May 5, 2003

New York Observer

[below are excerpts only]

Yes, We Cannes: De Niro's Show Grows Up Fast

by Rebecca Traister Vincent Pastore

The Sopranos' late Big Pussy Bonpensiero, is excited about the Tribeca Film Festival. He's so excited that even though he doesn¹t have any films playing at the nine-day festival, he called just to tell us how jazzed he is. "I can't wait," said Mr. Pastore with a Cohiba-enhanced growl, adding that a good deal of his anticipation was due to the festival's closing picture, Paramount's The Italian Job. "I was in Serving Sara for Paramount, so Paramount puts me on the A-list, I guess.

"There's a lot of buzz about it, but I'm also excited it's here, at our festival. It's exactly what New York needs‹a nice shot in the arm, you know?"

......

May 8

Tribeca screens one of the week's most lauded films, Jim Sheridan's (My Left Foot) semi-autobiographical In America. The movie got a great Toronto reception, but it¹s been kicking around for some time. You've probably saw previews at Christmas time, though the film won't open until Thanksgiving. "It's been around for a hell of a long time," said Mr. Sheridan from Dublin. "[Fox Searchlight] wanted to release it this Spring, but I thought it more an Autumn film." Mr. Sheridan will be here for the Tribeca screening, where he says he hopes it goes over well. "Sometimes, at film festivals, they like them to be more intellectual. This is heartwarming and optimistic. Sometimes people don't like that so much." Oh, buddy, are you coming to the right festival.

Particles of Truth, directed by a woman - mirabile dictu! - is about the relationship between a woman dealing with her father's drug-addled decline and a recluse who spends all his time writing in a car. "It's a nice car," said Queer as Folk actor Gale Harold, who plays the scribe. "I mean, it has really nice wheels and tires and leather seats and a sun-roof."