Today I saw two movie actors at the Third Street Playground. And I have to say they looked like incredibly nice and normal people.
Period.
They were sitting on the side of the sandbox just like all the other parents who sit on the side of the sandbox, watching their child play in the sand.
Period.
The guy, who is incredibly tall, looked like any Sunday morning dad, enjoying time with his son.
The woman, is every bit as beautiful as she is in the movies. In fact, seeing her made me realize what a natural beauty she is. She glows. But she doesn’t look particularly glamorous or celebrity-like.
She looks like a real person. A real person with really nice causual clothes. Great boots, a cool down vest, cashmere sweater, perfectly fitting jeans.
Period.
The other night, I watched "Requium for a Dream," the movie version of the Hubert Selby Coney Island novel. It’s an intense and devestating movie. A really hopeless sad story told with an inordinate amount of style.
She is just incredible in the movie. So very real. I believed her completely as the character.
I think she’s a teriffic actress. And he in "A Beautiful Mind" is just magical. They both were.
What a pair.
I for one am proud that they live in Park Slope and can go to the Third Street Playground without anyone making a fuss.
Yeah, I know I’m writing about it. And that’s kinda making a fuss. I thought about that as I tried to keep my eyes off of them. I can’t lie: I did observe them. Not in a stalkerish way. But in a — "I just saw you yesterday in a movie I rented from Netflix and now you’re in the sandbox at the playground…"
Truly, though. I think they’re cool. They can afford to live anywhere in the world and they choose to live her. This is a nice place to make a life.
Even if you’re a movie star.
Update:
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2007/02/11/watch_what_you.php
To all the negative responses… shut the F up. Do you get off on reading peoples blogs and then trashing them? If you don’t like it just read something else. Let’s not take the time to tear down what’s not yours. What are you twelve years old? You make me sick and I hope for nothing but the worst for you and your family.
I can’t believe Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany live in the Slope!!! I knew right away who you were talking about even though you didn’t mention her name. I’m like the hugest fan of Jennifer Connelly, you have no idea!! She was so awesome in Higher Learning and Waking the Dead. Don’t worry–between you and me, I’ll keep it a secret! I am so sick of people stalking celebrities like how Lindsay Lohan’s dad treats her. I live in the upper west side but have a couple friends who live in Park Slope. The other day we went to the Third Street Playground and waited by the sand box but did not see Jen and Paul and baby. Bummer!!! I am planning on going back next Sat…I hope to God I see them! If I see them Im going to cream my pants!
P.S. I saw her a few months ago at Doma and she wore the most amazing jacket.
I enjoyed your observations about the “couple” in the park. I know you were upset about the nasty comments, but there were an equal amount of nice ones. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t notice and become tranfixed by the celebrities in our midst. First off, they are extradinary looking people and second, we know a certain amount about them from People Magazine, The Star etc. I believe the the celebs in our midst are down to earth people, who care deeply about their craft, but also choose to lead a more normal kind of life that includes a stable marriage, children and contact with other down to earth people. They are celebrities in the best sense of the word…
I agree totally with Corvon. I appreciate the time you take to talk about the neighborhood and what is going on. I think your commentaries about all that is around us are wonderfully written and great observations. I would love to know the names of the “celebs” that you are referring to. Thanks for all the time you take.
Dear OTBKB:
I URGE YOU TO IGNORE THESE NAY SAYERS. Obvously they are just jealous. Why? Because the lerpa, mr pony, mskricket et al have not achieved a compareable level of professional success, thats why. Why else would they act so immature as to post such sarcastic and crude replies? I have known many people like this. Trust me when I say these critc’s bitter attitudes follow them around and muddy the well for the rest of us who just want to live our lives without interfearence. Period. I too have seen the beautiful couple you speak of on several occasions…and I am in total agreeance with you! It was obvious they are amazing people unsullyed by fame and success, content to live among us normal folk without acting conceited, just as your anucdote proves. If only more “normal” people (like those writing in to this site) were as free from hangups and insecureness as these so called “glamorus movie stars”! OK, I admit I havent met this couple personally but just from observing them and their beautiful child I can tell they are totally down to earth and unpretentious. You can tell by how she dresses and their choice to live not in Tinsel Town but in the Park Slope area, which is where people like us live (meaning people with positive out looks who pursue our passions instead of spending our time tearing down what others have built with our negativity). The Wikipedia is another good example of this attitude–these folks have put together an incredible online reference tool that is totally user supported. But what I really want to say is keep up the good work and don’t be phased by the poisonous words of a few jerks. (That goes for you too, Mr and Mrs you-know-who!)
This is not only stupid it is pathetic — you feel validated by the fact that celebrities live in your neighborhood? Somehow that makes the neighborhood better? Get a life! When I see celebrities (or Kennedys) in Park Slope, all I think is: people like them drive up the prices so that the middle class residents who made this neighborhood desirable to celebrities can’t afford to live here any more.
It’s kind of weird how you don’t mention their names.
i saw them at the park that day too! the woman had a brick-red stain in the crotch of her really nice casual clothes. period.
this is the stupidest thing i have ever read!
what do you care, they move to Brooklyn because of people like you in Manhattan, don’t make them move out of your neighborhood now !
i used to see them all the time in the west village before I moved to Brooklyn a few monthes ago. It sounds like they moved as well. They’re a gorgeous couple!