Starshine!
Bright lights come out for festival gala






By NATASHA STOYNOFF
Toronto Sun
September 14, 1999
Ralph Fiennes and Deborah Kara Unger, stars of Sunshine, makes an entrance at the film's post gala party at the ROM last night. - Greg Henkenhaf, SUN




TORONTO - There was a royal flush of stars at the Royal Ontario Museum last night in honour of Alliance Atlantis' Sunshine.

As white-coated chefs barbecued lobster on the lawn, celebs including Ralph (pronounced 'Rafe') Fiennes, Andrew MaCarthy, Jill Hennessey, Holly Hunter, Rebecca Jenkins, Jennifer Podemski and Geraint Wynn Davies paraded along the red carpet entranceway, fought their way through the hundred-strong throng of gawking partygoers, and escaped to a roped-off VIP room.

Dark and swarthy Goodfellas' Ray Liotta and Joe Mantegna arrived together, causing a stir among the ladies.

Liotta said that his wife, actress Michelle Grace, and baby daughter Karsen, didn't need any acting advice when they played his wife and daughter in the recent shooting of the film, Rumour Of Angels.

"They were just great," says the actor. "The producers saw pictures of them, and thought they'd be perfect for the part -- and, of course, they were. They didn't need any rehearsal."

While William Hurt raced past flashing photographers' bulbs, head and eyes down, Joe Mantegna did his Italian heritage (Dad's from Sicily, Mom's from near Bari) proud.

"You want to know what my grandmother puts in her sugo?" the tough fella asked. "I can't tell you. It's a secret."

Ah, c'mon, I plead.

"Tomatoes," he offers. "Lots and lots of tomatoes."

Speaking of the Old Country, Alliance Atlantis kingpin Robert Lantos makes it clear that Sunshine is not based on his own history.

"It's based on historical events," he says. "But Hungarian Jews have a similar background, and I am where I come from."

Funny Kid In The Hall Dave Foley breezed through the crowd looking very Hollywood with his newly bleached-blond hair.

"It's a midlife crisis," he says of his Billy Idol locks -- "with a movie as an excuse."

Vancouverite Deborah Kara Unger -- herself often called a blonde Ava Gardner by beauty experts -- says it's good to be back in the homeland.

And wasn't that Ethan Hawke and Frank Whaley hanging out by the front steps, unsure whether to stay or go?

By near midnight, some of the illustrious stars had begun to fade, and knew it was time for their exit from the whole circus.

"I've enjoyed the festival," says Ray Liotta, "but I'll be glad to go home tomorrow."


 

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