Although it was expected since Cannes "hearts" Sean Penn, Doug Liman must be pinching himself over the news of being included in the Main Competition, and in the company of the three names of Leigh, Kiarostami and Mikhalkov. After all, when you consider he made Jumper, then Fair Game might be a powerful political film. Out of today's 16 films named in the Main Comp (still at least 5 or maybe 6 more films to be named at a later date), it would appear that Mikhalkov's might be in the running for the longest run time. Here are four of the 16.
I'll first begin with the titles that should be part of the Main Competition, Out of Competition and Special Screenings, and commencing Friday, I'll detail the harder to predict titles that we could find in the Un Certain Regard, Quinzaine (Director's Fortnight) and Critic's Week sections.
Jack Black's stock has perhaps plummeted to its lowest point, and I have a feeling that this true crime story exploring the darker side of the human condition is the counter-programming role that might do the trick. Linklater calls it his Fargo. I call this a must see. Mike Leigh's dp Dick Pope lenses for a second consecutive time for Linklater.