#TIFF21: “THE HUMANS” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Stephen Karam exquisitely adapts his Tony-winning Play for the big screen.

The Film follows the Blake family over one eventful Thanksgiving. Brigid (Beanie Feldstein) and her boyfriend Richard (Steven Yeun) host the holiday event at their new rundown duplex in downtown Manhattan. They are joined by Brigid’s parents Erik (Richard Jenkins) and Deirdre (Jayne Houdyshell), dementia-afflicted grandmother, Momo (June Squibb), and lawyer big sister Aimee (Amy Schumer). Throughout the holiday, the family make niceties that soon turn to cruel jokes, past grievances are revived and secrets unfold.

The Humans is rich in character study and a meditation on existential dread, told during a holiday that is rarely explored in Film — particularly in this way. Karam places the camera in unique angles and closes up on rundown things, such as water damage. This, along with a supernatural aspect where sounds are heard, a ball drops from above and lights break at an alarming rate, give an eerie feeling that something isn’t quite right about this particular Thanksgiving.

This Story is anchored in the textured characters all experiencing their individual dread. Jenkins gives a momentous performance that’s both expressive and contained. Going between moments of mentioning how close his daughter lives to where 9/11 happened and how their home will be wiped out in the next Hurricane Katrina, and moments of staring off into the distance like he can see the distressing future ahead. 

Yeun shines in showing the need Richard feels to get his girlfriend’s family to like him. Feldstein is wonderful as the ever positive yet secretly cruel Brigid. Her natural charm aides in making audiences still like Brigid in her crueller moments. Schumer does outstanding work as career-driven Aimee who is going through a breakup. A powerful moment comes when Aimee calls her ex-girlfriend in a quiet area of the apartment complex.

However, the real knockout of the Cast is delivered by Houdyshell, who is the only member reprising her role from the play. She gives a tour-de-force performance as the matriarch. Karam’s Script is loaded with the intimacy families have. They know each other best, meaning they know how to console and how to obliterate each other. This is truly examined through Deirdre and Houdyshell excels at showing the anguish and gratification her family give her.

Overall, The Humans is a powerful film about the human condition and is perfectly cast.

The Humans screens at TIFF ’21:

Sun, Sep 12 at 1:30 PM at Princess of Wales

Sun, Sep 12 at 7 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Sat, Sep 18 at 1 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE SHAPE OF WATER”

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance first to see THE SHAPE OF WATER, hot off a rousing reception at TIFF ’17.

 

Screenings take place as follows:

THE SHAPE OF WATER – TORONTO
Wednesday, December 6 / 7:00PM / Cineplex Yonge and Dundas

THE SHAPE OF WATER – VANCOUVER
Wednesday, December 13 / 7:00PM / Cineplex International Village

THE SHAPE OF WATER – CALGARY
Wednesday, December 20 / 7:00PM / Scotiabank Chinook

 

Synopsis:
From master story teller, Guillermo del Toro, comes THE SHAPE OF WATER – an other-worldly fable, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment. Rounding out the cast are Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg and Doug Jones.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.

Fox Searchlight release THE SHAPE OF WATER Friday, December 8, 2017 in Toronto, Friday, December 15, 2017 in Vancouver and wide Friday, December 22, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searclight)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE “KILLING THEM SOFTLY” STARRING BRAD PITT

“I’m living in America and in America you’re on you’re own.”.

Alliance Films & Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Passes to see one of the most talked-about Films of 2012, KILLING THEM SOFTLY!  After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this past May, the response has been overwhelmingly positive for the Crime-Drama.

Adapted from George V. Higgins‘ Novel COGAN’S TRADE and set in New Orleans, KILLING THEM SOFTLY follows professional Enforcer, Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), who investigates a Heist that occurs during a high stakes, Mob-protected, Poker Game. The Film also stars  Scoot McNairy , Ben Mendelsohn, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins and James Gandolfini.

The Screening takes place in Toronto on Thursday, November 29, 2012. To enter to win a Double Pass to see KILLING THEM SOFTLY, under this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook, please name for the Cast Member who I am seen with above.  You should also be following here on Twitter.  If you have restricted Privacy Settings, please ensure you leave a Twitter Handle for me to reach you back.   Your deadline is Friday, November 23, 2012. Good luck!

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Alliance Films releases KILLING THEM SOFTLY on Friday, November 30, 2012.

Remember to “like” Alliance Films on Facebook here!

(Photo/video credit: Alliance Films)