TIFF Review: Restless
Gus Van Sant's latest movie stars Mia Wasikowska and Henry Hopper
RestlessPic: TIFFGus Van Sant’s latest effort is oddly funny and charming for a film that deals with death and cancer. That’s part of what make Restless a breath of fresh air.
The movie (which premiered at Cannes and was featured at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival) tells the story of a funeral-obsessed teen named Enoch (played by Dennis Hopper’s son Henry Hopper) and Annabel (Alice in Wonderland’s Mia Wasikowska), who reveals early on that she happens to be suffering from cancer.
Enoch -- who lost both of his parents in a car accident -- has quite a few quirks; aside from having a strange hobby (attending funerals of complete strangers), his best friend is the ghost of a kamikaze pilot -- with whom he plays battleship with in his room.
While attending a stranger’s funeral, Enoch stumbles upon Annabel and a friendship ensues (which later turns into a romance). Annabel may be seriously ill, but that doesn’t stop her from living her life to the fullest -- something that Enoch hasn’t been doing.The entire cast delivers great performances -- especially Wasikowska, who charms audiences as Annabel.
Restless isn’t one of the most innovative or memorable movies of the year -- despite it being helmed by the Oscar-nominated director behind films like Good Will Hunting and Elephant. However, it’s still watchable.
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