Annette Bening in The Seagull

As guests filed into the room for a special screening of The Seagull at Lincoln Center, Patti Smith was enthusiastic for Chekhov, and Christopher Walken nodded hello to guests that included John Cameron Mitchell, Lena Hall, Ben Shenkman, Patricia Bosworth and A. M. Holmes. Stephen Karam who adapted the classic for director Michael Mayer brought Jayne Houdyshell. Playwright of The Humans, Karam had not yet seen The Seagull with an audience, and seemed thrilled: everyone laughed in the right places. The Seagull is, of course, a tragedy.

In mourning for her life, The Seagull’s Masha always wears black. Depressed beyond comprehension, she, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, is simply lovesick. Or, she’s a typical contemporary New York fashionista. Either way, this character snorts tobacco, swigs vodka, and marries the wrong guy. Saoirse Ronan as Nina falls for the wrong guy. That would be Boris, a celebrated playwright, and a cad (Corey Stoll). Irina, a famed actress and linchpin of this ménage, keeps everyone in check in Chekhov’s 19^th century countryside. And let us say, power corrupts. But who better for this narcissist than Annette Bening who has made a career of playing actresses in all their eccentricities, Gloria Grahame in Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool this year alone.

Bening is stunning as Irina Arkadina in Ann Roth’s sexy, yet refined costumes, and can turn on a dime, registering boisterous celebration, hiding intense sorrow, and masking manipulation. In the movie’s final moments you hear a gunshot. You can guess what has occurred, the characters not yet, but Bening’s intuitive final look is indelible.

At Ristorante Lincoln for an after party, Bening said she loves this character, pointing out Chekhov loved her, cast the actress Olga Knipper, —and married her.

Regina Weinreich

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