SIFF Report thru June 3

TOAST-------------GRADE B
Sometimes awkwardly paced, but sweet little British film, based on a true story, of young boy's efforts to get his father's approval and attention. The film picks up half way through when he tries to compete for his father's love by trying to out-cook the cleaning lady (Helena Bonham Carter), and this creates a lot of resentment since his father has the hots for her.

REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR------------GRADE B-
Slick, well made follow-up to WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR from 6 years ago, but this film is missing the evil power (GM-the killer of the original electric car) that propelled the first film to greatness. At times this feels more like an ad campaign for new car company Tesla, and Nissan's Leaf.

HEADING WEST-----------GRADE B+
The story of a struggling single divorced mother trying to build a relationship with a new man who isn't so inspired is no great revelation, but the lead actress is quite good and affecting.

MAMAS & PAPAS-----------GRADE A-
Moving and emotional film of the struggles of four couples to deal with the issues of conceiving, in-vitro, adoption, and loss of childbearing. This Czech Republic director (Alice Nellis) seems to be one to watch--her film feels natural, organic, universally truthful, and is beautifully resolved.

THE NAMES OF LOVE----------GRADE C+
I had a tough time buying into the initial premise of this sometimes silly French comedy. A mindless, flippant, sensual woman tries to bed men who are from the opposite ends of her liberal political spectrum to win them over to her political side. Of course she meets Mr Right, but they are so opposite philosophically that I had a hard time accepting their attraction, which was mostly sexual. The film is NOT dull, and at times it is amusing, and the actors look good without their clothes.

THE HUNTER-----------GRADE C+
Straight forward, plodding film about a man in Iran whose wife and child are accidentally killed in the cross fire between police and protesters, although the details are murky at best. He flips, kills two policemen, and then is hunted down. Not much subtlety or suspense.

MAMMUTH----------GRADE C+
I have to give Gerard Depardieu kudos for the long hair and heft of his body--he is certainly impressively sympathetic and, as usual, watchable. But this is one weird, absurd French black comedy. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it falls with a thud. And, it is hard to watch due to a LOT of hand-held camera work and rather ugly (intentional?) cinematography.

SMALL TOWN MURDER SONGS---------GRADE B
There's style and quirky moodiness to spare in this sparse tale of a strange woman discovered murdered in a small Canadian town. And the actors are all quite interesting. Unfortunately, the ending for me was underwhelming. My final response to the film was---THAT'S IT?