Sharp Corner: A Heart-Wrenching Family Drama at TIFF

Sharp Corner: TIFF Interview With Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders

Ben Foster, known for his compelling roles in films like Hell or High Water, discusses his role in Sharp Corner as Josh, and Cobie Smulders, a familiar face from How I Met Your Mother, opens up about playing Rachel, his troubled wife in Sharp Corner. Sharp Corner is written and directed by Jason Buxton, known for his directing work on several projects, but notably, this is his second feature film. The film is based on the story "Sharp Corner," by Russell Wangersky and was released at the Toronto International Film Festival. Sharp Corner centers on a family man who is torn apart by a literal sharp corner. The sharp corner leads to a series of devastating events - a tragic crash. From this point onward, Josh can't help but struggle to find peace. He finds himself unable to find any comfort - in the moments he spends with his family - he's preoccupied with stopping another crash, which leads him to neglect - those most important roles in his life - his family.

Both actors discuss what drew them to the characters in Sharp Corner.

Ben Foster Talks About Josh: Quiet Desperation

Conclave Ralph Fiennes Cloud Kurosawa Emilia Perez Zoe Saldana over the Screen Rant TIFF Awards background Image

When asked what his journey to understand Josh was like - what was it like to find the heart of this character? He states "quiet desperation," his reason - what led him to take on this character - he's also a man, who tries to understand the complexities of being a person – what makes those moments so powerful. With those experiences that people often feel when trying to connect with a deeper understanding of those, most important parts of their lives. When they can really see those feelings and emotions. Josh finds himself, struggling to reflect on his own struggles, unable to do so until something drastic takes place - and this causes him to become consumed, with those external matters, which takes his attention from those people most close to him. But it also creates a new sense of focus - making this character so interesting and so different, its a challenge to find that balance of his character, to take on those roles.

Cobie Smulders Discusses Rachel: Being Surprised

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Cobie Smulders, shares how she approaches Rachel, as a character, who has to adapt to her changing world, her approach to discovering how that change could lead her to be so intense - she finds it essential, to have those scenes that help with the process, of being able to see how those characters interact, as those actors continue to explore those moments, and their emotional journey.

When Cobie Smulders shared her personal experiences with how she approaches this character, she acknowledges those moments when trying to understand - just how important it is to be in that relationship. "She is constantly working to find those ways - that’s why Rachel, and she continues to work on her role, it's how they both find their own connection - how they continue to be together. But that also involves the struggles, to be present, with their own inner conflicts. The character is very much a reflection, as she deals with those changes that life brings and her marriage (it requires both of them, to keep up), to see that intimacy and connection and also, be in a safe place and still have those challenges and struggles.

Sharp Corner: Family Dynamic on Set

Ben Foster & Cobie Smulders smiling at each other during Sharp Corner interview Image

Both Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders were asked how they were able to make this dynamic work. Ben Foster talks about, how the team effort - with their collaborations with those actors (especially with their young cast member - Will Kosovic , and their shared experiences), this is an important aspect to create a sense of unity and collaboration. In the scenes they share, their interactions bring to life those feelings, and a sense of family, and those challenges.

Both actors discussed how their relationships, the feelings they bring to their scenes. This will show the power of the work that actors put into those movies (that also make up that film).

Sharp Corner's Crash Scenes

When asked how Cobie Smulders felt about those scenes - her experience (especially since Rachel isn’t in those crash scenes), she shares those memories that make those scenes and her relationship to the director on the set. They worked to collaborate. She acknowledges the impactful scenes, those events that take place – a challenge - to find the right way to approach those scenes. How those scenes look - those actors are able to make them so unique and those moments become essential - she talks about a scene, in which Josh - in the film, it shows just how realistically, that scene played out and how he was able to embrace those feelings with great, confidence.

Those scenes, make a film unique, its a very powerful experience for those moviegoers, the impactful nature of that scene - and how the actors can collaborate, to find that balance, to show the power and emotion in those scenes, its important for a film like this to give viewers that compelling storyline. They're also working to develop those, relationships, those relationships between the cast members are an integral part - it gives viewers that extra level, those who watch this movie – its something that those audiences can expect to enjoy. Sharp Corner also explores those themes - about those life changes that relationships - in life they are often filled with complexity - a lot of ups and downs but it also emphasizes that element, of understanding the challenges of a marriage, the challenges. Its an effort to make those characters appear realistic, those moments are often the moments that are memorable for those moviegoers.

The Crash Scenes A Metaphor

In the interview, the actors share those thoughts about that scene. How important it is for a movie to have that balance. In particular the sharp corner – it is more than just an accident – this specific corner serves as an important metaphor - it is how Josh perceives his own life (he sees those events - they keep happening again and again). In which case Josh - it gives viewers that opportunity - a chance to reconsider their own experiences - their own, struggles – those feelings that often feel too intense.

Both actors discussed how Sharp Corner, has helped them to explore their craft (in different roles and with different partners - this is an important opportunity to explore those relationships – with new people – with different kinds of performers that are making that shift. This also gives a new look at those stories about relationships, families and marriage. Those who have followed, both Cobie Smulders and Ben Foster's work, can also find, that this particular movie - its a great exploration - and will also likely inspire audiences.

Cobie Smulders Talks About Her Future In The MCU

When asked what it was like to be a part of that world – with Marvel - those characters. Cobie Smulders states how she always finds those experiences - they're great opportunities, for those actors. To share how much they enjoy those projects – a world with a lot of fans and a world that often attracts, a lot of attention from those moviegoers. When asked if she would return to the world of Marvel - for those future movies, she's certain to come back and will continue to support that franchise (to find those moments that keep those fans captivated).

Ben Foster's Love For Westerns

When asked about what attracts him to the Western genre - he shares his passion for those films, the West – its history and stories and also the way that it reflects, how those characters connect with their own struggles and how they’re able to survive those experiences. His love for those scenes has inspired his passion, for that genre those elements – they help bring to life the characters (those moments when those characters face their fears), the setting - ( those scenarios which those stories are set) with a focus on those landscapes - this allows those actors to bring more depth, its a genre, that's captured those audiences - they’ve come to be a big part of the film industry and also those fans will continue to be a part of that community - and continue to support the Western genre. This film, its setting and those events.

Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders are well known actors and are sure to continue their journey with more passion projects, - which will bring to life more characters and those stories that those film critics and audiences - are always eager to watch, especially with that darker, grittier style and those elements that make them so compelling.