I went to see “Mad Max: Fury Road” last night (excellent, by the way) and as I turned away from the concessions counter and weaved through the crowd, I found myself turning around and nearly crashing into Diane Keaton.
Early last week, the morning radio show I listen to asked people to call in and talk about celebrities they’d spotted but not had the courage to go up to. I thought of this immediately as I walked by Ms. Keaton, my jaw hanging down, my eyes wide. I would never go up to her. First because I wouldn’t even know what to say, but mostly because in my imagination she is the most wonderful, charming, kindest human being alive and god forbid she is not in fact just so, I think I’d curl up and weep.
We saw her after the movie as well. Again, I could not go up to her. I thought I might — especially after I saw a couple ask to take a photo with her and she didn’t seem to mind obliging — but I just couldn’t. Instead I hung out in the movie theater lobby, pretending to text, and really just watching her. I was positively elated she was not even hiding who she is. She was dressed as you would likely imagine, in a fitted navy pantsuit, a thick black belt tight around her waist, black wedges, a black bowler hat (with a skull and crossbones embroidered on the side of it!).
There was absolutely no way to be cool when I nearly walked into Diane Keaton at the Arclight.
— AJ Feuerman (@ajfeuerman) June 1, 2015
I have a very strange career. I am privileged to work with all kinds of people I admire and respect and I have learned to shove personal feelings aside to appear professional. It’s become fairly easy to do, in fact, and it’s allowed me to have some really special relationships and create some remarkable memories. But there will just always be a few people I’ve put on very tall pedestal (Dave Grohl also comes to mind) who will reduce me to a gooey fangirl.
If you’re Diane-curious, allow me to make some recommendations.
- If you’re already a Woody Allen fan (let’s face it, he’s his own genre), and you haven’t seen her most iconic role ever, you clearly need to see “Annie Hall
.” If you’re not an Allen fan, you can skip it. I enjoy it but it’s not one of her performances I can watch over and over for some reason.
- “Baby Boom
.” It’s pretty eighties but OMG, I love this movie. (And it’s only $2.99 to rent on Amazon so COME ON.)
- “The First Wives Club
.” Because not just Diane — see also Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler. (Dear god, how is it only $4.50?! Go buy this. You will watch it repeatedly.)
- “Something’s Gotta Give
.” She gets to make out with Keanu Reeves and I think that’s pretty rad. And she looks radiant in this movie.
- Her book, “Then Again
.” It’s brilliant. It made me a much bigger fan of hers. It also lead to me following her on Twitter and Pinterest where she is, of course, delightful.
If you haven’t seen “The Godfather
She’s so terrific, guys. I always especially enjoy her visits to “Ellen.” Here’s a great moment — guess who she’d like to marry? And then they talk about the mile-high club….
Anyway, I geeked out yesterday because I shared space with the fabulous Diane Keaton. I’m still geeking out. Thank you for indulging me!