Manhattan’s historic Ziegfeld Theatre was home to Sunday evening’s world premiere of Joy, the comedy-drama that stars Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper and follows the life of inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano. Leading lady Lawrence, who appears on this month’s Vogue cover, stepped out in a white silk number by Dior, looking as stunning as ever.
Also on the red carpet was self-described “newbie” Dascha Polanco, who plays Joy’s best friend, Jackie. She shared her thoughts about working with such a distinguished cast. “It was surreal. Even as a newcomer coming into the family, I felt a part of it really quickly,” she said. “Director David O. Russell has a way of working that is very synchronized. You can tell the music that rings behind every vision, and you just dance along with him,” she continued, gleaming in a patterned white dress.
A reception followed the premiere at midtown’s Cipriani, where members of the cast and audience rubbed elbows and celebrated the highly touted new film. Édgar Ramírez, who takes on the role of Joy’s love interest Tony and also appears in this month’s issue of Vogue, admitted one thing he hopes audiences learn from watching this film: “Hope—it’s a great emotional state. It’s the one that allows you to believe that hard times will eventually pass and things will eventually work out. This is what the film taps into,” he said. Joy opens nationwide on December 25.
Meanwhile, downtown, Trumbo’s Bryan Cranston was being celebrated at the Absolut Elyx lounge—a loft space in the Meatpacking District. The little indie, with its cast of very big names—including Cranston, Helen Mirren, Elle Fanning, Louis C.K., and Diane Lane—delves into the life of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947 and was subsequently blacklisted. (Only later did he receive proper credit for penning such classics as Spartacus, Roman Holiday, and Exodus.)
“Trumbo serves as a cautionary tale of what can always happen, even in a very free country like America,” said Mirren, who looked typically striking in a dress by Morgane Le Fay and had just come from adjusting the level of décolletage on Gina Gershon’s jumpsuit. (“I got it at my little place, Otte,” Gershon said later. “Helen thought it was too much.”) “It was ridiculous; the fear of communism was a hysteria,” Mirren continued. “And I look at this beautiful country which I love, America, in the present atmosphere, with the fear of Islamic fundamentalism—which of course is there and is to be treated with caution and care—but they’re never going to take over America. It’s not going to happen. America is too big, too strong, too beautiful, too beloved by the Americans. It’s not going to happen, so stop being so frightened. Just chill.”
A few feet away, Cranston, who plays the title role, discussed Hollywood’s current fear. “The key word is Hollywood,” he said. “Trumbo is an independent film. I don’t think a major studio would have made Trumbo. You have no sex, no action, your central character is a communist; it’s not real commercial. That said, it has a very important message: Any time civil liberties are in jeopardy, people need to stand up and defend them—and fight for them.” Cranston’s stylist had him wearing a dark suit from Dunhill with a skinny John Varvatos tie, but he gave the lion’s share of his style props to his daughter, who dresses him at home. “She’s very good at it,” he said.
“Dalton Trumbo is an American hero and someone who stood up for free speech,” said Harvey Weinstein. “You’re supposed to have free speech in this country, and you don’t have it.” But on to the politics any of us really care about: the Oscar race. Even though Mr. Weinstein isn’t involved with Trumbo, he thinks it has a good chance: “One hundred percent. Helen Mirren and Bryan both,” he said, adding that Oscars for screenwriting and directing could also be on the table. “Bryan Cranston is an amazing actor, and he deserves all the success and love that people can give him.”
Maybe because it’s the holiday season, or just the kind of guy he is, but Mr. Cranston was giving that love back, even to the film’s critics. “There have been some right-wing pundits who have come out against the movie, and in the fashion of Trumbo: Fine. That’s fine,” he said. “There’s room for everyone. We defend your right to speak your mind and speak your opinion. And that’s the message of Trumbo, to not squash anyone’s voice.”
The post Jennifer Lawrence at the Premiere of Joy, and Helen Mirren, Harvey Weinstein, Jonah Hill, and More Toast Bryan Cranston appeared first on Vogue.