More than Luck: Diane Keaton intrigues and delights in Des Moines Smart Talk

A review by David Borzo

Diane Keaton brought energy and excitement Wednesday to the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center, displaying an unquenchable embracing of life, and her own special brand of “luck”. Her program charmed the appreciative audience with a powerful testament of how to live life well. Very well. Keaton, the final speaker in the Smart Talk series for 2009, deftly blended stories from her incredible career in the movies, her close relationship with her mother, and her recent joy and challenges of raising two adopted children, Dexter, 13 and Duke, 8. Her stories and experiences were intertwined with a series of vintage family photos and home movies, and was a living testimonial for keeping memories alive.

Keaton, who along with being a legend in the movies is also a director, author, photographer, singer, producer, businesswoman and mother. She reveled in what she called her “luck” all through her lengthy career, lucky with associations and connections in getting roles; like starring in Woody Allen’s Broadway 1969 hit “Play it again, Sam”, (and winning a Tony Award) and getting the great role in 2003’s “Something’s Gotta Give” (earning her latest Academy Award nomination). OK… luck…sure…but it’s safe to say that talent has a lot to do with it too. As she put it at Smart Talk − “Luck is preparation meeting opportunity”.

She had just finished acting school when she got her role in the original Broadway production of Hair. On the screen she has starred in what have turned out to be many of the greatest films of all time; from her role as Kay Adams in the Godfather Trilogy, to her Academy Award winning title role in Annie Hall and Warren Beatty’s epic Reds (another Academy Award nomination). Throw in other classic films like Manhattan, Sleeper, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and more recently comedies like Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride Part II, and The First Wives Club. She also directed the poignant and powerful film Unstrung Heroes in 1995 to high acclaim. Next year, watch for Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford in the newest of her over 50 films, Morning Glory.

Keaton’s straightforward presentation and messages resonated with authenticity and empathy, a full life of messages received and lessons learned. She shared them generously. With both poignant memories of her mother’s tireless love and support for the young Diane’s acting, and then watching her mother struggle with Alzheimer’s (she recently passed in 2008) Keaton provides a strong tribute to her theme of taking on life and preserving memories. On the subject that is most asked of her – growing older – she also had a clear message: aging is just another opportunity…“ Don’t let Age become an act of submission” she declared, and clearly Keaton has not. Her positive perspective of embracing the past – while reveling in the present – and not fearing the future is so affirmative as to be contagious. An excellent cap to the 2009 Smart Talk season here in Des Moines.

photos by Kim Snellink

James is James G. Lindberg (Jim) is the Purple Wren’s sweetie and is a visiting chemistry professor at Grinnell College and retired from Drake University.
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