#TIFF24: “DISCLAIMER” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

In his first venture into television, beloved film Writer-Director Alfonso Cuarón tells an intelligent, savage tale of a woman’s past coming back to bite her.

Based on the Novel by Renée Knight, Disclaimer tells the story of celebrated journalist Catherine (Cate Blanchett) who begins reading a novel that was mysteriously delivered to her. To her horror, the novel is about her and the awful secret she’s kept for two decades.

TIFF is screening the first two episodes of this Limited Series. Over those episodes, Cuarón slowly unravels the story. The first episode brings us to two time periods. It’s clear the people in each are connected in some way. But what way and why? That’s where Cuarón excels. In keeping the mystery of these people and their connection a secret until the final frame.

Once we’re given the context of who’s who and how people have met, we’re brought to episode two. This is where the tension rises. The book has been delivered to Catherine’s son Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and her husband Robert (a pitch-perfect Sasha Baron Cohen). Nicholas hasn’t connected the character to his mother, but Robert sure has. The confrontation between the two at the end of the episode is masterfully written and acted. 

Blanchett, as always, is flawless. This time delivering a complex character with many faults and a dark moment in her past, yet gives her a charm that allows us to root for her.

Disclaimer screens at TIFF ’24:

Mon, Sept 9 at 4 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre

Wed, Sept 11 at 2 PM at Scotiabank Theatre

Sun, Sept 15 at 11:45 AM at Scotiabank Theatre

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “ALPHA”

Sony Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to experience an Advance Screening of ALPHA! Special 3D Screenings take place:

Toronto – Wednesday, August 15, 7:30PM – Cineplex Cinemas Yonge & Dundas
Vancouver – Wednesday, August 15, 7:30PM – Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver

Synopsis:
An epic adventure set in the last Ice Age, ALPHA tells a fascinating, visually stunning story that shines a light on the origins of man’s best friend. While on his first hunt with his tribe’s most elite group, a young man is injured and must learn to survive alone in the wilderness. Reluctantly taming a lone wolf abandoned by its pack, the pair learn to rely on each other and become unlikely allies, enduring countless dangers and overwhelming odds in order to find their way home before winter arrives.

 

See the Trailer:

 

Artwork:

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City.

Sony Pictures Canada release ALPHA Friday, August 17, 2018.

 

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

#TIFF: “A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING” TO PREMIERE AT TIFF’S “NEXT WAVE” FILM FESTIVAL

After wowing Audiences at the Tribeca Film Festival, A Birder’s Guide to Everything will premiere at TIFF‘s Next Wave Festival here in the City!

Synopsis:

On the eve of his widowed Father’s second wedding, fifteen-year-old David Portnoy (Smit-McPhee) leads the stalwart members of his local Young Birders Society on a rollicking, interstate search for an extremely rare duck. Marvelous supporting performances by Ben Kingsley and James Le Gros color Director Rob Meyer‘s Feature Film Debut, a poignant, funny and ultimately winning look at the moments that change even the most intensely focused lives.

A Birder’s Guide to Everything also stars Breakout Actress Katie Chang (The Bling Ring).

levelFILM distributes in Canada April 2014.

More on the Next Wave Film Festival here.

“Like” A Birder’s Guide to Everything on Facebook here.

(Photo credit: levelFILM)