By David Baldwin
Mr. Williams (Bill Nighy) is dying. He has been given six months to live, nine if he is lucky. More than enough time to get affairs in order, but what does Williams need to figure out? He is a widower, he is estranged from his son and daughter-in-law (despite their living in his home), he has no friends or confidants, and his only joy is going to the Pictures on Tuesdays. Williams, filled with grief and regret, decides immediately to make some changes – and start living instead of simply going through the motions.
Nighy, a brilliant Character Actor who rarely gets his due, is outstanding from the very moment he appears on-screen in LIVING right through until the bittersweet ending. His cadence and charisma is unparalleled and his delightfully dry wit had the audience around me laughing aloud. That same audience hung on every tragic word and moment Nighy delivers, where he does not command the screen so much as he burns a hole in the centre, practically daring the supporting cast to try to make a stronger impression on the Film. They are all uniformly good (especially Aimee Lou Wood of Sex Education), though they are well aware that they cannot match up to Nighy’s powerful turn.
And while the sumptuous art design and booming score are exquisite, I wish LIVING was slightly less episodic in nature. Worse, its real issue is the final 20-30 minutes of the Film. It lands on multiple perfect ending moments, only to pivot and move onto something else. Frustrating to say the least, though the tradeoff is more time for Nighy to light up the screen in his own magical, mythical way.
LIVING screens as follows at TIFF ’22:
Sun, Sep 11 IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 3:45pm
Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON Scotiabank Theatre 6:30pm
Fri, Sep 16 IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 12:15pm
By Amanda Gilmore
Williams (Bill Nighy) is a veteran civil servant and bureaucratic cog in the rebuilding of Britain post-WWII. He spends his days pushing paper and simply existing until he is diagnosed with a terminal illness. With an estimated six-months remaining, Williams goes on a quest to feel what it’s like to live again.
This Film is a British remake of Akira Kurosawa’s Ikiru (To Live) and is exquisitely adapted by Nobel and Booker Prize-winning Author Kazuo Ishiguro. Ishiguro’s precisely-crafted Screenplay is set in a postwar London and Director Oliver Hermanus uses the era’s cinematic aesthetic to bring this story to the screen. However, even though Living is set during this period Ishiguro, Hermanus and Nighy make it resonate today.
Nighy brilliantly portrays Williams as a man who stopped living due to the repetitiveness of his life and simply began existing. He’s powerful in quiet moments of contemplation about his remaining days. These moments are contrasted with the vibrant scenes Williams shares with Margaret (Aimee Lou Wood). In her, he sees someone who lives life every day. Lou Wood is a bright and energetic force and commands the screen.
Overall, Living is a touching film about a man staring at death and evaluating what he wants to do for his remaining days. Additionally, it touches on the impact we leave on our family and society. It manages to accomplish this while never becoming overly sentimental. There are times were it drags but it makes up for it with a powerful Cast, an expert screenplay and a directing style that’s unique and innovative.
Living screens virtually at Sundance:
Premiere: Jan. 21 at 2PM EST
Second Screening: Jan. 23 at 10AM EST (available for 24hrs)
TIFF fever continues throughout Toronto on the Festival’s fourth day! Premieres took place tonight including Fashion icon Tom Ford‘s NOCTURNAL ANIMALS starring Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and an in-absentia Jake Gyllenhaal. Also premiering tonight was Oscar bait DENIAL starring Rachel Weisz over at Princess of Wales Theatre. THE PROMISE starring Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale also premiered at Roy Thomson Hall tonight. An A-List Cast including Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Hudson appeared at the midday Premiere for Animated Feature SING over at Princess of Wales Theatre. The Premiere was followed by performances from both Hudson and Popstar Tori Kelly even.
See some of the names we spotted around today!
Bill Nighy, THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM
Olivia Cooke, KATIE SAYS GOODBYE
Chris Lowell, KATIE SAYS GOODBYE
Xavier Dolan, IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD
Auteur #XavierDolan at #TIFF16 for #ItsOnlytheEndofWorld.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Lea Seydoux, IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD
Inseynity! #LeaSeydoux causing a commotion. She is at #TIFF16 for #ItsOnlytheEndofWorld.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Gaspard Ulliel, IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD
Mireille Enos, KATIE SAYS GOODBYE
Sigourney Weaver, A MONSTER CALLS
Lewis MacDougall, A MONSTER CALLS
#LewisMacDougall, star of #AMonsterCalls. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Felicity Jones, A MONSTER CALLS
Things got v. aggressive. #FelicityJones at #TIFF16 for #AMonsterCalls. #RogueOne #StarWars
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Michael Shannon, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Taraji P. Henson, HIDDEN FIGURES
Yes!!! Cookie Time!! #TarajiPHenson #TIFF16 #HiddenFigures #Empire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Pharrell, HIDDEN FIGURES
Glen Powell, HIDDEN FIGURES
#ScreamQueens’ #GlenPowell at #TIFF16 with #HiddenFigures.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Rachel Weisz, DENIAL
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Lucas Hedges, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Rami Malek, BUSTER’S MAL HEART
With #MrRobot star #RamiMalek at #TIFF16 with #BustersMalHeart
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
We fell in love with the first one, and are super-excited about THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL! We want to give Toronto Readers a chance to attend a Toronto Advance Screening on Wednesday, March 4, 2015!
Official Synopsis:
THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel) , and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook! Tweet the below for an extra chance:
http://www.mrwillwong/bestexoticmarigold2 @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #THESECONDBESTEXOTICMARIGOLDHOTEL. Out 3/6!
Fox Searchlight release THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL on Friday, March 6, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
Mr. Will and Remstar Films want to take YOU to see PRIDE! After winning a standing ovation at TIFF ’14, this Dramedy based on a True Story is sure to win the hearts of Canadian Moviegoers. Screenings take place in Toronto (Thursday, September 25, 2014) and Vancouver (Wednesday, September 24, 2014).
Official Synopsis:
In the summer of 1984, a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists raise money to support the families of the National Union of Mineworkers, whose members are on strike.
PRIDE stars Ben Schnetzer, Andrew Scott, Bill Nighy, Dominic West, Faye Marsay, Imelda Staunton and Paddy Considine. Matthew Warchus directs.
We had the amazing opportunity of partying with the Cast and Team behind PRIDE recently. Click here to see some Snaps!
Watch the Trailer:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. You may share this Post from there and double your chances, or you may Re-Tweet the below also:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/pridemovie @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #PRIDEMOVIE in Toronto!
Remstar Films release PRIDE on Friday, September 26, 2014.
Good luck, Willionaire$!
(Photo/video credit: Remstar Films)
Today will forever go down as the most explosive day of all time for TIFF! Stars were bursting at every seam after what was felt by the consensus as a a slow start to the Festival on Thursday. Parties were held all around the City and we made several successful Pit Stops around the City and got fueled by Starpower!
The day began with a Press Conference for Jason Reitman‘s new Film about sexual frustrations, Men, Women & Children and although normally Fans get a chance to see and interact with the Cast, it would be the running-behind-schedule which hindered the experience. We still managed to see the following:
Jennifer Garner
Jason Reitman
Kaitlyn Dever
Adam Sandler
Ansel Elgort/Kaitlyn Dever
We also got a little surprise from Australian Actor Alex Russell, whom we met filming CARRIE here a couple years back! The Actor stars in CUT SNAKE at TIFF ’14! He remembers us!
We love Paul Bettany and were ecstatic about meeting him as he went about his Press Day for self-directed Shelter, which premieres at TIFF ’14.
Not too far long after, we made our way over to the official Audi-sponsored Party for Oscar Contender, PRIDE over at Hotspot The Citizen. All I have to say is Truffle Poutine. Delish. The light-hearted Dramedy documents the true struggle of a Gay Activist Group in England, supporting Miners in need. The only thing however, is that the striking Miners didn’t want to be associated with the Group. The Film won a two-minute Standing Ovation from its Audience yesterday afternoon. See some Snaps of the talented Cast:
Bill Nighy
Ben Schnetzer & Jessie Cave
Dominic West
Andrew Scott
The Cast and Team behind PRIDE
We thought we’d re-visit the Cast of Paramount Pictures‘ Men, Women & Children once more at the official Party for the Film at new It-Spot, Montecito which happens also to be owned be legendary Filmmaker Ivan Reitman, Father of Director Jason. Fans and Cameras lined the Carpet in eager anticipation as the Stars paraded by one-by-one including a few surprises! I was so happy to see our Friend Ansel Elgort, whom we met here in the City a couple years back when he was filming CARRIE. He noticed us right away at the Carpet proclaiming, “I’ve got to get a Selfie with Mr. Will!”. We’re incredibly proud how well he’s done and also what’s next to come for the Divergent and The Fault in our Stars Talent, who clearly has been propelled into Mega-stardom from the ecstatic screams I heard from Fans everywhere he went today.
Jennifer Garner
Rosemarie DeWitt
Ansel Elgort
Eugene Levy
Adam Sandler
An annual favourite Fixture of ours at TIFF is the InStyle Magazine Party, which shuts down a strip of Yorkville for a night and the amount of Starpower seen here was s t a g g e r i n g. We admit it was a bit of on the decline mostly due to unfortunate timing later in the Festival after an abundance of Stars leave town, but was it ever a night to remember for the Fans! We’re talking Megawatts!
Chris Evans (Before We Go)
Robert Downey Jr. (The Judge)
Noomi Rapace (The Drop)
Missy Peregrym dressed in Intermix (Backcountry)
Sarah Rafferty
Paul Dano (Love & Mercy)
Madeleine Stowe
Miles Teller (Whiplash)
Lacey Chabert (aka GRETCHEN WIENERS!!!)
Mark Ruffalo (Infinitely Polar Bear, Foxcatcher)
Jessica Chastain (Miss Julie)
Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner)
Ben Stiller (While We’re Young)
Jake Abel (Good Kill)
J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Abigail Spencer (This is Where I Leave You and The Forger)
Chloë Moretz (Laggies, Clouds of Sils Maria and The Equalizer)
Rick Hoffman
Nicola Peltz
Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)
Kevin Costner (Black & White)
Will Peltz (Men, Women & Children)
Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
Salma Hayek (Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet)
We spotted Channing Tatum, Jon Stewart and many, many more there also!!
Okay, we admit it. We were on a high and kept going right after till 5 AM (!!!) when we also spotted several other Stars out and about! Look!
Anna Kendrick (The Last Five Years)
Douglas Booth (The Riot Club)
Rosario Dawson (Top Five)
Cedric the Entertainer (Top Five)
Jay Pharoah (Top Five)
We ain’t done. Wait till you see what we have in store next, Willionaire$!
Find out first here:
Twitter: @mrwillw
Instagram: @mrwillwong
All Photos captured on the NIKON D3300 and communicated via the Samsung Galaxy Tab S.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong want to take Readers to the Toronto Advance Screening of I, FRANKENSTEIN! This is your chance before everybody else to see the Adaptation of Kevin Grevioux‘s beloved Graphic Novel!
Official Synopsis:
Two hundred years after his shocking creation, Dr. Frankenstein‘s creature, Adam (Aaron Eckhart), still walks the Earth. But when he finds himself in a modern day world in the middle of a war over the fate of humanity, Adam discovers he holds the key that could destroy humankind.
As a host of frightening supernatural creatures are looking to rise up and take over, Adam uses his unhuman strength to fight against them.
I, Frankenstein stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Socratis Otto, Jai Courtney and Kevin Grevioux.
Trailer below:
Official Artwork:
The Screening takes place Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Scotiabank Theatre, 7:00 PM in Toronto.
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Under this Post, tell me, if you could have one unhuman strength, what would it be?
Those who Re-Tweet the below can double their chances of winning:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/ifrankenstein2 @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to the #Toronto Advance Screening of #IFRANKENSTEIN. In theatres 1/24!
Good luck.
eOne Films release I, FRANKENSTEIN on Friday, January 24, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
Attention Wongsters! We’ve got a Facebook Exclusive for you loyal Readers! Fans of Kevin Grevioux‘s Graphic Novel I, Frankenstein surely must be excited about the release its Film Adaptation and here’s a chance for you to catch the spirit and enter to win official Posters and Notebooks from the Action-Fantasy.
Official Synopsis:
Two hundred years after his shocking creation, Dr. Frankenstein‘s creature, Adam (Aaron Eckhart), still walks the earth. But when he finds himself in a modern day world in the middle of a war over the fate of humanity, Adam discovers he holds the key that could destroy humankind.
As a host of frightening supernatural creatures are looking to rise up and take over, Adam uses his unhuman strength to fight against them.
I, Frankenstein stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Socratis Otto, Jai Courtney and Kevin Grevioux.
Watch the Trailer below:
Swag below:
Mr. Will & The Cast of I, Frankenstein:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post over at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Giveaway open to Canadian Readers only.
Good luck.
eOne Films release I, Frankenstein on Friday, January 24, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
Who hasn’t fantasized about Time Travel? About Time is a Sci-Fi/Rom-Com about Tim (Domnhall Gleeson) who discovers he has the ability to travel through time, changing things which happen in his own life. He decides to make the World a better place by finding himself a Girlfriend in the insecure and lovely Mary (Rachel McAdams), only for a travel mishap to take place, meaning he’d never met her. He must then find a way to meet her allover again and this time marry her.
About Time is from the same people who brought us Notting Hill, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral. I love it already. And finally Gleeson gets a chance to shine after years of smaller supporting roles.
Watch the Trailer below:
Universal Pictures releases About Time on November 8, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)
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