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
We’re one more sleep till TIFF ’22 begins and per tradition, we’re on it! So amazing seeing a couple names in-town already for the Festival already, despite their Films not yet premiering for a couple days.
NOÉMIE MERLANT
We’re actually really excited about this sighting! Merlant got her big breakthrough in 2019’s PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE, which went on to win huge accolades. The French Actress who has been nominated twice for a César Award now stars in BABY RUBY at TIFF ’22 which is about an Vlogger/Influencer whose world unravels after she becomes a mother. Kit Harington also stars and the Film premieres Friday night. She’s just so lovely!
GLEN POWELL
This certainly isn’t GLEN POWELL‘S first TIFF but he’s back and riding the smash success of this Summer’s TOP GUN: MAVERICK in which he stars as Hangman. He can be see at TIFF ’22 in DEVOTION, which is getting some buzz, starring alongside Jonathan Majors. The Film which centers on the U.S. Navy’s first Aviator, his Wingman and the racism they encountered, premieres Monday at Cinesphere. Always a class act and couldn’t be more thrilled for his success!
Others we can confirm, arriving in the City tonight include Anna Kendrick, Yvonne Strahovski and Amy Redford.
We can’t wait to share more over these next few days as TIFF ’22 picks-up momentum!
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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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