The National Times - Comedian Chris Rock returns to directing with Hollywood drama 'Misty Green'

"I'm always going to be a comedian," Rock said Sunday, the day after the world premiere of "Misty Green" at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

"The next (film) may be super gritty, or it might be really silly," he added. "Whatever it is, I'm going to try to make it great."

"Misty Green" stars Rosalind Eleazar (Slow Horses) as a hard-partying, once-successful actor whose career is struggling. She's short on cash, about to be kicked out of her apartment and needs to book a gig quickly.

While the film includes plenty of laugh lines, the tone is serious throughout, with explorations of institutional racism, substance abuse and the pitfalls of stardom in Hollywood.

On the red carpet ahead of Saturday's premiere, the legendary stand-up comic Rock said: "I shouldn't have to do the same thing every time."

"Let's see what Chris Rock's drama looks like."

Variety magazine has called "Misty Green" the "best movie about Hollywood in years," and Eleazar's leading performance has attracted critical praise.

The British actor stars alongside established names including Adam Driver, Anna Kendrick and Rock himself. She told reporters Sunday she was concerned that her being cast might keep other stars away.

"There are lots of bigger names than me that could have taken this part," she said.

She worried privately that other actors considering the film would think Eleazar was "not big enough ... it's not worth my while," she said.

- Woody Allen meets David Lynch -

Anna Kendrick, whose breakout performance came alongside George Clooney in "Up in the Air" before starring in the hit "Pitch Perfect" franchise, plays Misty's friend.

Kendrick told reporters she wasn't fully convinced the film would work during her initial conversation with Rock about the role.

She recalled telling him, "There's something I can't see yet, but I trust that you see it."

She said she has been persuaded by the final product, a rare blend of comedy and drama.

"I keep describing the movie to people as if Woody Allen were also David Lynch. There's just something really deep and twisted about it."

Rock's previous directorial effort before "Misty Green" came in 2014 with "Top Five," about a star comedian trying to pivot to dramatic work.

Rock said Sunday that his films "have gotten progressively better," but wouldn't commit to what may come next.

"I'm not going to lock myself into anything."

G.Morris--TNT