Every September, as the summer movie
season comes to a close, all eyes of the cinema loving community turn their
attention to the film festivals that start off awards season. One of the most eagerly
anticipated is the Toronto International Film Festival. For Oscar lovers, in
particular, it can be a very significant indication of what the voters of the
Academy Awards might go for. As usual, there was a lot of hype, with plenty of
disappointments, unexpected hits, and split decisions.
Today, I’ll be talking about my seven most
anticipated movies coming from the festival, and my reasons for why. Think of
this as an updated version of my most anticipated movies of the year post.
Cloud Atlas:
The latest from Tom Tykwer and the
Wachowskis seems to be the Never Let Me Go of Sci-Fi. The mightily ambitious
adaptation of the 2004 novel divided audience opinions. The film features an
all star cast (including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, and Hugo
Weaving among others) as multiple characters in separate timelines and
universes, all interconnected in some way. Critics who liked it found it a
profound and fascinating experience, with Roger Ebert making comparisons to
Kubrick’s 2001. Those who disliked it thought that it was brought down by the
screenplay, thinking it a mess. Still, the editing, visual effects, and makeup
(with some actors looking completely unrecognizable in certain timelines) were
lauded.
The Master:
I wouldn’t even need critical reception
and buzz to get excited for this movie. The Master is Paul Thomas Anderson’s
hotly anticipated follow up to his 2007 classic There Will Be Blood. In the
film, a disturbed World War II Navy veteran (Joaquin Phoenix) teams up with a
man (Philip Seymour Hoffman) in creating a new religion called “The Cause”. The
film is said to mirror the origins of Scientology, and is noted for its tension
and issues of mental illness. It’s also said that Phoenix and Hoffman give
career best performances, which is high praise.
The Place Beyond the Pines:
I never bothered to see Blue Valentine,
but Derek Cianfrance’s latest is sure getting me pumped, especially with all
the great word of mouth. Ryan Gosling plays a motorcycle stunt rider
considering robbing a bank to provide for his child, during which he crosses
paths with a young cop (Bradley Cooper). Sound a little like Drive?
Those who saw it also see that influence, but say that it also recalls legendary crime movies like The Godfather, and that Gosling and Cooper
give strong performances. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until 2013 to see
it, which is when Focus Features intends to release it.
Rust & Bone:
This one carried its way over from my most
anticipated list, and my anticipation for it is even higher now, with reviews
as strong as they were in Cannes. The story is about a killer whale trainer
(Marion Cotillard) who suffers leg injuries, and is aided by a young man
(Matthias Schoenaerts) who lives with his sister. The latest from Jacques
Audiard (director of A Prophet) is said to be a gripping, gradual, and genuine
portrayal of love, with fantastic leading performances from Cotillard and
Schoenaerts. Some have even said that Cotillard could win a second Oscar for
the film.
Seven Psychopaths:
Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges is one of the
most underrated movies of the last decade, and even if his follow up, Seven
Psychopaths, isn’t quite as strong, it’s still leaving people in fits of
laughter. Colin Farrell plays a struggling writer, whose best friend (Sam
Rockwell) specializes in ransoming dogs, and his latest target just happens to
be the prized Shih-Tzu of a hostile gangster (Woody Harrelson). The script is
said to be a zany, entertaining, and funny ride, with typically strong
performances from its cast, especially Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson.
Silver Linings Playbook:
The follow up to director David O’Russell’s
The Fighter, and the most unexpected hit from the event, Silver Linings
Playbook was the winner of the People’s Choice Award, previously won by eventual
Best Picture winners The King’s Speech and Slumdog Millionaire. A man (Bradley
Cooper) moves in with his parents after spending time in a mental institution,
and finds a kindred spirit within a girl with her own problems (Jennifer
Lawrence). The movie received unanimous critical approval, with significant
praise going to Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, and especially Jennifer
Lawrence, who was singled out as giving one of the year’s best performances.
Chalk it up as my new most anticipated movie of the year.
To the Wonder:
What else is new for Terrence Malick?
Critical opinions of his latest movie were split right down the middle, even
more so than Cloud Atlas. The closest thing to a story this movie has is
of a man who is getting out of a failed relationship with a European woman, and
reconnects with a woman from his hometown. There’s no doubt that Malick’s
latest looks great, as they always do. But for this particular movie, I’m still
worried. Even though some who liked it called it a worthy companion to The Tree
of Life, others disliked it, noting its meandering narrative and unintentionally
funny dialogue. This makes me wonder if Terry should have spent a couple more
years in the editing room.
Honorable Mentions: Anna Karenina, Frances Ha, Looper.
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