Abe’s Sundance Jury of One

By Abe Friedtanzer

Pedro Pascal in Freaky Tales | Sundance Institute

This was my ninth time being in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival, and even though a family occasion meant I only arrived on Sunday (the festival started Thursday), I still saw twenty-five films in person and three before the fest. I did three days of five movies back-to-back, which is an incomparable thrill that can also prove quite exhausting. Fortunately, there was plenty of good fare worth remembering, and some of it is even coming soon to a screen of some sort near you!

Because there’s just so much playing, I didn’t actually see most of the official award winners, but you can peruse that list here. For my “jury of one,” here are my top ten films and a few other assorted honors. My reviews, if available, are hyperlinked, as well as notes on distribution if available...

Aden Hakimi and Theo Germaine in Desire Lines | Sundance Institute

1. Freaky Tales
2. My Old Ass (acquired by MGM Amazon)
3. Will & Harper
4. Exhibiting Forgiveness
5. Thelma
6. Kidnapping Inc.
   
7. A Real Pain (acquired by Searchlight Pictures)
8. Ghostlight (acquired by IFC Films)
9. Suncoast (coming to Hulu February 9th) 
10. Desire Lines

Best Director: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Freaky Tales)

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain | Searchlight Pictures

Best Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Best Actress: Nico Parker (Suncoast)

Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, And Adam Pearson in A Different Man | A24

Best Supporting Actor: Adam Pearson (A Different Man)

Best Supporting Actress: Dolly De Leon (Between the Temples)

Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza in My Old Ass | Sundance Institute

Best Screenplay: My Old Ass

Best Cinematography: Freaky Tales

Dolly De Leon and Keith Kupferer in Ghostlight | Sundance Institute

Best Ensemble Cast: Ghostlight

What excites you most out of Sundance, and were you able to see anything at the fest?

Comments

[DK]

I was there as well but didn't see many of the same films!

1. Porcelain War
2. Hitman
3. Sugar Cane
4. Presence
5. War Room

[did not enjoy]

6. Desire Lines
7. Love Me
8. Realm of Satan

[Abe Friedtanzer]

@DK I saw Hit Man at TIFF and loved it. Looking forward to when that finally comes out on Netflix in June and everyone can see it. I didn't see any of your other top five titles though.

[Charlie G]

I didn't see as much as some, but I did see:

1. In the Summers - It seemed really well put together and had some nice performances. It is kind of distant in places (not sure I can explain that), but I'm glad that I saw it.

2. Porcelain War - It was lighter than I expected, and I left with some questions. But it has some moments of poignancy.

3. A Real Pain - While watching, I kept thinking Kieran Culkin modeled his performance off of a typical Zach Galifanakis character. But the whole movie is like a quieter, more nuanced, more intelligent Zach Galifanikis movie. And I mean that in a good way.

4. Thelma - It's so sweet and amiable. And June Squibb is just wonderful. A really light delight.

5. Sebastian - A little long with a plot we've seen before. But I still thought it was well worth the time. The lead - Ruaridh Mollica - gives a nice, committed performance.

6. Layla - The plot gets a little predictable towards the end, but it was worth the time.

7. Desire Lines - I appreciated the interview segments, but the intervening storyline/plot device was a little forced.

I believe Suncoast will be on Hulu in mid-February. So, I skipped it for later.