Where Are You, Echo Blue? by Hayley Krischer

Author:Hayley Krischer [Krischer, Hayley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2024-07-16T00:00:00+00:00

30.

With all the buzz around Stars Everywhere, the studio opted for an extremely limited Christmas release in 1994 so that it could be eligible for an Oscar nomination. (It played at the Angelika in New York for a week.) Reviews were incredible, and we were an instant hit on the indie circuit, giving the film a ton of momentum once it came out in February. Stars Everywhere did $9 million at the box office on its opening weekend, even beating out a big action picture that was made for three times the amount and was playing at twice as many theaters. During the press tour, every journalist asked my dad if he’d work with me again. He always gave this dry response: “Let’s see if she can fit me in for lunch first.” He always got a laugh.

I was as surprised as anyone when the production company behind Stars took out a full-page Oscar ad in Variety, saying, “For your consideration, Echo Blue for best supporting actress.”

They took one out for my dad too, but he insisted that the effort was fruitless. Too many other good performances. Tom Hanks for Forrest Gump and John Travolta for Pulp Fiction.

“How am I gonna compete with a guy who plays an accidental hero, the kind of all-American guy everyone loves? Goddammit, I should have taken that part,” he said. “Not to mention it’s a lot easier to get a nomination in the supporting role when you’re really the star of the picture.”

“But we were both stars of the movie, Dad.”

“I was the leading man, Echo. And what a leading man I am,” he said, his whole face sullen. “I got upstaged by my own fucking daughter.”

Because Hollywood is Hollywood, I was expected to film myself watching the Oscar nomination announcements. This is a stupid tradition that is used to promote the movie. Belinda came to watch with me—I’d officially moved into another house on my dad’s compound. He said he needed space. Belinda was the only one I told that I didn’t want the award.

“What actor doesn’t want an Oscar?” she said. “I’m sorry to say it, but your dad is a piece of shit. I know you don’t want to admit that, but whatever complicated feelings he has, he should suck them up. You can’t let him stop you from enjoying this moment, Echo.”

Hazel walked in with bagels before I could respond. She had an unbelievable amount of energy for five in the morning. “One day of calorie intake right here, girls. Let’s get fat!”

We dug in, because if an adult like Hazel gave you permission to eat, you ate.

“Nothing to be worried about, darling,” Hazel said. “Simply being considered makes you a bona fide star.”

“That’s what everyone says, Hazel.”

“Yes, and there’s a reason everyone says it. Because it’s true. And you know I wouldn’t lie to you.”

I tried not to guffaw.

As Belinda and I ate, I could see Hazel staring out the window toward the main house. “Is he really not going to come over?” she mumbled, but I pretended not to hear.

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