Erivo’s ‘Prima Facie’ Premieres at TIFF: Audience Applause Meets Mixed Critical Reception

Key points

• The film 'Prima Facie' had its world premiere at the Roy Thompson Hall during the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation from the audience.
• Cynthia Erivo stars as Tessa, a rising barrister in London who becomes a rape victim, a role previously played by Jodie Comer on stage and in the West End and Broadway productions.
• Director Susanna White and playwright Suzie Miller expanded the original one-woman monologue into a feature film, introducing new characters, locations, and a visual language that includes voiceover and surreal imagery.
• The film’s runtime is 1 hour and 46 minutes, and it is described as one of the hottest sales titles at the festival.
• Critics were divided: some praised Erivo’s performance and the film’s important message, while others criticized the adaptation as a 'misfire' with heavy-handed visuals and clunky voiceover.

Background

The stage play 'Prima Facie' by Suzie Miller won the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Play and Best Actress for Jodie Comer, who also won the Tony Award for her Broadway performance. The play has been performed in over 52 countries. Cynthia Erivo, known for her roles in 'Harriet Tubman' and 'Wicked,' was cast to bring a new dimension to the character, adding layers of race and socioeconomic background to the story. The film is a significant adaptation challenge, translating a purely verbal, one-person performance into a multi-character cinematic experience.

How outlets are covering it

Variety reported that the audience at TIFF gave a standing ovation, highlighting Erivo's 'riveting' performance and the film's 'harrowing' nature. The Hollywood Reporter’s review was sharply critical, calling the film a 'misfire' and a 'near-total muddle' due to its 'clunky recurring voiceover' and 'cringey, obvious visuals,' though it acknowledged the importance of its message. Deadline’s review was more nuanced, noting that the film’s 'shades of gray' approach to rape may not have the same visceral impact as the stage version but could spark important conversations. IndieWire focused on the director’s and playwright’s intentions, with Susanna White discussing the challenge of adapting a monologue and the decision to cast Erivo to add layers of race and class to the character. The outlets generally agreed on the power of Erivo’s performance but differed on the effectiveness of the film’s adaptation choices.

Why it matters

The film’s reception highlights the ongoing debate about adapting stage plays to film, particularly those with strong, singular performances. It also underscores the importance of diverse representation in storytelling, as Erivo’s casting adds new dimensions to the character and the narrative. The mixed critical reception suggests that while the film’s message is important, the execution of the adaptation may not have fully captured the power of the original stage work. The film’s success at the box office and its potential to spark conversations about legal reform for rape victims are also significant factors.

What to watch

The film is expected to be a major sales title at TIFF, with potential for wide distribution. The reception of the film may influence future adaptations of stage plays and the approach to representing diverse characters in film. The ongoing debate about the effectiveness of the adaptation may also impact how similar projects are developed in the future.