Toronto update: An amazing double feature

Today is my last full day up here in Toronto, and I believe I’ve just seen perhaps the two strongest films at the festival back-to-back: The Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire. You’ve already read EW critics Owen Gleiberman and Lisa Schwarzbaum rave about them, and I can tell you that all the hype is justified. Of course I was watching both films with my Oscar-obsessed eyes, and I’d say that Mickey Rourke is a very strong Best Actor contender for his surprisingly tender turn in The Wrestler. He surprised me scene after scene and I bet the Academy will feel the same. The gorgeous Slumdog, meanwhile, could be a contender in the adapted screenplay category, for Simon Beaufoy, a past nominee for The Full Monty); and in the directing race, meaning the fabulously inventive Danny Boyle could possibly earn his first career nod. After seeing these two fantastic pieces of work, I know it’s now time to come home.