With the final curtains drawn, red carpets rolled up, and the return to a balanced work/life schedule (well, as balanced as it can be), it’s time to reflect on the movies that stood above the rest for me from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
From star-studded world premieres to intimate, career-defining turns, TIFF’s 50th anniversary (TIFFTY!) lineup delivered a captivating spectrum of storytelling. Sifting through a slate of 18 (!) powerful dramas, biting comedies, and stunning debuts was no small task, but five titles left an incredible mark.
My top five picks for TIFF this year are Good Fortune, the hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt feature debut from Aziz Ansari; Hamlet, a visceral and emotionally shattering re-telling of a classic with Riz Ahmed; Homebound, a beautifully acted drama that explores the crushing weight of ambition and division; Mile End Kicks, a sharp, nostalgic coming-of-age story set against the vibrant Montreal music scene; and finally, Tuner, a whip-smart thriller starring Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall.
Oscar-winning documentarian Daniel Roher (Navalny) makes a dazzling and confident pivot to narrative filmmaking with Tuner, a whip-smart thriller that immediately grips you. The film stars Leo Woodall (The White Lotus, One Day)in a convincing, mettle-testing performance as Niki White, an unusual safecracker whose acutely sensitive hearing is both a blessing and a curse. Though this auditory gift prematurely ended his promising musical career, it proves invaluable in his day job as a piano tuner, where he works alongside his genial mentor, Harry Horowitz (played by the legendary Dustin Hoffman).
These duties across New York City compel the typically taciturn Niki out of his shell, allowing a spark to fly with Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a music composition student. But when shady individuals realize that Niki’s specialized talents could be just as effective on high-security vaults as they are on old pianos, events take a dangerous turn.
Woodall’s performance as Niki White is a key reason Tuner works so well, serving as a confident demonstration of his leading-man mettle. What makes his portrayal of the hypersensitive Niki so compelling is his remarkable ability to convey deep vulnerability through his eyes. This is a trait audiences will immediately recall from his breakout role in One Day; in both performances, Woodall grounds a character dealing with internal emotional conflict or external pressure, allowing the audience access to his guarded feelings through silent, expressive moments.
As Niki, his eyes constantly register the pain of the auditory world and the quiet longing for connection.
A release date for Tuner is yet to be announced.
