made a lot of money, but that I couldn’t be acknowledged,” she emoted — she was here at Palm Springs to present an award.
It is a fact that, in a campaign, visibility is everything, and even being seen in the right company can remind academy voters of your durability in an industry where stars are scarce. Moore, who’s been one for over four decades, was here for “Sing Sing” actor Colman Domingo, receiving the Spotlight Award, a guy who is that rare species: a thespian and new-school style icon. The right combustion of presenter and awardee can create sparks and, in this instance, his halo lifted hers. Some are even now saying Demi is the Oscar front-runner for best actress coming out of last weekend, her stick-with-it narrative hitting the way Michelle Yeoh’s campaign once did. Plus, who doesn’t like a “comeback”?
Thank all the moms
If there’s one safe bet this year, it’s Kieran Culkin — ahead mightily in the best supporting actor race. The darling of most prognosticators, plus critics, for his part in “A Real Pain” — while also still riding the success of TV’s “Succession” — he also made a shrewd move while accepting the Breakthrough Award here: he reminded folks just how long he’s been doing this. Being introduced by Sharon Stone, who played his mom in 1998’s “The Mighty,” the 42-year-old proceeded to name-check all the famous movie parents he’s had throughout his career: from Diane Keaton and Steve Martin in “Father of the Bride” to Susan Sarandon and Jeff Goldblum in “Igby Goes Down” to Meryl Streep in “Music of the Heart.”
Singling Streep out, Culkin remembered a day on set when the other actors were waiting for Streep, but when she arrived she told production that everyone’s call time should be the same. “I felt like I was supposed to be there in service to her and what she did in that moment was make me feel like I belonged here,” he went on. “Something that’s stayed with me.” And as far as anecdotes go, pitch-perfect! It reinforced this: I’ve been here.
Hard launch
“Instagram official” has nothing on “awards show official,” when it comes to celebrity couples. Very much the case this year, what with Timothée Chalamet riding the wave of “A Complete Unknown,” bringing Kylie Jenner to this Palm Springs hoopla (as he would also do at the Globes).
The most intriguing plus-one for me, though? That would be Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman, who seems to be all in with Adrien Brody. The actor, here to receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award for “The Brutalist,” has been with Chapman since 2019. To many, though, it’s fascinating in that the last time the fashionista was anywhere near the awards circuit, she was there on the arm of her disgraced ex-husband, Harvey Weinstein. A wife in sync, in Mona Lisa mode, for years and years. After all that, what a trip it must be to be in this fish bowl again, but with man-candy Brody? It’s like something out of a Jackie Collins novel.
Business is personal
When it comes to awards season, stars are not just promoting their roles, but the parts they play in our lives. It’s about hitting that right balance, that giving of self, whether it be through humour — like when Ariana Grande, in receiving the Rising Star Award, quipped, “I didn’t think at the age of 31 I would be hearing the words ‘rising star’ again. So I want to thank my good friends, Botox and Juvederm” — or “Babygirl”‘s Nicole Kidman, who literally broke down when accepting her honour.
“I’m still grieving my mom,” she confessed, as she remembered losing her some months back. Dedicating the award to her, she said: “I’m sorry I’m crying, but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, mama … the collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken.” Last, but not least, there was Angelina, making her first public appearance since her long, protracted divorce from Brad Pitt was made official last week. Playing up her mom chops when receiving the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her operatic biopic “Maria,” she shared: “There was Maria and there was Callas. Callas was loved, but Maria was often alone. But I’m around today because when I walk off this stage, I am more myself because of you, Zahara (who was in the room), and your brothers and sisters. I love you.”
Enough said?
