Though I was very excited about a Xavier Dolan film getting a decent run in the United States, unfortunately that film was "Tom at the Farm."
I saw it in Chicago in a theatre hoping that a second screening would make me see something I may have missed along the way. That didn't happen.
'Tom at the Farm' gets U.S. release
The Dolan pattern: Films 1, 3, and 5 are brilliant, leaving you in tears in a good way. Films 2 and 4 are okay to confusing, not horrible but not memorable.
Others may disagree with me though the two women who sat next to me weren't impressed either. His character's motivations aren't clear, and even when they are, they aren't enjoyable, even if it is sort of a Hitchcock homage.
The two women told me this was the first Dolan film that they saw. I pleaded with them to try any of his other films. Hopefully, they will take my advice.
When we look back at Xavier Dolan's film career, these first 5 films will fit together given their Quebecois presence (unlike his next 2 films that are more globally set). But "Tom at the Farm" will stick out like a sore thumb.
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
First up will be "It's Only the End of the World" with Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux, and Vincent Cassel). The next film will be "The Death and Life of John F Donovan," his first film in English. Susan Sarandon, Jessica Chastain, and Kit Harington highlight the cast.
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I flew Air Canada back from Halifax and, to my surprise, had Canadian films to watch for free.
Navigating the menu was rather difficult and my viewing time was cut because I couldn't use headphones but could have used ear buds at crucial times (WTF?).
Rob Cohen asks what it's like 'Being Canadian'
I did get to watch all of "Being Canadian" and part of "Wet Bum." Being Canadian is the documentary about what it's like to be Canadian by a Canadian who has worked in Hollywood.
We will have more on that when the film opens in New York and Los Angeles on September 18.
On principle, I can't give a complete review of "Wet Bum" since the flight ended before the film did. But I can say that Julia Sarah Stone will break your heart as Sam, who can't break through in her own world except through swimming. But swimming means having to change clothes around the other girls. Sam ends up making friends in a retirement home, including veteran actor Kenneth Welsh, who you might know from "Twitch City" and Americans might remember from "Twin Peaks."
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"An Eye for Beauty" — the last film from Denys Arcand — is getting a run this week in Chicago if not elsewhere. I've seen the film twice but won't be seeing it in Chicago.
It would be tempting to say "An Eye for Beauty" to Arcand as "Tom at the Farm" is to Dolan. Okay films from great filmmakers. The difference is that "An Eye for Beauty" has a message and is more entertaining to follow as a film.
Both filmmakers are also brilliant writers, though these films rely less on script.
"An Eye for Beauty" is designed to be a visually appealing film making indictments about our obsessions with beauty. It isn't one of Arcand's 5 best films, but you'll enjoy the scenery.
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The 40th Toronto International Film Festival kicks off in just 8 days on Thursday, September 10. We will have a lot of coverage next week. In the meantime, there is nothing on TV. Rent or stream a Canadian film.
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video credit: YouTube/Amplify Releasing
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