Toronto Film Fest 2009

Every year my partner and I take in a few movies at the film fest, and this year was no exception. We’re not true festers, since we don’t take time off work to see 50 movies in 10 days. We see five movies and only go on the weekends, but they’ll likely be the only movies we see in theatres until next year’s fest. Movies come out so quickly on DVD that we usually watch them in the comfort of our own home. No dreaded seat-kickers, no buffoons texting in front of you, and nobody chewing their popcorn too loudly. Plus, at home you have that great “pause-to-pee” feature!

Today is the last day of the fest. As usual, we saw five movies. I’ll list four of them. The fifth was a documentary that in my opinion didn’t cast its subject in a flattering light. I don’t think the director intended it that way, but that’s how it came across. I know I wasn’t alone in how I felt because there was only a smattering of applause as the credits rolled. Usually people are more enthusiastic. Anyway, since I’d have to say some not so nice things about a real person if I were to talk about the movie, I’ll refrain.

So what about the other four? I’ve linked to the movie trailers below, except for Triage, since I couldn’t find it. They’re all good and worth seeing:

The Informant!: This one is now out in wide release. Based on a true story, it’s about corporate whistle-blower, Mark Whitacre. It was entertaining and funny. Matt Damon did a good job—thirty pounds heavier and in a hair-piece and fake nose. I won’t say much more because there are already plenty of reviews around the net.

Triage: Colin Farrell stars in this one. Since the showing we attended was the North American premiere, he showed up for it. He was walking the red carpet as they were letting us peasants in. The route to get into the theatre ran parallel to the red carpet, so we had a pretty good look at him. He also spoke after the movie and answered questions, quite intelligently, I thought. Sometimes during these Q&A’s, the stars don’t quite answer what was asked, or they *gasp* ramble. But his answers were direct and relevant to the questions asked. Anyway, he played a war photographer and the movie was about issues around that.

The Topp Twins – Untouchable Girls: We’d never heard of them, but how could we pass up a documentary about country-singing, yodelling, comedic, farm girl, lesbian twins? Hmm, let me read that sentence a few more times. It’s probably the only time in my life I’ll read all those words in the same sentence in a way that makes sense and isn’t in a bad p*-*rn story. Apparently the Topp Twins are all the rage in New Zealand. The twins are 50 now, and one of them has battled breast cancer. They started out by busking, then performed at political rallies. Their popularity grew, to the point that they had their own TV show for a few years. They’ve been publicly out the whole time, so it’s wonderful that their native land has embraced them. They were at the showing and answered questions after the movie. One of them also yodelled for us!

Good Hair: This documentary was a real eye-opener. Chris Rock focuses on black women’s hair and its care. Weaves, relaxant, the Indian hair industry—I had no idea. It’s one of those documentaries that’s light and funny, but at the same time raises serious issues that really make you think. It’s going into wide release in October.

Overall, a good fest for us.