Jamie Murnane

Christopher. Walken. Has a, peculiar. Way? Of Speaking. That, along with his crazy, seemingly freestanding hair and trademark dance moves (especially popularized by Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" video), is what he's best known for. Last time Walken was in town, during the Chicago International Film Festival, he kept a low profile, aside from speaking at the premiere of his film "Around the Bend."

A low profile for a man of Walken's size and singularity seems impossible. It's obvious onscreen that the man is tall. But standing near him, he dwarfs nearly everyone at approximately 6-and-a-half feet--not including his hair.

When 5-foot-3 me gets the nerve to approach him outside the formal constraints of a press roundtable at Michigan Avenue's Park Hyatt Hotel, his friendliness offsets his intimidating, characteristically creepy looks. After all, he's wearing sweatpants. Looking as though he just rolled out of his king-size hotel bed, Walken looks down at me, smiling a half smile as we chat about--what else but "the bean"?

"I have not. Been to--Millennium. Park?" Walken says. "Perhaps. I will go. Check it out? Today."

After our brief conversation, we shake hands and I turn to walk out the hotel's lower lobby. Hyatt employees walk around, pretending to be busy, craning their necks toward the conference room to get a peek. As I leave, I wonder if he'll really go to the park. Imagine gazing into the shining silver kidney-shaped edifice only to see a towering, perhaps dancing, Christopher Walken gazing back.

(2005-02-22)

Also by Jamie Murnane

Feeling Ernest
On a hot and sticky Labor Day weekend at the lakefront, the folks at Clairol Natural Instincts couldn't think of a better time to sit on plastic mats in the grass and do yoga
(2004-09-08)

Indisposable cameras
Resembling average club goers, this group of five is comprised of artists and activists from Inner City Light
(2004-08-31)

Still curious
The Rhino fest has been known for showcasing some of the most groundbreaking, original theatrics since its inception
(2004-08-25)

'Do it
Lake Michigan dances on one of the protruding second floor platforms of Vision nightclub, shimmying and shaking to the DJ's beats
(2004-08-03)

The Naked City
(2004-07-20)

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