By Katrina Deisler
As London Film Festival comes to a close, we’re looking back on the best bits: our favourite films, best red carpet looks and our picks for the next award winners. While we’re sad to see the festival go, it left us with plenty of binge-watching ideas and style inspo till it rolls round next year.
The cast of Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals
Films
Our lovely editor, Krista was able to attend the festival, and had nothing but great things to say about the films. We’ve compiled a list of favorites (though it was hard to choose among the amazing titles).
Manchester By The Sea
Casey Affleck is absolutely brilliant in this emotional film about one man’s (Affleck) journey as he becomes legal guardian of his nephew after his brother’s passing. The slow-paced film will have you weeping at parts, smiling at others, and we think Affleck’s emotional, convincing performance is sure to grab him an Oscar nomination.
Affleck and Lucas Hedges star in Manchester By The Sea
Bleed for This
In the film directed Ben Younger, Miles Teller stars as boxer Vinny Pazienza. After a near-fatal car accident and his journey to come back to the boxing ring against all odds. Inspired by the true story, the plot is one of hope and determination, a must-see for lovers of sports films.
Elle
Director Paul Verhoeven is known for pushing limits with his films, and this psychological thriller (his first feature film since 2006) is no different. Michéle (Isabelle Huppert) is a successful business woman who is attacked in her home and subsequently tracks down her assailant. The ensuing action pulls the pair into a chilling game of cat and mouse.
Snowden
The newest film based on the incredible true story of Edward Snowden (played by Joseph Gordon Levitt), the man infamous for leaking CIA and NSA data to journalists, revealing that they were tracking every phone call, internet search, and more made in the country. The plot starts at the beginning of Snowden’s career in the US military and follows through his betrayal and escape from the country. The film offers a new and interesting perspective on what was huge world news at the time, and makes the viewer think critically about privacy and technology.
Free Fire
Brie Larson stars in this thriller, directed by Ben Wheatley. The year is 1978 when Justine (Larson) and her crew of misfits meet up with a group of low-level arms dealers to purchase firearms. Things quickly go awry, ending in a bloody shootout that spans the remainder of the film. While the entire film is set in one location, it does a brilliant job of keeping viewers on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next.
Nocturnal Animals
Tom Ford‘s newest film doesn’t disappoint in terms of fashion (but would you expect anything less?). Despite being bloodier and grittier than past ford films, the all-star cast (including Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Fisher, and Isla Fisher) still looked immaculate. The plot is a story-within-a-story structure about a woman (Adams) who is haunted by her ex-husband’s novel; interpreting his work as a thinly veiled revenge threat. Ford’s name will draw you into the cinema, but the plot and amazing performances are what will keep you buzzing.
Adams in Nocturnal Animals
Mascots
A “mockumentary” directed by Christopher Guest follows a group of people who dress as mascots for sports teams, and is sure to elicit uncontrollable laughter. One look at the cast list (including Jane Lynch, Christopher Guest, Parker Posey, and Ed Begley Jr.) reveals just how funny the film is. Couldn’t make it to LFF? Get in on the action on Netflix, Mascots is now streaming.
Red Carpet
The red carpet style at this year’s festival didn’t disappoint. Stars including Amy Adams, Gabrielle Union, Nicole Kidman, Laura Carmichael, and more graced the festival in stunning looks. Earlier this week, we shared a fews looks we loved but even more gorgeous fashion came out to play at the rest of the festival.
After blowing us away in a white Valentino earlier in the festival, Amy Adams stunned in Tom Ford while promoting his film, Nocturnal Animals in which she stars.
Armie Hamilton poses with wife Elizabeth Chambers at the Free Fire Closing Night Gala screening. Chambers, pregnant with the couple’s second child, exuded maternal glow in her green gown from Burberry.
Leonardo DiCaprio looks dapper (as always) in a tailored grey Giorgio Armani suit at the premier of his documentary, Before The Flood, which makes a plea against climate change.
Daring to be different is Naomie Harris in a beaded ankle length gown by Valentino. The look was perfectly completed by a pair of raspberry pumps that complemented her lip color.
What were your favorites from LFF? Chat with us on Twitter to share.