“The King’s Speech” may have come out on top with Toronto Film Festival audiences, but the critics — at least, the broad cross-section surveyed by indieWIRE in their annual post-festival poll — have other ideas. Kelly Reichardt’s period western “Meek’s Cutoff,” my own pick of the Venice fest, was voted film of the festival by a sizable margin, with 76 points to 58 for runner-up “127 Hours.”
Of course, regular audiences will have to wait until 2011 to see what the fuss is about, but expect critical reaction to be as breathless when Oscilloscope eventually open Reichardt’s film. It’s too rarefied an arthouse item to get the awards attention it merits, of course, but no matter: I sense a future classic is being born.
Higher-profile awards-season fare comes next on the list, with “Black Swan” and “The King’s Speech” all but tied for third place, while foreign-language titles finding their way into the top 10 include Palme d’Or champ “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives,” Venice prizewinners “Attenberg” and “Silent Souls.” and Canada’s probable Oscar submission “Incendies.”
indieWIRE also invites critics to vote for the best performance of the festival, interestingly combining male and female possibilities. This list is essentially Oscar Contender Central, with James Franco coming in first place for his physically restricted turn in “127 Hours,” followed by Natalie Portman in “Black Swan” and Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech.” Unsurprisingly, given the love for the film, Michelle Williams is named for “Meek’s Cutoff” rather than “Blue Valentine.” Meanwhile, I’m glad to see that “Attenberg” newcomer Ariane Labed gets a mention, proving that her surprise Best Actress award at Venice was no fluke.
In more indieWIRE poll action — this is fun — Errol Morris’s “Tabloid” is voted best documentary of the festival, while Geoffrey Rush takes supporting performance honors for “The King’s Speech.” (Gee, the ladies really don’t get much of a look-in on that one.) Check out the full lists and tallies here.
For the sake of comparison, “A Serious Man” won last year’s indieWIRE poll in a landslide, while Colin Firth and Mo’Nique topped the performance lists.
[Photo: Oscilloscope Pictures]
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12 responses to “‘Meek’s Cutoff,’ Franco top Toronto critics’ poll”
Seems like Michelle Williams will be nominated for next year’s race even if this year doesn’t pan out (though I hope she’s nominated this year and next year).
For Meek’s Cutoff? No way.
Love her, though.
Thank you so much!
Of course, these lists don’t even show what critics think of those movies or the performances but what some of them think, which is interesting but ‘ll have to not consider it a strong factor.
Keeping that in mind, it seems weird to me that Another Year is so low. Also, why to I get the feeling Portman is almost a lock for a nod even if they don’t end up loving the film?
So wait, is Meek’s Cutoff not going to be eligible for this year’s oscars?
Portman is kinda looking like a lock to me atm too @Jim T.
I guess we just have to wait to see reactions when the film opens.
Btw VERY keen to see Meek’s Cutoff.
Davidraider88: No. As we’ve said before, it’s a 2011 release.
Dooby: Isn’t calling someone a lock “at the moment” kind of contradictory? If you’re unsure about the long term, then it’s not a lock. ;)
I’m thrilled to see Cassel’s second-place in supporting. Thoughts on Oscar potential?
I don’t see it happening.
Women whose last name is not Bigelow should not be allowed to make Westerns.
Have you seen the film yet, Hunter? You don’t want to use up your entire arsenal of potshots before you have specific places to aim. I say this out of concern.
I read your review, Guy. I’d rather have a root canal than sit through a movie like that.
@Guy haha woops. Ok I’ll take a dive and say I think she is a bonafide lock with Annette Benning….