2008 Telluride Film Festival “Movies to Watch”
As you regular readers know, we Lobby scribes ain’t full time just yet. In fact, it’s just Allison and me holding down the MITL fort. So any film festival coverage that’s not East Coast-based is really what we know, who we know, and what we think. Since our Sundance preview was well received, we continue. Here are three films of interest — all British — from the Telluride Film Festival.
:: Happy-Go-Lucky
The latest from Mike Leigh comes recommended first-hand by Sixty Six and Made to Honor director Paul Weiland (see our interview), if only for Eddie Marsan’s performance. In past films, Leigh has detailed the rough spots of normal life with a touch of sweetness thrown in. With Happy-Go-Lucky — the title says it — there’s a bit of reverse.
Leigh semi-regular Sally Hawkins plays Poppy (what a sunny name), a woman with an undyingly positive dispostion, even in the face of her crusty driving instructor (Marsan). Kim Voynar at Cinematical, who gives Happy-Go-Lucky a generally positive review, calls the film one of Leigh’s more mainstream-friendly works.
If you’re not familiar with Leigh, humble Lobby viewing suggestions, in this order: Secrets & Lies (see my review), Life is Sweet, Career Girls, Naked, Topsy-Turvy
:: Hunger
Remember Bobby Sands, the Irish protestor who staged a hunger strike in 1981? 
According to this Cannes Golden Camera winner, the situation was far worse — and tougher to watch – than you ever imagined. British co-writer / director Steve McQueen (no, not that one) makes the conversion from traditional visual arts to film with this brutal telling of Sands’ final six weeks of life. Actor Michael Fassbender (300) is said to have lost 35 pounds in the process. (thanks Slashfilm)
For an earlier take on the Sands story, see Some Mother’s Son.
:: Slumdog Millionaire
The world of cinema is a better place because of Danny Boyle. The guy changes genre with each film and tackles them all with gusto (even fervor, in the case of Sunshine). I’ve had 28 Days Later and Millions in annual Top Ten lists, and love the level of buzz and anticipation over this one.
Boyle hits India for this story of a poor 18-year-old who wins big on the Hindi version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire”, only to have his honesty and educational skills questioned — by the police. Based on the Vikas Swarup novel “Q & A,” adapted by Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day screenwriter Simon Beaufoy.
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Other Posts of Interest
- SUNDANCE SPOTLIGHT: “American Teen” Makes Lotsa Friends
- Movie Poster Monday: THE ORDER OF MYTHS
- Trailer Tuesday: THE WACKNESS
- SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2008: The Winners
- Sundance Film Festival ‘08: Ten More Films to Watch
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