Toronto International Film Festival '05 : Day 5

Generally a day of ups and downs, but I saw probably one of my favorite films of the festival so far - Winter Passing.

A little bad planning had me running all over the place and I think I should have taken just a bit extra time with the schedule. That's what next year is for I guess :) I'm also very tired by now - it's a surprisingly grueling schedule and I haven't worked out all the "feeding and sleeping" kinks yet.

Winter Passing

Paramount 2

5/5 Best so far

This is where my lack of writing will really come through. I just thought this was a sad/funny/deep story with rich characters and a eloquent "go home dredge up the past again" story. First - Zooey Deschanel, wow she was great in this role as a young actress with the usually f*cked up past. Her character really grows through the film. I was also surprised to find out she co-wrote many of the songs in the movie. Ed Harris was also excellent, having just seen A History of Violence it was a pleasure to see quite a different role for him. He plays the brilliant author/father/recluse, who with the help of Zooey can come to terms with his past and the loss of his wife. Will Farrell - Oh Will Farrell! Who knew that Will was possibly even more funny when he's playing a low-key failed christian rocker! His humour just adds so many bright spots to what could otherwise have been a very depressing film.

I would go to see this again in a heartbeat. It's up there with Lost in Translation, Garden State, and last years' In my Father's Den

Revolver

Ryerson

3.5/5 Unfinished?

A lot of films at the festival (a lot! okay a few) seem to be works-in-progress, and although he didn't specifically say so I really got the feeling that was the case here. This mainly comes from the abrupt and creditless ending - always a sign. Other then that it's a very Guy Ritchie movie - I can't say I liked it more than Snatch, but it was a fun time. He described it as "A Chess Game within a Chess Game within a Chess Game" and added, "I hope you enjoy the intellectual shenanigans I have prepared for you.". Unless I'm seriously missing something in the ending (always possible!) I didn't think it was that much of a mix-up. There were the usually revelations peppered throughout the 3rd act which tie everything together.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

Ryerson

3/5 No more animation

I'm sure I'll be the only one, but I really didn't click with Corpse Bride. In fact I dozed off once or twice. I was just so predictable - maybe because of the overzealous advertising campaign (!). I mean of course it's beautiful to look at, but that only goes so far. I actually swore I saw some bad stop-motion movements a few times, walking looking very awkward and not just in that "I'm dead" kind of way. Yes I also was just not down with the musical numbers, didn't like them much at all. Really this is a 2/5 from me but Burton gets an extra star just because.

A Perfect Day

Paramount 4

3/5 Average

I didn't take any notes on this one, so I don't have much to say. I found we spent way too much time on the son and his obsessive relationship with his ex-girlfriend (to what effect?) and not enough time with the mother. I guess the point is that people react differently to the loss of loved ones. After years of hoping the "Missing" father would return Mother and Son finally move on, both in their own way.

7 Virgins

Paramount 4

3.5/5 Coming of Age

7 Virgins is a coming of age story set in Seville. Tano has a weekend off for his brothers wedding from the juvenile reformatory and hooks up with his best friend, and girlfriend. Time away has changed both Tano and close friends. Tano wants to make a life, move on from the petty thuggery and gang violence that got him where he was. The performances were very good and although you know a movie like this probably isn't going to end well (Cinema seems to be very unforgiving of individuals seeking redemption these days) it's still a shocker. Given that many of the non-main actors were cast from local youth and not regular actors, the performances stand out even more.

Posted at 08:30 AM to Film By: John Fairley