  Actor George Clooney signs autographs before the gala screening of 'Men Who Stare At Goats' during the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 in Toronto. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Evan Agostini) |
TORONTO - The Toronto International Film Festival ended on the weekend after unspooling more than 300 films during a 10-day cinematic marathon. The Canadian Press writers who covered the fest pick some memorable moments.
BEST FILMS:
"Bright Star" - Kiwi director Jane Campion ("The Piano") makes a breathtaking return with this ethereal and earthy story of John Keats's love affair with Fanny Brawne. With sumptuous cinematography by Greig Fraser.
"Capitalism: A Love Story" - Two decades of kicking at the establishment culminates in Michael Moore's most focused work in years. It's nothing short of a rallying cry to dismantle U.S.-style capitalism and replace rampant greed with the democracy that Americans profess to love so dearly.
"The Damned United" - The based-on-a-true-story film of soccer manager Brian Clough's disastrous 44 days with Leeds United crackles with wit and energy and, despite its macho backdrop, proves to be a moving bromance.
"Daybreakers" - This unusual vampire film turns the genre on its head by presenting night-dwellers as the majority of society and humans as the outsiders. Ethan Hawke applies a furrowed brow to his turn as vamp-with-a-conscience, but things thankfully never get too serious and the ensuing mayhem builds toward a fun - and bloody - payoff.
"Defendor" - Not your average superhero tale. It's set in Hamilton, Ont., no less. Woody Harrelson plays a troubled man who believes he's a crime-fighting avenger, and has the black tights and duct-taped letter "D" on his shirt to prove it. His weaponry includes a handful of marbles, some bees in a jar and lime juice, but deftly drawn characters and smart twists reveal a much more nuanced tale than the slapstick premise would suggest.
"An Education" - Newcomer Carey Mulligan sparkles in this stylish tale of a clever London schoolgirl caught under the spell of a mysterious older man (Peter Sarsgaard). With a knockout script from novelist Nick Hornby.
"Good Hair" - In this rollicking documentary, comedian Chris Rock takes a look at the billion-dollar business of African-American hair care. While the film is informative and, yes, very funny, it's also surprisingly tender. Rock began the project after one of his two young daughters innocently asked him why she didn't have "good hair."
"The Joneses" - This satire on consumerism starring Demi Moore and David Duchovny is hugely entertaining, with a clever premise supported by a terrific cast.
"The Trotsky" - Jay Baruchel stars in this coming-of-age tale about an eccentric 17-year-old who believes he's the reincarnation of Bolshevik revolutionary Leon Trotsky. Baruchel's winning performance ignites a snappy script from writer-director Jacob Tierney, who has crafted a winsome love letter to Montreal complete with a humdinger of a soundtrack from local indie standouts Malajube.
"Up in the Air" - "Juno" director Jason Reitman has come of age in this exquisitely crafted black comedy about corporate America. Bolstered by an excellent soundtrack and a startling show of vulnerability by George Clooney.
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BEST PERFORMANCES:
Abbie Cornish - This Australian beauty takes full command of Jane Campion's sharp script in "Bright Star," imbuing Fanny Brawne - outspoken fashion designer and girlfriend of poet John Keats - with a subtle spunk that is shattered at the film's conclusion.
David Duchovny - Is there anyone better at playing the good-hearted charmer than Duchovny? The "Californication" star is a sheer delight to watch in festival gem "The Joneses."
George Clooney - The actor known for an excess of suave shows a softer side in "Up in the Air" that will, no doubt, only make women love him all the more.
Mo'Nique - And the Oscar goes to ... Mo'Nique? Sure, her previous film credits include dubious titles like "Phat Girls" and "Beerfest," but the comedienne/talk show host is electrifying in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," as the abusive mother of an obese teen.
Nicolas Cage - Cage unleashes one of his most ludicrously unhinged performances yet in "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans."
Michael Sheen - His portrayal of soccer manager Brian Clough in "The Damned United" is another winner, following triumphant turns as Tony Blair in "The Queen" and David Frost in "Frost/Nixon."
Robin Wright Penn - Wright Penn is nuanced and restrained as the title character in "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee," based on the book by Rebecca Miller.
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DOWNERS:
Who said movie-going was supposed to be fun? With subjects like incest ("Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"), genital mutilation ("Antichrist") and cataclysmic environmental and societal breakdown ("The Road"), several films at this year's festival left viewers shell-shocked. Viggo Mortensen's survival tale "The Road" features a particularly gruesome scene that rivals those of the "Saw" franchise, while "Precious" - despite some spellbinding performances - is relentlessly depressing in its subject matter.
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GAFFES:
Two reels were inadvertently shown out of sequence at a critics' screening of Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," but the film is so cryptic that some in attendance didn't realize the gaffe. Publicists hastily scheduled another screening, offering reporters a free breakfast to make up for the error. Gilliam, meanwhile, later said the slip-up made him "want to kill."
Another screening snafu occurred at a press showing of Jane Campion's "Bright Star." Just at the movie's heart-stopping climax, as poet John Keats lays dying from tuberculosis, the film suddenly turned upside down and the characters began speaking gibberish. Technicians could not fix the problem, and miffed critics had to see the rest of the film on another day.
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MOST PERSONABLE STARS:
Viggo Mortensen bestowed a reporter with a gift from his native Argentina, Kristin Scott Thomas held a light for a photographer, Robert Duvall urged a reporter to "dig in" to a plate of fruit he ordered, and Michael Moore refused to heed a publicist's demands to end a roundtable discussion until each journalist in attendance had a question asked and answered. Other affable celebs included Ricky Gervais, Werner Herzog, Jason Reitman, Michael Douglas, Aidan Quinn and Jay Baruchel.
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SNACKING STARS:
Kodi Smit-McPhee, the 13-year-old star of "The Road," jokingly requested Scotch and ice cream when a handler asked what he wanted to eat. Montreal native Jay Baruchel noshed on a meal from McDonald's, complete with super-sized soda. And Terry Gilliam mused about the real contents of his bright-yellow vitamin-water drink.
By Canadian Press film festival reporters Victoria Ahearn, Andrea Baillie, Gregory Bonnell, Nick Patch and Cassandra Szklarski.
