By George Kozera
A DIFFICULT YEAR opens with a series of televised clips, spanning decades, where French government officials warn the citizens of France that they will be facing a difficult year. The audience then is thrown into a frantic “Black Friday’ sales event at a store where shoppers stampede over each other in a frenzied attempt to score a big screen TV or air fryer at affordable prices. We see Albert (Pio Marmai) get one of the last televisions, then arrive at the home of Bruno (Jonathan Cohen) who was to pay for the TV. Instead, Albert arrives to see creditors removing everything from Bruno’s home as he staggers to the bedroom and passes out due to a lacklustre suicide attempt. Albert and Bruno are compulsive consumers, deeply in debt, and as they await to see if a debt-reduction expert (Matthieu Amalric) can help them to have the government forgive their overwhelming backlog of money owed, the two men go to a meeting held by young environmental activists, where free beer and food (repurposed snacks that expired years ago) is offered. It’s an idealistic group with big dreams and the two men are bemused, but when Albert sees group leader (Noemie Merlant), he immediately is smitten and convinces Bruno to tag along with him and join the group.
Whereas comedies from France tend to be simplistic, the French filmmakers excel at satire and social commentary. Writers/directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache succinctly and successfully tackle a variety of topics with panache and loads of humour. A DIFFICULT YEAR shines.
A DIFFICULT YEAR screens at TIFF ’23:
Wednesday. September 13, 9:30PM, Princess of Wales Theatre
Thursday, September 14, 5:30PM, Scotiabank
Mr. Will Wong and Fox Searchlight (Canada) want to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary a chance to see Wes Anderson’s latest Masterpiece THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL before everybody else! We’ve seen it and absolutely we were enchanted! Check back soon for our glowing Review.
Screenings take place tentatively:
Toronto: Week of March 10
Vancouver: Week of March 10
Calgary: Week of March 17
Official Synopsis:
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary Concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars; and Zero Moustafa, the Lobby Boy who becomes his most trusted Friend. The Story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting; a raging battle for an enormous Family Fortune; a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis; and the sweetest confection of a love affair — all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.
Star-studded THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL stars: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson and Owen Wilson.
See the Trailer below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and state your City. You are encouraged to share via Social Media and you can increase your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/thegrandbudapesthotel @MRWILLW wants us to enter to #win Advance Passes to see #THEGRANDBUDAPESTHOTEL in #Calgary #Toronto and #Vancouver!
Fox Searchlight (Canada) release THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL on Friday, March 14, 2014 in Toronto, Friday, March 21, 2014 in Edmonton, Montréal, Québec and Friday, March 28, 2014 in- Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Victoria, Kitchener. Mark your calendars!
Mr. Will & The Cast of The Grand Budapest Hotel:
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight/Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com