Hello NEON Community,
I want to make sure I send a big THANK YOU to Dayton937 for allowing me to use their platform for daily postings while at TIFF. It’s a great way to stay in touch with all of you while’s I’m on the road.
My first movie today was a BIG one. It’s a musical set in many cities around the world (produced by France) – but mostly set in Mexico. EMILIA PEREZ, dir Jacques Audiard (France) “Featuring fearless performances from Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and the amazing Karla Sofía Gascón, the latest from director Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone, TIFF ’12) audaciously merges pop opera, narco thriller, and gender affirmation drama.” (taken from TIFF catalog) I didn’t quite know what I was in for, but this musical, gangster melodrama took me for quite a ride. I was a huge fan of RUST AND BONE over a decade ago, so I was intrigued to see what Audiard would do with a musical. It’s big and bold and whirlwind of styles and voices – and it ultimately works in its sometimes frenetic style…and the three leads are really wonderful (Saldaña really shines).
Next on my list was RIFF RAFF, dir Dito Montiel (USA) “With an all-star ensemble that includes Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Coolidge, and Bill Murray, the latest from director Dito Montiel (Man Down, TIFF ’15) is a pitch-black comedy about family, loyalty, and murder.” (taken from TIFF catalog) I 100% know there’s an audience for this film…It’s just not me. Back in college, all of my classmates loved Tarantino. He made a joke out of violence..and it was widely copied and embraced by numerous filmmakers. I wasn’t interested. The screenwriter for RIFF RAFF noted that several years ago, people read his script and told him “people don’t make movies like this anymore”…he then noted that the director fought to get it made and now people are loving it – he said, “it’s like the new old-fashion.” The comedic use of shooting people – seeing their brains splatter on the wall..watching someone get their head bashed in…all surrounded by dialog that’s meant to evoke laughter – it’s all here. It’s just not my thing. (In addition – There’s some really bad idiot dialog in the beginning of the film to set everyone up…and then the use of bad voice overs – so even more reason for me not to like it.) The one aspect of the film I did like? Jennifer Coolidge! From her first entrance on screen to some key moments of droll delivery, she’s gold.
After meeting Jake at the train station, I scurried to my next screening – MISERICORDIA, dir Alain Guiraudie (France, Spain, Portugal) “The latest feature by acclaimed French writer-director Alain Guiraudie (Stranger by the Lake, TIFF ’13) is a deliciously twisted tale of sexual repression in a small town marked by death.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This quirky, sexually repressed, dark and funny tale is set in a very small, pastoral town (it seems to be populated by about 8 people), and it’s a slow burn. With unsettling occurrences throughout, this story is a quiet treat. The director was sadly not in attendance because the film is currently getting a release in France – and he had obligations to make appearances at many of those screenings.
My last film of the night was one I was excited to see – BABYGIRL, dir Halina Reijn (USA) “Nicole Kidman is captivating as a high-powered executive who risks everything when she starts a sexual relationship with an intern (Harris Dickinson) in this thrilling erotic drama from writer-director Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies).” Sadly, I found this one to be a disappointment. The audience was laughing and gasping at every turn…but I found myself quite often rolling my eyes and shaking my head. Though Kidman’s performance is very good, I questioned a lot of the material and thought if felt repetitive. It’s being billed as an erotic thriller, but I found very little thrilling or fresh material here.
Only three days of movies left!
Thanks for checking in,
Jonathan
