• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Film
  • DVD
  • Editorial
  • About ScreenFish

ScreenFish

where faith and film are intertwined

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • News
  • OtherFish
  • Podcast
  • Give
You are here: Home / Film / TIFF ’19: Guest of Honour

TIFF ’19: Guest of Honour

September 10, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Written and directed by Atom Egoyan, Guest of Honour is an ambitious, thought-provoking and, at times, muddled exploration of the nature of guilt, shame and the dangers of keeping our secrets. Guest of Honour tells the story of Jim (David Thewlis), a health inspector whose daughter, Veronica (Laysla De Oliveira), has recently been convicted of a crime. Although Jim remains steadfast in his belief that she’s innocent, his efforts to reduce her sentence are hampered by her stubborn refusal to cooperate with him. 

As one of Canada’s finest directors, Egoyan continues to show that he is not merely interested in exploring the actions of his characters, but also the depth of their motivation. While the script can get bogged down under the weight of its own ambition in places, Guest proves to be a compelling and complex journey held together by solid performances by its stars. While De Oliveira does a solid job as the damaged Veronica, it’s Thewlis that truly anchors the film, playing Jim with a quiet rage and burdened discontent.

With Guest, Egoyan again moves beyond the circumstances of his characters, using prison as a metaphor for how our anger and self-abuse can keep us from experiencing freedom from the hurts of our past. While Veronica has been convicted and incarcerated, it is clear from the outset that she also fully believes that she deserves the maximum punishment possible for her crimes. For her, prison has become a burden that is primarily self-inflicted, leaving little opportunity for hope.

Meanwhile, through Veronica remains trapped in her own personal (and physical) prison, Jim finds himself caught between standards of justice and his desire to offer grace. To those in the restaurant business, Jim remains the epitome of the law. Yet, at the same time, Jim’s desire for his daughter remains for her liberty. In the greatest of ironies, Jim, who epitomizes justice in his line of work, fights for his daughter’s life through eyes of grace.

Guest of Honour is currently playing at the Toronto International Film Festival. For more screenings, click here. 

Share it!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Film, Premieres, TIFF Tagged With: Atom Egoyan, David Thewlis, Guest of Honour, Luke Wilson

About Steve Norton

Steve Norton is a pastor, hubby, and daddy (x2). I am a dedicated Jesus follower who looks for new ways to bring God glory and I have a ridiculous passion for film. It's one of my distinct interests to explore the connection between the two as well. Over the last 5 years, I've been proud to be a writer for Hollywood Jesus, Love Is Moving magazine and now, I have the privilege to help create ScreenFish.net! #forHisglory

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

THE SF NEWS

Get a special look, just for you.

sf podcast

Hot Off the Press

  • Speaking Your Story: 1on1 with Matthew Teague (OUR FRIEND)
  • WandaVision Episode 3: It’s a Colorful Life
  • GIVEAWAY! Digital Copy of OUR FRIEND! (Canada Only)
  • The Sister: Haunted by the Truth
  • The Spirit of the Story: 1on1 with Casey Affleck (OUR FRIEND)
Find tickets and showtimes on Fandango.

where faith and film are intertwined

film and television carry stories which remind us of the stories God has woven since the beginning of time. come with us on a journey to see where faith and film are intertwined.

Footer

ScreenFish Articles

Speaking Your Story: 1on1 with Matthew Teague (OUR FRIEND)

WandaVision Episode 3: It’s a Colorful Life

  • About ScreenFish
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 · ScreenFish.net · Built by Aaron Lee

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.