The lights may have been missing in action but the stars shined without their assistance. Accepting awards at the annual film festival were Felicity Huffman (Breakthrough Performance), Jake Gyllenhaal (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Michael London (Producer of the Year), Terrence Howard (Rising Star Award), Thomas Newman (Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing), Charlize Theron (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), David Cronenberg (Sonny Bono Visionary Award), and Shirley MacLaine (Lifetime Achievement Award).
Other celebrities on hand at the event included William H Macy, Virginia Madsen, Andrew Stanton, Carol Connors, Denise Brown, Ludacris, Paul Haggis, Fionnula Flanagan, Kevin Zegers, Kalani Queypo, Tippi Hedren, Gary Sinise, Sally Kellerman, Keanu Reeves, Kathy Bates, and Catherine Hardwicke.
Highlights from the Gala:
Jake Gyllenhaal’s buddy Peter Sarsgaard (who’s also dating Jake’s sister Maggie) introduced the talented young actor by saying Gyllenhaal really wanted to do a song and dance for the audience. Jake was greeted by laughter when he then came on stage singing “Night Fever.” Gyllenhaal also joked that he really wants to star in a musical but after doing a gay cowboy movie, he thinks that might leave audiences seriously questioning his sexuality. On a more serious note, Gyllenhaal confessed he wasn’t sure what to make of receiving the festival’s Achievement Award. "It's sort of a little bit absurd to me at this point that I would be honored. But I'm also proud of the work that I've done. So I think that, to me, it's about all the stuff I've done. I think it's good stuff."
A bearded, long-haired Keanu Reeves presented the Desert Palm Achievement Award to his “The Devil’s Advocate” and “Sweet November” co-star Charlize Theron. In his speech Reeves recalled their screen test for “The Devil’s Advocate.” Reeves said, “I am one of the lucky people who can say I was there from the beginning." Reeves praised Theron's talent and called her 'fearless.'
Lifetime Achievement Award winner Shirley MacLaine received the warmest reception of the night. Kathy Bates was given the honor of introducing the veteran actress and the friendship between the two was readily apparent. MacLaine continued a running joke with Theron about hooking up back at the hotel and told Congresswoman Mary Bono that she's been in contact with her deceased husband, Sonny. "He's fine. He had a good time tonight," said MacLaine.
Random Notes from the Red Carpet:
- Honoree Jake Gyllenhaal was rushed along the red carpet but did stop long enough to do one group interview. Gyllenhaal answered a local Palm Springs reporters question about his visit to Palm Springs by saying he enjoys spending time there and has visited the area many times. However he doesn’t usually partake in one of the city’s most popular pastimes. Gyllenhaal confessed he’s not much of a golfer. Asked about the special award he was about to receive, Gyllenhaal said he was "a little nervous" about standing in front of the 1,200+ attendees and accepting the award. "I am always nervous when I have to go on stage. Peter [Sarsgaard, Jake’s date for the evening] has already said so many things about me. I am nervous about what he comes up with tonight.”
- Dressed in a form-fitting strapless gown by Marc Jacobs, Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron said preparing for events - such as the Palm Springs Film Festival - doesn’t really affect her. Black tie events can be stressful, however Theron feels attending this sort of gala is one of the more enjoyable parts of her life in the public eye. “It is not stressful for me. I don’t see it as a job. It is a joyful event and therefore I do it with joy,” said Theron.
- Actress Tippi Hedren commented on the possibility of a "Birds" remake. Hedren said she's totally against the idea. "With the animation that they have now, it's not going to have the same affect. I don't like it. I don't like it when they take a classic and do it over again. They should just leave it to be precious and revered," said Hedren.
- California Congresswoman Mary Bono attended the event founded by her late husband Sonny accompanied by Florida Congressman Connie Mack. Bono was wearing a gorgeous white gown by Carmen Marc Valvo, which she laughed about now having worn twice. “I wore it to the White House Christmas party and I am amortizing my purchase by wearing it again,” joked Bono.
