One moment hes having an earnest conversation withThe Wild RobotsLupita Nyongo.
The Mission Impossiblesuperstar moves to his right to welcome an incomingDemi Moore.
Jeez, that wouldve been a downer if the real Trump had waltzed in.
Tom Cruise embraces Demi Moore. Glen Powell, left, and Jared Leto, right.Baz Bamigboye/Deadline
Smiling at all the comings and goings surrounding herMission Impossible: The Final Reckoningleading man is Vanessa Kirby.
Shes at the party with her sister, Juliet Kirby, who helps run Vanessas Aluna Entertainment production company.
The energy radiating from Cruise is off the scale.
Lupita Nyong’o and Brady Corbet. Baz Bamigboye/Deadline
One could be forgiven for thinking that Cruise in this moment is a god.
Hes a movie god, for sure.
I join the throng and say, Hello.
Which one?Broadswordfor Christopher McQuarrie orThe Gauntlet, also for McQuarrie.
Shaking his head, Cruise, says, I cant say.
I hit it one more time.
That megawatt smile goes to full beam.
I just cant tell you, he responds.
To deflect, he points to Riz Ahmed and says Im working with him and Alejandro at Pinewood.
HisTop Gun: Maverickwingman Glen Powell stops by as doesGavin & StaceysJames Corden.
The BBC should repeat theGavin & StaceyChristmas special annually.
I make a note to myself to ask Cruise next time I see him if hes watchedGavin & Stacey.
He spends so much time here in London, that I bet he has.
Its a movie that needs to be experienced in the dark with an audience.
Its a date night classic.
In the U.S. its on Universals Peacock streaming channel.
This is news to both ears.
Then Desplat moved us, just we few at the table, with a heartfeltLa Vie En Rose.
All three were safe but had to evacuate.
Theyre now at new lodgings.
But their clothing reeked of smoke fumes and they had to quickly buy fresh attire for the BAFTA festivities.
Once again, the heroes are the firemen and women who tackled the blaze.
The party was literally wall-to-wall stars.
Over there is Rege Jean Page.
And, on another key table isIm Still HeresFernanda Torres and Walter Salles.
There were loads of others.
Upstairs Nina Gold, whos casting Greta Gerwigs NetflixNarniamovie, was huddled with Independent Talent Groups Claire Maroussas.
Their lips are sealed.
I stop and chat with director Chris Sanders, compose Kris Bowers and the gang from magicalThe Wild Robot.
The sequel is definitely in the works.
Ive seen them, he cries.
Ive been working in Japan and heard about them when I got back, he says.
She was robbed, I tell her.
Her Pansy inHard Truthswas more than worthy of an Academy Award nomination.
She smiles graciously and says, I tell my children that this was meant to be.
Theres a reason for everything.
As I depart, I salute Mikey Madison whos the beating heart of Sean BakersAnora.
The Best Actress list is the most competitive Ive seen in years.
Then it will be over, they sigh.
Yeah, but then on March 3, the next awards season begins all over again.
