“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”
(World Premiere)
Director: Paul McGuigan
Cast: Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, Vanessa Redgrave, Julie Walters
Lowdown: Annette Bening is back in awards season after last year’s disappointing run for “20th Century Women” (disappointing in that she should have got nominated). This time she’s playing Oscar winner Gloria Grahame (“The Bad and the Beautiful“) who reunites with her younger ex-boyfriend (Bell) while in a play in the UK. If the movie is close to the memoir it’s based on it should be a fantastic role for Bening who likely won’t be at the festival as she’s the head of the Venice Film Festival jury which is concurrent to Telluride.
“First They Killed My Father”
(World Premiere)
Director: Angelina Jolie
Cast: Sareum Srey Moch
Lowdown: Even the billionaires who frequent the festival won’t be able to pretend they aren’t giddy over Jolie’s attendance at the festival. She should create a major stir and not just because of her starpower. That’s because most observers will be curious about how ‘Father’ holds up after Jolie’s description of star Sareum Srey Moch’s audition turned into an unexpected controversy. It’s also worth noting that it’s the only Netflix narrative movie at the festival.
“Downsizing”
(North American Premiere)
Director: Alexander Payne
Cast: Matt Damon, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Jason Sudeikis
Lowdown: In an alternate reality similar to our own, a man (Damon) shrinks himself to experience the financial benefits he simply can’t enjoy at a regular size. Payne’s follow up to “Nebraska” has earned mostly raves after opening Venice earlier this week. Will it gather more awards season momentum in the mountains?
Look for reviews and more from Telluride all weekend long on The Playlist. For immediate screening reaction follow me on twitter @theGregoryE
