From an American Mafia movie to a jaunt through Paris’ gay district via a high-octane sci-fi Korean action-thriller, Cannes is offering a little bit of everything today as I took in two In Competition titles and a supremely queer animated midnight selection.
Paper Tiger ★★★ 1/2
Directed by James Gray / In Competition
A late addition to the competition here at Cannes, as well as one of few American films in this year’s lineup, Paper Tiger is a decent mafia drama from writer-director James Gray, marking the sixth Palme d’Or nomination for the filmmaker.
The Pearl brothers, Irwin (Miles Teller) and Gary (Adam Driver), are looking for a new business venture when they get dragged into the nasty underbelly of the Russian Mafia after a late night incident. Scarlett Johansson is a standout as Irwin’s wife Hester, with expert pacing and an emotional impact, and her performance is the film’s strongest element. While JoaquÃn Baca-Asay’s cinematography is richly textured, giving a gorgeous amber-tinged perspective on 1980s New York City.
Simple, brisk and effective enough, Paper Tiger entertains but never enthralls.
Hope (Hopeu) ★★★★
Directed by Na Hong-jin / In Competition
One of the most anticipated films of Cannes hits a high-speed freight train and received a prolonged standing ovation. After a series of mysterious deaths, the small town of Hope Harbor—near the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea—is turned into a battleground for survival when the culprit appears to be something from another world. I was unprepared for the sheer high-octane horror-action-thriller that this film embodies. There are some truly stand-out action set pieces, which are a thrill, but the film’s focus on action does leave us with some undercooked characters and a whole lot of questions.
While the film’s first act is a phenomenal action spectacle, with Na Hong-jin making big swings that pay off, as this high energy approach continues through the rest of the film it eventually becomes exhausting. The visual effects are incredible, aside from one glaring issue, but that is easy to forgive given the sheer scale of the film. Of the characters we do get to know, Sung-ae (Squid Game star Hoyeon) is an action diva, proving a perfect match for the film’s energy, and taking us on one hell of a ride.
Hope is a unique beast in competition at Cannes this year; a pure genre piece that is ultimately a blast despite is shortcomings.
Jim Queen ★★★★1/2
Directed by Marco Nguyen & Nicolas Athane / Midnight Selection / Queer Palm eligible
When Jim Parfait (voiced by Alex Ramirès), a highly regarded muscle queen, contracts a disease that turns him straight, Heterosis, he must go on a kinky and outrageous adventure with virgin twink Lucien (voiced by Jérémy Gillet) through Paris’s gay scene to find a cure before it wipes out all gay people for good.
Outlandishly funny, yet deeply caring for each of the communities within gay culture, Jim Queen is unafraid of being introspective at times, adding an unexpected emotional level to the film that elevates it. Beautifully animated, filled with vibrant colors and bursting with queer joy. The voice cast also features French porn icon and actor François Sagat, and Drag Race France star Maëva Trioux. Raunchy, riotous and downright sexy, this is an animated odyssey for the ages. Made by gay people for gay people, Jim Queen is a pure gay triumph.
By Andrew Pankey
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