Political thriller, comedic drama lead Toronto buzz

Ben Affleck’s political thriller Argo and David O. Russell’s comedic drama Silver Linings Playbook are winning widespread praise at the midpoint of the Toronto International Film Festival, with early sluggish sales beginning to pick up. Toronto, along with recent festivals in Venice and Telluride, traditionally launches the movie industry’s major awards season. Some of the more hyped films heading into the festival have won over critics and audiences while others have divided film buffs, suggesting possible box office and awards disappointments. “A bunch of titles go in with hype and then only a couple of them really deliver,” said David Laub, co-president of New York based indie film distribution company Oscilloscope. Laub cited Argo and Silver Linings Playbook as gaining early awards buzz among the bigger premieres so far. “Now they start their journey to the Oscars – and then some are a bit more muted,” he said. Those that so far have not quite lived up to their high expectations include several of the eagerly anticipated literary adaptations – Anna Karenina and Midnight’s Children – while Cloud Atlas, co-directed by Tom Tykwer and The Matrix trilogy sibling team, divided...