Sundance Comes to Chicago

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 12, 2010 7:00PM

Sad to say that once again this year the Chicagoist business office has refused to front us the money to attend Sundance. And we were really looking forward to mingling with Robert, Ethan, Maggie, and Ellen over a few bottles of organic champagne. Oh well. As consolation we'll head over to the Music Box.

You see, Chicago is one of only eight cities which will be having simultaneous premieres of films screening at Sundance. The Music Box be hosting Jack Goes Boating. The film marks Philip Seymour Hoffman's directorial debut and he also stars, reprising the role he originated onstage. Of the play, The New York Times wrote, "This gentle portrait of pothead losers in love is a reminder of how engrossing uneventful existences can be in the hands of the right actors. You’re likely to leave the theater with a contact high from the ripe pleasure that Mr. Hoffman and his cast mates derive from portraying everyday eccentrics." Our own Gothamist sure liked it.

Hoffman will be present for a Q & A after the screening. It's no wonder Chicago was chosen to host his movie because he's in town anyway, rehearsing for The Long Red Road at the Goodman Theatre. He's directing that production as well. If he's as sharp a director as he is an actor, we're in for quite a treat.

Jack Goes Boating screens Thursday, January 28 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15.