Argentina’s biggest star, Ricardo Darín, has given a succession of remarkable performances in recent years, in films such as Chinese Take-Away and the Oscar-winning The Secret in Their Eyes, both of which were Closing Night selections at our Festival. Nonetheless, Darín delivers his finest work yet, demonstrating heartbreaking vulnerability and near-tragic self-deception in Cesc Gay’s Truman.

Julian (Darín) is an Argentine expatriate who has long resided in Madrid. His good friend Tomas (Javier Cámara, in a tender, generous supporting performance) is a Spanish expatriate living in Montreal. Tomas is called to Madrid to visit Julian, yet there is a strain to their reunion that cannot be shaken by Julian’s cynical jokes. Tomas understands the impending heartbreak Julian must face in finding a new home for Truman, the beloved boxer that has been Julian’s sole constant companion, and which he will soon be unable to care for. Julian’s devotion to Truman is underscored by his awkwardness with his fellow human beings, including his cousin Paula (Dolores Fonzi). Julian must amend his life-long misanthropy if he is ever to find lasting peace.

Gay’s brilliance with dialogue, understatement and actors reaches its zenith in Truman. The simple struggle to express honest terms of endearment without reserve lies at the heart of the year’s most inspirational drama. – Jaie Laplante

This film is also part of the Ibero American Feature Film Competition.