Is Chris Rock’s ‘Top Five’ An Awards Contender?
Most films acquired out of the Toronto International Film Festival open in the new year — unless the distributor is gunning for awards season.
READ MORE: Was Chris Rock’s ‘Top Five’ Worth the $12.5 Million Price Tag?
That appears to be the case for Chris Rock’s comedy “Top Five.” Not only did it net the top buy out of this year’s event, with Paramount ponying up a whopping $12.5 million, Variety reports the company will release “Top Five” on December 5, followed by a wide international release on December 12.
So does it stand a chance at competing? According to Indiewire’s film critic Eric Kohn, “Top Five” is the “third and best outing as writer-director” for Rock. The comedy, which stars in the actor in a loosely autobiographical role as a successful New York comedian struggling to gain serious clout, drew raves in Toronto for its witty screenplay (“which is loaded with topicality as it pokes fun at subjects ranging from Tyler Perry movies to Angry Bird,” wrote Kohn) and the performance of its leading lady, Rosario Dawson, who’s said to give a career-best turn in the film. Rock himself told Indiewire in Toronto that he’s hoping Dawson gets a shot. Can’t argue with that.
READ MORE: The Women of TIFF: Exclusive Photos of Rosario Dawson and More
