Character actors have always been cinema's lifeblood, flowing effortlessly from the background to the forefront, reminding everyone that the world isn't stocked with leading men and ladies, and that reality actually has a face. Actor Mark Rydell presents Drago Sumonja , director of the documentary Char·ac·ter, in discussion with actors Dabney Coleman and Harry Dean Stanton. Leave your life-sized Jerry Caesar cardboard cutouts and Repo Man DVDs at home; they're only signing copies of the DVD.  That's really the only disappointment you'll suffer tonight, because even though the character actor is seemingly everywhere, this is an extraordinarily rare chance to see the great ones discuss what it's like to simultaneously support the show and steal it.  Other highlights of the DVD include Sydney Pollack's last interview, what's likely Peter Falk's last lucid interview, and conversations with wearied, endlessly put-upon funnyman Charles “Take Off the Wig, Let It Shine!” Grodin. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Fri., Dec. 17, 7 p.m.; free. (310) 659-3110, booksoup.com. –David Cotner

Fri., Dec. 17, 7 p.m., 2010

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