We had nothing but raves for Martin Scorcese-produced PIECES OF A WOMAN coming out of TIFF ’20 and we’re so excited to share with you this Trailer! Witness Vanessa Kirby’s Best Actress-winning performance from the Venice Film Festival.

Synopsis:

Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia LaBeouf) are a Boston couple on the verge of parenthood whose lives change irrevocably when a home birth ends in unimaginable tragedy. Thus begins a yearlong odyssey for Martha, who must navigate her grief while working through fractious relationships with Sean and her domineering mother (Ellen Burstyn), along with the publicly vilified midwife (Molly Parker), whom she must face in court. Directed by Kornél Mundruczó (WHITE GOD, winner of the 2014 Prix Un Certain Regard Award), written by Kata Wéber, and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, PIECES OF A WOMAN is a deeply personal, searing, and ultimately transcendent story of a woman learning to live alongside her loss.

Trailer:

PIECES OF A WOMAN arrives in theatres December 30, 2020 and on Netflix January 7, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Pieces of a Woman is an intimate portrait of a couple who experience the greatest loss. Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Shawn (Shia LaBeouf) are passionately in love and eagerly expecting the birth of their daughter. When the night arrives, they learn their Midwife is busy with another client and a different one is sent. Unfortunately, complications arise with their home birth and the couple is sent spiralling into heart-wrenching tragedy.

Director Kornél Mundruczó shoots this outstanding Film with unflinching honesty. He is known for putting his characters under immense pressure. His use of long, continuous takes in pivotal scenes creates a real authenticity, us watching as scenes unfold in real-time and the result is both agonizing and gut-wrenching for the viewer.

The Film’s opening sequence lasts for 30 minutes. It consists of long takes following Martha, Shawn and their Midwife (Molly Parker) around their house — spanning from her first contractions to her delivery. This scene perfectly shows the love which Martha and Shawn share, and their desire to welcome their baby girl. We are immersed into the pressure cooker that becomes their house and in witnessing Martha‘s extreme difficulty, we get the unsettling sense that something isn’t right. Under Mundruczó’s masterful direction, this scene becomes a sweeping emotional journey and the sets the stage for what are some truly powerful performances.

Kirby is magnificent as a woman grappling with grief, while her body and family constantly remind her of what she lost. She commands each scene with powerful actions and controlled expressions. Most impressive, she finds that delicate balance in Martha’s newly hardened heart and her vulnerability. LaBeouf gives one of the greatest performances of his career. He is at his best drowning in Shawn’s grief and is desperate for Martha‘s love and affection again. While often we see this from a woman’s perspective, the Film gives us a genuine snapshot of what it might be like for a man.

Kirby and LaBeouf even though their characters are so different, have a palpable chemistry that makes us fall in love with them. They’re portraying a couple who are facing the biggest challenge in their relationship. Thanks to their strong chemistry we are invested in their love and are devastated when we see it crumbling. They are joined by a talented Supporting Cast. Parker is great portraying the anxiety of a Mmidwife during the home birth and expresses her unspoken guilt so well in the Third Act, within the courtroom. Ellen Burstyn is superb as Martha’s overbearing mother, always making her presence felt but especially in a confrontation between her and Kirby.

Pieces of a Woman is difficult watch, but it’s one that will change you after seeing it. Screenwriter Kata Wéber has written a beautiful, heartbreaking Script that’s about surviving after the most horrifying loss. She does this by allowing us to check-in with her characters once a month, fall to spring. This shows us the changes happening within and outside them as we watch them grow in their own ways. Time heals the pain and the Film captures this process so beautifully. And Wéber reminds us that a woman is comprised of infinite pieces which only she is able to break and rebuild again.

Pieces of a Woman screens at TIFF ’20:

We’re at the halfway point almost of TIFF ’19 and we are looking forward to enjoying some films soon! Before all that though, there are plenty of stars to spot around the City and today was EPIC!

See our sightings below. Hover cursor right to navigate albums.

THE LAUNDROMAT – Premiere

GUNS AKIMBO – Press Stop

HONEY BOY – Press Stop

BAD EDUCATION – Press Stop

WASP NETWORK – Press Stop

UNCUT GEMS – Press Stop

JUDY – Press Stop

HUMAN CAPITAL – Press Stop

JOKER – Premiere

(Photo credit : Mr. Will Wong)

leveFILM x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of SXSW Audience Award winner THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON in Toronto and Vancouver. Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 7PM
Cineplex Varsity Cinemas

Vancouver:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 7:30PM
Cineplex International Village

Synopsis:
When Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, runs away from the nursing home where he lives, he sets off on a modern Mark Twain adventure as he chases his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. The Film stars Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen.

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!

levelFILM release THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON Friday, August 23, 2019 in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa & Winnipeg.

(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Zak is a 22-year-old male with Down Syndrome who escapes from the retirement home he is forced to be in, in the hopes of meeting his Wrestling hero.

This Film has an enormous amount of heart with one of the most touching stories. The Script is tight with some of the richest characters who have been cast to perfection. The Cast includes Dakota Johnson, Thomas Haden Church, John Hawkes, Bruce Dern and the anchor of the Film Zack Gottsagen who plays Zak. However, the most moving performance is from Shia LaBeouf. He’s completely dedicated and extremely authentic in a different role than we have seen him in before.

The Peanut Butter Falcon screens at SXSW on March 9 at 8 PM at Atom Theatre, March 12 at 4:45 PM at Alamo Lamar D and March 13 at 5:15 PM at Stateside.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Honey Boy is the impressive screenwriting debut of Shia LaBeouf and is an autobiographical depiction of his relationship as a child actor with his emotionally and physically-abusive, alcoholic father.

This is an emotionally-driven film that features enormously-powerful, layered performances from its three leads. First and most memorable is LaBeouf in the role as his own father. He throws himself into this portrayal even further than his prior work making this standout. Then there is Noah Jupe, who plays LaBeouf as a 12-year-old child actor. Jupe’s performance is truly heartbreaking and his scenes with LeBeouf are raw. Finally, there is Lucas Hedges as LaBeouf in his 20s. Hedges becomes the PTSD effected Shia during his stay at a court-ordered rehab. There is no trace of Hedges because he captures LaBeouf stance, walk and voice inflections.

Honey Boy screens at Sundance on Jan 25 at 3:30PM AT Eccels PC, Jan 26 at 12:15PM at Grand SLC and 10PM at Redstone 2, Jan 27 at 9:15PM at Ray PC, and Feb 2 at 11:30AM at The MARC PC.

It was a star-studded second day at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and our Amanda Gilmore was out and about capturing all the excitement in between her screenings.

She tells us TROOP ZERO is the one to look out for next Awards Season as the feel-good Film produced by and starring Viola Davis premiered to rousing reception. Check out her Review here.

She also saw the Adaptation of popular Richard Wright Novel, NATIVE SON which sees Best Picture-winning Moonlight star Ashton Sanders back in the spotlight again. Her thoughts on the Film here.

Real-life couple Director Bart Freundlich and Oscar winner Julianne Moore team-up on a Remake of Danish film AFTER THE WEDDING, which also stars Michelle Williams. Amanda‘s review here.

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Amanda‘s Recap:

Throughout the day there were second screenings from films that premiered last night and into the afternoon and evening their were new premieres to come. One of those premieres was Shia LaBeouf’s screenwriting debut Film, which is semi-autobiographical, Honey Boy. When the Film finished, there was a strong applause and since then it has been on our radar. Another Film that premiered tonight was Screenwriter and Actor Mindy Kaling’s Late Night. This Film follows a female Late Night Talk Show Host, which is definitely something topical right now. It is one of the hardest tickets to get at this year’s Festival. Kaling has been a steady force within the industry since her days on The Office. Now IMDb has given Kaling the STARMeter Award today.

Out on Main Street, many stars were found walking, doing press and hitting some parties. Some people spotted today were Mindy Kaling, Nick Robinson, Julianne Moore, Jada Pinkett Smith, Malin Åckerman, Billy Crudup and more.

A majority of these actors opted to walk down the street to each of their interviews rather than taking a vehicle. And a lot of them took their time to stop for fans on the street even though a lot were running around to their next interviews.

Tonight also was the Sundance Kickoff Party that we were lucky enough to attend. The atmosphere was filled with high energy and conversations about the best films viewed so far. After overhearing conversations it is clear that many people loved Troop Zero, while others had a lot to say about Documentaries.

Check-out some of the awesome star sightings by Amanda in and around the hub of the Festival:

Ashton Sanders, Native Son

There is still a lot of Festival left! Tomorrow Zac Efron will be in town to premiere his Ted Bundy Biopic, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which just dropped its Trailer today. There is a lot of hype surrounding it so far at Sundance. There will be some star power hitting the Midnight Programme tomorrow night with Dakota Johnson and Armie Hammer’s new film Wounds. It is sure to be a day full of excitement and we look forward to bringing you all the latest, so stay tuned.

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Opening Night Gala at TIFF ’17 is Tennis Drama BORG/McENROE. While its star Shia LaBeouf often is known for trouble in the news, he was all a gentleman for fans waiting for him at the Film’s Press Conference, walking the line signing autographs and doing photos-with. While it rained on his way out, he insisted on walking umbrella-free despite a Handler trying to keep him covered.

Later in the day, we spotted his iconic Co-Star Stellan Skarsgård, father of Alexander and Bill, the latter destined for Box Office glory starring in Stephen King’s IT this weekend. Opting to slip early out of his Premiere, he stopped for a quick Photo before heading out for a bite.

#TIFF17 #ShiaLaBeouf braves rain at Press Conference for Opening Night Gala #BorgMcEnroe. #TIFF2017 #TIFF #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival 🎾

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2017 at 1:12pm PDT

#TIFF17: With iconic screen star #StellanSkarsgard, at #TIFF2017 with #BorgMcEnroe. 🎾 #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2017 at 7:24pm PDT

Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet are gaining huge Oscars momentum with their latest, an Adaptation of CALL ME BY YOUR NAME by Director Luca Guadadigno (A Bigger Splash, I Am Love). The Trio walked the Red Carpet tonight for the Film at Ryerson Theatre and were amazing, causing quite a commotion!

#TIFF17: One of my most coveted Selfies of #TIFF2017, #TimotheeChalamet. This burgeoning star is devastatingly-good in #CallMeByYourName. The #Oscars buzz is all warranted. #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2017 at 4:32pm PDT

#TIFF17: One of my favourite Directors, #LucaGuadagnino. His latest, #CallMeByYourName is bound for #Oscars contention. #TIFF2017 #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2017 at 4:35pm PDT

It’s not every day we see Eminem in Toronto and today was supposed to be our lucky day! The Actor/Rapper produces BODIED from Music Video Auteur Joseph Kahn and was slated to appear at its Premiere at Ryerson tonight but cancelled late.

More tomorrow. We are expecting a bigger day!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

After winning the Jury Prize in Cannes earlier this year and premiering at TIFF ’16, this is your chance to attend an Advance Screening of AMERICAN HONEY. Screenings take place in Toronto, Ottawa and Winnipeg the following dates:

Toronto – Oct. 12th, 2016, 7:30PM
Yonge & Dundas (10 Dundas St E #402, Toronto, ON M5B 2G9)

Winnipeg – October 12th, 2016, 7PM
Grant Park (1120 Grant Ave Unit 127, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2A6)

Ottawa– October 12th, 2016, 7:30PM
Scotiabank Ottawa (2385 City Park Dr, Gloucester, ON K1J 1G1)

Synopsis:
Star (Sasha Lane), a teenage girl from a troubled home runs away with a travelling sales crew that drives across the American mid-west selling Magazine subscriptions door to door. Finding her feet in this gang of teenagers, one of whom is Jake (Shia LaBeouf), she soon gets into the group’s lifestyle of hard partying, law-bending and young love.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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

Lane + Mr. Will

With #AmericanHoney star #SashaLane. #TIFF16 #nikond3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2016 at 9:30pm PDT

Elevation Pictures release AMERICAN HONEY on:
October 14, 2016 – Toronto, Montreal

October 28, 2016 – Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Victoria

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

It wouldn’t be TIFF if it weren’t divisive, right?  Andrea Arnold’s American Honey should play well to the Arthouse-craving Festival crowd, although we’re unsure how the mainstream might perceive it.

American Honey starts off by introducing us to our main character Star (Sasha Lane) and how fed-up she is with the daily grind. Whether that be her abusive and less than caring boyfriend or it be her sister’s children that she took upon herself to watch, there are things that she just wants to escape. Fast-forward a few days where Star, her niece and nephew are searching for food inside the local K-Mart and she meets Jake (Shia LaBeouf). Jake teases Star by trying to get her to join his band of misfits who sell magazines across the country. Star sees this as an opportunity to create a name for herself and she decidedly goes for it.

Both Lane and LaBeouf give incredible performances here. American Honey‘s main flaw is that the Movie itself never really gives enough insight to why Star continues down her path in order to keep us invested at two hours and forty-five minutes.

AMERICAN HONEY screens at TIFF Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 5:15 PM at Ryerson Theatre and again on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 9 PM at Scotiabank Theatre.