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TIFF 2015 Day #9 – My Final Day!

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Youth-poster-newHello Everyone,

Today was my last day of screenings, and even though I feel like I’ve been away for months, I’m actually a little sad to be packing my bags.  There are several films I didn’t get a chance to see, and every year I think I’m going to take part more in the industry activities (indiewire talks, a variety of lectures, etc.) – but I don’t.  I just end up cramming in movies.

First off today, I saw STONEWALL, directed by Roland Emmerich.  This film was lambasted before anyone saw it.  Criticism soared across the web based only on the trailer, and I must admit that I went into this screening with very low expectations…and I was pleasantly surprised.  Though not a masterpiece by a long shot, it’s better than I anticipated.  The story of the actual Stonewall Riots is only a portion of this coming-of-age tale about a young guy kicked out of his home and now living on the streets of NYC with numerous other LGBT youth.  This is a fictional story set in the midst of some recognizable events and characters, and despite some giggles at some inappropriate moments (due to trite material) it worked emotionally for several people around me in the cinema.

YOUTH is director Paul Sorrentino’s follow-up to his masterpiece THE GREAT BEAUTY.  It’s a lovely film about two long-time friends (Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel) vacationing in the Swiss Alps.  Though not much “happens,” there’s a lot of discussion about life – both present and past, and there is an abundance of cinematic poetry.  The two men are on different paths.  One is finishing a screenplay for what should be his next great film and the other is retired with no intention of returning to his work (even at the request of the Queen of England).  Though perhaps a bit too avant garde for some, I devoured this film and its interesting gaze.

My last film of the festival was THE WITCH, directed by Robert Eggers.  This period thriller/horror film set in 1630’s New England was a smash at Sundance, and I have to admit that I have a secret thing for witches.  From Margaret Hamilton to Angelic Huston, from Shakespeare’s “double double, toil and trouble” to Miller’s trials – I’ve always been fascinated by them. Though stylish and sometime startling, The performances and period details are very well executed, the cinematography is moody and beautifully done, and there are some genuinely haunting moments…but something wasn’t working for me.  Perhaps the score which purposefully misguides us numerous times helped to create a distrust in the storytelling – I’m not entirely sure what was creating the disconnect for me. That said, as much as this film is about a witch, it’s even more about paranoia and distrust and a creepy devotion to the Bible.  During the Q&A, we heard the director talk about all of his research for this film – from court documents and diaries from that era to architectural elements, his knowledge of the subject made me appreciate the film a bit more.  I think this film will certainly find a devoted audience…but I wasn’t 100% sold.

And now it’s time to pack my bags.  I’ve met some great people during this trip – critics that write for international publications, people who curate festivals in other markets and numerous lovers of cinema.  I’ve seen old friends, I’ve had good food, I’ve seen numerous movie stars and famous directors, and I’ve watched 34 movies.  It’s been a blast. Thanks for checking in on me.

I hope to see you soon.  All the best,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #8

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Victoria_(2015_film)_POSTERHello Everyone.

Today was the first day I didn’t have to get up terribly early, and that extra 45 minutes of sleep was much appreciated.

My day started off with a screening of a film that will be on the top of my list – SPOTLIGHT, directed by Tom McCarthy.  This is a newsroom procedural of the Boston Globe uncovering the Catholic Church scandal in 2001.  Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber, this film has a great script, tight editing and at times plays like a thriller.  The material is certainly chilling – especially when one character states that when it comes to priests and pedophilia, it’s not just a few bad apples, it’s  “a recognizable psychiatric phenomenon.”  I think it could go the distance for numerous nominations this season.

VICTORIA, directed by Sebastian Schipper, was next on my list.  This 2+ hour film was done in one long, mobile take. It’s the story of a young woman who gets caught up with a group of guys after leaving a nightclub in Berlin.  She’s romantically interested in one of the guys, but the gang has a mission that night…and she ends up getting tangled up in a bank robbery.  Though the last 40 minutes are quite exhilarating, it takes a long time to get moving.  Because it’s one shot, we would never buy the protagonist’s motivations to join the guys on their heist if we didn’t have time for her to form a connection.  Thus we are forced to watch the set-up of their relationship in what would normally be trimmed down to 15 -20 minutes (instead it takes more than an hour – some of which is rather tedious).  The film is technically incredible and the performances are wonderful too…I just felt it went on too long – but I understand that’s part of the point.

JAMES WHITE, directed by Josh Mond, was my final film of the day.  Cynthia Nixon and Christopher Abbott both give incredible performances in this film about a walking powder keg who is taking care of his sick mother.  Abbott plays James –  a hot-headed, partying slacker with bursts of violence, and the performance is riveting.  The raw feel of the film truly puts us in the heart of New York without ever feeling like a triptych, and there are a couple powerful moments between mother and son which really cemented Josh Mond as a filmmaker to watch.   The director and cast were present for a Q&A, and Nixon was asked about her preparation for the part.  She spoke eloquently of having lost her mother to Cancer during the same year of shooting the film and of losing two close friends to AIDS in the 90’s…and how she was able to draw upon those bedside experiences to prepare for the role.

Only one more day!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #7

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room_posterHello Everyone.

Today was a rough start.  One of the boys at IndieWire threw a little party last night, and I got in very, very late…so getting out of bed at 6:30 was a challenge.  But I made it…and managed to squeeze in a nice nap mid day. So everything worked out fine.

First off, I saw THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, directed by Matthew Brown.  This is a film about an Indian mathematician whose theories revolutionized his field…and the his hardships in having them heard due to racial tensions in England.  The movie stars Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons, and this is certainly Patel’s most subtle and best role since SLUMDOG. Though I found some material a little hokey, it’s ultimately a solid period piece that will be a crowd-pleaser. (There is not yet a trailer for this film.)

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ROOM, directed by L Abrahamson is fantastic.  This is the story of a young woman and her son who are being held captive in a small garden shack.  The little boy turns 5 early in the film, and the “Room,” his mother and the man who visits regularly (their captor) are the only things the boy knows of the world.  Though they have television, he’s been raised to believe that everything there is make-believe.  I had quite a response to this film.  My entire body was trembling during the scene when the boy’s mother created a plan for the boy to escape.  I haven’t had this type of bodily response to a film in a long, long time.  (I’m not going to tell you anything more about the plot.  Just trust me…it’s great.)

I SMILE BACK, directed by Adam Salky, was next on the list.  Sarah Silverman is getting a lot of praise for this brave, raw performance – and it’s well-deserved.  This is the story of a married mother of two who is battling mental illness and substance abuse.  It’s a gritty film, and the story is actually simple.  Though performances are strong across the board, and I think the film is well done, there was something keeping me from really connecting.

My final film of the day was MISS SHARON JONES!, directed by Barbara Kopple.  This documentary is about the legendary singer and her battle with Cancer.  Kopple is one of a handful of directors who had a film premiere at the very first Toronto Film Fest (then known as “The Festival of Festivals”) – the film was HARLAN COUNTY, USA, and it went on to win the Academy Award.  This film is full of great music and Jones’ soaring spirit.  During industry screenings, audience response is quite minimal…this one was followed by a nice round of applause.  (I’ll soon be acquiring some Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings music.)

USA - MUSIC - Sharon Jones

I no longer have to get in line super early, so I get to sleep in until 7:45 tomorrow.   I’m looking forward to that extra sleep.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

 

TIFF 2015 – Day #6

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21165911088_409fa65dab_oHi Again.

Thanks for coming back.  Today, in addition to 4 films and one late night party, I managed to have a window of time that allowed me to have a nice dinner and small shopping spree – so I have now contributed nicely to the Canadian economy.

First thing this morning, I saw THE DRESSMAKER, directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and starring Kate Winslet.  Moorhouse, known for her weepie HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, wasn’t quite sure which tone to give to this most recent novel adaptation…so she went with several.  What starts out as a “Screwball Western” changes genres and mood so many times, it’s difficult to explain.  Winslet, returning home after a long absence, appears as a curvaceous outlaw – her nontraditional weapons are her Singer sewing machine, a great gold swing and her feminine wiles.  Accused of killing a classmate while in grade school, she hasn’t been back to town for years.  Now she’s back to take care of her mother and set things straight.  This Australian film is completely bonkers!  It also stars the awesome Judy Davis and the terribly sexy Liam Hemsworth, and was penned by P.J. Hogan (MURIEL’S WEDDING).  Though I found this film to be an overall disaster, I couldn’t stop watching – the performances are fun and some of the material is quite hysterical.

Next up was a film that many have been quite excited about. WHERE TO INVADE NEXT, directed by Michael Moore isn’t quite what it seems.  There is no trailer yet for this film that critics are dubbing “Michael Moore’s Happy Film,” and if you watch the clip below, even the press was speculating about the subject of the film before it premiered (the young woman in the clip mentions what the film is about…and she’s completely wrong).  In what might seem to be Michael Moore’s most optimistic film, he visits various countries and gives us ideas as to how we could do things better.  From Italy’s vacation policies to school lunches in France to Slovenia’s no tuition for college system, Moore explains that these practices lead to better living conditions, a more productive work force and overall better state of affairs.  This film is a crowd-pleaser.

I then scurried across town for the under-attended MA MA, directed by Julio Medem.  Medem, known for his film LOVERS OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE and SEX AND LUCIA, was in attendance along with the stunning lead actress Penelope Cruz.  This is the story of woman who finds out she has breast Cancer but continues to be a most compassionate, giving/forgiving woman.  Critics have not been terribly kind to this beautifully executed melodrama (but they rarely are with this genre).  Though not without its flaws, I really liked this film. (Unfortunately, I can’t find a trailer with subtitles, but you should watch this one regardless.)

ANOMALISA, directed by Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson, was my final film for the day.  This stop-motion puppet film, written by the much beloved Kaufman (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ADAPTATION, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), is 100% made for adults.  It’s a relatively simple story about a motivational speaker staying overnight at a hotel trying to escape his monotonous life.  There is no trailer for this film – only the Kickstarter campaign below.  The film won the Grand Jury Prize in Venice, and word has it that it is being picked up for distribution.

la-2437344-et-0904-charlie-kaufman-telluride-02-r-20150903

Thanks for reading!  Only a few days left.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #5

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Freeheld-posterHello Again.  Thanks for coming back!

Half way through today marked the half way point of the festival.  And by the end of the day, I had seen 20 films in all…but there’s lots more to go.

My first film of the day was the thriller COLONIA, directed by Florian Gallenberger.  Starring Daniel Bruhl and Emma Watson, this film started out like a conventional political thriller about civil unrest in Chile in 1973.  But then it became an over-the-top cult escape thriller.  This is the story of Colonia Dignidad – a hideous compound in Chile that housed a religious cult and also served as a military torture prison.  Though entirely engaging, I found some of the characters to be of the Disney villain sort – thus making it seem like it couldn’t be based in reality.  That said, the story is based on fact, and seeing the actual photos at the end was a nice pay-off.  There were moments that seemed a little too much HUNGER GAMES driven – so I’m not sure who the intended audience is…serious subject but a little too young adult driven to rise to the top for me.

Next up was FREEHELD, directed by Peter Sollett and starring Julianne Moore and Ellen Page.  This was a film I was looking forward to seeing, and I was a little disappointed at first.  Though the performances are certainly quite good, the film seemed a bit flat at first.  This film is based on the short documentary of the same name.  We played it at the Dayton LGBT Film Fest several years ago, and it went on to win the Academy Award.  It’s the story of Laurel Hester and her attempt to get her police pension left to her domestic partner in New Jersey.  Though perhaps a little “one-note” in this role, it takes Steve Carell to inject some energy into the film.  The original documentary covered the material that picks up in the second half of the film, and that’s where I became most engaged.  This story was groundbreaking in its role to bring marriage equality to New Jersey…and now that marriage equality is nationwide, it serves as an important reminder of why LGBT people have been fighting so hard.

Next up was THE FAMILY FANG, directed by Jason Bateman.  This film is based on a beloved novel, adapted for the screen by David Lindsay-Abbaire (playwright of RABBIT HOLE).  Starring Bateman, Nicole Kidman and Christopher Walken, this is the story of a family who are reunited after an unlikely accident.  The parents are long-time, well-known performance artists who stage very public pieces that often come off as practical jokes.  Though certainly a very touching film, it is also terribly funny. Somewhere between FLIRTING WITH DISASTER and SAVAGES and even a little ROYAL TENENBAUMS (though more for its elements of family dynamics), this film became my biggest surprise for the festival.  I was intrigued enough to go…but was so delighted that I had.  It’s a wonderful film.  Bateman and Walken were there for a Q&A, and it was delightful.  It was clear that Bateman loved having Walken in the role, and he said “Everything Chris did was fantastic.  It was like killin’ babies in the editing room.” This film has yet to be picked up for distribution…but I bet it will be soon.

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I had about half an hour to spare this evening, so I poked into JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE, directed by Amy Berg – it was not my intention to stay for the entire film (and I didn’t).  I was quick to learn that this documentary about Janis Joplin was made for PBS (I believe it will play on American Masters series).  Though intriguing subject material and certain to find a big fan base, this film wasn’t working so well for me on the big screen.  Much of the archival footage was so grainy and distorted via large format projecting…I think it will play much better on televisions.

THE ONES BELOW, directed by David Farr was my last film of the night.  “Eagerly awaiting their first child, a young couple in a tiny London suburb become involved in a psychological battle of wills with the tenants in the apartment downstairs…” (taken from the TIFF program).  Unfortunately, this film also looked like it would play much better on television – but not due to pixilation or grainy footage.  This thriller had some unintended laugh-out-loud moments…and in most other circumstances I would have left after 20 minutes.  But for some reason, I felt compelled to stay and so I could shake me head and roll my eyes at some very strange decisions in what had hoped to be a bit more of a nod to Roman Polanski.  Though there were a couple gripping moments, I ultimately found this film to be the biggest turkey of my TIFF experience so far.

75-2

And now it’s off to bed.  Thanks for checking in.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #4

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brooklynHi Again!

My first film today was TRUMBO, directed by Jay Roach.  For the first few minutes, I had to get over its visual style.  It seemed a little cartoony, and the cinematography seemed more like television than film…but then it took its hold on me with a sharp screenplay and terrific performances.  This is the story of Dalton Trumbo, one of the “Hollywood 10” who was Blacklisted during America’s fear of people affiliated with the Communist Party. The script is terrific, and the story is playful but serious – and Brian Cranston is wonderful in his Big performance (during the Q&A, the director noted that “Trumbo didn’t just talk, he performed.”).  This is a film that had the packed house bursting into applause during certain key moments, and I think it’s a film that would certainly go over well with NEON audiences.  We’ll see what the distributor has in mind (not to mention the crowded marketplace this fall)! (NEON favorite Helen Mirren plays Hedda Hopper – and she chews up the scenery with her wickedly upsetting material.  One other supporting role that stood out was John Goodman’s.  You’ll love him.)

DISORDER, directed by Alice Winocour, was the next film of the day.  Starring Matthias Schoenaerts (a regular face at THE NEON – RUST AND BONE, THE DROP, and FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD…and possibly THE DANISH GIRL this Fall), this is the story of a man with PTSD who is hired to work security for a wealthy family while the husband is away on business.  This psychologic turned invasion thriller is marked with great performances, edge of your seat tension and incredible sound design.

Up next was MAGGIE’S PLAN, directed by Rebecca Miller.  This seemed like new territory for a Rebecca Miller film to me.  It might be in large part to Greta Gerwig’s presence, but it felt more like a Noah Baumbach/Woody Allen comedy.  That said, this love triangle comedy starring Gerwig, Ethan Hawke and Julianne Moore certainly has some wonderful moments (and Julianne Moore steals every scene she’s in as a Danish professor).  The story is about a single woman (Gerwig) who is determined to have a baby and finds herself in a relationship with a married professor.

Maggie's Plan

Lastly, I saw my favorite film of the festival so far – BROOKLYN, directed by John Crowley.  In this lovely 1950’s period film, Saoirse Ronan plays a girls who moves from Ireland to Brooklyn in order to have a better life.  We witness a wonderful transformation from reserved wallflower to a more confident, stunning woman.  With a screenplay by Nick Hornby, this film works on all levels.  The screenplay is great, the performances are wonderful, and the cinematography will make you swoon.  Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson (seen earlier this year in EX MACHINA),  Emory Cohen (who you might recognize from THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES) and director John Crowley were in attendance for an insightful Q&A.

After all my screenings, I met different people at a couple different locations for cocktails.  It was a nice mix of business & pleasure to cap off the day.

More tomorrow.  Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #3

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a5e418c00d1f88a05b2165e602f9f7f0_originalHello Again,

After my successful turn in line this morning, I was off to my first screening – MISS YOU ALREADY, directed by Catherine Hardwicke.  Many people refer to this type of a film as a “chick flick.”  Though there are many films that get this label, there are a handful of these guilty pleasures that I have absolutely adored over the years…and I was hoping to find a new BEACHES today.  Hardwicke takes the story of two best friends since childhood (Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore) and gives it the energy and style of her film THIRTEEN.  There’s lots of crazy camera moves and a series of montages in an attempt to keep it fresh, but I feel that style detracts from this already overlong story.  Though there are certain elements of this film that work (namely Collette), I was mostly disappointed.  However, I was still moved by the ending – so I still had some sort of emotional attachment.

I had only planned on 4 films today, but when I had a window of time, I snuck in another film instead of a nap.  SLEEPING GIANT, by first-time Canadian director Andrew Cividino, is a lakeside summertime coming-of-age story about a teenage boy of privilege and his friendship with two much rougher boys living with their grandmother for the season.  It’s pretty early on in the film that we feel the powder keg sensibility of what’s in store, and the story becomes a little predictable.  But the cadence of the contemporary youthful dialog is just right and the boys’  performances are all strong.   What’s especially lovely about this film is the subtext.  This is one of the stronger films I’ve seen so far…but a hard sell – teen dramas that aren’t really meant for teens are always tricky (even when they’re as wonderful as ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL).

THE LADY IN THE VAN, directed by Nicholas Hytner, was next on my list.  Hytner was in attendance for this film, and the Q&A was fantastic.  Based on the memoir and subsequent play by Alan Bennett, the films stars Maggie Smith (who originated the role in the play in 1999).  As this was the world premiere, it was Hytner’s first time seeing the finished film with an audience, and he had such eloquent things to say.  Maggie Smith is divine, and I must say that it’s smarter, funnier and significantly more touching than the trailer alludes. (Sony Classics has picked this up, so it’s pretty certain it will get a NEON run.)

Then I got to see the North American premiere of THE DANISH GIRL, directed by Tom Hooper (KINGS SPEECH).  This lovely film isn’t without a couple problematic moments, and it will certainly have its LGBT detractors – harping that it’s too “easy.”  That said, I think it works.  With lovely art direction, exquisite costumes and incredible performances across the board, this is a love story about artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (Eddie Redmayne & Alicia Vikander).   Lili, first introduced to us as Einar Wegener, is known to be the first recorded person to receive sexual reassignment surgery in the 1930’s.  Her diaries, posthumously used as the basis for the book MAN INTO WOMAN, remain highly regarded work for the transgender community.  There will certainly be a lot of award season buzz for this film. (In addition to a fantastic Q&A with Tom, Eddie and Alicia, the audience at this screening included many stars from other films at the festival – including Johnny Depp (his wife Amber Heard plays a wonderful role in the film, and she was stunning tonight).)

TE PROMETO ANARQUIA, directed by Julio Hernández Cordón, was my last film for the night.  This gritty film set in Mexico City is about two skateboarder boyfriends and their attempt to make some cash.  It feels a bit like some of Gus Van Sant’s indie work (less GOOD WILL HUNTING and MILK, more PARANOID PARK and ELEPHANT).  There are a lot of scenes where we simply see people traveling through the landscapes of the town with a loud, music-driven soundtrack.  And there a handful of scenes with dudes showing off their machismo – which I understood their intent but felt were some of the weaker moments.  The storytelling was uneven and overly long, and I think some of the plot points were haphazardly executed. About 25 minutes in, I considered leaving…but I’m glad I stuck it out.

I finished up the night with cocktails and catching up with some friends from NYC.  Some high profiles films are on the docket for tomorrow – looking forward to them.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #2

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KillYourFriends2-600x400Hello Again!

Today started off much the way they’ll all start.  I pulled myself out of bed after 4.5 hours sleep and scurried into the industry ticket line.  (Not having to run across town each morning is really fantastic.)

The first film I saw today was from one of Canada’s most beloved filmmakers – Atom Egoyan (THE SWEET HEREAFTER, CHLOE, and many more).  REMEMBER stars Christopher Plummer as a Holocaust survivor with dementia who escapes from his nursing home to seek revenge on the Auschwitz commander who killed his family.  Though a serious and intriguing subject, with moments of great tension, the film sometimes comes off as a bit twee when dealing with Plummer’s age and condition.  There’s a good story here, but I just didn’t completely buy it.  That said, I know many people will love this film.

Next up was IN CONVERSATION WITH JULIANNE MOORE.  Clips from Moore’s career (BOOGIE NIGHTS, BIG LEBOWSKI, FAR FROM HEAVEN, THE HOURS, STILL ALICE, and more) played before she took the stage for a hour-long interview with Cameron Baily (and eventually a handful of audience questions).  As I already knew, this woman is a class act.  It was exciting to hear her insights on acting and her eloquence and command of language is so refreshing.  She mostly spoke of her career in indie films, but she still referenced all the Hollywood material (JURASSIC, HUNGER GAMES, etc) she’s done…and she attributes her years on soap opera for giving her an opportunity to really learn to work.  When asked by a young, college bound actress about seeking a career and having a “plan B” (referencing STILL ALICE), Julianne suggested always getting a college degree (even if it is in acting) and “do everything that interests you.”  I love her! (The Star covered this event.  For their story, visit this LINK…though the link might not work outside of Canada.)

After lunch and a 30 minute nap, I scurried to THE LOBSTER, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.  This is a film set in a parallel universe – but it’s not really science fiction.  It’s the story of a man who goes to a hotel where people go to find partners.  After 45 days, if they haven’t found a partner, they get turned into an animal of their choice (OK, so maybe a hint of science fiction).  This quirky allegory is from the man who brought us DOGTOOTH – one of my favorite challenging films of the past decade.  THE LOBSTER is the director’s first English language film, and though I certainly like some of its themes and some of its moral and societal questions, I felt it was a little more disjointed than I’d prefer.  I felt like the film began to lose steam in its second and third act.  That said, I’d certainly watch it again…so there’s a testament to its strengths.

My last film for the day was KILL YOUR FRIENDS, directed by Owen Harris.  This is a super-polished and scathing look at the music industry – starring Nicholas Hoult and based on a best-selling novel.  The portrait of how things get done for record labels (though I’m sure you could substitute any number of high profile “glamorous” jobs) is relentless, and the drug use, the disregard for women (and in this over-the-top case, even violence) was terribly off-putting.  Now here’s the question.  Will some audiences simply revel in it?  Will the drug use and hookers with bare breasts seem the ultimate goal to some…or will audiences really read it as a cautionary tale?  I’m hoping for the latter. Nicholas Hoult plays the adorable maniac very well, and the movie recalls the tone and message of films like THE PLAYER and AMERICAN PSYCHO.

That’s it for today.  I’m off for a beer with some friends.  Hoping to be in bed by midnightish….we’ll see.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

P.S.  You can quickly look at all my Toronto posts by going to www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff  Thank you!