Hey folks, Harry here with the beginning of another run on the Toronto International Film Festival. Back again this year to treat us to his brief tidbits on the films he's seen is Shogo. THE HUMAN STAIN sounds good, CYPHER is pretty good, but nothing super exciting this time out... ZATOICHI is coming today at Toronto... dying to hear....
So I'm back for another year. Different flavor than other years. More security more pass checking. Here are the first two days of stuff I saw. I hope you enjoy it.
Film Fest Day1
LES INVASIONS BARBARES
The first film is called .'Les Invasions Barbares'. It came second place at Cannes.
It is the story of how a father reunites with his son, ex-wife, mistresses and friends when his cancer becomes fatal. This film near the end becoees a lot like French version of the Big Chill. Good performances from Stephane Rousseau as the estranged son, and Remy Girard as the father. This movie is very touching and allows the viewer to follow Remy's final days including his sad death. The direction is very good with many scenes playing out as if we were watching through a window or a fly on the wall. Denys Arcand who is a well known Canadian director gets great performances from his cast. Of note as well French-Canadian singer Mitsou makes her film debut in this film.
7/10
BON VOYAGE
The second film was Bon Voyage. Set during the second world war, is the story of how a man learns the hard lessons of love. When Frederic was younger he fell in love with his neighbour but they failed to really hit it off. Flash forward to Paris years later. They meet again and tries to use him to leave the country. At the same time, he meets a pretty scienctist who is trng to leave Paris with the last supply of heavy water. He is then troubled because he wants to help both women. As the war begins, he is forced to flee the country and is forced to choose between the two women.
Great preformances by the leads; Grégori Derangère as Frederic, Isabelle Adjani as his life-long love and neighbour, and lastly Virginie Ledoyen as the scientist he assists. Jean-Paul Rappeneau's direction is not only stylish but elegant as well. He ability to make you want to find out what happens to his characters.
7/10
Film Fest Day 2
MATCHSTICK MEN
Matchstick Men is about how someone can change after meeting someone. Roy (Cage) is a con man who has OCD. After not being able to talk about his ex-wife or former life for many his new doctor convinces him he should meet them. Though his wife refuses he meets his estranged daughter who teaches him to relax. Roy in turn teachs her to grift. His partner Frank (Sam Rockwell) who eventually grifts Roy because he finally see Roy as the "big score"
This film is well directed and acted a bit more studio friendly than his last one. Blackhawk Down. Matchstick Men is witty and well written. Though this is Scott's first comedic effort, he shows that he can master most forms of film. Cage is quite good as a grifter with OCD which is the focus of this film's comedy.
8/10
CYPHER
Cypher is set in the future. It tells the story of how .a man's life changes when he goes from office guy to corporate spy. After many twists he discovers his entire carreer was planned from the start by the company he worked for.
Good direction and story. It's a little convoluted because the plot is very twisted but not very developed.. Acting was good. Liu was average not much character growth. Jeremy Northam was good as Morgan Sullivan. He brings depth to his character and shows many different facets as the film progresses. It is done by the same director as Cube.
HUMAN STAIN
Human Stain is new Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins film. It is the story of the perspective of a man changes once he reaches a certain age and how he copes with the decisions he made in his life. Told bot through flashbacks and narrative we learn of how this college professor got his start and how he had to hide his colour. We also follow the relationship he has with a woman he meets a post office (Nicole Kidman).
Great preformances from Hopkins and Kidman both nomination worthy. Direction is solid and well thought out. The film has a nice feel to it and is not too slow or too fast. It is posed to be a favorite at this year's fest based on word of mouth outside the theatre.
TESSERACT
The last film I saw was Tesseract. It is the story,. told from different perspectives, of a drug deal gone wrong. We follow the drug mule who is in a bad hotel waiting for the drugs to arrive with the reward of his passport. Then there is the doctor who is studying dreams of children who accidently gets involved because of a boy who gives her the drugs as gift. We also follow the story from the drug lords side and the woman he hires to get his 'gear' after it is lost.
This film is layered and must be watched carefully. It has some good performances by the leads including Jonathan Rhys Meyers who plays the English drug mule. The direction is not only stylish but fast paced. The story tends to be pushed along not only by good writing but even better editing.
7/10
