Hey folks, Harry here with Shogo back to scoop more films at another Toronto... Again from Day One it looks like the winners were THE GOOD THIEF and ARARAT... Both of which are no-brainers given their filmmaker daddys... Neil Jordan and Atom Egoyan... Can't go too wrong with either of them... Ahhh, think I'll go put on THE BUTCHER BOY and smile for a few hours! I love being a bad bastard...
Yes I'm back again for another year. So for the third year here goes..call me Shogo...
Greeting again for another year at the Toronto International Film Festival. This being day one I saw three films. Japan, The Good Thief and Ararat.
JAPAN
The first film was Japan. It was directed and written by Carlos Reygadas. This was his first feature and it won “Best Cinema” at Cannes. The movie tells the story of a man traveling in the Mexican country-side. We follow his journey through the scenic mountains and valleys as he tries to reach an isolated town. The man in fact is traveling to this town to kill himself but along he befriends an old woman which he is staying with.
Japan is one of those films that tries so hard to look good but fails in the plot department. This 123 minute film felt double that with long drawn out visuals and scenes that seem to go nowhere. Carlos Reygadas Barquin who also is the lead in this film is quite deadpan most of the time through the film. Magdalena Flores gives a quite similar performance as the woman who the traveler stays with. If it were not for the striking visuals of the countryside this film would be a total failure.
5 out of 10
ARARAT
Next was Ararat the newest film from Canadian Atom Egoyan. Egoyan's previous works have garnered many Canadian awards and the quality of his films are comparable to many of the great American filmmakers.
This film tells the story of how a film is being made about the genocide of Armenians by the Turks. The director of the film hires a historical consultant to insure it is accurate. The consultant's son though hasn't come to grips with his heritage. As the consultant struggles to bring the story to light, the son learns about his background by traveling to Armenia.
Ararat is a multi-layered film that requires a lot of thought afterward to fully appreciate it. From its realistic scenes of genocide to the journey of a man to discover heritage, Ararat is a well crafted film. Egoyan who also wrote this film shows the many sides of the characters and made them three dimensional. The cinematography in this film is well done and the performances of the all the leads are great. This film is sure to be a fan favorite this year.
8 out of 10
THE GOOD THIEF
Finally, The Good Thief , the latest from Neil Jordon best known for his work on the Crying Game returns with an interesting take on the heist film.
Bob Montagne is an American living in France. He is a drug user and a gambler. When he is given the opportunity to make the big score he gathers his crew and plans. Bob is the type of person who always thinks angle and accounts for it. Trailing him, is a French police office who has arrested him in the past and is looking to put him away for good. With the help of friends and people he hires they attempt to steal paintings from a French casino.
This film reminds is not unlike last year's Ocean's 11 and Heist. It has elements of misdirection, scams and quick camera cuts like in Ocean's 11. But unlike it the film has witty dialogue and Nick Nolte in the lead role. Nolte is great as the burnt out drug user who has a heart of gold. With the except of a cameo by a famous British actor the rest of the cast are basically known in French cinema. The Good Thief has a good look and feel and keeps you guessing until the end. Paris which is getting used more and more as a backdrop is both interestingly shot and well shown.
8 out of 10
