#FIRSTLOOK: VVS FILMS ANNOUNCE FALL SLATE OF RELEASES

After making a splash at TIFF ’23, VVS Films, including DICKS: THE MUSICAL‘s Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award win, they have announced their fall slate of theatrical releases.

SHE CAME TO ME

In Theatres Friday, October 6

Directed by: Rebecca Miller

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, Anne Hathaway

Synopsis: A composer with an unfinished opera, a spiritually conflicted psychiatrist, and a free-spirited tugboat captain collide on an unpredictable voyage into uncharted waters in writer-director Rebecca Miller’s enchanting romantic comedy.   

DICKS: THE MUSICAL

In Theatres Friday, October 27

Directed by: Larry Charles

Starring: Megan Mullally, Megan Thee Stallion with Bowen Yang and Nathan Lane, introducing Aaron Jackson, Josh Sharp

Synopsis: Two self-obsessed businessmen (writers Aaron Jackson & Josh Sharp) discover they’re long-lost identical twins and come together to plot the reunion of their eccentric divorced parents, in this riotously funny and depraved musical from comedy icon Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Borat) also starring Megan Thee Stallion, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, and Bowen Yang as God.

FREELANCE

In Theatres Friday, October 27

Directed by: Pierre Morel

Starring: John Cena and Allison Brie

Synopsis: Mason Petit is a former Army Ranger turned family-man whose life is far less exciting than it once was. His perilous globe-trotting days in the military have been replaced by a grinding career as an unsuccessful lawyer and a marriage on the rocks. This all changes when a former military buddy approaches him with a job, working security for the award-winning and fearless journalist Claire Wellington. Wellington has scored a world-first interview with a notorious and eccentric South American dictator, Venegas. Petit jumps at the chance, and hops on a plane without second thought. Upon touchdown Petit’s suburban hell turns into a life-or-death nightmare. He is caught up in a violent, orchestrated coup, alone with Wellington, and the morally ambiguous Venegas, to escape the country alive.

DREAM SCENARIO

In Theatres Friday, November 17

Written & Directed by: Kristoffer Borgli

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Dylan Gelula, Dylan Baker, Kate Berlant

Synopsis: Hapless family man Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams.  But when his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom, in this wickedly entertaining comedy from writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself) and producer Ari Aster.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

#TIFF23: “DREAM SCENARIO” REVIEW

Review by David Baldwin

Paul Matthews (Oscar winner Nicolas Cage) is a tenured professor longing to sell his idea for a book that he just has not found the time to write. He wants to be seen as someone important, yet typically shuffles around in the background anonymously. All of that changes when Paul starts randomly showing up in people’s dreams – at first in a totally innocuous way, and then something slightly more provocative.

Saying anything else would ruin the wild, certifiably unhinged ride that is DREAM SCENARIO. Each pivot the Film takes is more frenzied and outrageous than the next. I sat there with my eyes wide, unsure of whether I should be laughing or be terrified. Writer/Director Kristoffer Borgli taps into both of those emotions exceptionally, and then proceeds to skewer social media, viral memeification, influencer marketing and monetization, and cancel culture with reckless abandon. Nothing and no one are safe here from his ruthlessness. I would have liked to see him addressing choice semiotic messages and allusions a bit more, though I am pleased he did not drift too far into the weeds with the concept and how it plays out. The way Borgli stitches every moment together is a thing of beauty, specifically in the unique cutaway dream gags where we see just what Paul is doing in the dreams (which range from tranquil to full blown nightmare fuel clearly inspired by another figure who pops up in dreams). Borgli wisely does not attempt to explain how or why it is happening either, and despite a razor sharp turn in the Third Act, keeps things moving along at a terrific pace. I had not watched Sick of Myself, Borgli’s debut feature, prior to this but after watching DREAM SCENARIO, it has jumped up to the top of my post-TIFF watchlist.

The supporting players Borgli has assembled here are rock solid no matter their importance to the story, with Julianne Nicholson, Michal Cera and especially Dylan Gelula as the clear standouts. All of that said, did you really keep reading to hear about the supporting cast or are you wondering how Cage does? The short answer is that he is absolutely brilliant and this is easily one of his top three best performances of the last decade. He navigates the highs and lows of Paul’s viral stardom with precision and the occasional knowing glance. The performance allows for to showcase both sides of his acting style – quiet and reserved nuance and bonkers over-the-top madness. The Film also allows him to dig down deep in the belly, allowing his more emotional and intimate scenes to really pop off the screen.

Cage may look ridiculous as this schlubby professor, but the strength of his performance and Borgli’s eviscerating the culture is anything but.

DREAM SCENARIO screens at TIFF ’23:

Saturday, September 9 at 5:30 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre

Sunday, September 10 at 3:00 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toront