TIFF 2010 Reviews: Small Town Murder Songs, Biutiful, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
Posted September 7, 2010 12:00 am.
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Note: As many of the films screened at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival haven’t yet opened in theatres, only capsule reviews are permitted for most titles.
Small Town Murder Songs *CityNews.ca Pick* – Director Ed Gass-Donnelly has crafted a magnificent crime-drama that comes off as something the Coen Bros. would have made early in their career. Set in an Ontario Mennonite town, the film follows the town’s sheriff, Walter (Peter Stormare), as he investigates the murder of a young woman while also trying to control his own inner demons. The intensity of the performances and grim cinematography, along with a powerful soundtrack by Canadian rockers Bruce Peninsula, puts Small Town Murder Songs in a category all on its own and will definitely make people notice Gass-Donnelly. Also starring Martha Plimpton, Jill Hennessy, and Aaron Poole. **** out of 5 stars. Schedule at TIFF.
Biutiful *CityNews.ca Pick* – Uxbal (Javier Bardem) is the middle man in an illegal underground operation where he connects his employer with immigrants willing to sell pirated movies and fake handbags on the streets of Barcelona. He’s also ill and raising his two children alone while his drug addict wife works as a prostitute. Uxbal can speak to the dead as well and makes money on the side helping people connect with their loved ones before their souls move on for good. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, Amores perros), Biutiful is the definition of a festival film — it’s long, depressing, and foreign. Thankfully Bardem is such a compelling actor that he carries the film right to the end while holding the audience in a mesmerizing grip. Spend the time with Biutiful and you will find a true cinematic experience. **** out of 5 stars. Schedule at TIFF.
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives – How this pointlessly bizarre film that appears to have been made by someone on serious drugs won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year is beyond me. It’s weird for the sake of being weird and only ever offers anything remotely interesting to grab onto in one or two scenes. I tried hard to find something to like, something to believe that it was worth the praise — and came to the conclusion that it’s nothing but an overrated piece of junk. * out of 5 stars. Schedule at TIFF.
TIFF 2010 runs from September 9 to the 19. Check out all of CityNews.ca’s coverage of the festival here.
brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com
Top image: A scene from Biutiful. Courtesy Maple Pictures.
