Cd’A Film Fest opener is a big hit

The word from Coeur d’Alene tonight was success. The opening-night film of the inaugural Coeur d’Alene Film Festival , “Lonely Hearts,” which played at Regal’s Riverstone Cinemas, was sold out.

And the 300-to-400 (a rough estimate) people who showed up, many at the last moment (they were still selling tickets up to the 6 p.m. show time), were treated to a decently held event.

One, though neither the filmmaker (Todd Robinson) nor any of the stars were there – even Ellen Travolta, a local resident and sister to the movie’s main star, John Travolta, failed to make the scene – a festival representative read a letter of welcome from Robinson.

Two, everyone was in his seat and the film began at 6:12, a minor miracle for an opening night of an inaugural festival.

Finally, my colleague Jim Kershner was right. Jim had seen the film in a preview screening on Wednesday. It’s a fine little noir, one that represents some of the best work that Travolta (John) has done in years. Also good were James Gandolfini (who narrates), Scott Caan and Jared Leto.

Best of all, though, was Salma Hayek, who plays a cold-blooded psycho murderer with all the weirded-out sexuality of Marilyn Manson.

I’ve got tix to three films tomorrow. Can’t wait to see how this festival continues. What I really wish was that representatives of the Spokane International Film Festival were here. They could learn a thing or two.