TIFF09 Reviews: Harry Brown, Dorian Gray and The Young Victoria
Posted September 8, 2009 3:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CityNews.ca’s Suzanne Ellis and Brian McKechnie take a look at some of the films playing at TIFF09.
Harry Brown *CityNews.ca Pick*
Michael Caine unleashes his inner ‘Dirty Harry’ in Harry Brown, a wickedly good revenge flick and one of my faves so far at TIFF09. When we first meet Harry, he’s going through his daily routine of visiting his dying wife in hospital. He lives in a public-housing apartment block that’s being taken over by warring gangs, and violence occurs on an almost nightly basis. When his longtime friend Leonard is brutally killed, Harry takes it upon himself to track down those responsible. Caine is remarkable once again, and director Daniel Barber creates some truly tense scenes. Schedule at TIFF. SE
Based on the Oscar Wilde novel, Dorian Gray feels more like a movie of the week (or an extended episode of Murdoch Mysteries) than a Gala at TIFF. Colin Firth and Ben Barnes give schlocky performances and the special effects are horrible. Don’t waste your time. Schedule at TIFF. BM
An engaging and well-written period piece about the struggles facing Victoria as she strives to become the next ruler of England. Emily Blunt shines in the lead role, and Rupert Friend also delivers a strong performance as the man she falls in love with, Prince Albert. The film’s ending is surprisingly abrupt, but otherwise a satisfying watch. Schedule at TIFF. SE
Top image: Michael Caine in Harry Brown. Courtesy TIFF.
