As you’ve seenfrom our copious coverage, the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival was an embarrassment of riches. The prestigious fest is where many of the year’s Oscar contenders first get their jump-start on the season, and one key piece of the puzzle on the Road to Oscar is the festival’s People’s Choice Award. Past winners include12 Years a Slave,The King’s Speech,Slumdog Millionaire, andAmerican Beauty, all of which went on to win the Best Picture Oscar, so all eyes were on what would take home the prize this year. Unsurprisingly, it went toLa La Land(read Brian’s reviewhere), the new musical fromWhiplashwriter/directorDamien Chazelle.
The original film enjoyed a rapturous response when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival, withEmma Stonedeservedly taking home the Best Actress prize, and indeed it gained universal acclaim when it screened to a bevy of critics and industry folks in Toronto. It’s a harmoniously perfect blend of old school Hollywood with a contemporary setting/issues, with Chazelle at once paying homage to the likes ofFred AstaireandGinger Rogerswhile also crafting an original film that feels fresh, real, and alive. It’s a home run, andwhile I already predicted big Oscar prospectsafter catching the film myself, this People’s Choice Award win only further solidifies its status as an awards juggernaut this season.
Not all People’s Choice Award winners land Best Picture Oscars, but 7 out of the last 10 winners at least scored a Best Picture nomination, withRoomtaking home the People’s Choice prize last year. So you can probably take it to the bank thatLa La Landwill, at the very least, be a Best Picture nominee.
The first runner up for the People’s Choice Award this year wasGarth Davis’ emotional family storyLion(read Matt’s reviewhere), which starsDev Patelas a young man who lost his family as a boy in India and subsequently sets about finding his home via Google Earth. It’s based on a true story and while I found it a bit overlong and tedious, it had plenty of folks in tears andcould also be a player on the awards circuit. The second runner up wasMira Nair’s true story chess dramaQueen of Katwe(read Matt’s reviewhere), which is a delightful crowdpleaser from Disney.
Elsewhere, the Grolsch People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award went toKill ListandHigh-RisedirectorBen Wheatley’s shoot-em-upFree Fire(read Matt’s reviewhere), withRaw—the French cannibal filmthat had audience members passing out—scoring second runner up andThe Autopsy of Jane Doelanding first runner up.
The Toronto Platform Prize, which recognizes director’s cinema from around the world, went toPablo Larraín’s striking biopicJackie(read Matt’s reviewhere), which could also be a significant player this awards season.
To catch up on all of our 2016 Toronto International Film Festival coverage, including reviews, interviews, and Oscar dispatches,click right here.
