Toronto continues with tales of royalty and 80-year old Jewish surfers, which exemplify the sheer diversity of this frenetic of film festivals. Documentaries feature in abundance here at Toronto, two of which are worth seeing. Hollywood Chinese is a fascinating look at the depiction of Asian Americans in Hollywood cinema. The film spans the Chinese experience in Hollywood from the turn of last century through to today, and includes interviews as far ranging as Louise Rainer, star of MGM's The Good Earth, to Nancy Kwan, BJ Wong and Ang Lee amongst others.
Film clips abound not only including scenes of many films about Asian society, including of course the likes of The World of Suzie Wong, M. Butterfly, The Joy Luck Club and The Flower Drum Song, but clips of films that inspired those artists. Anyone interested in Hollywood history and the impact of Asian Americans will love this film, which is a simply structured affair, no narration, just wonderfully edited interviews and clips that do remind us of the influence of Asian society within American cinema. Though a theatrical release is unlikely, watch for it on cable or PBS, because docs such as these are a rarity and deserve to be seen.
Surfwise One of the most unique docs would have to be Surfwise, the inspiring and tumultuous story of 85-year old surfer, health advocate and sex guru, Dr. Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, his wife Juliette, and their nine children who were all home-schooled and raised in a small camper on the beach, where they surfed and had to adhere to a strict diet and lifestyle of animals in the wild. 30 years later, Doc is in ill health but we see his [naked] exercise regiment, and what his ultimate influence on his kids has been like.
Beautifully and non-judgmentally directed by Doug Pray, Surfside is a funny, touching and compelling piece about family, discipline, Judaism and the ocean. A film that examines a character that is clearly flawed, he is also one who is complex and truly fascinating. Being a non-fiction film, one can hardly believe what this family went up to 30 years ago and what he got away with, in terms of his kids' education and view of money and capitalism. Surfing is an analogy to a sense of freedom, and at the end of the day, Paskowitz, who is famous both in the surfing world of America but also in Israel, has lessons for us all. This is an endearing and emotionally rich and compelling work that Indie distributor Magnolia will release in the US later this year. It's a find worth checking out.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age Elizabeth: The Golden Age is unquestionably the best film so far at this festival and of the year. In this second, long-awaited chapter I the history of Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth [Cate Blanchett] finds her rule openly challenged by the Spanish King Philip II -- with his powerful army and sea-dominating armada -- determined to restore England to Catholicism. Preparing to go to war to defend her empire, Elizabeth struggles to balance ancient royal duties with an unexpected vulnerability in her love for Sir Walter Raleigh [Clive Owen]. But he remains forbidden for a queen who has sworn body and soul to her country. Unable and unwilling to pursue her love, Elizabeth encourages her favourite lady-in-waiting, Bess, [Abby Cornish] to befriend Raleigh to keep him near. But this strategy forces Elizabeth to observe their growing intimacy.
As she charts her course abroad, her trusted advisor, Sir Francis Walsingham, [Geoffrey Rush] continues his masterful puppetry of Elizabeth's court at home -- and her campaign to solidify absolute power. Through an intricate spy network, Walsingham uncovers an assassination plot that could topple the throne. But as he unmasks traitors that may include Elizabeth's own cousin Mary Stuart, he unknowingly sets England up for destruction. It is easy enough to forgive some of the film's historical inaccuracies, because this is the kind of movie the Brits make, that is spectacular, sumptuous, dramatically compelling and featuring an unforgettable array of rich characters, inspired by their historical counterparts.
Not that Shekhar Kapur's stunning film is a work of fiction by any means. Key historical plot points are much accurate, from Walsinghham's role in the death of Mary Queen of Scots, to the inter-relationships between Elizabeth, Raleigh and Bess. Other plot points are created, such as Raleigh's involvement in the defeat of the Armada, And the reason Spain's Phillip II ultimately attacks, is created for dramatic effect. Historical purists may be mortified, but this is, after all, entertainment, and drama needs to be compelling, and Kapur's new Elizabeth is as compelling and majestic a movie than anything seen in years.
Blanchett, of course, is the heart and soul of this film, and breathes an indomitable life into every pore of Elizabeth Tudor. She is vulnerable, powerful, strong-willed, sensuous and tempestuous. The most extraordinary performance of the year, Blanchett surely will receive the Oscar that she was denied first time around, for she is every bit a Queen. Geoffrey Rush returns in full force as Walsingham, and is so much more brilliant here than he was in the first film, so manipulative and Machiavellian. It's a wonderfully nuanced performance from another great actor.
Relative newcomer, Australian actress Abby Cornish, is seductive, luminous and alluring, delivering a delicate and captivating performance, while Owen's Raleigh, is hypnotic, masculine and unforgettably dynamic. Visually, Golden Age is an arresting, stunning film, beautiful to watch. The Armada sequences are the very best action scenes captured on film this year, and the film's eye for late 16th century detail is staggering. The Golden Age is a true, stunning masterpiece, an epic drama told in under two hours, which proves that strong narrative and well-delineated characters can all unfold within a reasonable running time. One doesn't need to be a lover of history to appreciate this film. With its multi layered script and a toured-force performance by Blanchett, Elizabeth the Golden Age is extraordinary, rich and masterful entertainment, and the best film of the year.
Run, Fat Boy, Run In sheer contrast to Elizabethan politics, is the endearing and hilarious Run Fat Boy Run, which marks the feature directorial debut of David Schwimmer, and what an impressive debut it is. The wonderfully funny Simon Pegg shines as Dennis, a charming but oblivious overweight guy who leaves his fiancée [Thandie Newton] on their wedding day only to discover five years later that he really loves her. To win her back, he must finish a marathon while making her realize that her new handsome, wealthy fiancé is the wrong guy for her [Hank Azaria].
It's interesting that Schwimmer chose, as his first feature, to direct a British romantic comedy, and being an outsider only manages to give a sharp, non-precious view of the world created here. Run Fat Boy Run is wonderfully written by Michael Ian Black, who has created a memorable character in Dennis, a guy who never completes what he starts and now has a major point to prove, both to himself and the girl he lost. Both farcically funny and genuinely moving, but never cloying or manipulative, Schwimmer adeptly balances tone without ever feeling forced.
He elicits another ingenious performance by the comically complex Pegg, who is multi faceted and remarkable in this piece. Thandie Newton is consistently luminous, while Hank Azaria does some of his best work on screen in a long time. Run Fat Boy Run is destined for commercial longevity when it opens against more serious Fall fare later in the year. This is an irresistible charmer of a movie, deliciously entertaining and pure joy.
INTERVIEWS.
As well as seeing an array of films, this intrepid reporter also caught up with a variety of folks for many exclusive interviews.
TILDA SWINTON. We talked about her role in Michael Clayton as a tough lawyer, and she confirmed that in the next Coen Brothers film, she re-teams with George Clooney as his lover while married to John Malkovitch. Swinton of course is smart and fascinating and her views on Clayton and Hollywood will unfold online soon.
NANCY KWAN.: Anyone interested in classic Hollywood will find Nancy Kwan's recollections of being a 60s It girl, fascinating. Here at Toronto for both the Hollywood Chinese documentary and a screening of Flower Drum Song, Kwan says she is thinking of writing her memoirs but is doing her own documentary on her life. Charming and graceful, Kwan is an ageless star with greater stories of a different Hollywood.
CASEY AFFLECK talked with great enthusiasm about playing Robert Ford in the new Jesse James and working with brother Ben on Gone Baby Gone. He was funny and insightful, even when putting an Australian accent mocking his James director.
NAOMI WATTS gave one of her only 1:1 interviews to me, because of long history. It was a brief but terrific chat about working with Cronenberg and her views on motherhood. Asked if her choices will change, she laughingly responded "I've only been into motherhood for 6 weeks, so we'll see." The actress says she's next flying to Lithuania to join her partner "so that the whole family will be together". Next up is the release of Fun and Games, which she says, will now be released early next year.
JULIETTE BINOCHE is still one of the most hauntingly beautiful women in the world, and her voice on acting, Hollywood and politics, remain fascinating. We talked at length about her work on the exquisite Flight of the Red Balloon, which says was predominantly improvised, and we spoke about Israel where she shot Disengagement, also here in Toronto, as we discussed Israeli politics. Binoche will next be seen in Dan in Real Life, which we also discussed. A fascinating and ferociously intellectual actor is Ms Binoche.
Another Aussie ROSE BYRNE is here with a dark comedy Just Buried, but we spent a lot of time discussing her first foray into American television, Damages. She denied some kind of lesbian subtext, confirmed that she has a 6-year contract, and discussed her first Australian film she did recently with Hugo Weaving.
JIM BROADBENT has much coming up and as you'll see, he talks about the new Harry Potter and his role in Indiana Jones. That will appear very soon. Toronto continues with some more exciting films and people to talk to. Stay tuned.
