9-13-03
People really do love the Uptown. A lot.
That was the prevailing emotion running through lines and audiences on
this last day of the 28th Toronto Film Festival, which also marks the
final day that one of Toronto's most beloved theatres will be in
operation. Every line I was in today featured discussions of its demise
and what a loss it will be for moviegoers. Many people were wielding
cameras, flashbulbs and camcorders at both my screenings in Uptown 1
this afternoon. I remarked to someone that I've never seen that many
pictures being taken in that theatre *ever* before, including at
star-studded screenings. I guess I'm not the only one who wanted to
capture the place on film.
Anyway, I digress.
My first film today was Afropunk, a frenetic and somewhat
(appropriately enough) unconventional documentary about black punk
rockers in America. It was directed by James Spooner and
produced by ex-Road Rules: Semester at Sea cast member Ayana
Jackson (so now I know why she's in town!). The film features
numerous interviews with young people across the States who talk about
what it's like to be a person of color in what is, on most levels, a
predominately white music scene, but it lacks any kind of historical
element. And that's fine, I guess. I was just hoping for a little more
history and a little less chatting with occasionally self-important
kids explaining why they're proud of their punk lifestyle. (Read:
"Yeah, there's mice in my apartment and I don't have a job and I can't
make rent, but I'm *so* living the punk life, man!")
The film received enthusiastic applause when it was over, and we were
all handed a survey (which, like the film's opening credits, should
probably have had its spelling errors corrected before distribution) as
a way of tracking audience demographics. I mention this because it's
the first time I've been polled by a filmmaker at the festival.
Film number two was another documentary, albeit one that was horribly
under-attended. They screened it in a giant theatre (the Elgin) and I
don't think it was even half full. Too bad. Bright Leaves turned
out to be surprisingly entertaining. It follows filmmaker Ross
McAlwee (Sherman's March) as he traces his family's history in the
North Carolina tobacco industry. Along the way we're treated to all
kinds of tangential segments, including visits with assorted family
members, a look at the link between the McAlwees and Gary Cooper, and a
very funny discussion between McAlwee and a "rabid film theorist" who
evidently detests static shots in film. I didn't expect to enjoy
Bright Leaves as much as I did. But I did. So there.
Shattered Glass was next. It tells the true story of the
downfall of eager and seriously misguided young journalist Stephen
Glass (Hayden Christensen, in a nicely anxious performance), who
wrote for The New Republic and fabricated many of his stories. There's
not a whole lot to say about the movie, though. It was fine. It held my
interest. Though drowsy, I didn't fall asleep. But it didn't amaze or
astound me, and I found myself distracted by Hayden's hairdo.
Speaking of hair, William H. Macy is blessed with a nice top
full of mop, and it's on display in The Cooler, a sharp drama
wherein he plays a man who is essentially a walking jinx. A guy so
magnificently unlucky that he's hired to work at a casino to "cool"
overly successful players because his mere presence at a table ends
winning streaks instantly. He falls for a waitress (Maria Bello,
in yet another solid turn), but his life begins to get very complicated
by things like his ruthless boss (Alec Baldwin), the arrival of
his screw-up son (Shawn Hatosy) and his own desire to leave the
business.
I really enjoyed The Cooler and feel kind of lucky (ha!) that I
saw it now in its uncut state. Apparently, the film is going to be
edited down a smidge to accommodate the demands of U.S. censors. Seems
they were a little put off by some of the nudity. Or the sex. Or both.
I can't remember. At any rate, it was a good flick, and the first time
in many years that I've actually ended the festival with something that
didn't disappoint me.
I'll admit I got a little teary as I left the screening, though, since
it was my last ever Uptown movie. I made sure to pause to look at the
theatre one more time before walking out the doors.
Then, as per usual, I took my end-of-fest promenade past all the
screening venues in the Yorkville area. Things are going to be mighty
different next year when, as the scuttlebutt goes, the entire festival
will be moved further downtown to another set of theatres. Festival
life as we know it will change dramatically and we'll all have to
adjust to a whole new way of doing things. It's gonna be weird. New.
Strange. Unfamiliar. Maybe better? Maybe worse. We won't know until
next September.
And I can hardly wait.
;-)
(I'll post my final thoughts, fest faves and a wrap-up of the official
award winners tomorrow.)
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS: Er, no.
LINE BUZZ: Farewell Uptown! It's crime that you're leaving us! Also,
dramatically mixed reviews ("I loved it!"..."I hated it!") for
Nathalie..., and a general consensus that we're all tired, we're
all ready to get some sleep and emerge from the perpetual darkness of
the theatres... but we all had a blast. :-)
— Vickie
