Hey Folks Harry here... Cheesy Bites reports in with a ton of looks at a big ol selection of films he's seen up in Toronto Thus Far... He focuses on BUFFALO SOLDIERS and PROZAC NATION as it seems those were the films that illicited the largest response from him. Which is great... and it is nice to get word in quickly on the others... Enjoy...
greetings head geek
Day 3 of Toronto has just come to a close, and I am submitting my first report.
I feel kinda bad that I don't have the time or the energy to submit huge reviews, particularly because the bulk of the films that I've seen deserve major consideration. But in terms of conveying the initial reaction, the screening 'buzz', and my own two cents, here goes, in no particular order
BUFFALO SOLDIERS is the new film from director Gregor Jordan. The film doesn't currently have a U.S. distributor, and I think that's one of the reasons that there hasn't been much anticipation - at least from the industry. That's about to change. The film is TERRIFIC. It's kind of like a cross between THREE KINGS, FIGHT CLUB, and one of those movies that have at their core a classic conflict between two guys who just can't let the other get the upper hand, for no particular reason other than machismo. The film confirms several things:
- Joaquin Phoenix is a sensational actor. This is his best performance. His character, a U.S. solider stationed in Germany in the late 80's, and determined to screw the system to maximise his own personal wealth and pleasure, is for all intents and purposes a completely sick fucker - an antihero if there ever was one. But he has such balls, you just fuckin love him.
- Gregor Jordan (whose first film TWO HANDS was a breakout hit in Oz but didn't do much elsewhere) is a major talent. Watch the U.S. studios come a runnin'.
- Ed Harris is a dude. It's great to see him take a role with less show than normal, but demonstrates that he's actually a fantastic comedian. I loved that his character was such a pussy.
- Scott Glenn has been completely underutilised in the last decade. In this film, as Phoenix's nemesis - he just tears up the screen. The film completely made me forgive him for the excruciating VERTICAL LIMIT. Writers, directors, studios: Give the Man something to do! BUFFALO SOLDIERS shows you what he's capable of.
I don't really want to say too much about the plot other than I don't think the U.S. Army is going to be particularly happy... there's also a fair degree of drug use, and nihilistic carnage that will make all those critics who didn't get FIGHT CLUB wet their pants all over again. But I think the film has potential to kick some serious butt at the U.S. box office if it's handled right. Unfortunately, that would be best done by someone like Miramax - five years ago. I worry that they don't have the balls anymore. AICN'ers are going to love BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Trust me.
PROZAC NATION
This evening I also went to the 'first ever' screening of PROZAC NATION. The director, Erik Skjoldbjoerg, introduced it (alongside stars Christina Ricci, Michelle Williams and Jason Biggs) and said that it was almost finished.
Well, personally I hope that it's only 85% finished because the film is a potentially great one. Ricci blows you away as Elizabeth Wurtzel, and Jessica Lange is sensational - as always - as her mom. The film will be compared to Girl Interrupted, in that it's a study of a young woman's meltdown, but unfortunately it's nowhere near as well crafted - even if the performances are arguably better. For the most part I was really compelled by the film, but it ended VERY haphazardly - there must be another 10 minutes on the floor somewhere. I was also bothered that the soundtrack seemed to be almost exclusively Moby tracks (I recognised music from Heat, and the one that was used in the Requiem for a Dream trailer.. I mean, people, we've heard enough of PLAY already!). I hope it was temp tracked.
What was so fantastic about the film and Ricci's performance was that it wasn't a vanity piece. The character says and does some seriously fucked up things, and I loved that she was allowed to be so vain and insensitive. Supporting performances are fine. Best of them is Williams. Anne Heche was also kind of creepy (can you believe HER as a psychiatrist!!!??? Nurse!)
As it stands now, I think that Ricci and Lange will be serious Oscar bait. You can't ignore their powerful performances. I just hope that the ending, which came across as rushed and too pat - will be reworked. Until that point, I felt like I'd seen a really important and thought provoking depiction of depression.
Other films viewed, in three sentences or less:
TAPE
For a film shot on video, and set in one room, I was entertained. Uma, Ethan and Robert (Sean Leonard) are fine. Pretty forgettable though.
LAST WEDDING
A Canadian 'Happiness' - without the semen, and much of the humour. No one outside of Canada will care.
TRAINING DAY
Best ever performance from Ethan Hawke. Denzel is a badass, and just fine. Kind of exploitative, but superbly directed, and likely to be a pretty solid earner for WB
HEARTS IN ATLANTIS
Scott Hicks is getting dangerously close to drowning in pap. If I was William Goldman, I'd take a long hard look in the mirror come Xmas before I start slagging off all the other films released this year as he tends to do. This is awful, sticky, gooey sentimentality, though maybe we should blame Stephen King.
IN THE BEDROOM
I was really looking forward to this film, and had heard amazing things, and was a little bit let down. Nice work from Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson and (egads!) Marisa Tomei. For a first film, it's very accomplished, if a bit middle aged... Todd Field is one to watch - clean, pared down style reminded me a bit of James Mangold.
THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS
At last, a Rose Troche film without gay wackiness. Based on a book of stories by A.M Holmes. Very ambitious, very 'American Beauty suburban malaise', and she very, very nearly pulls off a masterwork. Brilliant ensemble work by Jonathan Jackson, Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, a creepy Timothy Olyphant and the wonderful Patricia Clarkson. Jessica somebody is also very very good as the Disaffected Teen. This film has stayed with me.
NOVOCAINE
Sorry - I lasted an hour. And that was mostly because of Laura Dern. She cracks me up.
KISSING JESSICA STEIN
Jewish girl dyke comedy/love story. Sweet. Nice. Funny. Over it. Next please.
WAKING LIFE
A trip, albeit sophomoric (or is that sophomoronic?) Gorgeous to look at, gave me a headache, can't imagine what it would be like on drugs (don't do it, kids!). Seems to be pleasing audiences a whole lot more than critics. I think it's a keeper. No film with an animated Steven Soderbergh can be bad.
That's it for now from me - more news later in the week.
CHEESY BITES.
