As I’ve done in other years, I’d like to share my thoughts about this year’s program at the Telluride Film Festival. 2016 marks my 15th year at the festival. The festival has changed a lot over my tenure and while I could gripe a lot about all the changes I don’t like, the quality of the films is still great. And Telluride *never* disappoints. Labor Day weekend, Telluride and many of my favorite people welcome me with open arms. Cinema Paradiso at 9,000 feet!
The list of 17 films I saw at this year’s Telluride Film Festival:
Arrival
Bleed for This
Bright Lights
California Typewriter
Chasing Trane
The Graduation
The Ivory Game
Jerry Lewis: Man Behind the Clown
La La Land
Lost in Paris
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight
Neruda
Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer
Sully
Toni Erdmann
Una
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Let’s start with my super favorites. Run (RUN!) to the nearest theater when these films are released:
Moonlight A+
Moonlight is a great film from a soon-to-be well-known director, Barry Jenkins. Side note: I love Barry Jenkins. Not like fan love. Like love-love. Barry and I met about 13 years ago at the Telluride Film Fest and we’ve both returned every year since. We’ve both done grunt work that a film fest requires and like me, Barry loves films and deeply cares about the community of the Telluride Film Festival. Unlike me, he created a film that may be nominated for a few Oscars in 2016. Wow! The film focuses on Chiron through his challenges as a mostly silent young boy being raised by his struggling addicted mother. The story is beautifully told and I’m excited for it to find it’s audience. I believe a film like this has the power to connect people who also feel isolated because their story hasn’t been told. I’m super excited for Moonlight’s Oscar buzz and success. Well done, Barry Jenkins!
2006: Barry Jenkins and I (wearing my hair)
Manchester by the Sea A+
Loved this film. Kenneth Lonergan’s first feature, You Can Count on Me is one of my all time favorites. Lonergan may well be the best screenwriter of his generation. He has the most incredible insights about emotionally damaged people. His observations and the performances he beckons are right on the money. Casey Affleck plays Lee Chandler, a man who lives in silent isolation when his brother dies suddenly and he is named as guardian. This film is funny, smart, sad. All my favorites.
Toni Erdmann A+
Loved loved loved this movie. There’s not too many movies that are this emotionally charged and still fun to watch! I laughed until I cried. Then I cried. Then I laughed some more. Toni Erdmann has everything. A complicated father-daughter relationship story that is very well told. Woman director (YES!), Maren Ade hits this one out of the park. Can’t wait to see all 162 minutes again.
Arrival A
Keeping with Telluride’s tradition of revealing Best Picture for the past 6 years (2010 – The Kings Speech, 2011 – The Artist, 2012 – Argo, 2013 – 12 Years a Slave, 2014 – Birdman, and last year, Spotlight), Arrival is my best guess for 2016 Oscar for Best Picture. It’s got everything. Mystery. The meaning of time (on earth and beyond).
Wakefield A
Part Rear Window and part — I don’t know what — because this funny, creepy, emotionally-revealing film isn’t like any other film I’ve ever seen. Wakefield, adapted from a short story by E.L Doctorow, writer/director Robin Swicord masterfully tells the story of a jealous and selfish husband (Bryan Cranston) who has figured out a way to keep an eye on his world without actually living in his world. Bryan Cranston will likely be nominated for an Oscar for this wacko character.
Una A
Tough subject matter. But this film is emotionally right on the money with it’s depiction of an angry young woman who is seeking understanding from her abuser. Rooney Mara plays a 20-something trying to come to terms with the sexual abuse she experienced as a 13 year old. Una is surprisingly watchable (actually, gripping). It’s by-no-means a feel-good movie, but it’s extremely well done.
California Typewriter A
For the last several years, I’ve seen my last film at the Sheridan Opera House. A special little theater in Telluride and this film delivered. First, I loved the people in this documentary. Quirky. Funny. Real people. And “Dear Santa, I want a typewriter“. Think this doc did what it set out to do. Well done, Doug Nichol.
The Ivory Game B
This documentary tells the story of the uphill battle of protecting elephants despite the rising prices and desire for ivory in China (where it’s still legal to sell ivory). With costly helicopter shots of Africa’s sweeping vistas, The Ivory Game is filmed more like an action film than a sleepy ‘talking-head’ documentary.
La La Land B
I like singing and dancing. I like looking at Ryan Gosling. This fun and surprising opening scene will be talked about for a while. La La Land is a fun ride about falling in (and sadly) out of love. Don’t expect Gene Kelly or Ginger Rogers, because Ryan and Emma are not. But it’s a modern love story with a nod to vintage love stories.
Jerry Lewis: Man Behind the Clown B
A look at the comedic genius of Jerry Lewis. A clown for the ages. Loved Gregory Monro’s depiction of Jerry Lewis and his life’s work.
Bright Lights B
I loved the film, Postcards from the Edge. I feel like Bright Lights is the story behind the story. Part Grey Gardens, part Terms of Endearment, it’s funny and weird and love-filled. I’m a big fan of mother/daughter stories because I’m pretty crazy about my mom. Debbie and Carrie are true entertainers who bravely reveal themselves in this love story.
Lost in Paris B
Wes Anderson goes to Paris! Kinda. I loved the silliness this “when everything goes wrong” journey. Bright colors and playfully stylized, Lost in Paris is fun to watch.
The Graduation B
This is an intense film (reminded me of The Past, another Telluride Film Fest film from 2014) where not much happens, but you feel like something worse is about to happen. The Graduation is about a father who’s overbearing parenting reminds us all to keep our eyes on our own papers.
Chasing Trane B
John Coltrane was a master of his craft and this film shows us how much family, joy and music he packed into his short life. Coltrane died at 40, but this film exposes his struggles and triumphs.
Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer B
Whoa. Do not invite Norman for dinner. This guy is a wheeler dealer like no one you’ve ever seen before onscreen. He makes Glengarry Glen Ross look like a picnic. Coffee (and peanuts) are for closers. Always Be Closing, Norman. Yikes.
Neruda B
Biopic of Chile’s acclaimed poet and leftist senator, Pablo Neruda. Cat and mouse chase between Neruda played by Luis Gnecco and the detective, Gael Garcia Bernal who has come to Telluride a few times over the years. Photo below of us 12 years ago.
2004: Gael Garcia Bernal and me.
Sully B
Ok, anyone who knows me knows that I’m not a popcorn-movie-film-goer. I’m a total film snob. But. Sully is pretty good. It helps A LOT that this is an extraordinary story. A pilot landed a plane with 155 people on board on the Hudson River! Wha!!? It’s amazing. There are some problems with the movie, but overall, this is a good film.
Bleed for This C
Boxer movie. Not much new here. Miles Teller does a good job in this true story, but the film fell a bit flat for me.
And here are a few more of my favorite moments from this year’s Telluride Film Festival:
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