There are certain voices, certain unique intonations and timbres, that possess the power to comfort no matter what the circumstance. Tom Hanks has one of those voices, so when the Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit honoree took the stage in the museum’s basement screening room Tuesday night and told the gathered gala guests, “We are a week into a new era, but we are going to be all right,” a palpable wave of relief and gratitude seemed to roll over the room.
Hanks assumed the podium after a series of tributes, some prerecorded (Oprah Winfrey, Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard), the rest in person, including from Emma Watson, demure in black velvet and fresh off her Beauty and the Beast trailer going viral; Sully costar Aaron Eckhart; MoMA chief film curator Rajendra Roy; and Steve Martin. “We all know that Tom Hanks is a genius,” declared Martin. “Thomas Edison said that genius is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration, and that is why, when Tom enters a room, everyone leaves.” After the reel of clips from Hanks’s most beloved films, the group decamped upstairs to the Marron Atrium, and on this evening, fortunately for all, there appeared to be more inspiration than perspiration on display. Hanks was surrounded by friends and colleagues, including cochairs Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, and Graydon and Anna Carter. Meg Ryan was made to laugh uproariously by tablemates Martin and David Letterman, who due to his Bunyan-esque beard was later described by Stephen Colbert as “the self-proclaimed biblical prophet.”
At a neighboring table, Alexa Chung caught up with dinner partners Luke Evans, Poppy Delevingne, and Ellie Bamber, whose intricately embroidered blush Chanel minidress perfectly complemented her flame-color hair. The self-professed foodie arrived from the U.K. only hours before the event, but happily stayed until the tarte tatin with crème fraîche was served, proving herself to be a true nocturnal animal. Despite the convivial atmosphere, the results of last week’s election were not far from people’s minds. Fabiola Beracasa Beckman accessorized her putty tulle frock with a safety brooch and earring, a popular postelection symbol of solidarity with minorities and victims of racism. “We have to show what we stand for,” she explained. Indeed, throughout the evening there were several pleas that America’s favorite actor run for president. From Eckhart to Colbert, who introduced performer Leon Bridges, there was a general consensus that Hanks would make a more thoughtful president-elect than the one announced a week ago.
Dare we say: Run, Forrest, run?
