Party animals and a staggering performance

ALEXANDRA GILL

It's a wrap. The 29th Toronto International Film Festival winds down this evening with a huge closing-night outdoor gala party under tents at Queen's Quay, followed by the final awards brunch tomorrow morning. Although we've had several excuses to get dolled up and dance over the last few days -- to meet Taye Diggs at the Hugo Boss party on Wednesday night, break bread with Andy Garcia and the cast of Modigliani at the Chanel boutique on Bloor Street Thursday night, then whoop it up at the Gay Flambé -- the most intensive Hollywood hoopla began sputtering out midweek. More and more, the festival is becoming a front-loaded event, with a heavy studio presence on opening weekend, with even earlier exits this year prompted by the start of the Jewish high holidays.