The Best Films Of The 2016 Sundance Film Festival
After 10 glorious days, the2016 Sundance Film Festivalcame to a close last night, withawardshanded out Saturday night. And now that the festival is officially over and done with, we at /Film have tallied the movies we saw this year, to present to you a list of our favorites.
Three writers from /Film attended the festival this year: Peter Sciretta, Angie Han, and Ethan Anderton. Just three movies were viewed by all three members of the /Film team:Other People,Hunt for the Wilderpeople, andManchester by the Sea. Another 12 were seen by two members of the /Film staff, and 26 were seen by just one person. In all, the three of us caught 41 different movies. So how did the films we watched stack up? Run down the best of Sundance 2016 with us after the jump.
We won’t bore you with all the details of how we calculated our rankings, but in simple terms, each person submitted a weighted top 10. Where there was a tie, we tended to give preference to the films that were seen by more people (in an effort to ensure these rankings reflected all of our tastes), and to the films that ranked higher on individual lists. The resulting top 14 best of Sundance 2016 doesn’t represent any one /Film staffer’s tastes, but rather our collective experience of the movies that moved us, delighted us, intrigued us, and stayed with us this year.
If you’re curious about our individual rankings, click ahead to the final page, where each member of the /Film team has listed every movie they saw at the festival this year in order of preference. There, you can also find a comprehensive, alphabetically ordered list of every review we filed from Sundance 2016.
And now, without further ado…
14. Swiss Army Man
All of the gross gags and twisted humor are just a way into the film’s true theme of loneliness — and not just the kind experienced by people who are truly, literally alone. Hank (Paul Dano) is physically separated from society by circumstance, but it becomes increasingly clear that he wasn’t much less isolated in the real world. And that, perhaps, there was a good reason for that. As Hank and his dead friend Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) get closer to the real world, our perception of Hank begins to shift from the way he sees himself (and by extension, the way Manny sees him) and toward the way the rest of the world sees him, and it complicates our understanding of the character as we knew him before. (Read Angie’s full review here.)
13. Green Room (tie with #12)
(Note:Green Roomhad its world premiere at Cannes last year.)
Blue RuindirectorJeremy Saulniercomes back with a vengeance in this thriller about an indie hardcore rock band who ends up getting caught at the venue owned, operated and attended by Neo Nazis. Full of suspense and tension, this is one hell of a thriller that will have you squirming in your seat.Patrick Stewartsteals the show as the calm, methodical leader of this terrifying party, butAnton YelchinandImogen Pootsboth make for worthy but terrified adversaries that is full of surprises and plenty of brutal kills. It’s great knowing that there’s a filmmaker like Saulnier out there crafting outstanding, original thrillers like this. (Ethan)
12. The Hollars (tie with #13)
Yes, it’s another story of a man grappling with his creative dreams who must return home from New York City because of a terminally ill mother, and in the process must come to terms with the family he left behind. It probably doesn’t help thatThe Hollarslacks the sexual diversity found inOther People, and as a result sounds even more generic on paper.
Sundance veteranJames Strouse(Lonesome Jim,Grace is Gone,The Winning Season,People Places Things) has filled the screenplay subtle and clever moments that elevate it from the broad strokes of a typical Sundance dramedy. And it will make you cry. I know I did — a couple of times. (Read Peter’s full review here.)
11. Morris From America
Morris From Americais a wonderful and heartfelt cross-cultural coming-of-age tale about an African-American boy trying to adapt in Germany. This hip-hop-infused rite of passage story would work well in a triple feature alongside other Sundance films likeDopeandThe Wackness. (Read Peter’s full review here.)
10. The Birth of a Nation
Comparisons to12 Years a Slavewill be inevitable, but in truthBirth of a Nationcomplements, rather than competes with, the other recent slave drama.12 Years a Slavewas the horrifying true tale of a free man forced into slavery.Birth of a Nationis the equally horrifying, equally true tale of a man who’s never enjoyed a single day of freedom in his life. To Nat (Nate Parker), bondage isn’t a shocking turn of events; it’s simply his life as it always was and always will be. In that sense, it’s actually a bit likeSpotlight, another recent story of insiders gradually coming to realize their own complacency in the face of unspeakable horrors, and deciding to do something about it. (Read Angie’s full review here.)
9. Other People
Comedy and tragedy can be tough to blend, especially when it comes to a topic as heavy as cancer (the disease afflicting David’s mom Joanne, played to perfection byMolly Shannon). ButOther Peoplemaintains that balance better than most. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, many of which are intermingled with sob-out-loud moments. It helps greatly that first-time directorChris Kellymaintains a low-key, naturalistic vibe throughout. When a sad moment yields some laughs, or a funny moment gives way to a tearjerking one, it doesn’t feel like he’s pulling the audience from one extreme to another. It just feels like the way sad and funny actually do mix, all the time, in real life. (Read Angie’s full review here.)
8. Under the Shadow
The genius ofUnder the Shadowlies in the way it builds up the tension: slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, until I suddenly realized I was wound so tightly I wanted to scream. The first act plays more like a family drama than a horror film. Sideh and Iraj discuss her career, comfort their daughter after her nightmares, and argue about whether the family should flee Tehran for the relative safety of the north. But the possibility of death and destruction looms in every second. (Read Angie’s full review here.)
7. Life, Animated
Life, Animatedis a joyful film about the true power of cinema. Movies are not disposable entertainment but stories that have the power to inspire and dramatically change our lives. Academy Award-winning documentary filmmakerRoger Ross Williamstells the story of an autistic boy namedOwen Suskindwho re-learned language and found understanding through Disney animated movies. (Read Peter’s full review here.)
6. Love & Friendship
Jane Austenmay have a reputation as a romantic, but I’d argue that her real forte is as a humorist. She’s second to none when it comes to elegantly written, sharply observed comedies about the foibles of England’s upper classes, combining a wry, biting wit with a genuine sense of affection for the characters she’s created. Naturally, this makes Austen’s work the perfect source of inspiration forMetropolitanandLast Days of DiscodirectorWhit Stillman, who has brought her novellaLady Susanto life in the laugh-out-loud hilariousLove & Friendship. (Read Angie’s full review here.)
5. Indignation
Indignationis a masterful piece of work fromJames Schamus, a film that would have been worthy of being release under his Focus Features banner had it been released years before. Every piece of production is remarkable, from the supporting cast, to the production design and more. Schamus has crafted an extraordinary adaptation ofPhilip Roth’s book, a timeless tale of lost love and innocence that deserves to be seen. (Read Ethan’s full review here.)
4. Sleight
J.D. Dillardis a refreshing new filmmaker who is certainly one to watch. This may be his first feature film, but Dillard has directed some music videos and is also developing a film project for Bad Robot and Paramount Pictures (the details on this project are unknown). When I sawSafety Not Guaranteedat Sundance a few years back, I knew that Colin Trevorrow was about to be tapped for much bigger films (but even I wouldn’t have predictedStar WarsandJurassic Parksequels). I think it’s easy to see Dillard will probably also capture the attention of Hollywood genre films — I could definitely see him at the helm of a future Marvel movie. (Read Peter’s full review here.)
3. Sing Street
Sing Streetis undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser, and another fine example in cinema of music saving someone’s life.John Carneyhas delivered something more conventional than his previous efforts, but he’s poured so much genuine care into the proceedings that you’re able to’t help but fall in love. This film is truly a triumph, and I can’t wait to play the soundtrack on repeat whenever it becomes available. (Read Ethan’s full review here.)
2. Manchester by the Sea
It’s easy to imagine a version of this story that smooths over ugly, raw emotions in service of a happy ending, or, alternately, a version of this story that devolves into simple misery porn.Manchester by the Seatakes a more humane approach, guided by directorKenneth Lonergan’s deep empathy for his characters. The world around Lee (Casey Affleck) may judge the way he reacts to the blows life has dealt him, or may not even realize what he’s dealing with in the first place. But Lonergan presents a portrait of grief that feels almost honest in its ugliness, because it feels truthful. Redemption and hope are hard to come by for these characters, but they’re apparently nearly as impossible to extinguish completely. (Read Angie’s full review here.)
1. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Hunt for the Wilderpeoplefeels like a throwback to ’80s adventure films in some ways, but it mostly just feels like a new childhood classic. It has all the makings of one: it’s got wonder and adventure and loads of humor, and ultimately winds up on the side of optimism — but it also has moments of genuine tragedy and danger. It’s not tough to imagine kids falling this movie today and feeling nostalgic about it 10 or 20 years down the line, the way Millennials and Gen Xers today wax rhapsodic aboutThe Goonies. Unlike a lot of those movies, though, it’s one the parents won’t mind either. (Read Angie’s full review here.)
Peter Sciretta’s Best of Sundance 2016 List
1.Hunt for the Wilderpeople
3.Manchester by the Sea
4.Indignation
5.Life, Animated
6.Morris From America
7.The Hollars
8.Other People
9.Captain Fantastic
10.The 4th
12.Tallulah
13.The Land
14.Yoga Hosers
15.Film Hawk
17.Wiener-Dog
18.Belgica
Angie Han’s Best of Sundance 2016 List
1.Manchester by the Sea
2.Hunt for the Wilderpeople
3.Love & Friendship
4.Under the Shadow
5.The Birth of a Nation
6.Other People
7.Swiss Army Man
8.Sing Street
9.Southside With You
10.The First Girl I Loved
11.Antibirth
12.Belgica
13.The Fits
14.The Lovers and the Despot
15.The Eyes of My Mother
16.Morris From America
17.Complete Unknown
Ethan Anderton’s Best of Sundance 2016 List
1.Sing Street
7.Green Room
9.Operation Avalanche
10.Swiss Army Man
11.The Intervention
12.Captain Fantastic
13.The Fundamentals of Caring
15.The Hollars
16.As You Are
17.Christine
19.Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall
20.Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
21.The Lure
22.Yoga Hosers
23.Cemetery of Splendor
Best of Sundance 2016: All Reviews
Nate Parker’s’The Birth of a Nation’Is Powerful, Necessary Storytelling’Fundamentals of Caring': Paul Rudd Wipes Craig Roberts' Ass In This Hammy Charmer’The Hollars’Might Be a Sundance Cliche But It Still Made Me CryTaika Waititi’s’Hunt for the Wilderpeople’Is a New Childhood Classic’Indignation': Logan Lerman Delivers the Best Performance of His Career’Life, Animated’Is An Emotional Film About The True Power Of CinemaWhit Stillman Does Jane Austen in Laugh-Out-Loud Hilarious’Love & Friendship'‘The Lure’: Just Your Average 80s Infused, Gothic Horror Musical with Vampire MermaidsCasey Affleck’s Awards-Caliber Performance Makes’Manchester by the Sea’a 10/10’Morris From America’Would Make a Great Triple Feature With ‘Dope’ & ‘The Wackness'‘Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You’: How One Man Humbly Changed TV Forever’Operation Avalanche’: Faking the Moon Landing Is An Absolute BlastCancer Comedy’Other People’Turns Jesse Plemons Into a Viable Leading Man’Sing Street': A Rockin', Endearing, Coming of Age Love Letter to the ’80s’Sleight’Is A Must-See Thriller About A Street MagicianThe Obamas Get Their Own ‘Before Sunrise’ in’Southside With You’Daniel Radcliffe’s Farting Corpse Propels’Swiss Army Man’Toward Beauty’Under the Shadow’Is This Year’s ‘The Babadook'‘Yoga Hosers’Is An Absurd Live-Action Cartoon Meets 90’s Teen Movie
