Page 14 - aruba-today-20210128

a14 people & arts
Thursday 28 January 2021
In ‘Palmer,’ Timberlake embraces stillness of a broken man

By BROOKE LEFFERTS cause I think that’s where
Associated Press we’re going to find those
NEW YORK (AP) — Justin little gems and those nu-
Timberlake turns 40 this ances to where you really
week and seemingly has kind of feel like you’re just
the energy of a teenager, watching people try to fig-
recently performing a new ure it out instead of ... feel-
song for the inauguration ing like you’re watching a
celebration, welcoming a movie.”
second son with wife Jes- Timberlake appreciated
sica Biel and starring in the the film’s examination of
new Apple TV+ film, “Palm- masculinity. Palmer was
er.” raised with a more “ste-
Timberlake plays Eddie reotypical idea” of what it
Palmer, a former high- means to be a man and
school football star whose has to expand his mindset.
bad decisions land him in This image released by Apple shows Justin Timberlake, left, and Ryder Allen in a scene from “That an 8-year-old boy
prison, with few options “Palmer.” Associated Press can completely change
when he gets out. When he that and heighten the per-
returns to his grandmother’s spective of a man like that.
house in a small Southern numb… we’ve seen stories do, to perform. So we had of like, ‘Wow, how is this And in turn, that’s the thing
town to try to build a life, he about the trauma of incar- to fight against that and we guy so well adjusted?’” that gives him meaning.
meets Sam, the charismat- ceration and so that played did it together. And I think Timberlake’s 8-year-old co- That’s the thing that gives
ic 8-year-old boy next door a part in how I wanted to he really started to enjoy it, star, newcomer Ryder Al- him self-worth. That jour-
who’s bullied for sometimes portray this character,” frankly,” Stevens said. “But I len, said he learned a lot ney was really important to
dressing like a girl and en- Timberlake said in a recent don’t think it was organic to from watching Timberlake me.”
joying dolls and tea parties. interview. him. I think it’s a testament transform from fun guy on “We all have these labels.
When Sam’s mother leaves “My idols are Newman and to his abilities as an actor.” set to a somber Eddie in Right? And this movie, we
town, Palmer reluctantly Brando and Dean ... actors Timberlake’s energy im- their scenes together. “In started the conversation. It
steps in to care for the boy. that were able to contain pressed Stevens, who not- the first scene, it was really shatters labels. And that’s
Timberlake’s had star turns and almost struggle with re- ed the star rehearsed on shocking to me because kind of why I wanted to
in films like “Friends with Ben- leasing their emotion. More nights and weekends. the way he just went from make the film,” Stevens
efits” and “Inside Llewyn specific to Eddie, I think that “He’s kind of a remarkable that is just pure, pure act- said. “I think everyone will
Davis,” but “Palmer” marks that’s that type of guy, and person, if you think about ing. I was amazed by it.” enjoy this movie. Every-
his time as a solo film head- I knew those type of guys the fact that he has been Timberlake and Allen one will be moved by this
liner. Since childhood, he’s growing up, and you know, famous for so long, has bonded over weeks of re- film. And it doesn’t matter
mostly been known for his my grandfather was that made it in many different hearsals, and their affinity where you live. It doesn’t
singing and dancing. type of guy … just grew up (areas) music, dance, act- shows on screen, particu- matter who you voted
“Palmer” called for Tim- in a different generation,” ing … you know, when he larly when Palmer begins to for. It doesn’t matter what
berlake to tone down his Timberlake said. got to the set every day, he show authentic parenting you believe ... because it’s
exuberance and play an Director Fisher Stevens said was a grip, he was a gaf- instincts, carefully giving about human emotions
intense, quiet, broken man he and Timberlake talked fer, he was one of us, man. Sam advice and throwing of human beings that are
living in a town where ev- a lot about “stillness and He was everybody. And he him a birthday party. both just trying to make it,
eryone knows his story. trusting” while shooting the never left the set.” Stevens “I said, whoever the kid is and they find each other
“Twelve years in prison I film. “Because I’m an actor, said. “He was friendly with that we find, he has to be and they give each other
think will make you a little there is a certain instinct to everybody. And I was kind able to improv with me, be- so much.” q

Cannes Film Festival, canceled in 2020, is postponed to July

of having an in-person fes- planned to include in its the U.S. The Berlin Film Fes-
tival. prestigious lineup. tival, scheduled for March
Cannes organizers an- This year, organizers are in- in Germany, is planning a
nounced Wednesday that tent on having a festival, virtual event.
this year’s festival will now one way or another. No During the pandemic,
take place July 6-17, about details were announced Cannes’ central hub, the
two months after its typical Wednesday on what shape Palais des Festivals, has
period. The French Riviera a 2021 edition might take. been used for hospital
festival, which had run for If Cannes were to go for- beds and, more recently,
nearly 75 years with few ward with attendees in as a vaccination center.q
interruptions, is currently theaters in July, it would be
hoping the coronavirus re- the first major film festival to 4 6 5 7 2 8 9 1 3
cedes enough by summer- do so since the Venice Film 8 9 7 6 3 1 2 5 4
time. Festival mounted a festival 3 1 2 5 4 9 8 6 7
Cannes last year first looked in September, with masked 1 2 3 9 7 4 6 8 5
A scooter drives by the Palais des Festivals at the 71st international at a postponement its 73rd moviegoers and social dis-
film festival, Cannes, southern France, on May 7, 2018. festival to June or July be- tancing on red carpets. On 5 4 8 2 1 6 7 3 9 2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Associated Press fore ultimately canceling Thursday, the premier inde- 6 7 9 3 8 5 4 2 1
By JAKE COYLE celed altogether last year altogether. The festival still pendent film festival, Sun- 9 8 4 1 6 3 5 7 2
AP Film Writer by the pandemic, is post- went ahead with a selec- dance, launches with vir- 7 3 6 4 5 2 1 9 8
NEW YORK (AP) — The poning this year’s edition tion announcement to tual screenings and drive-in 2 5 1 8 9 7 3 4 6
Cannes Film Festival, can- from May to July in hopes celebrate the films it had events scattered around Difficulty Level 1/28