Festival - Day 7- 2009

Posted on: 17 September 2009 by Thom Ernst

We're passed the half-way mark. The press and industry people are starting to thin out. I, on the other hand, on a steady diet of popcorn, coffee and no exercise, am not.

My first screening begins at 9:30, I arrive at 9:35. Not only do I get in, I get a good seat. A few days ago that would never have happened.

The movie is THE DOUBLE HOUR, an Italian thriller with more plot twists than a entire season of "Lost." It comes to TIFF on the tail of an excellent run at the Venice film festival where it was nominated for a Golden Lion and the lead actress, Kseniya Rappoport won a Grand Jury Prize.

I later caught Todd Solondz film LIFE DURING WARTIME, and no, the film does not feature the Talking Head song, but that's a short lived disappointment. Solondz film is every bit as good as STORYTELLING, PALINDROMES, or HAPPINESS (the latter which WARTIME is thought to be the follow-up to). I think a Solondz double feature on SNAM would be an idea. But let's get Solondz first...and then there's the small problem of which film of his could play at 8.

I wrapped up my day with a final film POLICE, ADJECTIVE which came highly recommended by Toronto critic Adam Nayman (who will appear on SNAM when we premiere the Korean film, THE HOST). Alex (Huls) joined me for the film and I have to say it was nice to actually see a movie with someone for a change.

I wasn't enthusiastic with the film as Nayman was (Nayman suggested it was far and beyond the best movie as the festival). POLICE, ADJECTIVE is a very slow burn. But once it catches (which is well beyond the half-way mark) it works - and works very well. Still, it's one of those cocktail elite films that you'll likely be able to hold a conversation with in Cinematheque line ups.

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