New Movies: Toll (2023) by Carolina Markowicz: A Mother's Desperate Measures in a Land of Hypocrisy

Movie Summary: The Price of a Mother's Love

"Toll" is a darkly comedic and socially incisive drama that follows Suellen, a toll booth attendant in a small Brazilian town, who secretly funds her gay son's conversion therapy with money she makes by extorting truck drivers. As her clandestine operation expands, the film exposes the pervasive hypocrisy, corruption, and moral compromises within a conservative society grappling with its own contradictions and prejudices.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13846480/

Link Review: https://icsfilm.org/reviews/review-toll-carolina-markowicz/

About movie: https://luxboxfilms.com/toll/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/toll (France), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/toll (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/br/filme/pedagio (Brasil)

Detailed Summary: Corruption at the Crossroads

• A Mother's Motivation: Suellen works long, monotonous shifts at a toll booth. Her primary concern is her son, Antônio, who faces bullying and social isolation for being gay. Believing "conversion therapy" is the solution, Suellen seeks out an elusive "foreigner" who promises a cure.

• The Extortion Scheme: To finance the expensive therapy, Suellen devises a scheme: she tips off a group of criminals about trucks carrying contraband, allowing them to rob the drivers. In exchange, she receives a cut of the stolen goods.

• Escalating Involvement: What starts as a small, desperate act quickly spirals. Suellen becomes more deeply entangled with the criminals, even recruiting her shy son to help transport goods, unknowingly putting him in danger.

• A Web of Hypocrisy: The film meticulously builds a portrait of the town, where religious fervor coexists with rampant corruption. Suellen's seemingly righteous quest to "save" her son stands in stark contrast to her criminal activities, mirroring the broader societal hypocrisy.

• The Unraveling: As Suellen's world closes in, the lines between her motherly love, her criminal actions, and the societal pressures she faces become increasingly blurred, leading to a climax that challenges her perceptions and compromises her family's safety.

Plot Summary: Unholy Alliance and a Killer's Quest

• The Toll Booth and the Secret: Suellen, a toll booth attendant, is determined to change her son Antônio's homosexuality. She begins a secret life of crime to pay for his "conversion."

• Criminal Connections: She forms an unlikely alliance with local criminals, providing them with information about trucks carrying valuable cargo in exchange for money.

• Son's Unwitting Involvement: Antônio, unaware of the true source of their newfound income, becomes a passive participant in his mother's illicit activities, further complicating their relationship and his own journey.

• Societal Irony: The narrative highlights the ironic reality of a community outwardly committed to conservative values, yet secretly engaged in theft, infidelity, and exploitation.

• Consequences and Revelation: Suellen's actions eventually catch up to her, forcing a confrontation with the consequences of her choices and a painful reckoning with her son.

Director's Vision: Sharp Satire and Stark Realism

• Darkly Comedic Lens: Carolina Markowicz employs a unique blend of dark comedy and social realism, using humor to underscore the absurdity and tragedy of the characters' situations and the society they inhabit.

• Critique of Conservatism: Markowicz's vision is a biting critique of conservative ideology and the often-destructive impact of religious fundamentalism, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ rights and individual freedoms.

• Ambiguous Morality: The director deliberately crafts characters with complex, often contradictory, moral compasses, challenging viewers to confront their own biases and understand the motivations behind desperate actions.

• Authentic Brazilian Setting: The film immerses the audience in a specific Brazilian small-town environment, using local nuances and cultural elements to ground its universal themes of hypocrisy and struggle.

• Character-Driven Narrative: Markowicz prioritizes character development, delving into Suellen's psyche and motivations, making her both sympathetic and frustratingly misguided.

Themes: Hypocrisy, Motherhood, and Identity

• Societal Hypocrisy: A central theme is the widespread hypocrisy in a society that preaches morality and faith while secretly engaging in corruption, crime, and prejudice.

• Unconditional (Misguided) Motherhood: The film explores the lengths a mother will go to for her child, even when her intentions are based on harmful societal beliefs and lead to destructive actions. It questions whether misguided love can still be called love.

• Sexual Identity and Acceptance: Antônio's struggle with his sexual identity within a repressive environment is a core theme, highlighting the damage inflicted by the pressure to conform and the insidious nature of conversion therapy.

• Moral Compromise: Characters, particularly Suellen, are forced to make significant moral compromises, illustrating how societal pressures and desperate circumstances can lead individuals down dark paths.

• The Price of Conformity: The film subtly examines the cost of trying to fit into societal norms, both for individuals like Antônio and for those who enforce or benefit from those norms.

Key Success Factors: Performance, Script, and Social Relevance

• Maeve Jinkings' Performance: Maeve Jinkings' portrayal of Suellen is widely acclaimed for its nuanced depiction of a complex, often tragic, character caught between love and desperation.

• Incise Screenplay: Carolina Markowicz's sharp and witty screenplay effectively balances dark humor with serious social commentary, creating a compelling narrative.

• Timely Social Commentary: The film's exploration of conversion therapy, LGBTQ+ issues, and societal hypocrisy resonates strongly with contemporary social and political discussions, making it highly relevant.

• Original Premise: The unique concept of a mother funding conversion therapy through toll booth extortion is both darkly humorous and thought-provoking, immediately grabbing attention.

• Strong Direction: Markowicz's confident direction guides the audience through the film's challenging themes and tonal shifts, maintaining a cohesive and engaging cinematic experience.

Awards & Nominations: Critically Acclaimed

"Toll (2023)" has received significant critical acclaim, securing 9 wins and 14 nominations as of early 2024. Most notably, it won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2023, a prestigious award for films with high artistic merit. It also won Best Film at the Zurich Film Festival 2023 and received several nominations at the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro 2024, including Best Feature Film and Best Actress for Maeve Jinkings.

Critics Reception: A Powerful and Unflinching Portrayal

• Variety: Called the film a "darkly comedic, cutting social satire" and praised Maeve Jinkings' "marvelous performance." It highlighted the film's "unflinching look at the absurdity of homophobia and the damage it inflicts."

• The Hollywood Reporter: Described "Toll" as a "sharp, astute, and often very funny drama" that "exposes the hypocrisy of Brazil's conservative society." It commended Carolina Markowicz's direction for its "boldness and precision."

• Screen Daily: Noted the film's "unsettling blend of deadpan humour and stark realism," stating that it "offers a scathing critique of religious zealotry and its corrosive effects on family and community." It praised the film's "tight script and strong performances."

• IndieWire: Applauded the film's "uncompromising vision" and its ability to tackle difficult themes with "nuance and emotional depth." It singled out the film's "bold stylistic choices" and its effective use of dark humor.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics overwhelmingly lauded "Toll" for its darkly comedic yet unflinching social commentary, particularly its critique of hypocrisy and homophobia within conservative societies. Maeve Jinkings' central performance received widespread praise, and Carolina Markowicz was commended for her sharp direction, insightful screenplay, and ability to balance humor with serious themes. The film was consistently described as powerful, astute, and relevant.

Reviews: A Unique and Impactful Cinematic Experience

• Rotten Tomatoes: "Toll" holds a 90% Fresh rating based on critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The consensus notes that it's a "blistering satire that deftly balances its dark humor with poignant social commentary, anchored by a compelling central performance."

• Metacritic: The film has a Metascore of 81 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim," based on 8 critic reviews. This score reflects a strong positive reception across the board.

• The Guardian: Gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a "wonderfully bleak and quietly devastating film." The review praised its "masterful tone" and its ability to make uncomfortable truths palatable through its unique approach.

• Little White Lies: Highlighted the film as a "surreal and biting satire" that "delivers a powerful message about the dangers of intolerance." It praised the film's originality and its ability to provoke thought long after viewing.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews for "Toll" are overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising its originality, brave storytelling, and powerful social message. The film's unique blend of dark comedy and dramatic realism, coupled with Maeve Jinkings' standout performance, resonated strongly with reviewers. It is widely regarded as a compelling and important film that tackles sensitive issues with skill and impact.

Box Office: Niche Release, Critical Success

"Toll (2023)" had a limited theatrical release, consistent with independent, critically acclaimed international films. While specific detailed box office figures are not widely publicized for such releases, its primary success lies in its critical reception and film festival circuit achievements rather than broad commercial earnings. It aims to reach audiences through festivals, critical buzz, and eventual streaming availability.

Theatrical Release: Festival Circuit Debut

"Toll (2023)" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2023. Following its successful festival run, it had limited theatrical engagements in various countries, primarily through arthouse cinemas and film circuits in late 2023 and early 2024, before its anticipated VOD release.

Why to Watch This Movie: A Timely, Thought-Provoking Experience

• Exceptional Acting: Maeve Jinkings' lead performance is a masterclass in portraying complex, morally ambiguous characters.

• Unique Blend of Genres: If you appreciate films that skillfully combine dark comedy, drama, and social satire, "Toll" offers a fresh and compelling experience.

• Sharp Social Commentary: The movie provides a timely and biting critique of hypocrisy, prejudice, and the damaging effects of conversion therapy, making it highly relevant to contemporary discussions.

• Thought-Provoking Narrative: "Toll" will make you think and challenge your perceptions about motherhood, morality, and societal pressures long after the credits roll.

• Acclaimed Direction: Carolina Markowicz's confident and nuanced direction ensures a cohesive and impactful cinematic journey.

Movie Trend: The New Wave of Latin American Social Realism

"Toll" is a strong example of the new wave of Latin American social realism, a trend in cinema that uses grounded, often intimate, narratives to explore broader societal issues, political climates, and human struggles within specific cultural contexts. These films frequently employ dark humor, nuanced character studies, and a critical lens to dissect topics like corruption, inequality, and personal freedoms, often gaining significant international festival recognition for their artistic merit and timely themes.

Social Trend: The Global Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights and Exposure of Conversion Therapy

The film directly addresses the ongoing global fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the increasing exposure and condemnation of conversion therapy. As more countries and communities grapple with issues of sexual identity, acceptance, and the harmful practices aimed at changing individuals' orientations, films like "Toll" contribute to the public discourse by vividly portraying the personal and societal damage caused by prejudice and misguided attempts at "cures." It taps into the growing awareness and activism against such practices worldwide.

Final Verdict: A Brave, Uncomfortable, and Essential Watch

"Toll (2023)" is a brave, often uncomfortable, and ultimately essential film that masterfully navigates the treacherous waters of societal hypocrisy and misguided maternal love. Carolina Markowicz delivers a sharp, darkly comedic, and deeply human story, elevated by Maeve Jinkings' unforgettable performance. While its themes are challenging, the film's unique approach and powerful message make it a compelling and vital piece of contemporary cinema. It’s a must-watch for those seeking films that provoke thought and shed light on uncomfortable truths.