THE IMMIGRANT'S CANNES RESPONSES ARE STRONG

James Gray has few fans, it seems, beyond Joaquin Phoenix and Thierry Fremaux, but his latest film to show in competition at Cannes, The Immigrant, is winning many critics over.

Todd McCarthy is very complimentary of the film, particularly lead Marion Cotillard, in his The Hollywood Reporter review, and also singles out Joaquin Phoenix. Less impressed by Phoenix, although still largely positive about the film, is Variety's Peter Debruge. Jessica Kiang, though, in her B+ review in The Playlist, notes that Phoenix is the 'ace up the film's sleeve', and also praises Darius Khondji's cinematography. And another B+ review in IndieWire, this one from Eric Kohn, who mentions the film's divisiveness. John Bleasdale, on Twitter, considers Phoenix Oscar-worthy in the film. The Weinstein Company will be handling US distribution, so awards consideration (for the first time in Gray's career) may not be beyond the realm of possibility, nor may Palme consideration on Sunday.