Thompson on Hollywood

Cannes Review: Ari Folman's Hybrid 'The Congress' Befuddles More than It Bedazzles

Reviews

Ari Folman’s “The Congress” begins well enough, with the sheer physical presence of Robin Wright center screen, tears popping from her eyes. The actress, who in real life has aged gracefully into strength – or maybe it’s just bitterness -- plays “Robin Wright,” an aging actress who has made many “lousy choices.” We know this from her agent, played with sweet understatement by Harvey Keitel, who spares nothing and no one, including the “lousy men” Wright has chosen. Is that one of the movie’s many in-jokes?

By Tom Christie
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May 17, 2013 8:43 PM
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CANNES EXCLUSIVE: Ari Folman Talks Fortnight Opener 'The Congress,' Which Predicts Hollywood's Chilling Future (TRAILER)

Interviews

The Cannes International Film Festival gets under way Wednesday with the international premiere of Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby," a perfect opening night choice given its already established hit status stateside (TOH review here). And on Thursday the edgier Cannes sidebar Director's Fortnight (or Quinzaine) will open with Israeli director Ari Folman's "The Congress," a live-action/animation hybrid starring Robin Wright and Danny Huston, which is being screened for the first time not only for Cannes audiences and critics but North American distributors as well.

By Anne Thompson
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May 14, 2013 1:22 PM
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Ari Folman's Animated Live-Action Hybrid 'The Congress' to Open Cannes Directors' Fortnight, Not in Competition

Festivals

Ari Folman's sci-fi film "The Congress," which is part realist live-action, part fantasy animation and stars Robin Wright, Jon Hamm, Paul Giamatti, Harvey Keitel and Kodi Smit-McPhee, will open the Cannes sidebar Director's Fortnight on May 16. Folman wrote and directed Israel's Oscar-nominated foreign film "Waltz with Bashir," an animated documentary which was slotted in the main Cannes competition, so this is something of a comedown for the established filmmaker, opening night or no. (Trailer below.)

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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April 19, 2013 1:08 PM
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Robin Wright Hits a Groove, from 'House of Cards' to Upcoming 'Congress' and 'Most Wanted Man'

Television

After three strong supporting roles in 2011 ("Moneyball," "Rampart," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"), Robin Wright returned with headliner power in Netflix's "House of Cards." Much has been said about how the show (reviews: TOH, Indiewire) heralds the new post-TV era (as of February 12 it was the most-streamed title on Netflix). But for many observers, the big reveal of the series (available in its 13-episode entirety on Netflix) is not the always showy Kevin Spacey, or yet another wily Mara sister, but scene-stealer Wright as Washington powerbroker Claire Underwood.

By Sophia Savage
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February 19, 2013 6:17 AM
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In the Works: 'A Most Wanted Man' Starts Shooting with Hoffman and McAdams

News

Anton Corbijn's adaptation of the John le Carre thriller, "A Most Wanted Man," began principal photography this week in Hamburg. The film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe and Robin Wright. Corbijn ("The American") directs the film, which Australian writer Andrew Bovell ("Lantana") adapted for the screen.

By Maggie Lange
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September 25, 2012 12:33 PM
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As You Wish: 25th Anniversary 'Princess Bride' Reunion at New York Film Festival

Festivals

"The Princess Bride" cast and crew will reunite to celebrate the film's 25th anniversary at a sidebar event at the New York Film Festival presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Cast members Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Mandy Patinkin as well as director Rob Reiner will join up at a screening of a brand new 35mm print at Alice Tully Hall on October 2.