He's done it again. I'm talking about Billy Crudup and his remarkable ability to get inside the characters he plays. I never think he's acting -- just being. In his latest film, Big Fish, he plays a low-key role among some of the flashiest ones on screen this year, especially Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor as a teller of tall tales at various ages in the man's life. And yet, Crudup's sensitive supporting performance as the storyteller's estranged son is the one that touched me the most. However, because of my personal experience with this talented actor, I might be a bit prejudiced.

My contact with Crudup took place at the first Telluride Film Festival my husband and I attended. In Confessions of a Movie Addict, I described what happened. Below is the relevant excerpt. 

----------------------------------------------------------------

Our first Telluride experience surprised us in many ways. We had no idea what to expect. Unlike other film festivals, the program is a closely guarded secret until opening day. And we knew nothing about the tradition of standing in line, sometimes for over an hour, to get a good seat for the movies and events we wanted to see. Fortunately, our good friend David Kimball of Denver's Landmark Theatre took us under his wing and helped with our orientation. Otherwise, we might still be lost in Telluride searching for the gondola and the Chuck Jones Theatre.

Showing up early for one of those lines turned out to be a stroke of luck for me. On Labor Day morning, Billy Crudup appeared in a special "Conversation Session" at the Telluride Court House. Shelly Westerman, a sound editor for Jesus' Son, tipped me off about Crudup's schedule while standing in line for a film the night before. Because I wanted to interview the young actor after seeing his amazing performance in Jesus' Son, I researched his background on the Internet. Hoping to catch Crudup before the program, Larry and I arrived shortly after 8:30 a.m. and were the first ones in line for the 10 a.m. session.

After a few minutes, a petite brunette showed up and began asking Tom Goodman, the program coordinator, questions about Crudup. Davia Nelson, from PBS (Lost and Found Sounds), had been recruited to moderate the session at the last minute. Eavesdropping on them, I interrupted and recited everything I knew about Crudup's films, awards and so on. "Would you introduce him for me?" Nelson pleaded.

Without pausing for even a second, I agreed. Crudup, stunned by my in-depth introduction, sought me out after the program and thanked me personally. However, I almost spoiled this memorable experience with a flippant response. While I was talking with Crudup, a member of the audience came up to speak with the star. He wanted Crudup's opinion concerning who was a better actor, Skeet Ulrich or Billy Crudup. Crudup answered with a smile, "Skeet Ulrich, of course."

I added that Ulrich was "the poor man's Johnny Depp" -- to which the man replied, "Really? I'll tell him that. I'm his father."

Mortified, I apologized, calling Larry over to bail me out. "I'm just kidding, sir. I've always admired your son's acting; haven't I, Larry?" I begged. My helpful spouse came through for me again. "Right. She even gave Skeet Ulrich high marks for his work in Chill Factor," he declared.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Wonder why I haven't heard from Billy Crudup since our meeting in Telluride?