Hello Dayton937,
Today was a slimmer day for screenings. Only three movies!
GONZO GIRL, dir. Patricia Arquette (USA). “Willem Dafoe and Camila Morrone star in Patricia Arquette’s high-flying, fast-paced directorial debut based on Cheryl Della Pietra’s semi-autobiographical novel chronicling her time as Hunter S. Thompson’s personal assistant.” (TIFF Catalog) Though the names have been changed for the sake of the “novel,” this story of a young woman’s time as Hunter S. Thompson’s assistant is about a person meeting their “idol,” only to be be disappointed (but nonetheless grateful for the experience and the lessons along the way…and the material). The performances are strong and Arquette’s direction is assured (Arquette has a subtle, strong supporting role, too) and the energetic “trip” is worth the ride. There’s a cautionary line that Thompson’s secretary gives the new assistant in the movie – “Water down your drinks and fake half the lines he gives you, that’s the only way to survive.” That’s not a bad life lesson.
SUMMER QAMP, Jennifer Markowitz (Canada). “At Camp fYrefly in rural Alberta, queer, non-binary, and trans teens get to just be kids in a supportive space, surrounded by counsellors who can relate to their experience ― and help them toast the perfect marshmallow.” (TIFF Catalog). There are some powerful moments in this little documentary about queer youth going to summer camp…and there’s something wonderful about LGBTQIA+ kids getting such positive affirmations in a place where they don’t have to be afraid to express who they are. There’s a lot to like here (I wouldn’t mind a short film about Marshall – one of the counselors), but overall, I didn’t love this doc. I found it to be overscored and a bit repetitive. I recommend seeing it (but it’s not something I’d need to revisit).
DICKS: THE MUSICAL, Larry Charles (USA). “Larry Charles (Borat) conducts an uproarious musical-comedy riff on The Parent Trap that follows a pair of identical twins who conspire to reunite their divorced and disturbingly deranged parents (Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally).” (TIFF Catalog) A24’s raunchy, irreverent musical was my last film for the day. This movie is based on material that comedians Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson have been working on for years (they’re also the stars of the film). IndieWire wrote this about the opening night, midnight screening: “No amount of context can prepare folks for the film’s final number, with a chorus that refers to God as a slur. The song that leapt from the screen out into the audience, with a flash mob of chorus members jumping out their seats to sing along, and pride balloons and penis inflatables dropping down onto attendees.” This movie has some great melodies, fun material (Megan Thee Stallion & Megan Mullally steal the show), and some real laugh-out-loud moments. It is destined to reach cult status, but I thought it wore a little thin pretty quickly. The cast appears to be having a blast making this film (that’s almost always true when there’s a gag reel at the end), and I think it would be much more fun in a party-like environment (instead of the industry screening I attended).
Jake is heading back to Dayton tomorrow, and I’m sticking around for another week…lots more films to see.
Tomorrow is something I’m looking forward to most of all – IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR!
Hope you tune back in for Day #3.
Thanks for reading,
Jonathan
