By Mr. Will Wong
Christos Nikou makes his English feature directorial debut in Toronto-filmed FINGERNAILS. It’s quirky, cute and will make you squeamish. All of that in one sitting.
Though the Film dons a nostalgia to it, it is set in the future. Couples now have the ability to test if in fact their love is true at an institute specializing in finger nail tests, putting couples through intimacy-enhancing activities. Anna (Jessie Buckley) lands a job at the institute after testing “positive” for true love with her partner Ryan (Jeremy Allen White). Something doesn’t sit right still. She takes on this job secretly, telling Ryan she’s teaching at an elementary school. Anna works with Amir and while working with the institute’s clientele, they form a bond that has Anna questioning if her true “positive” with Ryan is in fact real.
Nikou tells an age old love triangle story through a new lens, opting for 35mm which together with the styling and soundtrack of the Film, make us feel we’re in the past, even though we’re in the future. His commentary on society’s dependence on technology doing the thinking for us makes this a biting satire, but with a unique mixture of grotesque (yes, these fingernail pulling will have you covering your eyes!), yet charming at once.
Buckley and Ahmed have a believable chemistry, while White isn’t given quite as much to work with, painting the mundane backdrop whereby Anna‘s life is set against. Nikou crafts something thought-provoking though it takes a different route to get there.
FINGERNAILS screens at TIFF ’23 as follows:
Tuesday, September 12
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Premium, Descriptive Sound
Wednesday, September 13
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Closed Captioning
As TIFF ’23 begins to wind down, we enjoyed a much more leisurely pace today. Any time Jessica Chastain comes to town, we show up just like she always shows up for her fans. Despite only having four minutes to greet her fans, who lined the street outside Royal Alexandra Theatre for Michel Franco‘s MEMORY, she made the most of it, walking the line interacting with everyone. She is just absolutely lovely and still despite her stature and success, THE NICEST CELEBRITY ON THE PLANET. Her care and compassion for her supporters is unparalleled and we hope she never changes. Exemplary.
Was great seeing her Co-Star Peter Sarsgaard, fresh off his win in Venice for his performance in the Film for Best Actor, which sees two high school friends reunited, with things take a concerning turn when Sarsgaard‘s character follows Chastain‘s character home.
The Cast and Director head over to Margo on King West for post-premiere celebrations. The newly-launched hotspot situated inside members-only club, Clio.
Another high-profile film to premiere tonight was John Carney’s FLORA AND SON which won raves earlier this year in Sundance. The Film centers on a single mother looking to bond with her son over music lessons. In town for the debut at Roy Thomson Hall were Carney his one of the Film’s breakout stars, Oren Kinlan.
Filmed right here in Toronto, Director/Writer Christos Nikou’s FINGERNAILS got a full circle moment at Princess of Wales Theatre where the Sci-Fi Romance premiered. He dedicated the Premiere in memory of his friend, late TIFF Programmer Ravi Srninivasan, who generously gave him his Raptors season tickets while filming in the City. Both this and Flora and Son arrive later this year on Apple TV+, both getting celebrated with a pre-party at Ace Hotel.
We’re pretty much wrapping-up our star sighting content and look forward to quite a few screenings these next few days! Keep checking back for our Team’s reviews!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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