Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

It has been well over 12 hours since I watched Darren Aronofsky’s mother!, and I am still processing everything that happens within its 115-minute running time. Aronofsky has never been one to make films with easy interpretations, but mother! is far and away his densest movie to date.

The less you know about mother!, the better. But the plot revolves around a woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who lives with a famous poet (Javier Bardem). His house was destroyed, and she is helping to remodel and put it back together. But when unexpected guests arrive, things begin to get strange.

mother! is wrapped in layers of subtext and varying ideologies. It is at times frustrating to watch because Aronofsky is throwing so much at the screen at once, creating a nightmarish fever dream of a movie that goes to some shocking and bizarre places. But what it lacks in coherency, it more than makes up in astounding visuals and exquisite sound design. And at the heart of all the chaos is Lawrence, putting in an incredible performance that needs to be seen to be believed.

Paramount Pictures Canada will screen mother! at TIFF ’17 at the following times:

Sunday, September 10 9:15 p.m. Princess of Wales
Monday, September 11 11:30 a.m. Elgin Theatre
Wednesday, September 13 9:30 a.m. Princess of Wales

Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

Following in the tradition of other Oscar hopefuls, motion-capture pioneer Andy Serkis brings his directorial debut to TIFF. Written by Oscar-nominated Screenwriter William Nicholson, Breathe, tells the true story of a man stricken with Polio and a woman who refuses to lose hope.

While in Kenya, Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield) became paralyzed from the neck down after contracting Polio. When he and his pregnant wife Diana return to England they are faced with a lifetime spent in cold, restrictive hospitals. Unwilling to accept the doctors’ dire prognosis, Robin and Diana decide to move home so he can be with his family. With the help of his friend Teddy (Hugh Bonneville), Robin is able to escape the prison of his bed through a wheelchair with a built-in respirator.

Although Breathe is about Robin, the Movie truly belongs to the remarkable Claire Foy who portrays Diana as more than a naïve girl in love but rather a woman with strong beliefs who is not prepared to give-up. Strong performances overcome Nitin Sawhney’s dreadful Score are sure to help drive the Festival popularity of this by-the-numbers Biography.

Elevation Pictures will screen Breathe at TIFF ’17 at the following times:

Monday, September 11 6:00 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall
Tuesday, September 12 10:00 a.m. Winter Garden Theatre

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take you to see TIFF ’17 selection STRONGER starring Jake Gyllenhaal + Tatiana Maslany!  Screenings take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Victoria.

Synopsis:

STRONGER, a deeply personal account of the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath film in which Jeff (Academy Award® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal) goes from being an ordinary working-class 27-year-old to a double amputee fighting for his life.  In the months following the blast, Jeff tackles intensive physical and emotional rehabilitation with the unwavering support of Erin and his family.  It is Jeff’s personal account of the heroic journey that tests a family’s bond, defines a community’s pride and inspires his inner courage to overcome devastating adversity.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City.  Favourite this Tweet at @mrwillw for an extra chance!

eOne Films release STRONGER Friday, September 22, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

A Worthy Companion follows troubled 30-year-old Laura (Evan Rachel Wood) who starts an intimate and manipulative relationship with 16-year-old runaway Eva (Julia Sarah Stone).

The Film delivers great performances from Wood and Stone who work well together especially in scenes where Laura is emotionally abusing Eva. Both express a mix of betrayal, fear, and compassion all at once in these scenes. Yet, A Worthy Companion has a messy script that has a lot to say but doesn’t know how or what to focus on. Resulting in a Film that has no characters the audience roots for or a story they care about.

A Worthy Companion screens at TIFF on Sept. 10 at Scotiabank 2 at 7:30 PM and Sept. 12 at Scotiabank 3 at 3:30 PM.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Submergence is the newest Film from Wim Wenders and follows two lovers (Alicia Vikander and James McAvoy) whose careers force them oceans apart.

The performances from Vikander and McAvoy anchor this Film both individually and together. Their magnetic chemistry is essential to believing these characters are willing to spend months apart just for a moment together again. The sets are stunning and Wenders shoots the ocean romantically finding beauty in the vast water. Unfortunately, Submergence in its script, fails to captivate beginning to end.

Submergence screens at TIFF on Sept. 10 at Elgin at 6:15 PM and Sept. 11 at TBLB1 at 3 PM.

TIFF ’17 will be remembered as one of the most electrifyingly star-studded Festivals in many years and today is exactly why!

Names don’t come any bigger than Angelina Jolie who walked her first of two Red Carpets this afternoon. She produces Animated Feature THE BREADWINNER and humbly came out to grace not only the Red Carpet but walk the line of Fans stopping for photos and autographs along Yonge Street in front of Winter Garden Theatre. We were among the lucky! What a thrill! Don’t miss her at her Premiere for well-reviewed Documentary FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER tomorrow!

#TIFF17: Aww yes!!! #AngelinaJolie owning #TIFF2017. She walks the first of two Red Carpets, this for #TheBreadwinner! #TIFF #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #Yass 💥

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 12:05pm PDT

#TIFF17: This goddess. #AngelinaJolie. #TheBreadwinner #TIFF #TIFF2017 #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 12:54pm PDT

Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence also drew a large crowd at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX for the Presser for Darren Aronofsky‘s well-reviewed mother! While there was no sign of Michelle Pfeiffer today, Javier Bardem and Ed Harris later would walk the Red Carpet after being absent at the Film’s Presser. We even got a photo with Lawrence although tragically, flashes going off would wash out the Photo! Devastation!

#TIFF17: Academy Award winner #JenniferLawrence at #TIFF2017 with #mother! #TIFF #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 1:28pm PDT

#TIFF17: #JenniferLawrence stopping for autographs earlier at Presser for #mother!. #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF #TIFF2017

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 1:42pm PDT

#TIFF17: #JavierBardem at #TIFF2017 with #mother!. #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 5:42pm PDT

#TIFF17: When #JenniferLawrence finally takes a pic with you and then this happened. Who’s good with Photoshop?!? 😣 #mother! #TIFF #TIFF2017 #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 6:02pm PDT

THE SHAPE OF WATER continues to garner tons of Oscar buzz with Festival Creative Director Cameron Bailey touting it as his fave! We spotted its friendly cast today including two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins, winner Octavia Spencer, nominee Richard Jenkins and Doug Jones. Hawkins is getting a lot of early buzz for her work.in this Toronto-made Fantasy by Guillermo del Toro. No signs of Michael Shannon however!

#TIFF17: With Academy Award winner #OctaviaSpencer. #TIFF2017 #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:15am PDT

#TIFF17: Funny faces with #DougJones, at #TIFF2017 for #TheShapeofWater. #TIFF #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:15am PDT

#TIFF17: #RichardJenkins at #TIFF2017 for #TheShapeofWater. #TIFF #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:14am PDT

#TIFF17: With two-time (and possibly a third soon) Oscar nominee #SallyHawkins, here for #TheShapeofWater. One of my faves. #TIFF #TIFF2017 #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:15am PDT

We loved seeing Julianne Moore out earlier as she promoted George Clooney‘s SUBURBICON. We didn’t see Clooney though who was snuck-in, although we hear he has been really fantastic and giving to fans at TIFF ’17!

#TIFF17: Academy Award winner #JulianneMoore at #TIFF2017 with #Suburbicon. #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:15am PDT

Sam Rockwell is back at it in the City, a place which work has brought him to many times, returning to TIFF with THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI.

#TIFF17: #SamRockwell at #TIFF2017 with #ThreeBillboardsOutsideEbbingMissouri #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:19am PDT

Dave Franco stars alongside brother James Franco in hilarious THE DISASTER ARTIST, based on THE ROOM star Greg Sestero‘s Memoir about working on that Cult Classic! He was in a bit of a rush today but we hope to see him around tomorrow as the Film premieres then at Midnight Madness.

#TIFF17: #DaveFranco at #TIFF2017 with hilarious #TheDisasterArtist. #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:15am PDT

James McAvoy consistently delivers and we were thrilled that he was able to make it in this year as we’ve wanted to meet him since we saw The Last King of Scotland, which also premiered here back in 2006. He’s here for SUBMERGENCE and was gracious sporting a bald look for his X-Men: Dark Phoenix role which he is shooting now in Montreal.

#TIFF17: Capping-off a great night with amazing #JamesMcAvoy at #TIFF2017 with #Submergence. #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2017 at 8:32pm PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Novitiate follows Cathleen (Margaret Qualley) who struggles with her faith and sexuality while training to become a nun during the Vatican II era.

The Film is an impressive first feature debut from Writer/Director Margaret Betts who assembles a powerhouse ensemble of female talent. Most notable is Qualley who delivers a breakout performance, Melissa Leo who is a terrifying Reverend Mother, and Julianne Nichols as a strong single mother who can’t understand her daughter’s need to become a nun. Betts’ skillful direction and writing give the Film a steady pace. It’s also one of the most original coming-of-age female stories seen on-screen.

Novitiate screens at TIFF on Sept. 10 at Scotiabank 1 at 5:45 PM and on Sept. 12 at Scotiabank 12 at 4 PM.

Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong

Gutland is Luxembourger Govinda Van Maele’s Feature Film debut. It opens with Jens (Frederick Lau), drifting into a provincial German town. After finding work as a farm hand, Jens finds pleasure in the bed of Lucy (Vicky Krieps). Lucy is one of several local figures who introduce Jens to the dark secrets of Schandelsmillen.

The Film is beautifully-staged and brilliantly-scored. Rural landscapes are accompanied by haunting melodies, working together to enhance the eerie aura of the Film. At first Jens appears as the rogue with a troubled past, but by the end of the Second Act, it is everyone else that seems suspect. The Third Act turns everything on its head, and concludes with a memorable musical presentation that resolves the story while elevating its enigmatic nature. Expertly-acted and beautifully-presented, Gutland is the type of Indie gold that makes TIFF the “Festival of Festivals.”.

GUTLAND screens at TIFF ’17:

Sunday, September 10, 2017 6:45 PM Scotiabank 13

Tuesday, September 12, 2017 9:00 AM TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

Saturday, September 16, 2017 6:00 PM Scotiabank 9

Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon has received two Oscar nominations due in part to their unique hand-drawn style. In their latest Feature, The Breadwinner, they’ve moved their setting from Ireland to Afghanistan but retained all the magic of their previous films.

When the Taliban throw her father in jail, 12-year-old Parvana is forced to disguise herself as a boy to earn money for her family. One day in the marketplace, Parvana meets-up with an old classmate, Shauzia, who is also masquerading as a boy. During the day, Parvana tries to earn money to pay the baksheesh necessary to get her father out of prison. At night, she distracts her family by telling them the story of a brave warrior named Idrees and his quest to save his village and defeat the Elephant King.

The brilliant voice cast boasts no major stars but does an excellent job bringing Director Nora Twomey’s vision to life. Canadians Jeff and Mychael Danna have provided a beautiful score which compliments without overpowering the story. Despite the heavy themes, this Angelina Jolie-produced Movie is sure to resonate with both children and adults.

Elevation Pictures will screen The Breadwinner at TIFF ’17 at the following times:

Sunday, September 10 3:00 p.m. Winter Garden Theatre
Saturday, September 16 1:00 p.m. TIFF Bell Lightbox 2

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Film follows Brad Sloan (Ben Stiller) who brings his teenaged son (Austin Abrams) to tour colleges which triggers his mid-life crisis. He starts comparing his life to those of his wealthy, successful friends and struggles with finding happiness in his comfortable suburban life.

With Brad’s Status, Writer/Director Mike White makes this mid-life crisis story different from others by inserting Brad’s narration, which helps express the Film’s message clearly. Although the message about comparing others to ourselves will only make us less happy is touching, it being incessantly relayed becomes tiring. What makes up for the repetitive message is a great performance from Stiller and the strong chemistry he and Abrams have as father and son.

Brad’s Status screens at TIFF on Sept. 9 at the Winter Garden Theatre at 8:30PM, Sept. 10 at the TBLB1 at 11:45 AM and Sept. 16 at TBLB1 at 9:30PM.