The Toronto International Film Festival has descended upon the city, and with hundreds of choices, picking the right film to see can be overwhelming. We’ll be bringing you recommendations every day, from major Hollywood features to compelling docs — the best from around the world. These are films that deserve to be seen, either during the festival or after.
Fifth Estate
Rating: 4/5
Benedict Cumberbatch, the Internet’s current favourite celebrity, plays the white-haired Julian Assange in this taut and stylish drama about the rise of WikiLeaks and the largest disclosure of wartime documents and diplomatic cables in American history.
Director Bill Condon paints a fascinating portrait of a man who may be a pioneer, or who may be a traitor. This is a film with star-power, relevance and tense storytelling.
Sept. 7, Winter Garden Theatre, 12:30 p.m.
The Past
Rating: 3.5/5
Following up A Separation, director Asghar Farhadi returns with The Past, another impressively acted and intimate story about family life and cultural identity. Starring Bérénice Bejo (The Artist), Farhadi tells a tale of a woman caught between men and between worlds.
As Marie (Bejo) tries to finalize her divorce, she moves closer to marrying a new man in her life. Her curious son and rebellious daughter associate more with the outgoing father figure rather than the incoming one — both of whom are Iranian men.
This slow-boiling, emotional drama examines the current and past lives of its three main characters, challenging the viewer to examine their flaws and fragility, as well as their earnestness and hope. The past slowly reveals itself as the characters struggle to move on to the next chapter in their lives.
Sept. 7, TIFF Bell Lightbox 2, 10:30 a.m.
Young & Beautiful
Rating: 3.5/5
It is yet another French film, and this one follows the sexual discovery and maturation of a teenage girl. Whereas Blue is the Warmest Color held the camera closely, drawing out the minor details of daily life in stark relief, François Ozon’s Young & Beautiful (Jeune & Jolie) chronicles a year in the life of Isabelle (Marine Vacth) from a bit farther away.
We first meet her tanning on the beach; we watch through an onlooker’s binoculars. It is summer, and she enjoys the freedom that comes with the season, including a romance with a handsome jock to whom she loses her virginity.
As the seasons change, so does Isabelle. She embraces the detachment she felt during her first sexual encounter, deciding to sell her body to men. As time passes, emotions stir and she is forced to confront the lies she tells her friends and family. A gorgeously shot and well-acted exploration.
Sept. 7, Visa Screening Room (Elgin), 6 p.m.