Films I'm Most Excited to See at the Toronto Film Festival
1.
The Theory of Everything
(2014)
A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife. (123 mins.)
Director: James Marsh
“ The first time I saw Redmayne was at Toronto in the truly awful Hick. His acting shone out, however, even though his character was a vile, abusive psychotic (or maybe because of it). Here, as Hawking, he looks to have landed the kind of biography role that put Daniel Day-Lewis on the map with My Left Foot. ” - keithsim
2.
While We're Young
(2014)
A middle-aged couple's career and marriage are overturned when a disarming young couple enters their lives. (97 mins.)
Director: Noah Baumbach
“ You could think of writer/director Noah Baumbach as the envious little brother (by a few months) of Wes Anderson. Baumbach hasn't had the success of his older, unrelated pseudo-sibling but he's every bit as good and deserves every bit as much attention.
Take for example, the exuberant, knowing Frances Ha or the wise and sad, The Squid and the Whale.
Yes seems to suffer from some of the same prep-school ideas that suffuse both their works but as he's gotten older his films have abandoned merely clever conceits for deeper resonance.
And, geesh, the guy made Frances Ha. ” - keithsim
Take for example, the exuberant, knowing Frances Ha or the wise and sad, The Squid and the Whale.
Yes seems to suffer from some of the same prep-school ideas that suffuse both their works but as he's gotten older his films have abandoned merely clever conceits for deeper resonance.
And, geesh, the guy made Frances Ha. ” - keithsim
3.
The Riot Club
(2014)
Two first-year students at Oxford University join the infamous Riot Club, where reputations can be made or destroyed over the course of a single evening. (107 mins.)
Director: Lone Scherfig
“ I'm a fan of director Lone Scherfig largely for An Education, which was nominated for three Oscars and which thrust Carey Mulligan onto the world stage. I then missed the much-maligned One Day which came and went without much fanfare but this film, with its talented cast of up-and-coming performers looks like a possible winner. ” - keithsim
4.
Pawn Sacrifice
(2014)
American chess champion Bobby Fischer prepares for a legendary match-up against Russian Boris Spassky. (114 mins.)
Director: Edward Zwick
“ Ed Zwick has had a rough go of it, of late. Love and Other Drugs was pilloried. Defiance barely dented the theatrical window. Here, though, Zwick is working with screenwriter Steven Knight, who has the recent triumph of Locke under his belt. ” - keithsim
5.
The Face of an Angel
(2014)
Both a journalist and a documentary filmmaker chase the story of a murder and its prime suspect. (101 mins.)
Director: Michael Winterbottom
“ I have no choice in this matter. It's from director Michael Winterbottom, the incredibly prolific director who makes the brilliant (too numerous to list) and the well-crafted but awful (THE KILLER INSIDE ME. Italy has treated Winterbottom well (THE TRIP TO ITALY is lovely) but he when he tends to go dark, as this tale, based around the Amanda Knox case, offers up in abundance, he can lose himself as no other otherwise-balanced filmmaker. ” - keithsim
6.
The Cobbler
(2014)
Max Simkin repairs shoes in the same New York shop that has been in his family for generations. Disenchanted with the grind of daily life... (99 mins.)
Director: Thomas McCarthy
“ Director Thomas McCarthy's track record shows a filmmaker who enables performers to shine. Witness the recognition of beloved character actor Richard Jenkins in McCarthy's THE VISITOR or giving Peter Dinklage his first true lead role in THE STATION AGENT. Now some of you might say that Adam Sandler is no Jenkins and no Dinklage. I would say yes, he has been allowed to give in to his laziest routines and excesses, but would counter with PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE. I'm very excited for this film. ” - keithsim
7.
Coming Home
(2014)
Lu and Feng are a devoted couple forced to separate when Lu is arrested and sent to a labor camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. He finally returns home only to find that his beloved wife no longer remembers him. (109 mins.)
Director: Yimou Zhang
“ Zhang Yimou's filmography is full of magnificent films from different genres, including the beautiful study of female envy and politics that was RAISE THE RED LANTERN. He's worked with Gong Li eight times (including LANTERN and co-directorial efforts) so this is not to be missed. ” - keithsim
8.
The Last Five Years
(2014)
Based on the musical, a struggling actress and her novelist lover each illustrate the struggle and deconstruction of their love affair. (94 mins.)
Director: Richard LaGravenese
“ To my chagrin I'm unfamiliar with the stage version this musical is based upon. However, I'm extremely familiar with writer/director Richard LaGravenese and his early work as a screenwriter including his original work, THE FISHER KING and the artful salvage job on THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Plus, even though I've heard she's a bit of a pill, I've only seen the very lovely side of Anna Kendrick ” - keithsim
9.
Men, Women & Children
(2014)
A group of high school teenagers and their parents attempt to navigate the many ways the Internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives. (119 mins.)
Director: Jason Reitman
“ I always get a little itchy when I hear about "themed" films. While promoting the theme the characters become means to an end, which is for you to get the import of the theme. With Reitman's cast here though, and a filmography that includes YOUNG ADULT and UP IN THE AIR I will be at this screening early. ” - keithsim
10.
Mommy
(2014)
A widowed single mother, raising her violent son alone, finds new hope when a mysterious neighbor inserts herself into their household. (139 mins.)
Director: Xavier Dolan
“ Xavier Dolan continues to draw adherents. He finally snagged me with LAURENCE ANYWAYS which had a keen sense of relationships, both in the gathering in and the drawing apart. Added bonus to this film for winning the Jury Prize in Cannes and for having Suzanne Clement, who is heartbreakingly gorgeous in ANYWAYS. ” - keithsim