April 25, 2025

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 4/25

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

iF you love atom egoyan

seven veils

Vincent Georgie: It’s easy to call Egoyan one of the legends of Canadian Cinema (note: because it’s true) and it’s even easier to anticipate every new Egoyan film with curiosity of how he will interweave his favourite themes of voyeurism, media, sexuality and performance. In one of his very best films in decades, Egoyan is in his strike zone with this intriguing drama that was shot during the pandemic, appeared at WIFF 2023 as a nominee for our film prize, and has been finally released in 2025. Complicated, high-minded and beautiful, check this one out.

Synopsis: An earnest theatre director is given the task of producing her former mentor’s most famous work, the opera “Salome,” but disturbing memories from her past colour her present.

Available on Apple TV.

if you want a classic

all about eve

Vincent Georgie: Nominated for 14 Oscars, this film is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. While certainly part of the canon of gay camp classics, this melodrama is endlessly quotable and engaging, well deserving of all the acclaim it received upon release. Feminist themes of age, beauty, competition, and utility are examined with much interest here.

Synopsis: Backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington. Tattered and forlorn, Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega-star Margo Channing, telling a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Margo takes Eve under her wing, and it appears that Eve is a conniver who uses Margo.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

if you want a great romance

pride & prejudice

Vincent Georgie: Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, UK filmmaker Joe Wright gave us an appealing and fresh adaptation of a frequently told (and re-told story). Anchored by Keira Knightley’s best performance, this film is a beautifully made, sweeping, and completely unstuffy period adaptation. Donald Sutherland and Matthew Macfadyen steal every scene they are in, as expected. Nominated for 4 Oscars upon its release, including for Knightley’s lead performance.

Synopsis: In this adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) lives with her mother, father, and sisters in the English countryside. As the eldest, she faces mounting pressure from her parents to marry. When the outspoken Elizabeth is introduced to the handsome and upper-class Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), sparks fly. Although there is obvious chemistry between the two, Darcy’s overly reserved nature threatens the fledgling relationship.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

DOUBLE FEATURE

robert downey jr.

Vincent Georgie: It’s incredible that this talented actor is celebrating his 60th birthday this month, considering there is always an eternally youthful and mischievous quality to his work.

While he is well-known for his prolific and popular work over the past 2 decades, let’s take a look at 2 films earlier in his career that signalled we had a witty and appealing leading man on our hands. The first film is a terrific but underseen romantic comedy opposite Cybill Shephard, while the latter is a hilarious satire of soap operas with Downey Jr having the time of his life playing with a delicious ensemble cast. Happy Birthday, RDJr.

chances are

A man’s love for his pregnant wife, Corinne Jeffries (Cybill Shepherd), is interrupted when a car accident sends him to heaven. He is reincarnated, however, and two decades later he is a writer named Alex Finch (Robert Downey Jr.). But when Alex starts dating Miranda Jeffries (Mary Stuart Masterson) — his all-grown-up daughter from his previous life — he remembers his love for Corinne. This spells trouble for his past-life best friend, Philip Train (Ryan O’Neal), who is now pursuing Corinne.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

soapdish

Celeste Talbert (Sally Field) is the star of the long-running soap opera The Sun Also Sets. With the show’s ratings down, Celeste’s ruthlessly ambitious co-star, Montana Moorehead (Cathy Moriarty), and the show’s arrogant producer, David Seton Barnes (Robert Downey Jr.), plot to aggravate her into leaving the show by bringing back her old flame, Jeffrey Anderson (Kevin Kline), and hiring her beautiful young niece, Lori Craven (Elisabeth Shue).