The 2015 Toronto International Film Festival begins this week, and like every year, it’s jam-packed with films that look like they could be terrific. Even setting aside that it almost always plays host to the year’s Best Picture winner (last year’s victory forBirdmanwas more the exception than the rule), the programmers always find terrific variety in their selections, and this year looks like another strong group of selections. There are biopics, character dramas, and even some sci-fi and animation in the bunch. And these are just some of the films that look captivating on first glance; we don’t know if there’s a breakout film on the horizon.
While I’ll be getting to as many films as I can (about 3-4 per day), these are (in no particular order) the 15 that I absolutely must see while I’m at TIFF.
Hitchcock/Truffaut
Official Description:
In 1962, two of the greatest minds in cinema sat down for an intimate and expansive conversation. Based on the original recordings of this meeting — used to produce the influential book Hitchcock/Truffaut — this film illustrates the greatest cinema lesson of all time and plummets us into the world of the creator of Psycho, The Birds, and Vertigo. David Fincher, Richard Linklater, Martin Scorsese and other legendary filmmakers add to the discussion of Hitchcock’s enduring legacy and influence on cinema.
Why It’s a Must-See:I’m a sucker for documentaries about filmmaking and filmmakers, and this one provides legends talking about and interviewing legends. Hitchcock/Truffaut is already a must-own book among cinephiles, and I’m eager to see how directorKent Jones(A Letter to Elia) has adapted and brought in other master directors like Fincher, Linklater, and Scorsese. It’s one thing to read about Hitchcock’s work and get thoughts from the filmmaker himself, but Jones' documentary has the opportunity to incorporate clips and provide a deeper education about the legend’s filmography.
The true story of the rise and fall of London’s most notorious gangsters, brothers Reggie and Ron Kray, both portrayed by Tom Hardy in an amazing double performance.LEGENDis a classic crime thriller that takes audiences into the secret history of the 1960s and the extraordinary events that secured the infamy of the Kray twins.
Why It’s a Must-See: Tom Hardyis one of the best actors working today, and Legend is two Hardys for the price of one. While I have mixed feelings about directorBrian Helgeland, the true story of the Kray Brothers, and putting Hardy in both roles, is too good to pass up, especially when the supporting cast includesPaul Bettany,Emily Browning,Taron Egerton,Christopher Eccleston, andDavid Thewlis. Additionally, London-set 1960s crime dramas isn’t a sub-genre we normally see, so this should be, at the very least, a nice change of pace.
The Martian
During a manned mission to Mars, astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott,The Martianfeatures a star-studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
Why It’s a Must-See:Even though at times the book reads like a word problem turned into a novel, I tore through it in less than a week, and I can easily see how it could be a terrific film. If directorRidley Scottcan keep his eye on the ball and find the drama in problem solving, he could have the success toApollo 13—a scientifically minded dramatic thriller that boasts an amazing cast giving top-notch performances. The cast is in place; the question is which Ridley Scott will show up: the one who can create classic films or the one who churned out dummy scientists like the ones inPrometheus.
A man struggles with his inability to connect with other people. Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan and David Thewlis.
Why It’s a Must-See:I can’t believe it’s been seven years sinceCharlie Kaufman’s last directorial effort (the mind-bendingSynecdoche, New York) but he’s finally returned with the help of co-directorDuke Johnsonand a successful Kickstarter campaign. I’m already a big fan of stop-motion animation, and I think the format should serve Kaufman’s brand of loopy, cerebral storytelling well. Hopefully, it’s slightly easier to follow thanSynedoche, but even if it’s not, it will likely be worth watching nonetheless.
Beasts of No Nation
Based on the highly acclaimed novel, director Cary Fukunaga’sBeasts of No Nationbrings to life the gripping tale of Agu (newcomer Abraham Attah), a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country. Idris Elba dominates the screen in the role of Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war.
Why It’s a Must-See:This could be a huge turning point for directorCary Fukunaga, starIdris Elba, and distributor Netflix. For Fukunaga, this is his follow-up toTrue Detective, a show that clearly suffered without his input. For Elba, the acclaimed actor is finally going front-and-center in a serious drama that could easily bring him awards attention. For Netflix, it’s a test to see if they can succeed as a theatrical distributor, or if people will stay home and watch this one (or if they’ll watch it all). Personally, nothing replicates the audience experience, and I’m glad I’ll get to see this one with a crowd.
Black Mass
In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly persuades Irish-American gangster Jimmy Bulger to act as an informant for the FBI to eliminate their common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement while becoming one of the most ruthless and dangerous gangsters in Boston history. Starring Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons, Kevin Bacon, Dakota Johnson, Julianne Nicholson, Corey Stoll and Peter Sarsgaard.
Why It’s a Must-See:Could it be? CouldJohnny Deppgive a real performance again? That’s the big question that’s been swirling around the film since its terrific teaser trailer. We’ve written off Depp for so long that it’s astounding to think that his turn as notorious gangster Whitey Bulger could grab audiences in a positive away as opposed to him either vanishing under makeup or malaise. He’s also got an outstanding supporting cast, so hopefully this will be a strong film all around.
The Danish Girl
The Danish Girlis the remarkable love story inspired by the lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (portrayed by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander), directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech,Les Misérables). Lili and Gerda’s marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili’s groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.
Why It’s a Must-See:This is a must-see not necessarily because I’m excited about it, but because it already feels like a lock for a Best Picture nomination because it has all the right pieces in play. There’s Oscar-winning directorTom Hooper, Oscar-winning actorEddie Redmayne, co-starAlicia Vikanderwho’s having a breakthrough year, and the subject matter—transsexuality—is incredibly topical right now. However, there’s a big difference between being a genuinely good film and just checking off boxes. HopefullyThe Danish Girlis the former.
Told through the eyes of five-year-old-Jack,Roomis a thrilling and emotional tale that celebrates the resilience and power of the human spirit. To Jack, the Room is the world… it’s where he was born, where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. But while it’s home to Jack, to Ma it’s a prison. Through her fierce love for her son, Ma has managed to create a childhood for him in their 10-by-10-foot space. But as Jack’s curiosity is building alongside Ma’s own desperation — she knows that Room cannot contain either indefinitely. Starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, Sean Bridgers and William H. Macy.
Why It’s a Must-See:Aside from the film picking up positive buzz at Telluride (here are Brian’s thoughts) this past weekend, I was a big fan of directorLenny Abrahamson’s previous film,Frank. More than that, this looks like a big showcase for starBrie Larson, who was totally snubbed for her outstanding turn inShort Term 12, and according to those who saw it at Telluride, she’s delivered another great performance inRoomalong with newcomerJacob Tremblay.
In the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite government task force official (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past (Benicio Del Toro), the team sets out on a clandestine journey that forces Kate to question everything that she believes.
Why It’s a Must-See:I still haven’t been blown away by aDenis Villeneuvemovie, but I feel like it’s only a matter of time, and that time may come with his drug-trafficking thrillerSicario. Throw in legendary cinematographerRoger Deakinsand a powerhouse lead trio ofEmily Blunt,Benicio Del Toro, andJosh Brolin, and I’m hoping that this will be the film where Villeneuve finally hits it out of the park.
Spotlighttells the true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winningBoston Globeinvestigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Stanley Tucci, Brian d’Arcy James and Billy Crudup.
Why It’s a Must-See:Because writer-directorTom McCarthydidThe Station Agent,The Visitor, andWin Win, we’re going to do him a solid and forget that he was also behind last year’s wildly derided Adam Sander vehicleThe Cobbler, and instead pretend thatSpotlightis the filmmaker’s new movie. It’s got an outstanding premise—the true story to uncover sex abuse in the Catholic Church—along with (and you may be sensing a trend) a top-notch cast. The movie pulling in positive buzz after Venice and Telluride doesn’t hurt either.
