Anticipated Films
I’m Going to Miss
The biggest disappointment is, without question, that I’ll be missing David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis and based on the reactions and conversations I’ve read and had with others that will be heading to Cannes I’m not the only one frustrated it will be showing the day after I leave. This is a title pretty much everyone has been counting on for this year’s fest, but the May 25th screening means it is probably the highest profile feature that will be missed by several journalists that will have already left for home.
The film is based on the novel by Don DeLillo, and follows newly married billionaire Eric Packer (Robert Pattinson) as he cheats on his wife, is pursued by a stalker (Paul Giamatti), gets attacked by a protester and gradually loses his entire fortune over the course of a single day. Juliette Binoche, Mathieu Amalric, Samantha Morton, Sarah Gadon, Jay Baruchel, Kevin Durand and Emily Hampshire all co-star.
Last year Jeff Nichols enjoyed a win in the critics sidebar with Take Shelter, this year he returns with a film playing in competition. Mud explores the friendship of the title character (played by Matthew McConaughey) with a 14-year-old boy named Ellis (Tye Sheridan). The two first meet when Ellis and has best friend are exploring the nearby Mississippi river and discover a deserted island where they encounter Mud, a dirty, desperate yet oddly compelling stranger.
To watch a pair of clips from the film click here.
Maniac is a remake of Joe Spinell‘s 1980 film of the same, which describes Frank (played by Elijah Wood) as the “21st century Jack the Ripper.” Set in present-day L.A. the film follows Frank and his serial killer ways as his fetish for scalps is back and he’s on the hunt.
Frank is the withdrawn owner of a mannequin store, but his life changes when young artist Anna appears asking for his help with her new exhibition. As their friendship develops and Frank’s obsession escalates, it becomes clear that she has unleashed a long-repressed compulsion to stalk and kill.
The screenplay was co-written by Alexandre Aja (Piranha 3D), Gregory Levasseur (High Tension) and C.A. Rosenberg and directed by P2 helmer Franck Khalfoun. You can check out a couple more images from the film to go along with the one above right here, one of which is a little gruesome.
This may be the most curious entry of the fest, an HBO Films feature that will be premiering on television only three days after it plays the festival on May 28th. Granted, it isn’t playing in the competition, but it just seemed like an odd entry.
The film stars Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman as the two titular characters as it recounts their their relationship through the Spanish Civil War and beyond. Also starring are David Strathairn, Rodrigo Santoro, Molly Parker, Parker Posey, Santiago Cabrera, Lars Ulrich, Saverio Guerra, Peter Coyote, Joan Chen and Tony Shalhoub.
Now click on over to Page Three where I discuss the selection of my Most Anticipated films that just missed my top ten.
