Our LA man Paul Fischer is on the ground in Toronto for the film festival again and here's his first report from the opening day of action:

Toronto Film Festival 2004 - Day One

"There is no doubt as far as film festivals go, they don't get any bigger than Toronto, one of the premier film festivals that has become larger and more expansive with each passing year. This year, films as diverse as the low-budget Primer to Hollywood biggies Ray and Sharks Tale will screen here, and in between, films from around the world. More press than ever before are expected to descend en masse upon the always friendly Canadian festival, not to mention industry big wigs, studio bosses and film buyers hoping to snap up the latest from stars Johnny Depp or Jeremy Irons. Stars will be here, from Depp and Will Smith, to Selma Blair and Kate Bosworth, it's a star-spotting frenzy. But as usual, this festival is about the movies, and the hope that the next major gem will be discovered amidst a Festival of riches.

Opening night was then best Festival opener seen in years: the delightfully acerbic Being Julia. Concerned that her fading youth and beauty will being to affect her career, estranged from her only son and pretending to be ignorant of her husband's (Jeremy Irons) philandering, Julia (Annette Bening) is adrift in the world, searching for some way in which to regain the spark of passion. She seems to find that renewed fervour when she meets Tom, a young American admirer who also happens to be her son's best friend. Tom sweeps Julia off her feet, and the aging celebrity embarks on an illicit affair which, if discovered, would create a social scandal that could ruin her already-waning career and destroy her rocky marriage. But Julia soon discovers that her exciting new passion is but the latest facet of her life to be based upon a lie, when she learns her ardent young lover is more interested in what she can do for his career than in her, and that his real affection is actually devoted to an ambitious young starlet.

This revelation leads Julia to plot an elaborate revenge to satisfy her wounded pride and get back some of the dignity that has been gradually eroded by the various compromises she has been forced to make. This 1930s-set comedy is magnificent entertainment, a dazzlingly witty film that boasts impeccably writing by the masterful Ronald Harwood, and István Szabó's robust and imaginative direction. Annette Bening gives the performance of her career, playing an actress trying to come to terms with her age, refusing to conform to societal conventions. With an impeccable British accent, Bening turns in a fiery, comic yet deeply human performance, one that will surely gain attention come awards season. Being Julia is a smart, stylish comedy, and the perfect opening night film for any festival.

More films to check out here at Toronto in the coming days, and the odd celebrity to chat to, so stay tuned".