The Best of TIFF 2023
DREAM SCENARIO
Courtesy of A24
Surreal doesn’t begin to describe the new film “Dream Scenario,” a social satire so fun and dense that only real-life chameleon Nicolas Cage could bring it to life. Paired with producer Ari Aster (“Midsommar”), the chaos begins almost immediately as we follow tenured college professor Paul Matthews (Cage). He’s presented as a sad sack, from his demure posture to his boring wardrobe, everything about him screams normal and uninteresting. But suddenly he becomes very interesting to random strangers, popping up in their dreams and nightmares with no apparent explanation. How is this happening and is it a blessing or a curse? The film has fun answering those riddles and the execution of its craziness doesn’t disappoint either. Cage has tackled mind-bending territory like this before in “Apatation” and last year’s “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” but “Dream Scenario” allows him to show off a different side of his uniquely weird bag of tricks.
HIT MAN
Courtesy of Netflix
Inspired by a true story of crime and false identities, “Hit Man” is the latest from director Richard Linklater (“Everybody Wants Some!!”) and it also reunites him with Glen Powell, one of the co-stars of that underrated gem. Powell was last seen in “Top Gun: Maverick” and the promise and charisma of his talent in that film is only further extended here. He seamlessly slides into the role of divorced and lonely teacher Gary Johnson, who moonlights doing tech work and surveillance for the New Orleans police department on the side. When a last minute screw-up forces Gary to go undercover for the cops as a hired killer, he quickly realizes he’s a natural at crafting new identities on the spot. That confidence continues to build over further assignments until one of those jobs becomes a liability, forcing Gary to choose between staying in reality or jumping into the deep end of one of his criminal creations.
THE HOLDOVERS
Courtesy of Focus Features
Director Alexander Payne has made many films of varying quality but many would agree that up to now “Sideways” is his masterpiece. For his latest venture he reteamed with that film’s star Paul Giamatti to deliver a quiet and moving companion piece set at a fictional and elite boarding school in the early 1970’s. Professor Hunham (Giamatti) isn’t liked by most students or faculty and he could honestly care less. He’s happy to be set in his curmudgeonly ways throwing verbal jabs in class and upsetting the higher order. But when Christmas break forces him to stay behind campus and babysit students with nowhere to go for the holidays, something in the air may force this Grinch’s heart to grow a size or two. Newcomer Dominic Sessa plays one of these forgotten students and his meaty supporting role almost steals the show from Giamatti’s lead performance.
SING SING
Courtesy of A24
Actor Colman Domingo is currently receiving accolades for “Rustin” but his work in the powerful and theatrical “Sing Sing” is just as strong if not better. Occupying the setting of New York’s Sing Sing prison, the film focuses on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, a real outlet that offers inmates a way to experience and participate in arts programs such as dance and theater. The film uses a blend of actors and former inmates who are now part of the program to bring this fictional story to life. Domingo roars the film to life as Divine G, a performer who lives for his craft and despite initial skepticism, has just agreed to take on a fresh face inside the group. That gamble will pay dividends in unexpected ways as we see both men navigate the prison system through the eyes of artistic expression.
NEXT GOAL WINS
Courtesy of Searchlight
Most sports movies based on a true story have a set formula, the underdog is humiliated in the first act and by the finale wins the big game to be fully redeemed. As evidenced by its title, “Next Goal Wins” isn’t looking to break new ground but instead offer populist and by-the-numbers entertainment. On that front it succeeds and director Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok”) even throws in a few surprises to the exploited genre for good measure. Coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) is known for two things, his drinking and his temper. Combined, those problems have gotten him thrown out of professional soccer. But a last ditch effort to save his job will send him to coach American Samoa, a team so down on its luck that they don’t need to win a game to turn their losing streak around, they just need to score a single goal. Training montages, a big speech and more are on the menu for this fun and witty comedy.
