Daily Riffs From TIFF - Day 5

Well gang, as the song goes, I'm 'back in the saddle again.' Yesterday, I got back to my ole film self and saw 4 films - well. I did sleep through one, so make that 3 full films. Once again, I'm proud to report than I'm 3 for 3, (it's like deja vu, all over again).

The first film of the day, I am proud to report is personally, one of the most - anticipated films of the Festival, and I must say, one of the funniest flicks I have ever seen. It is the new movie from those two truly, twisted brothers, JOEL & ETHAN COEN and it is called A SERIOUS MAN.

SIDEBAR:

A short note to the TIFF programmers, fabulous Festival, as always, but, there are 3 films of that Festival, that have very similar names: the ones I'm writing about are: A SERIOUS MAN, then there is, A SINGLE MAN, as well as, A SOLITARY MAN, (confusing? you betcha). This similar movie nomenclature puts me in mind of the summer, that Hollywood had 3 pics with similar monikers: there was MY SCIENCE PROJECT, WEIRD SCIENCE, as well as REAL GENIUS. People were so confused by the 3 similar titles, that they did not go to see any of them. Which leads me to ask the programmers, where is the movie: A SERIOUSLY SINGLE MAN? (I'm just asking...).

Where was I? Oh, yes. THE COENS. Well, I have to say that, A SERIOUS MAN, is hilarious, especially if you're Jewish (which I am). I was laughing from beginning to end and some scenes I was laughing so hard, that I was gasping for breath and tears were coming to my eyes. This is a personal film, for the COENS,' that is said to be autobiographical, about their childhood. True or false- and lets not forget that FARGO, was prefaced with the comment: 'based on a true story,' (they later admitted, that they made the whole thing up) - it is wonderful.

The movie, is set in Minnesota, and is the tragicomic story of one LARRY GOPNIK, (brilliantly played by an actor named, MICHAEL STUHLBARG, ( I hadn't heard of him either, but the cast is largely made up of unknowns, in addition to such able farceurs as RICHARD KIND, (MAD ABOUT YOU, SPIN CITY), ADAM ARKIN, (NORTHERN EXPOSURE), and GEORGE WYNER, (SPACEBALLS, and a zillion tv shows, usually playing a lawyer). The rest of the cast is assembled with such finesse and care, that it puts one in mind, of a WOODY ALLEN movie. It is 1967,and this LARRY GOPNIK, is facing such tumult in his life, that he might consider changing his name to "JOB" GOPNIK, (hey that's kinda catchy). It is his son's Bar-Mitzvah and if that's not nerve-rattling enough, at the same time, he is eagerly awaiting to find out, if he will be granted tenure at his school and his wife wants a divorce. Throw into this mix an Aryan gun-toting neighbour, several Rabbis, stoned Hebrew students, and The Columbia Record Company (don't ask), and you have a delicious mix. Also, as a bonus, at the end of the movie, you'll understand the significance, of the story of, 'The Goy's Teeth,' (or will you)?

Now if you're having trouble understanding some of the terms, I am using in this review, you may have a little trouble with the movie. It is probably the most "Jewish," Hollywood movie, I have seen since, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. It is filled with Yiddish and Hebrew and some of the names of the characters are hilarious in and of, themselves.

I don't want to give to much more away and spoil the fun. Needless, to say it was definitely a highlight of the Festival and I eagerly await seeing it again, upon its commercial release.

My next film was a rush only. It was called THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES, it is a Argentinian-Spanish film, directed by one, JUAN JOSE CAMPANELLA and I slept through almost all of it.

Next...

My next film was a real sleeper. It is a British film called, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED and was stylishly directed by J. BLKESON, his first feature. It is a twisty thriller, in the tradition of THE USUAL SUSPECTS, and SEXY BEAST - both of which I saw at the Film Festival, incidentally - and it is the story of a kidnapping and its aftermath. The cast only has three actors, but they all acquit themselves, admirably. ALICE, is played by GEMMA ATHERTON, who you may have seen in CASINO ROYALE. The two kidnappers are well-played, by MARTIN COMPSTON and EDDIE MARSAN, who you may have seen in MIKE LEIGH'S HAPPY GO LUCKY. I really shoudn't tell you more and I have been sworn to secrecy by TIFF programmer, CAMERON BAILEY.

It was fabulous and I do recommend you see it yourselves, when it opens.

My last film was a documentary and one I had been looking forward to, called, HUGH HEFNER: PLAYBOY, ACTIVIST, REBEL, and it was directed by Toronto's own academy-award winner (ARTIE SHAW: TIME IS ALL YOU'VE GOT), BRIGITTE BERMAN. It was a very engrossing doc, perhaps a little diffuse in its focus. The film had some great interviewees talking about Hef, and his impact on the 20th century: GENE SIMMONS, GEORGE LUCAS, TONY BENNETT, RAY BRADBURY, SUSAN BROWNMILLER, BILL MAHER, DICK GREGORY ( if you don't know some of these names, do go to "google" and educate yourself.

The film had some fantastic archival footage, as well and it was exhaustively compiled by the director. The director said the first assemblage was 7 hours, so she must of had an incredible amount of material to work with. She was granted unlimited access to Hefner and an interesting image of him does appear on screen. He is a real contradiction in terms: he's been called a "chauvanist," because of the Bunnies, but, he was also at the forefront of civil rights, calling DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., his friend, (in fact King's last published article was in PLAYBOY). His Jazz festival is second to none and he is a humanitarian supporting various philanthropic ventures.

The film is a chronological bio of Hugh Hefner and covers all the familiar targets: the start of the magazine, the PLAYBOY phoilosophy, the PLAYBOY clubs. The Bunnies, The Mansion, The Parties et al..

I did learn some things about the man that I didn't know and I the whole it was an engrossing if overlong experience.

The film premiered on the weekend, with Hef in attendance and the director said that he loved it and has shown it on "movie nights."

I asked the director if anyone refused her request for an interview? She said just 2: GLORIA STEINEM, who posed as a bunny, to write her famous expose and JULES FEIFFER, who felt he'd been interviewed enough in the past.

That was certainly a great day, but I'm sure, as they say, the best is still yet to come.

T.T.F.N.