One of the things I do like about my job is that once in awhile I get to chat with some interesting people. Most of the time the folks who call the university are all business and looking for specific information, but sometimes I get someone who is nice, courteous and entertaining. I like those calls.
Yesterday I happened to pick up a call from a gregarious gentleman who wanted to know when classes start next semester. It was a simple question that usually makes for a short call, but this guy turned out to be anything but simple. Somehow, in the midst of helping him register for some classes, I learned he was previously in the movie business. The conversation that ensued went something like this:
HIM: Yeah, I’ve been in three movies.
ME: Oh?
HIM: Yeah, the last one I was in was (insert dramatic movie name) with Jude Law and (insert name of moody method actor).
ME: Oh, I just saw a movie with Jude Law
HIM: Yeah, all the ladies like Jude Law.
ME: He has a bit of a lisp though, doesn’t he?
HIM: He does. He’s not that great, you know. All he has is the face. And he’s so skinny. There’s nothing there. You know that, right?
ME: Um, actually I wouldn’t know that.
HIM: And his girlfriend was always coming on the set and hanging all over him…
I have to admit to being a little incredulous about his claims, but the guy loved talking about himself and I was more than happy to listen. I liked hearing about skinny Jude Law and his public displays of affection, but I had to steer the conversation back to getting this guy registered, which I did whilst he continued to rattle off his projects as though I was sitting across from him at a juice bar in L.A.
After the call ended I did a little research on IMDB. I found the movie he mentioned but not the man himself. While I have no reason to think he was being less than honest about the work he’d done and with whom he had worked, I imagine he probably thinks more of his cinematic contributions than the rest of world. As well he should.
On a final note, if any of you Hollywood types want to impress me, tell me you’ve worked with Christian Bale. I will promise to swoon at the mention of him.
hahahahahahaha !!!! I looove me some Jude Law… though he isn’t ageing very well poor thing. Christian Bale, yeah…. I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed for eating crackers either!!! 🙂
Awesome story – I love the way you remembered the details. I can’t say as I have ever run into name droppers, but not many visit Indiana! I don’t really know actors though, I wouldn’t have recognized the name Jude Law. Or Christian Bale…
Oh Joanna, you’re missing out. Christian Bale is the latest Batman. Very, very sexy Welsh actor. I could give you a whole list of Bale movies to rent. Jude Law is all right, but he doesn’t ring my bells like Bale!
Funny post! I’m not much of a swooner though. On the subject of name droppers – they don’t do it for me. I interviewed one yesterday. She was proud that she had done a young, very troubled, very visible musician’s makeup. And ate lunch with an olympic swimmer. And she kept dropping from there. She didn’t get the job.