TIFF 2013: Inside the intimate dinner party with Jessica Chastain for The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

TIFF 2013 Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby party
Photography courtesy Hudson's Bay Co.
TIFF 2013 Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby party
Photography courtesy Hudson’s Bay Co.

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Jessica Chastain wiped away tears of joy following the premiere of The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, explaining to the TIFF audience how happy she was to finally make a film with her friend of 10 years, director Ned Benson.

The 3-hour+ epic is actually two films back to back, and unspools the same story twice: first from a husband’s point of view, then from his wife’s. Demanding? Yes. Emotionally draining? Perhaps.

Still, the mood at the after-dinner for the cast, hosted by the Hudson’s Bay Co. at The Chase, was buoyant. And how could it not be? Stars James McAvoy, Jess Weixler, Ciaran Hinds and the luminous Chastain, in a chiffony aqua Versace, chatted up the crowd which included designer Wayne Clark, The Bay’s Nicholas Mellamphy and Suzanne Timmins and Barbara Amiel, pretty in pink and white Erdem from The Room.

Chastain, a vegan, tucked into a plate of quinoa and corn while others savoured the grilled beef and salmon served with warm bread salad.

The only flaw in the evening? The Bay’s vice-chairman Bonnie Brooks missed her flight from yachting off the coast of Croatia and didn’t arrive home till midnight. But she can read all about it here.

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