Cannes Opening Night Features Big Stars, Big Misfire With ‘Standing Tall’
Army of A-listers including Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Julianne Moore, Sienna Miller turn up for the premiere of the relentlessly dark character study
The Cannes Film Festival has a spotty history with its opening-night films, which over the years have often been chosen seemingly for their star power than their cinematic artistry — witness last year’s a “Grace of Monaco,” the Nicole Kidman vehicle that still hasn’t gotten a proper theatrical release in the U.S., despite the Weinstein Company having the rights.
This year’s choice, “Standing Tall” (or “La Tete Haute” in its native French) was supposed to be different. At the press conference announcing the lineup, festival chief Thierry Fremaux suggested that it could have landed a coveted main competition slot, reserved for the worthiest and weightiest, before the fest opted to give it an out-of-competition opening slot instead.
And because it was directed by actress-turned-director Emmanuelle Bercot, “Standing Tall” was of major symbolic importance for a festival often criticized for its dearth of female directors.
Its premiere on Wednesday, which followed the opening ceremony and a few press screenings, drew the likes of Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore and Lupita N’yongo to the red carpet at the Grand Theatre Lumiere, kicking off the 68th edition of the festival with the requisite glamor.
But sad to say, the relentlessly dark “Standing Tall” feels like another opening-night misfire for Cannes. It’s not as silly or as tacky as “Grace of Monaco,” but in many ways it is aggressively unpleasant, a character study of characters we don’t particularly want to study.
Chief among them is Malony, an uncommunicative, belligerent teen with serious mommy issues and a tendency to erupt into violence at any moment. We’ve seen this kind of guy, and the embattled mom who is herself a real piece of work, in a few movies from Xavier Dolan (a member of the Cannes jury this year), but his versions are redeemed by the young Canadian’s joyous filmmaking and crazy, gleefully transgressive streak.
Bercot is more prosaic, and two hours of Maliny’s outbursts are a lot to take — and a lot to swallow when things take a turn toward the end. Still, Bercot is taking a hard look at serious issues, and there’s certainly an admirable toughness to what she’s trying to pull off. Early reviews were mixed, with even the naysayers finding things to appreciate.
Of course, opening night is not usually the time for those famous Cannes boos; it’s a time to celebrate along with Bercot, the first woman to open the fest in 28 years, and her thoroughly committed actors Rod Paradot and Sara Forestier.
And naturally, the Cannes audience loved to see Catherine Deneuve on the red carpet and onscreen in a graceful performance. She may spend 90 percent of her time behind a desk — but hey, she’s Catherine Deneuve, and that makes her royalty in these parts.
On the Croisette, meanwhile, hopes now turn to the two other French actresses-turned-directors whose movies did make it into the main competition: Valerie Donzelli with “Marguerite & Julien” and Maiwenn with “Mon Roi.”
The overture is over, and as usual it was nothing special. Now it’s time for the main event to begin.
19 Cannes Movies On the Radar: Hot Titles, Must-See Picks (Photos)
"Carol," directed by Todd Haynes. Set in 1950s New York, a department store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman. With Cate Blanchett, Kyle Chandler and Rooney Mara.
Number 9 Films
"Chronic," directed by Michel Franco. The movie is about a home care nurse who works with terminally ill patients. With Tim Roth and Claire van der Boom.
Stromboli Films
"The Assassin," directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien. The martial arts film is set during China's Tang Dynasty period.
Well Go USA Entertainment
"Macbeth," directed by Justin Kurzel. The movie, based on Shakespeare's play of the same name, stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and Sean Harris.
See-Saw Films
"The Lobster," directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. In a dystopian near future, single people are obliged to find a matching mate in 45 days or are transformed into animals and released into the woods. Starring Rachel Weisz and Colin Farrell.
BFI Film Fund
"Youth," directed by Paolo Sorrentino. A retired orchestra conductor is on holiday with his daughter and her friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip's birthday. With Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda.
Indigo Film
"Louder than Bombs," directed Joachim Trier. While the plot remains undisclosed, the cast includes Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne, Isabelle Huppert, David Strathairn and Amy Ryan.
Motlys
"The Sea of Trees," directed by Gus Van Sant. A suicidal American befriends a Japanese man lost in a forest near Mt. Fuji and the two search for a way out. The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Naomi Watts and Jordan Gavaris.
Bloom
"Sicario," directed by Denis Villeneuve. A young female FBI agent joins a secret CIA operation to take down a Mexican cartel boss, a job that ends up pushing her ethical and moral values to the limit. The movie stars Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro.
Black Label Media
"Son of Saul," directed by Laszlo Nemes. During the Holocaust a prisoner is forced to burn the corpses of his own people, but finds moral salvation upon trying to salvage from the flames the body of a boy he takes for his son.
Laokoon Filmgroup
"La Tête Haute," directed by Emmanulle Bercot. A coming-of-age story, it features stars like Sara Forestier and Catherine Deneuve.
France 2 Cinema
"Irrational Man," directed by Woody Allen. The movie is about a tormented philosophy professor who finds a will to live when he commits an existential act. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey.
Gravier Productions
"Love," directed by Gaspar Noe. The film is making waves in Cannes with its raunchy posters, touting a sensual 3D experience about "a boy and a girl and another girl." It stars Karl Glusman, Aomi Muyock and Klara Kristin.
Les Cinemas de la Zone
"A Tale of Love and Darkness," directed by Natalie Portman. Starring and making her directorial debut, Portman's story tells of Amos Oz, a writer, journalist and advocate of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Handsomecharlie Films
"Cemetery of Splendor," directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The film is an Un Certain Regard title about a group of soldiers who suffer a mysterious sleep sickness in Thailand.
Kick the Machine
"Arabian Nights," directed by Miguel Gomes. Clocking in at six hours, the film is billed as an exploration of modern Portugal through fairytale tropes.
O Som e a Furia
“Green Room,” directed by Jeremy Saulnier. This American entry is a racially-charged crime thriller starring Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat and Patrick Stewart.
Broad Green Pictures
“Meditrranea,” directed by Jonas Carpignano. The film is a harrowing story of a Burkinabe man who sacrifices for a better life in Italy, only to be met with intolerance.
Audax Films
"Amy," directed by Asif Kapadia. Easily one of Cannes' buzziest titles, the documentary chronicles the life of troubled British soul singer Amy Winehouse.
Krishwerkz Entertainment
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Cannes 2015: From Gus Van Sant’s ”Sea of Trees“ starring Matthew McConaughey to Natalie Portman’s directorial debut, ”A Tale of Love and Darkness“
"Carol," directed by Todd Haynes. Set in 1950s New York, a department store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman. With Cate Blanchett, Kyle Chandler and Rooney Mara.