The Toronto Film Festival is in full swing, and reviews for films that aren't due for release for months are in. Darren Aronofsky flick The Wrestler has been the standout half way through the festival after garnering stunning praise from scribes, who have heaped praise on Mickey Rooney's lead turn as an aging sports entertainer in particular. Variety called it "one of the great, iconic screen performances" - which is not the type of praise they hand out easily. Nic Cage must be pissed off he pulled out, now. There was also positive word for Rian Johnson's Brick follow-up The Brothers Bloom, and Happy-Go-Lucky. The latter's star (the downright lovely and chatty) Sally Hawkins is receiving stellar notices in particular, with "Oscar Buzz" deservedly surrounding her brilliant performance. Elsewhere, Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make A Porno has notched up some stellar reviews; as has Anne Hathaway for the Jonathon Demme-directed Rachel Getting Married. Selling wise, the Iraq action film The Hurt Locker is receiving interest from several parties after it too screened to a positive response.
