412 – The Immigrant

James Gray’s Paper Tiger arrives this week and with it, further hopes that the auteur Gray finally receives his due. So naturally this week we are discussing the urtext of “Justice for James Gray” narratives, his Marion Cotillard-led The Immigrant. Inspired by Gray’s own lineage, the film stars Cotillard as a Polish immigrant who arrives to America and faces exploitation in order to free her sister, given “safe” haven by a pimp burlesque owner (Joaquin Pheonix). Held captive by The Weinstein Company for nearly a year, the film ultimately received a small release but massive critical word of mouth.

This week, we talk about the wrangling with Weinstein to release the film as Gray envisioned it and how Gray’s trademark narrative approach avoids storytelling cliches. We also discuss how Cotillard was ultimately nominated this year for Two Days, One Night, Jeremy Renner in franchise overload, and Phoenix’s discomfort at playing some of his character’s cruelties.

Topics also include 2014 Best Actress, the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, and cinematographer Darius Khondji.