Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud TIFF IN 12 big performances, and It Was Just An Accident and No Other Choice have their moment
Sep 12, 2025
The hosts explore standout performances from a film festival, highlighting Rose Byrne's emotional portrayal in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' and Dwayne Johnson's mixed reception in 'The Smashing Machine.' They delve into the heartfelt themes of motherhood and trauma in international films like 'It Was Just an Accident' and 'No Other Choice.' Plus, they reminisce about their festival experiences and share insights from their interview with Sarah McLachlan regarding the influential Lilith Fair.
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Transformation Doesn't Equal Performance
- Teri Hart found The Smashing Machine theatrically unconvincing and underdeveloped despite Dwayne Johnson's extreme physical transformation.
- She argued the film fails to explore the sport's complex ethics and leaves characters without substantive backstory.
Festival Hype Can Deflate Quickly
- Radheyan Simonpillai observed the Venice buzz around The Smashing Machine deflated in Toronto and described Johnson as a limited performer.
- He framed the film as a Benny Safdie-helmed vanity project that never fully capitalizes on Safdie's strengths.
A Brutal, Accurate Portrait Of Caregiving
- Teri Hart called Rose Byrne's role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You a powerhouse depiction of parental emotional labor under extreme medical pressure.
- She said the film authentically captures caregiving strain and positions Byrne for awards consideration.