Miami Rhapsody
Parker and Piven come to town for MIFF
It was a star-studded night at the Coral Gables Country Club as giant searchlights greeted attendees walking the red carpet to remember and celebrate the 18th anniversary of their film “Miami Rhapsody,” the now-classic picture that opened up the Miami International Film Festival in 1995.
Champagne and cocktails were flowing as patrons grouped around the velvet rope to get a glimpse of renowned stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeremy Piven and Carla Gugino. Piven, sporting a pair of black Sama “Federico” eyeglasses, was looking suave in a navy blue jacket as he signed autographs for fans.
Before she was fashionista Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker was Gwen Marcus, a slightly-neurotic, newly engaged Miamian who tries to dispel her reservations about her upcoming nuptials by looking into the relationships of her family members — only to realize that each member of her family is wrapped up in their own extra-marital affairs. The Woody Allen-esque romantic comedy also stars Antonio Banderas, Mia Farrow, and Kevin Pollack. Shot locally, the film features places like Vizcaya, Lincoln Road, and Bal Harbor Shops, and plays like a colorful love letter to the city of Miami.
Preceding the cast reunion party, the tropical romantic comedy was screened for a packed audience at Miami Dade College’s Tower Theater, and included a Q&A with the stars, as well as director and Miami native David Frankel. Frankel has also directed hits such as “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Marley and Me,” and “Hope Springs.”
The screening was part of MIFF’s month-long countdown retrospective series, which was put together to commemorate the festival’s 30th anniversary.
The countdown to the 2013 Miami International Film Festival (which goes from March 1st-10th) continues with dark classics such as “Funny Games” (1998), “Audition” (2002), and “Irreversible” (2003).
By Lauren Cohen
Photo by Manny Hernandez
