As a cinephile with over two decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that this year’s Toronto International Film Festival lineup is nothing short of spectacular!
This year, the Venice Film Festival escalated its standing, matching Cannes’ long-standing reputation as the ultimate film festival in terms of attracting stars, fueling discussions, and selling high-quality art films. Despite some highly anticipated movies failing to deliver (Todd Phillips’ eccentric follow-up to the 2019 Golden Lion winner “Joker” underperformed, and Kevin Costner’s second installment of “Horizon” went largely ignored), the esteemed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar eventually took home a prestigious festival’s top honor.
In the Rocky Mountains, Telluride has seen a slight decrease in its prestigious glow during awards season. For over a decade, nearly every best picture winner from “Slumdog Millionaire” to “The Shape of Water” was screened there. Last year, Telluride celebrated its 50th anniversary with an extravagant event, so this year’s lineup, which is known for being highly selective, could not help but shine less, particularly in the aftermath of a strike. Although Telluride’s elite festival continues to present quality films, movie analysts might consider traveling across the Atlantic next year instead.
This year, Toronto appears to have rediscovered its spark, as the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has made a remarkable comeback following the pandemic and losing its primary sponsor Bell. Despite these challenges, TIFF has secured notable premieres such as DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot,” Hugh Grant’s unconventional A24 horror film “Heretic,” and Mike Leigh’s critically acclaimed return to form “Hard Truths.” There’s been a strategic change in TIFF’s rules regarding premiere status, which has proven beneficial as festival attendees still consider Toronto the ideal destination for catching the year’s finest films, regardless of whether they are premieres or simply the most buzzworthy titles from earlier in the calendar (like the Palme d’Or winner “Anora” and the Annecy standout “Memoir of a Snail”).
The three festivals are quite rivalrous yet abundantly generous, consistently offering a wealth of options. Here, EbMaster’s reviewers express their preferred picks from the lineups of Venice, Telluride, and Toronto.
April
Festivals: Venice, Toronto
Babygirl
The Brutalist
As a movie enthusiast, if you’re going to watch just one visually stunning, deeply symbolic film this year that revolves around an iconic architect striving to shape the future, then “The Brutalist” is the one for you. This masterpiece from director Brady Corbet spans three hours and 15 minutes, brimming with events and emotions. The narrative follows László Tóth (Adrien Brody), a Hungarian-Jewish architect who embarks on a journey from Budapest to America post World War II. The creative process behind his groundbreaking project draws influence from both “The Fountainhead” and “There Will Be Blood.”>
Conclave
Festivals: Telluride, Toronto
Production Company: Focus Features
In “All Quiet on the Western Front” director Edward Berger’s newest film, Ralph Fiennes delivers a subtle and conflicted portrayal of a Catholic cardinal grappling with devotion and doubt. Fiennes plays the role of overseeing the selection of a new pope in this intellectual thriller reminiscent of a murder mystery within a confined setting, where no one suspects foul play regarding the previous pope’s death. However, “Conclave” keeps you guessing with an unexpected and satisfying twist that will leave you intrigued for years to come.
Familiar Touch
Film Festival: The Venice Film Festival
The Fire Inside
Film Review – “Claressa Shields’ Fight: A Revolution
Happy Holidays
As a movie enthusiast: After the Oscar-nominated “Ajami,” I was eager to see more from Palestinian filmmaker Scandar Copti. His Israel-set second feature, a raw and authentic family drama, is a powerful exploration of societal issues related to gender and ethnicity. The narrative revolves around four members of an Arab family, who appear friendly and harmonious in their shared scenes, but harbor secrets that reflect a culture of silence, shame, social pressure, and widespread prejudice. As their lives and destinies come under intense scrutiny, each character’s story unfolds independently, offering a stark portrayal of their struggles and the challenges they face. — Siddhant Adklakha (paraphrased)
Hard Truths
Festival: The film takes place in Toronto
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Certain individuals have the power to spread joy and optimism throughout their surroundings, making life brighter for those around them. On the other hand, there are those who seem to bring about decay and spoilage wherever they go. In Mike Leigh’s film, Marianne Jean-Baptiste portrays such a character, serving as a stark contrast to Sally Hawkins’ character from “Happy-Go-Lucky.” Her character is decidedly unpleasant, making the audience’s experience somewhat uncomfortable. However, Leigh relies on empathy to reveal these extreme personalities by forcing viewers to walk in their shoes for an extended period of time.
Harvest
Festivals: Venice, Toronto
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
The film “Austenland,” directed by Laura Piani, set in Toronto and distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, presents an argument against the belief that a diet of romantic literature can lead to real-life happiness. The protagonist, Agathe (Camille Rutherford), is a French woman who finds love elusive and works at an English bookstore in Paris. She travels to England for a writer’s residency at Jane Austen’s former home. Here, she engages in debates, but also develops feelings for one of Austen’s distant relatives. This movie is both a tribute and a critique of romantic stories that make love appear effortless. In contrast to films like “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” Piani offers a slightly disillusioned perspective that fits the current mood perfectly. Amidst the shift of most rom-coms to streaming platforms, this bilingual theatrical production feels like a delightful throwback. Peter Debruge’s review captures this sentiment beautifully.
The Order
Festivals: Venice, Toronto
Distributor: Vertical
Experience an intense, fact-based drama that delves into the rise of the modern American white supremacist movement in the 1980s. Jude Law offers a powerful, authentic portrayal as the FBI agent spearheading the investigation against the Order, a white supremacist group led by Bob Matthews (Nicholas Hoult), who seeks immediate armed insurrection. Justin Kurzel’s gripping film mirrors the events of 1983 but serves as a warning about contemporary issues.
The Piano Lesson
Festivals: Telluride, Toronto
Distributor: Netflix
Queer
Festivals – Venice, Toronto
Distributor: A24
Riefenstahl
Festivals: Venice, Telluride
The Room Next Door
Festivals: Venice, Toronto
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Uncommon for a big-screen drama, Pedro Almodóvar’s film bravely confronts death. The narrative revolves around a pair of characters – Martha (Tilda Swinton), battling Stage 3 cervical cancer, and her long-time friend Ingrid (Julianne Moore), who consents to aid Martha in deciding when to take her final breath. Swinton delivers an extraordinary performance, one that resonates with raw emotion and contemplative strength, reminiscent of the soulful acting prowess exhibited by Vanessa Redgrave.
Saturday Night
Festivals: Telluride, Toronto
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Over almost a thousand episodes, “Saturday Night Live” has produced some of America’s most renowned comedians. As we approach the show’s 50th anniversary next year, director Jason Reitman pays tribute by transforming the oral history of the very first episode into an exuberant, delightfully vulgar behind-the-scenes tribute. “Saturday Night” begins at 10 p.m. and progresses towards airtime. Finding the right actors for these well-known characters was always going to be tough, but Reitman and casting director John Papsidera manage it effectively, ensuring that each character reflects their unique energy (even if not their exact appearance). The producer Lorne Michaels (portrayed by Gabriel LaBelle) is the central figure, but Reitman also gives attention to each cast member. He relies on actors who can take these icons and humanize them.
Sketch
Festival: Toronto
Unstoppable
Festival: This film, titled “Toronto”, is being distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.
Distributor: This heartwarming sports drama will tug at your heartstrings, yet it’s subtly infused with genuine sadness and family struggles. It’s inspired by the true story of Anthony Robles, a one-legged college wrestling champion portrayed by Jharrel Jerome. His acting, which is remarkably understated – calm and thoughtful, with eyes brimming with focus – may not immediately impress, but its authenticity becomes evident over time. The character’s missing leg symbolizes his determination to succeed, as he’s prepared to push himself to the limit.
Vermiglio
Festivals: Venice, Toronto
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2024-09-15 16:47