Last night at MoMA a very special screening of Sarah Silverman’s new dramatic film I Smile Back took place.
Guests in attendance for Broad Green Picture’s latest project included from the film the star herself, the dynamic Josh Charles, a very polite Skylar Gaertner, director Adam Salky, co -screenwriter/author Amy Koppelman, co-screenwriter Paige Dylan, producers Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Mike Harrop, and Broad Green Co-Founder Daniel Hammond.
Additional attendees at the star-filled fete included Tony Gilroy, Gay Talese, James Lipton, Lawrence O’Donnell, Emma Greenwell, Nikki M. James, Stephanie Szostak, Maulik Pancholy, Josh Pais, Andrew Keenan-Bulger, Rebecca Forteau, Amy Heckerling, Neil Burger, Tanya Wexler, Deborah Shaffer, Eleanor Lambert, and Eden Brolin.
After a quick welcome by Silverman, who was dressed beautifully in Alice and Olivia, and Salky the audience became captivated by the screen and the lead actress. Silverman’s character Laney is a witty, attractive young mother and wife living in a picture-perfect suburban housewife role. But, there is a darker side to the delicate portrayal that is quickly shattered when it is revealed that in private this is a woman on the verge of destruction.
Her love for her family is not strong enough to keep her mental illness silent as she allows herself to fall further and further into a whirlwind of drugs, alcohol and adultery. The façade begins to break and Laney’s reckless compulsions become as painful to her as to her children and husband who slowly slip away from her presence.
As the lights came up in the theater the audience cheered and applauded for the shocking and realistic performances by the actors, as well as for the well-delivered writing and directing.
At the VIP after party at the gorgeous Beautique the stars and crew mingled with guests as they enjoyed delicious appetizers and cocktails from James Beard-nominated mixologist Charlotte Voisey. Silverman hugged her friends as they congratulated her on her performance as young co-star Gaertner delightfully sampled the passed gourmet pizza with his mom by his side.
