The 49th Toronto International Film Festival kicked off with a splash, featuring the world premiere of “Nutcrackers,” a comedy directed by David Gordon Green and marking Ben Stiller’s return to film after a seven-year hiatus.
Stiller’s return to the big screen is an highlight, especially after last year’s festival suffered due to labor strikes that kept major stars away. This year, TIFF is bursting with star power as A-listers such as Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong’o, Selena Gomez, Elton John, Ana de Armas, Dakota Johnson, and Mark Hamill are set to attend over the next eleven days, much to the relief of TIFF organizers and the film industry.
The festival’s excitement extends beyond Hollywood, as evidenced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s unexpected appearance at the premiere. Trudeau expressed his appreciation for Canadian filmmaking and commended the festival’s CEO, Cameron Bailey, for elevating Canada’s status on the global film stage.
Reflecting on his extended break from acting, Stiller explained it wasn’t a deliberate choice but rather a result of evolving circumstances. He had been focusing on directing projects such as the miniseries “Escape at Dannemora” and the sci-fi series “Severance” before a production hiatus allowed him to take on “Nutcrackers.”
In this film, Stiller portrays a city-dwelling workaholic who unexpectedly becomes the guardian of his four orphaned nephews on an Ohio farm. Despite a few empty seats at Roy Thomson Hall, the audience reacted warmly to the film’s humorous moments, including its playful take on fart jokes, a nativity scene mishap, and amusing farm animal interactions.
The film takes a sentimental turn as the boys attempt to impress potential foster parents with a unique dance version of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” which includes samurais and whimsical mustaches. This heartfelt finale brought a few tears to the audience.
At the Q&A session, Stiller and his young co-stars—Homer Janson, Ulysses Janson, Atlas Janson, and Arlo Janson—were met with enthusiastic applause. Stiller expressed his commitment to projects that resonate deeply with him, noting his desire to work with these young actors.
Green, known for “Pineapple Express” and the “Halloween” reboot series, conceived “Nutcrackers” while editing “The Exorcist: Believer” in 2023. Inspired by his long-time friend’s four sons, who had no prior acting experience, he aimed to create a film without the usual cynicism and malice.
As “Nutcrackers” seeks distribution, Green and Stiller both emphasized the importance of experiencing the film in theaters. Stiller highlighted the nostalgic and enjoyable aspects of such films, stressing the need for more like them on screen.
The conversation turned to a light-hearted topic as Stiller addressed one of the film’s comedic elements. A Janson brother recounted a particularly memorable on-set experience involving an extended fart, which Stiller humorously declared might be the festival’s only fart-related discussion.