By: Henry J. Fromage –
Day 3 of TIFF was perhaps my most jam-packed with high-profile premieres that are sure to get some Oscar attention- read on to find my fave.
409. The Whale
Of all the high-profile films playing TIFF this year, this was the longest line and most full screening I saw. Perhaps that was due to all of the buzz Brendan Fraser’s performance generated out of Venice, or the single available Press Screening, but if there’s a front-runner for some statuary so far this season, it’s gotta be Fraser for Best Actor. Here he plays a man who has very nearly accomplished eating himself to death, as he tries to reconnect with his daughter in what time he has left. This is unlike any Darren Aronofsky joint yet, or maybe his closest since to Requiem for a Dream, and as starts to come to a close you suspect it’s him at his most nihilist, which would be quite the trick. Then he pulls it all together, all of the weight of the past that has been crushing these characters down. Good luck keeping a dry eye- you’ll be the only one to do so in the theater you see it in. Three Beers.
TIFF Special Drinking Game:
Take a Drink: whenever Brendan Fraser eats something
Take a Drink: whenever the pizza delivery man stops by
Take a Drink: whenever we see the picture of Fraser and his boyfriend in happier times
Take a Drink: whenever Sadie Sink does something despicable
Do a Shot: whenever Fraser tries to walk unassisted
410. Devotion
I caught this at Scotiabank’s IMAX screen, which is where they’ve been playing the more overtly commercial offerings for critics, but this one was the only one I saw there that didn’t have a “this wasn’t shot for IMAX” disclaimer before it. Then you see why- if you’ve already seen Top Gun Maverick twice or more and are itching for more high-flying action, well, this one has fighter planes and Glen Sparkman going for it. It also has a true story of a Korean war naval aviator unit and the camaraderie and more important true understanding that develops between the only black fighter pilot most any of the characters have ever seen (played with aplomb by Jonathan Majors) and Sparkman’s by-the-book clean-cut officer. This probably could have used some tightening here and there, but the ending is all the more thrilling and devastating for being true. Three Beers.
TIFF Special Drinking Game:
Take a Drink: whenever somebody says or does something racist
Take a Drink: whenever the intimidating features of the new Corsair are mentioned
Take a Drink: whenever a plane takes off or lands
Do a Shot: whenever a plane crashes
411. Empire of Light
It’s perhaps too bad that Sam Mendes debuted his own autobiographically inspired story of growing up in love with the movies the same festival that Steven Spielberg. It’s hard not to compare the two, and this one perhaps suffers for it by clearly being a bit more distanced from lived experience. That’s not to say the performances aren’t all great- they are, truly- nor that the film doesn’t have a heart nor that it’s in the right place- affirmative to all of that. It’s just a bit emptier than it should be- an old-fashioned Oscar bait kind of film even though I have no doubt that’s not the intent. Also, the fact that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross did this at least initially schmaltzy score is one of the biggest mind-blowers of the festival. Three Beers.
TIFF Special Drinking Game:
Take a Drink: whenever a film is started
Take a Drink: whenever recent racial events are referenced
Take a Drink: whenever Colin Firth is an asshole
Do a Shot: whenever someone arches an eyebrow at Stephen and Hilary’s relationship
412. Decision to Leave
Last night I found myself in front of all-time great director Park Chan-wook and his interpreter, trying my hardest not to ask something completely stupid or otherwise make a fool of myself. I’ll post the video later and let you judge for yourself, but man, TIFF is magical for a first-timer at least. I’m also happy that I got to see a flick my wife has already seen twice and demands we do so again once it gets States-side. We will, because Park (and co-writer Jeong Seo-kyeong) has delivered again in his least violent (although don’t worry, there’s violence) and least sexualized (yet very sexy without it) film yet, a “mature love story” in his own words that, don’t worry, is plenty twisted. Two Beers.
TIFF Special Drinking Game:
Take a Drink: whenever Hae-jun has trouble sleeping
Take a Drink: whenever Seo Rae does the opposite thing you’d expect of a grieving wife
Take a Drink: whenever Park Chan-wook gives us an entirely unexpected view into a scene
Do a Shot: for every death
413. The Banshees of Inisherin
If you’re a huge In Bruges fan as I am, then I have exactly the news you were hoping for- The Banshees of Inisherin is every bit as good, and perhaps even funnier. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reignite their abrasive chemistry, but somewhat switching roles with Gleeson playing the moody catalyst and Farrell the one who just wants things to go back to sweet, mundane normality. Kerry Condon is superb as well (as is Barry Keoghan playing basically the village idiot with possibly even his own hidden depths), but the real draw here is the script, which is so packed full with witticisms and wisdom that a second viewing is practically demanded. A Toast.
TIFF Special Drinking Game:
Take a Drink: whenever you see the donkey in the house
Take a Drink: whenever anyone has a pint
Take a Drink: whenever the old lady/basically Shakespearean witch shows up
Do a Shot: whenever you hear cannon-fire
