The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival: Big Hitters

The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival: Big Hitters

24 September, 2008
by: Will Bingley

This year the London Film Festival has managed to pull off several major coups. The world premier of Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon , European premiers of W., Slumdog Millionaire and The Brothers Bloom are impressive enough but throw in new films from Woody Allen, Stephen Soderbergh, and Michael Gondry and you've got an A-list roster worthy of LA.

Benicio Del Toro's performance in Che is already being touted for the best actor Oscar. And, without a solid distribution deal finalised for the four-hour epic, its exclusivity to the festival circuit makes it truly a unique proposition. W. will generate column inches by the simple exponent of its hugely controversial subject matter and the Quantum of Solace just for being Bond. Click the links to book...

Frost/Nixon
15 October: Odeon Leicester Square
18 October: Odeon West End
Undoubtedly one of the best plays of the past decade, Frost/Nixon is a fascinating look at the politics of the mid seventies and at the relationship between politicians and the media. The story follows the disgraced Nixon and the up and coming David Frost as they prepare for the one-off all exclusive interview that was to be Nixon's re-introduction into public life; the wily politician planning to outfox his younger naïve counterpart in a scintillating battle of wits. It was great on stage and now, directed by Ron Howard with the cast transplanted en masse from the Broadway production it looks set to be a great film. WB

Tyson
17 October: Odeon West End 1
21 October: Odeon West End 2
One of the festival highlights is this grim, fascinating and surprisigly emotional look at Iron Mike Tyson, narrated entirely by the boxer himself and shot by longtime friend James Toback. You might expect a fairly biased perspective from the man himself, but in fact no subject is taboo and what emerges is a poignant picture of a man who has been mentally and spiritually damaged. It's been a massive hit with festival audiences worldwide, including those with no prior appreciation for one of the greatest heavyweights ever. JH

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
19, 20 October: Odeon West End
Fresh from Juno, Michael Cera turns in a blockbuster version of the same thing, another teen rom com. What separates Nick and Norah from the crowd is the script (based on the novel of the same name) and a cast that includes many of Hollywood's A-list of young comic actors. Good feelings and great comic turns abound as these suburban teens raise the bar in a very familiar genre. WB

W.
23 - 24 October: Odeon Leicester Square
Throughout his career Oliver Stone has been consistently accused of courting controversy. JFK, Natural Born Killers and Nixon caused outrage in the States and earned him a reputation as a leftist or in his words, 'Satan'. With this in mind and considering the country's current atmosphere, to take on a subject as violently emotive as the current US President is extraordinary even for him. Whether he'll give his muse the objectivity he's due is questionable. In Stone's words, 'Bush may turn out to be the worst President in history. But, that doesn't mean he isn't a great story, the story of a guy who had very limited talents in life, except for the ability to sell himself.' Wherever your loyalties lie, this is a must-see film. WB

Che Parts 1 & 2
25th October: Odeon West End
Steven Soderbergh's first foray into biography looks set to be one of the films of the year, starring Benicio Del Toro (Best Actor, Cannes 2008) as the iconic revolutionary in one of the performances of the year. Coming in at over four hours long this is no ordinary film. The fact Soderbergh had to shoot on high definition and act as director, cinematographer and editor is a clear indication of both Hollywood's truculence about financing such an ambitious project and Soderbergh's refusal to compromise a genuinely objective portrayal of this controversial figure. It promises to be a fascinating exercise in film-making as much as a measured study of a highly controversial icon. WB

Hamlet 2
25th October: Odeon West End
28th October: Genesis
Imagine this: Pam Brady (South Park writer and co-creator) teamed up with Steve Coogan to create a sequel to Hamlet. Now add Jesus, Musicals, Jedi Knights, Satan, G. W. Bush and liquid LSD into the mix and you might start to glimpse some of the genius of this film. It was the biggest hit at Sundance this year, securing the festival's highest sale at $10m, which is no surprise. This film won't disappoint, it is absolute gold. WB

The Brothers Bloom
27th – 28th October: Odeon West End
Director Rian Johnson, whose debut feature Brick was a breathtakingly original take on film noir, has returned to breathe new life into the 'Con' movie. Adrian Brody and Mark Ruffalo play the eponymous brothers; a pair of jet-setting con artists targeting Rachel Weisz's goofy heiress for their last big hit. Expect convoluted characterisation and extraordinary imagery, as one of Hollywood's more esoteric young talents challenges Wes Anderson for his place on the alternative blockbuster throne. WB

The Quantum of Solace
29 October: Odeon West End
Bond's back, again. Following up on the Bourne-inspired antics of Casino Royale, this new instalment promises to get even closer to Fleming's original flawed realism. With the new angry Bond, an angrier Bond Girl, much gloss, lots of action and a top-notch director Marc Forster (The Kite Runner, Finding Neverland and Monster's Ball) The Quantum of Solace has the potential to go one step further than its predecessor. As this famous franchise goes from strength to strength Quantum could be the catalyst that cements the 'New' Bond's place as a modern institution. WB

Slumdog Millionaire
30 October: Odeon Leicester Square
Danny Boyle, the savior of the British film industry has returned with the story of an Indian street kid who enters the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in a bid to find his girlfriend who has gone missing on the streets of Mumbai. Written by Simon Beaufoy and starring Dev Patel (of Skins fame) it is an odd choice of vehicle for Boyle. But, despite a somewhat rickety plot device this is a genuinely rich and surprisingly refreshing cinematic experience. WB

Vicky Christina Barcelona
21, 25 October: Odeon WE
Woody Allen's latest movie follows the romantic fortunes of a group of American women in Barcelona and is being feted as a return to comic form. Featuring a stellar cast, including Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johanssen and Rebecca Hall and a suitably tangled plot, this is that rare thing, a modern Woody Allen movie that delivers. WB

Incendiary
18 October: Odeon West End
19 October: Rio
Writer/director Sharon Maguire (Bridget Jones' Diary) is a very odd choice to adapt and direct Chris Cleave's stellar debut novel, about a woman who loses her husband and son when terrorists bomb an Arsenal match. The book actually pre-figured July 7, (it had the misfortune to come out around the same time as the atrocity) but the events of that day lend the film extra emotional punch. It's a stupid choice of director in fact, with mental breakdown and terrifying anger translating to whimsical romantic grief. Nonetheless some fine performances, a terrifying premise and a shocking denouement make this one of our 'go see it' picks. JH


Independents and Documentaries

Best Foreign Films

Talks and Workshops

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Will Bingley