Julia in Venice!

There’s an exclamation point in the title here because I’m old and I still get excited about Julia Roberts. Julia is one of the many stars arriving in Venice today for the start of the Venice Film Festival. She is there for the world premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt – and that appears to be his face all over the cardigan that she is wearing. 

As Sarah and I have been saying repeatedly the last couple of weeks, Venice is followed by Telluride and then TIFF, and that’s when we can get more serious about the contenders for this year’s award season. After the Hunt has been eyeballed as a possibility because of Luca and also the cast – Julia co-stars with Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg, and more. The internet has been all about Andrew and Ayo on this upcoming press tour. But they are too young to know that when Julia wants to turn it on, she can make the press tour all about her. And I feel like this cardigan might be a sign that she’s into it. 

Will she be super flirty and affectionate with Luca on the carpet since she’s already wearing him on her body? Or will she and Ayo be giving big sister little sister energy? Is Andrew going to be her pet for this promotional cycle? How many hugs will we get? And hugs and kisses? Or will be super serious and end up admonishing someone during the press conference? Our Julia is also capable of a sanctimonious moment if the mood suits her. 

Right now, and yes it’s early, Oscar experts have her pretty high up on the predictions lists for an Oscar nomination, which would mark her return to the campaign circuit. And if that really is the way it’s shaping up, she’d be in the race with her friend, George Clooney. Who also is in Venice for Jay Kelly. This is the photo that old c-nty gossips like me are hoping for. 

Julia is joined on this trip by Elizabeth Stewart, her longtime stylist. Elizabeth also works with two other Oscar winners, Viola Davis and Cate Blanchett. Cate too is in Venice and was photographed today in a beautiful light gray suit. Speaking of style though… 

Can you believe that Adam Sandler actually wore a proper pair of pants for his first Venice appearance this year? The combination of Clooney and Sandler in Jay Kelly is one of the most intriguing and highly anticipated performances of award season right now. And Adam too is in the mix for a nomination for Best Supporting Actor if this film meets expectations. So far, Venice is off to the start it was hoping for.   

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