The 2019 Toronto International Film Festival begins tomorrow, and as always, it’s an embarrassment of riches. The festival programmers really know how to pack in an excellent array of movies, and while TIFF is a bit of a launching pad for awards-seasons favorites, a film doesn’t have to be up for an Oscar to end up as one of my favorites of the year. One of the benefits of TIFF is the diversity on display so you can see a blistering comedy, a prestige biopic, an unsettling psychological horror film, and a compelling mystery all in the same day. People have asked me how I manage to see four films every day for about a week, but when the films feel so different and they tend to be great, you don’t really mind packing in that many features to your waking hours.
Although I could have easily made a list of about 30 movies I want to see at this year’s festival, I managed to narrow it down to about ten I’ve got to see while I’m in Toronto this year.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Director:Marielle Heller
Writers:Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster
Cast: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, and Chris Cooper
Why It’s a Must-See: Last year’s documentaryWon’t You Be My Neighborwas a direct injection of the kindness that we sorely needed and reminded us of the innate decency and powerful legacy of Fred Rogers. The challenge for director Mairelle Heller is telling that story within a narrative feature, but coming off the success ofCan You Ever Forgive Me?, she seems more than up to the task. Plus, you have the pretty-much-perfect casting of Tom Hanks as Rogers. HopefullyA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhoodcan stand on its own without being overshadowed byWon’t You Be My Neighbor, although I don’t think you can ever really get enough Mister Rogers, especially these days.
Dolemite Is My Name
Director:Craig Brewer
Writers:Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszeweski
Cast:Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Tituss Burgess, T.I., and Wesley Snipes
Why It’s a Must-See:It’s been a long time since an Eddie Murphy movie was a must-see, but this story of Blaxsploitation star Rudy Ray Moore seems perfectly suited to the legendary comic talent. The film examines how Moore took his character “Dolemite” and turned him into an icon, and Craig Brewer, who previously helmedHustle & FlowandBlack Snake Moanseems perfectly suited to bring this story to the screen. We could be on the cusp of a major comeback for Murphy (he’s also planning to hostSaturday Night Livethis season and he’s working with Brewer on a sequel toComing to America), and I’m eager to see how that comeback begins.
Ford v Ferrari
Director:James Mangold
Writers:Jez and John-Henry Butterworth & Jason Keller
Cast:Christian Bale, Matt Damon, Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, and Tracy Letts
Why It’s a Must-See:Director James Mangold knows his way around a prestige picture, and he’s got a great story here that recounts how Ford Motors aimed to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. I’m not sure if there’s anything deeper here (it’s one giant car company versus another giant car company), but I like the framework of underdogs (as much as Ford can be an underdog) using their technical knowhow to build a better racecar. If the racing scenes can match the intensity of something likeRush, thenFord v Ferrarishould be an exhilarating picture.
Director:Kasi Lemmons
Writers:Gregory Allen Howard and Kasi Lemmons
Cast:Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monae, and Leslie Odom Jr.
Why It’s a Must-See:Why it’s disappointing that we haven’t had a prestige picture made yet about Harriet Tubman, it should be worth the wait with Kasi Lemmons behind the camera. The directorEve’s BayouandTalk to Meseems perfectly suited to telling the story of the famous abolitionist who risked her freedom countless times over to help slaves on the Underground Railroad. And that’s only part of her story since she also worked as a spy for the Union during the Civil War! Arguably the biggest challenge with Tubman’s story is what to focus on, but I trust Lemmons’ storytelling chops, and I’m excited to see what Cynthia Erivo does with the title role.
Jojo Rabbit
Writer/Director:Taika Waititi
Cast:Roman Griggin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, Sam Rockwell, and Taika Waititi
Why It’s a Must-See:Taika Waititi’s filmmaking skills just keep getting stronger with every movie he makes, and he’s tackling a tough story with his “anti-hate satire”Jojo Rabbit. The movie follows a young boy who’s a member of the Hitler youth in Nazi Germany but discovers that his mother his harboring a young Jewish girl. Oh, and the young boy’s imaginary friend is Adolf Hitler (played by Waititi). Now more than ever, we need to laugh in the face of white supremacists and take them down a peg, and Waititi seems more than game to jam a thumb in the eye of Nazis.
Director:Todd Phillips
Writers:Todd Phillips and Scott Silver
Cast:Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron, Frances Conroy, Shea Whigham, Brian Tyree Henry, Brett Cullen, and Robert De Niro
Why It’s a Must-See:Jokerwill probably end up being one of the most controversial movies of the year because of the serious approach and the supervillain protagonist landing at the intersection of a white male terrorist. you’re able to’t divorce the character from his origin story like you could withThe Dark Knightwhere the Joker is an “agent of chaos” and exists an almost a supernatural force. But the thing about controversial movies is that if you want to be part of the conversation, first you have to do the work, see the movie, and engage with it, which is just what I intend to do.
Just Mercy
Director:Destin Daniel Cretton
Writers:Destin Caniel Cretton and Andrew Lanham
Cast:Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Rafe Spall, Tim Blake Nelson, and Brie Larson
Why It’s a Must-See:Based on a true story of a civil rights attorney trying to defend a death row inmate, I’m eager to see what Cretton does with the material because he has such a deep compassion for his characters and their trauma. While his previous film,The Glass Castle, didn’t land quite as well as his breakthrough,Short Term 12, it’s clear that Cretton is still an incredible storyteller who doesn’t shy away from his characters’ pain, but never exploits it for easy emotional impact. He’s eager to get to the truth of sorrow, regret, and anguish, and with a rich story like the one here, I think he could really work some magic with it.
Knives Out
Director/Writer:Rian Johnson
Cast:Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Edi Patterson, Katherine Langford, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, Jaeden Martell, LaKeith Stanfield, and Christopher Plummer
Why It’s a Must-See:Sometimes when directors make the leap to blockbuster filmmaking, they never go back to smaller projects. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Rian Johnson, who chose to follow upStar Wars: The Last Jediwith a whodunnit featuring a crackerjack cast. Johnson has cited films likeMurder on the Orient ExpressandGosford Parkas influences forKnives Out, and I’m eager to see back in the crime genre where he got his start withBrick. While there are plenty of movies I want to see at this year’s TIFF,Knives Outis the one I want to see the most.
Director:Bong Joon-ho
Writers:Jin Won Han and Bong Joon Ho
Cast:Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee, Yeo-jeong Jo, Woo-sik Choi, Hye-jin Jang, and So-dam Park
Why It’s a Must-See:Every new Bong Joon-ho movie is a must-see, obviously, but you really need to see it when it ends up winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. The story of an unemployed family that takes an interest in swindling the lives of a wealthier family seems like (no pun intended) rich territory for Bong, whose previous film,Okja, took capitalism head on while his sci-fi masterpieceSnowpiercerwas a damning indictment of income inequality. The way Bong weaves together rich characters with thoughtful commentary is unmatched, and I can’t wait to see what he’s concocted withParasite.
The Lighthouse
Director:Robert Eggers
Writers:Max Eggers and Robert Eggers
Cast:Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson
Why It’s a Must-See:Director Robert Eggers blew my mind a little bit with his 2015 feature debutThe Witch, and I’m so happy he’s back withThe Lighthouse. The story is still kind of a mystery (good luck deciphering the twisted trailer), but a black-and-white horror film with Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as lighthouse keepers is enough for me. That may not be much for some audiences, but Eggers’ follow-up toThe Witchwas always going to be a must-see for me, and I’m glad I’ll get to catch it at TIFF.
