#TIFF18: “LIFE ITSELF” REVIEW

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

After dominating the TV landscape with This Is Us, Writer/Director Dan Fogelman has the big screen in his sights as he presented the World Premiere of Life Itself at TIFF. The Film is a multi-generational story revolving around two families and how they cope with tragedy, happiness and everything in-between.

Having watched This Is Us, I was prepared for melodrama, lengthy monologues and sheer moments of emotional devastation. All of these elements are accounted for over the course of Life Itself multiple times over, with some being a lot less effective than others. But what sets it apart from the popular Series is the pitch-black humour and surprisingly vulgar Script. Both are honest, unflinching and at times, shocking. The problem with all of this is that Fogelman never nails down a proper tone, which makes some scenes come off more awkward than they do genuine. The cast takes it in stride though, committing to every ludicrous plot turn Fogelman throws at them. Just be sure to bring a Kleenex box when you watch it.

Life, Itself screens on Saturday, September 9 at 6:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall and 8:00 PM at Elgin Theatre, and Monday, September 10 at 9:30 AM at Elgin Theatre.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “LIFE ITSELF”

From the same man who brought us acclaimed TV Series THIS IS US, Dan Fogelman, comes LIFE ITSELF! See the new Trailer for the touching Film which hits theatres this fall!

Synopsis:
As a young New York couple goes from college romance to marriage and the birth of their first child, the unexpected twists of their journey create reverberations that echo over continents and through lifetimes in Life Itself. Director and writer Dan Fogelman (“This Is Us”) examines the perils and rewards of everyday life in a multigenerational saga featuring an international ensemble including Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke, Sergio Peris- Mencheta, Laia Costa, Alex Monner and Mandy Patinkin. Set in New York City and Carmona, Spain, Life Itself celebrates the human condition and all of its complications with humor, poignancy and love..

 

See the Trailer:

 

VVS Films release LIFE ITSELF Friday, September 21, 2018.

 

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “LIFE ITSELF” STARRING OSCAR ISAAC

With a standout Cast to its credit, LIFE ITSELF is due to hit theatres this fall. See the Trailer for the Film brought to us from the same man who brought us This is Us, Dan Fogelman.

Synopsis:
Life Itself centers on a couple (Oscar Isaac and Olivia Wilde) that lead a multi generational love story spanning both decades and continents, from the streets of New York to the Spanish countryside, and are all connected by a single event.

 

See the Trailer:

 

VVS Films release LIFE ITSELF Friday, September 21, 2018. Hmmm… TIFF ’18?

 

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “WONDER”

Right in time for Awards Season comes the release of the eagerly-awaited WONDER starring Mandy Patinkin, Owen Wilson, Julia Roberts and our v. own Jacob Tremblay!

Synopsis:
Based on the New York Times bestseller, WONDER tells the inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to find their compassion and acceptance, Auggie‘s extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release WONDER Friday, November 17, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

#SPOTTED: MANDY PATINKIN IN TORONTO FOR “HOMELAND”

Success definitely just happen overnight for Mandy Patinkin.  The Veteran Actor/Singer has the Awards to match the Accolades and although he just lost-out at the Golden Globes for his superb work on Showtime‘s Homeland as CIA Division Chief Saul Berenson this year, he has a TONY Award and a Primetime EMMY Award to his name.   You might know him for his work in The Princess Bride, Yentl and Chicago Hope.

Patinkin currently is in-town promoting of the multiple Golden Globe and Primetime EMMY Award-winning Series starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, which premieres in Canada for the first time Wednesday, March 6, 2013  at 10:00 PM EST on Bravo. In addition to a morning-full of Press at the Bell Media Building today, he later today will be recording Interviews at CBC for George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and Q Radio.   An appearance on Entertainment Tonight Canada also is scheduled.

Right before heading the lunch, Patinkin and his Handler were amazing to have his Driver pull-over and he roll-down the window of his Mercedes Benz to pose for a Photo, going above and beyond the call of duty.  Thrilled to have met this Acting Legend, who was more than gracious!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)