While NYFF earned some great buzz by announcing they had landed David Fincher’s highly anticipated “The Social Network” for their opening night slot, TIFF is getting looks of confusion after announcing “Score: A Hockey Musical” as their festival kickstarter. But to be honest, the opening film at TIFF hasn’t usually been indicative of the selections of the fest as a whole, and we’re sure their final lineup will end up being very strong. In fact, things are already looking up.
Baz Bamingboye has confirmed that Rowan Joffe’s adaptation of Graham Green’s “Brighton Rock” will make its world premiere at the festival. Starring Sam Riley, Andrea Riseborough, Helen Mirren and John Hurt the film follows an, up-and-coming gangster (Riley) in 1964, who marries a naive waitress (Riseborough) after she stumbles onto evidence linking him to a murder. Hurt and Mirren play an older couple trying to save Riseborough’s character from her marriage.
It’s a great story, and even though it’s already been adapted into a well regarded 1947 film starring Richard Attenborough and Carol Marsh, we’re definitely excited to see what this take has in store. No North American distributor is in place yet, but we’re sure it’ll walk out of Toronto with a contract inked.