TIFF10: Final Day and Wrap-Up

The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival has come to a close.  In this post, I will post my thoughts on the final three films I saw at the festival before doing my yearly wrap-up.

Final Films
Girlfriend
This is a touching film about a man with Down’s Syndrome, who attempts to begin a relationship with a woman he has liked for a long time.  This film really offers insight into people with mental disabilities and the challenges they face at having normal relationships.

I should note there was a neat moment during the Q&A, where the director called star Evan Sneider and had him answer a couple questions via speaker-phone.

8/10

Amigo
From director John Sayles, this film deals with the American occupation of a Filipino village and centers around the leader of the village.  I thought this was an alright enough film, however it did run a little long in the end.

7/10

Griff the Invisible
This Australian film was a joy.  What started off seeming like a Defendor-like “average joe becomes superhero” film, turned into a tale about accepting your perception of reality.  It was definitely a fun way to end the festival.

8/10

Festival Wrap-Up
Top 5 Favourite Films

1. Buried
2. Submarine
3. Girlfriend
4. Griff the Invisible
5. Monsters

Honourable Mentions

• Henry’s Crime
• Dirty Girl

Films I Most Wish I Could Have Seen

• Black Swan
• Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Favourite Festival Moments

• Keanu Reeves and Vera Farmiga showing up at the second Henry’s Crime screening
• Girlfriend Q&A via speaker-phone

Final Number of Films Seen

• 14

Programme Tally

• Special Presentations – 5
• Discovery – 4
• Midnight Madness – 2
• Canada First – 1
• Real to Real – 1
• Vanguard – 1

Theatre Tally

• Ryerson Theatre – 7
• AMC Yonge & Dundas – 3
• Scotiabank Theatre – 2
• TIFF Bell Lightbox – 1 
• Varsity Theatre – 1

And that ends my coverage of the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.