Timothee Chalamet, honored by the L. A. Film Critics Association with this year’s best actor award for his work in Call Me by Your Name, recalled auditioning for Spider-Man: Homecoming three years ago.
“I read twice and I left sweating in a total panic,” Chalamet said. “I called my agent, UTA’s Brian Swardstrom, and I said, ‘Brian, I thought about this a lot and I have to go back and knock on that door and read again,’ and he told me the story of Sean Young and how in an attempt to become Catwoman had scared everyone away when she showed up at the studio gates in costume.”
Auditioning
“Honestly, my favorite part of this last year — besides getting to act in other films and getting to talk about Call Me by Your Name — is not to have to audition constantly,” he said.
“I try to learn with the folks that I work with and I did a reading with William H. Macy once, who said to me that the best thing that happened in his life besides having a wife and kids is not having to constantly audition.”
Chalamet also thanked Call Me director Luca Guadagnino, who tied with The Shape of Water helmer Guillermo del Toro for best director honors.
Chalamet said that during their one-month of pre-production in Italy, Guadagnino gave him a film education by screening various movies for the cast and crew.
“I watched Babette’s Feast, which I understand is a great movie, but it’s just not my kind of movie, Luca,” the actor said with a laugh. “It’s great. It’s excellent. I look at the critics shaking their heads. It’s just not for me. But also Alien, which is a great movie that I love, and Body Double. I’m still at a loss as to why you took a chance on someone with so little street cred such as myself, but thank you, and I’ve said it before, but this is a ride of a lifetime.”
Praising Michael Stuhlbarg
Chalamet also praised Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays his father in the film.
“Thank you so much, Michael, for your mentorship on this movie,” he said. “As I mentioned, I’m a New York guy, and Michael is a stage legend in New York. Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, that was my first exposure to him, but Shape of Water, The Post and Call Me by Your Name and Fargo, it’s like, how do you do it, man?”
Laurie Metcalf, who was named best supporting actress for Lady Bird, said she had the “good fortune to work with two powerhouse women” — director-writer Greta Gerwig and her co-star Saiorse Ronan.
“We all know deep down that when women are heard and our stories are told and understood, we are all — men and women, boys and girls — better for it,” Metcalf said.
Jordan Peele, the winner for best screenplay for Get Out, quoted former President Barack Obama in his acceptance speech. “There is something he says that resonates with me, ‘Progress isn’t always a straight line.’ “I remember that. I think about that quite often these days, whenever our current president opens his shithole. I think about what went into writing this screenplay and how important expression is, how important the expression of voices that are not usually heard is.”
Gerwig received the New Generation Award, and began her remarks by apologizing “in advance” because she had used her drink ticket for a tequila.
“I love films and I’ve always wanted to be a filmmaker, and it took me a long time to actually say it out loud,” Gerwig said, showing no signs of a liquored-up buzz. “And I started saying it out loud to journalists and film critics because I knew they would hold me accountable to it.”
Face Places co-director JR took to the stage and revealed he was FaceTiming with his co-helmer Agnès Varda from Paris. Their film was named best documentary.
“I wish I were there,” Varda said, adding, “JR represents me much better. He’s younger and he’s taller. Kisses to everyone.”