Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Anthony Minghella dies

I met him at a party a couple of years ago: if you never did, this may mean that the difference between you and me is that I admired his dress sense as well as his writing.

I remember being at the buffet, turning around and being immediately introduced to him. Did I have time to put the plate down? Can't remember. And I do know the conversation turned quickly to football, which meant therefore I was instantly bewildered, but he stopped me feeling lost. Funny thing: I talked to someone else there who I admire far less but who blanked me far more. It may have been how I was dressed, that affected how I was addressed.

So Anthony Minghella seemed a very good bloke, I liked him on the spot and I did not ask him a single question beyond "And which team is the Tigers again?" or the like.

I think I'd be shocked by his death regardless; his television work as much as his film, his writing and his directing. And he was just 54. But I'm reeling, and also feeling like a name-clanging prat for reeling at you like this: he was a friend of some friends of mine and the connection is enough to make me stagger even though I have no doubt he'd forgotten my first name by the end of my surname.

William

2 comments:

Laura Cousins said...

I'd only just heard this on the radio when I came here to read. It's terribly sad.

Have been looking forward to his work on "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." They won't cancel it or anything silly, will they?

William Gallagher said...

Sorry, I didn't answer you here because I wasn't sure. But they do seem to be going ahead.

I heard the launch party was a bit depressing, mind.

W