For this month’s overlooked film, I am shining the spotlight back on the Canadian masterpiece One Week. We had reviewed this film when it opened in theatres on March 6th, and when it came on DVD June 16th.
This is one film that deserves all the publicity it can get. It’s my favourite Canadian film I’ve seen this year, and will hopefully pick up numerous Genie awards. If you haven’t already seen it, please do so as soon as possible.
Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com, or leave us a comment below.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival ran this past weekend. Coming up this week, I will have coverage of a couple of the events there as well as interviews.
-E. Corrado
For now though, the 2009 winners at the OIAF are as follows:
Grand Prize for Best Animated Feature:
Mary and Max, directed by Adam Elliot, Australia
Honourable Mention:
My Dog Tulip, directed by Paul and Sandra Fierlinger, USA
Nelvana Grand Prize for Best Independent Short Animation:
Kaasündinud Kohustused (Inherent Obligations) - by Rao Heidmets, Estonia
HIT Entertainment Grand Prize for Best Student Animation:
Laska (Chick) - by Michal Socha, Poland
Grand Prize for Best Commissioned Animation:
Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, A Journal Diary) - by Bastien Dubois, France
Best Animation School Showreel:
Rhode Island School of Design (USA)
Best Narrative Short:
Please Say Something - directed by David O’Reilly, Ireland and Germany
Honourable Mention:
Köögi Dimensioonid (Kitchen Dimensions) - directed by Priit Tender, Estonia
Best Experimental/Abstract Animation:
Peripetics - directed by Jamie Raap and Henrik Mauler, UK
Honourable Mention for Passionate Art Making:
Myth Labs - by Martha Colburn, Netherlands
Adobe Prize for Best High School Animation:
Did U See That - by Yuri Rhee, Ha Jung Kim, Paul Kim, and Hyun Jung Lee, Korea Animation High School, South Korea
Best Undergraduate Animation:
The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9! - directed by Jake Armstrong, School of Visual Arts, USA
Honourable Mention:
Mak the Horny Mac Daddy - by Ian Miller, University of the Arts, USA
Best Graduate Animation:
Lebansader - directed by Angela Steffen, Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemburg, Germany
Best Promotional Animation:
Nick Indents - by Ljubida Djukic, Ole Keune, and Bettina Vogel, Dyrdee Media GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
Best Music Video:
Nullsleep “Dirty ROM Dance Mix” - by Stieg Retlin, USA
Best Television Animation for Adults:
Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, A Journal Diary) - by Bastien Dubois, France
Best Short Animation Made for Children:
Nicolas & Guillemette, directed by Virginie Taravel, France
Honourable Mention:
Enter the Sandbox, directed by Kevin Adams, Canada
Best Television Animation Made for Children:
Lost and Found, directed by Phillip Hunt, UK
Honourable Mention:
Tom and the Slice of Bread with Strawberry Jam & Honey ‘Tom’s Band’/’Tom and the Nice Family’ (Tom und das Erdbeermarmeladebrot mit Honig), directed by Andreas Hykade, Germany
The National Film Board of Canada Public Prize:
Madagascar, A Journey Diary (Madagascar, carnet de voyage), directed by Bastien Dubois, France
Canadian Film Institute for Best Canadian Animation:
Le Tiroir et le Corbeau (The Drawer and The Crow) - by Frédèrick Tremblay, Canada
Suzie is the story of a depressed cab driver named Suzie, who finds an autistic ten-year old boy in the back of her taxi, with only an address and a fifty dollar bill. The address belongs to his messed-up father. His father is going on vacation with his girlfriend, so Suzie is told to take the kid to his mother. When they arrive at the secondary address, Suzie realizes that his mother is extremely messed-up. She wanted her ex-husband to take the kid for a week, most likely just so that she can kill herself.
One of Suzie’s many big problems is that it’s not really that interesting. None of the character’s are likable. There is also so much yelling in this film that it would make anyone want to press their ear against a pipe to listen to the rush of water. It meanders it’s way through the entire 93-minute running time just to reach an annoying and unsatisfying conclusion.
The movie isn’t even visually appealing. It’s dark, grainy cell phone/security camera style cinematography gives it a dirty and cheap look. It’s set on Halloween night pretty much just for the sole use of atmosphere. And to justify having people in weird costumes jumping out from behind corners. Also, if it wasn’t Halloween, we wouldn’t have been treated to images of a group of drunk guys wearing rubber breasts.
The DVD doesn’t any bonus features.
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Suzie DVD Review By Erin V.
*3/4 (out of 4)
Suzie is about a taxi driver named Suzie, who one Halloween night discovers a kid all of a sudden in the back of her taxi cab with an address and 50 dollars. (It seems in movies recently, kids just appear in taxi cabs when the drivers turn their backs for a second - it happened in Race To Witch Mountain, [and they usually have a wad of cash with them.]) So, Suzie brings the boy, who utters not a word to her, to the address on the note - his father’s house. His father refuses to take the boy and sends him back to his mother, who is even less stable than he. His mother has a seemingly common breakdown right in front of her kid, and begs Suzie to stay with her for the night, because she has trouble taking care of her special needs child on her own. Then, she yells at Suzie, then Suzie leaves, and the boy’s father shows up, and Suzie comes back, and everyone is yelling, so Suzie takes the boy with her. The parents don’t seem to notice. As a matter of fact, no one really seems to care...
Suzie is a movie that opens with credits with an electronic sounding piano score in the background. Then, we see the title character Suzie sitting/riding on a bus. After about a minute, we see her sitting in a psychiatrists office - interspliced with shots of a ticking clock. She gets up to leave, with only a line of dialogue uttered, and not from her. It feels really slow - and the whole movie follows this pattern. As a matter of fact, the only time it is not this slow, is generally when everyone is yelling at each other. For me, it was no more entertaining.
By the end of the movie, the kid would have seriously been in the custody of children’s aid. His parents need help, yet no one so much as suggests a therapist. He is living with an unstable mother, has an unstable father who comes and goes, was kidnapped by an unstable woman - (doesn’t faze the parents all that much), etc. The boy in the movie is hinted at having autism, which everyone seems to think is why he is the way he is, although his unstable living environment is an added stress that in the real world would really need to be removed.
If you’re really curious about it, rent it, but it’s not really a positive portrayal of anything - it’s more just a downright not-uplifting movie.
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Suzie DVD Review By Nicole
** (out of 4)
Suzie is a slow movie, and somewhat disturbing Canadian film. The title character, Suzie, is a 58 year old taxi driver, who after 20 years, is still haunted by her daughter’s abduction by her Moroccan father. One halloween, Suzie is surprised to find a ten year old boy alone in the back of her cab, with nothing but an address and $50 in his possession. The boy obviously has special needs, and it is apparent that the boy, Bibi, probably has autism. When Suzie arrives at the address, she finds Bibi’s mentally unstable mother, who complains, right in front of Bibi, that he is too difficult, and that the father should have him that night. The father then comes home, and, again, in front of Bibi, complains to his ex-wife that she should have him, as he scares away any girlfriends. Suzie is upset that Bibi should have to hear all this nonsense, so she attempts to abduct Bibi to Morocco. When the police finally find out what has gone down, they do nothing. No charges are laid. After the parents claim that they were almost relieved to see their son abducted by a perfect stranger, the police send Bibi home. This is completely unrealistic. Both Suzie and Bibi’s parents are unstable, so why isn’t Bibi being protected? Bibi is the only likable character in this film. The tragic thing about this film is that we have a highly sensitive, and vulnerable child caught up in a world of unstable adults. While the implication is that it is difficult to care for a child with special needs, it seemed like Bibi was the one with the least special needs. I found Bibi’s character interesting, and very realistically portrayed.
Special needs are no excuse for child abandonment. The message that should have been in this film is that despite the challenges of being a parent of an exceptional child, there is still beauty in being able to share life.
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Suzie DVD Review By Maureen
*1/2 (out of 4)
Set on Halloween night, “Suzie” follows events that unfold when a ten year old boy with special needs is dropped off with reclusive Montréal taxi driver, Suzie.
This is a dark and emotionally intense movie. Having the story take place Halloween night only adds to a very unsettled and disturbing atmosphere. The boy, Bibi, whose special needs are never clearly defined, is implied to be autistic. Bibi is shuttled back and forth between an emotionally unstable mother and an angry, self centered father. Taxi driver Suzie takes Bibi to shield him from his parents’ fighting and to heal her own emotional wounds. In a real world outside of a movie script, Bibi would have been in the custody of a youth protection agency so fast there wouldn’t have been a story.
I couldn’t feel sympathy for any of the characters except of course, Bibi. The underlying message that having a special needs child is so overwhelming that any parent would act irresponsibly is irresponsible to me. I didn't really like this movie. Throwing autism into the mix of the story just seemed to be a plot device to latch onto a current hot topic.
Unless you enjoy any Montréal made film or have a real interest in any of the actors then this is a really negative way to pass an hour and thirty-three minutes.
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Suzie DVD Review By Tony
** (out of 4)
Suzie (Micheline Lanctôt) est une femme de 58 ans qui travaille comme chauffeur de taxi pendant la nuit. Elle souffre d’une dépression, vivant seule et parlant le moins que possible. Le nuit de l’Halloween, elle trouve dans son taxi un garçon de dix ans, un sac sur la tête, nommé Bibi (Gabriel Gaudreault), avec $50 et une adresse. Elle trouve là un couple au point de partir en vacances, dont l’homme (le père de Bibi, joué par Normand Daneau) n’a aucune envie de s’occuper de son fils et donne à Suzie $100 pour le rentrer chez sa mère. On trouve la mère (Pascale Bussières) tout épuisée et fachée que son ex ne voulait pas partager leur fils “difficile”. Plus tard, le père arrive et les deux se mettent à disputer. Suzie prend Bibi dans son taxi et prépare de le conduire loin de tout. Elle lui dit qu’elle ne veut pas le laisser abandonner, ayant elle-même perdu une fille enlevée par son père Marocain il y a presque trente ans.
Jamais n’est mentioné (comme le nom Valdemort) la question de l’autisme, dont Bibi possède les symptomes, partagés en part par Suzie, ce qui la fait comprendre sa peine. Par exemple, il parle peu, et quand il est frustré il a des cris typiques, mais il est doué aux jeux vidéos et à poker. Très sensible aux bruits, il se calme dans la salle de bain en laissant couler l’eau. Trop souvent comme ici, les mariages sont brisés à cause des enfants autistiques.
L’atmosphère du film est sombre et intense, presque sans humeur. On voulait éviter peut être un tone didactique au sujet de l’autisme par ne pas le mentionner, mais pour les gens qui ne le comprendent pas, j’ai peur que les personnages ne seraient pas sympathiques et leurs actions seulement bizarres.
The subtitles are in Quebec English, which includes vocabulary unknown elsewhere, such as “dépanneur” (literally “fixer”) which in French Canada means a convenience store, often run by Corean (sic) immigrants, and the rich reportoire of profanity based on the now largely abandoned Catholic tradition, such as “Calvaire” (Calvary), referring to a particularly miserable situation.
**1/2 (Pour les autistiques et ceux qui les connaissent) ** (pour les autres)
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Consensus: Suzie is not an uplifting movie, it has a lot of problems in it - the characters also have a lot of problems in it. If you are are really curious, rent it. *3/4 (Out of 4)
One Movie, Five Views would like to extend our Canada Day greetings to all our Canadian readers. In honour of the special occasion, here is a list of some recent Canadian films that we have reviewed. Hope you all have a great day!
Here is a list of Canadian movies we reviewed over the past year:
One Week is the story of Ben Tyler. From the opening scene when he's told he has stage 4 cancer, we know this won't be a conventional film. So before he starts any treatment, he decides to take a motorcycle trip. What was meant to be a two day trip, turns into a one week quest for the west, from Toronto, ON to Tofino, BC.
One of the things that makes One Week so perfect is the narrator. The narration is simple, profound and very funny. It's also one of my favorite things about the film. Another perfect element is the beautiful scenic backdrop. The filmmakers weren't confined to any spaces, so they used part of a whole country.
One Week is quite simply a Canadian masterpiece. Don't rent this DVD, buy it. One of my favorite films so far this year. The special features on the DVD include a making-of, an interview with director Michael McGowan, a Q+A with the director and Joshua Jackson which was filmed at the Varsity theatre (when they attended a screening of the film on March 5th), a photo gallery and the films theatrical trailer. This all adds up to about 40 minutes. There is also director's commentary with Michael McGowan.
One Week is the story of Ben Tyler, a writer who as he has grown up has lost his dreaming trait that he had as a child. When he finds out that he has stage four cancer, something reawakens in him, and he feels an overwhelming urge to see the country that he lives in. Engaged to be married, his fiancée - being an actuary - does not understand his need to take a 'vacation' rather than seeking treatment as soon as possible. But what he wants her to understand is that he needs to truly live before he becomes a patient, too sick to do anything. As we are told through the perfect narration, everything happens for a reason. From his canceling his appointment at the hospital, to taking what seems like a simple picture for tourists.
One Week holds up just as well for me as it did on my first viewing in theatres. I had been waiting to see this one again, and I am so glad to now have it on DVD. In my original review, I said that this movie succeeds in showing the natural beauty of Canada. Watching it again, it is amazing just how many shots of this film could be postcards - that is Canada for you, and I am just glad that the cinematographer used so many amazing landscape longshots. I still find the choices of music in this film to be spot on, and Andrew Lockington's score matches the songs well. You can hear the music online at One Week's official site.
This is a movie that shows that sometimes we just need to have the adventure, that we always dreamed of having as a child - before life took over. The question is, do we want the adventure, or to run from our fears? The premise of the need for adventure and to escape the world by seeing another part of it, reminds me slightly of some elements of Up, now that I've seen that movie. Interestingly enough, as of now, both One Week and Up are on my top 10 list for 2009. Both in the top 5 currently... I wholly recommend them both. Here is my advice: Buy One Week for Canada Day.
The DVD has several extras. A making-of featurette, an interview with director Michael McGowan, a Q & A with Michael McGowan, and lead Joshua Jackson, a photo-slideshow, the theatrical trailer, and a commentary track for the film. After watching everything but the movie with commentary, I must say that I am happy with the approximately 35 minutes of extras on the disc. It was fun to see in the making-of featurette that just about - if not all - of the small crew had an appearance as an extra in the film.
One Week is a beautiful film that celebrates Canada. The movie follows Ben, a terminally ill young man, and his journey going across Canada on a motorcycle.
There is about 35 minutes of bonus features on this DVD, as well as well as directors commentary. The "making-of" featurette is decent, and shows what inspired the film, as well as how it was shot and cast. This featurette also shows how Andrew Lockington was inspired to write the score. The interview with the director and crew talks about what the film means to them. This segment is also really good. The One Week screening: Q+A with Joshua Jackson + After Party is really funny. There is also a theatrical trailer, as well as a photo gallery. One Week is an excellent movie, that is worth owning on DVD. just in time for Canada day, but great anytime of the year.
I loved One Week when I saw it in theatres and I like it just as much, if not more on DVD. Watching One Week again is like going through an old vacation photo album or slideshow. Yes, you've seen the images before, but they make you smile everytime you see them again. The road trip the main character, Ben makes from Toronto to the Western coast is wonderful to see.
Overall, this is a really nice movie. It's a story of hope and a wonderful tribute to the stunning beauty and many quirky tourist spots that make Canada unique.
The One Week DVD would make a great Father's Day or Canada Day gift. It has enough extras to make the DVD interesting, but even if you don't get around to watching them, the movie itself is worth seeing again. Treat yourself to One Week. This makes a great summer watch.
The DVD has the usual extras, in English only: a director’s commentary track, a “Making Of” featurette showing the crew on their bus, various interviews, a trailer and some stills. My only criticism is that no French subtitles are available for those who like me prefer to listen to the original actors. However, from what I could hear in various scenes, the French dubbing is well done.
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Consensus: As said when we reviewed One Weektheatrically, this is a film that celebrates being Canadian. Perfect for a Canada Day gift, this is one movie that if you haven't seen it in theatres, you definitely don't want to miss on DVD. ****
Rated 18A for sexual content, substance abuse, language and nudity
Running time: 86 minutes
Matthiew Klinck (dir.)
Thomas Michael as Hank
Paolo Mancini as Mike
Chris Klein as Conrad Hubriss
Joe Mantegna as Mr. Pan
Boyd Banks as Leon
Maggie Castle as Lena
Tony Nappo as Stu
Kathleen Laskey as Connie Schytt
Jack Jessop as Watermelon Man
Derek Gilroy as Liam
Hank and Mike walk the downtown streets in Hank And Mike.
Our reviews below:
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Hank And Mike DVD Review By John C.
*** (out of 4)
The title card only appears 22 minutes into the 86 minute film, but by the time it does we have already been introduced to the characters and the premise has already been set up: Hank and Mike are two Easter Bunnies who get fired from their jobs and get down-in-the-dumps while looking for work. Hank and Mike is their story. This is actually surprisingly good for a movie about two Easter Bunnies. Especially when the bunnies are played by adult men in mask-less suits. The film is quite often hilarious, but also follows a reasonable plot line. The film also has it’s moments of sweetness and in the end actually boasts a positive message: Even if it’s dark and raining, the sun will always come back out.
Please don’t mistake this for family entertainment, the film has a ton of instances of swearing, sexual situations and a lot of female nudity in the first half. But, for mature audiences who don’t mind the vulgarity, the film is funny, enjoyable and in it’s own strange way, has a heart. This is destined to become a Canadian cult-classic that will likely be watched for many years to come.
The DVD boasts “over 4 hours of special features”, including the original 15 minute Hank and Mike short film from 2000, deleted and extended scenes, featurette’s, making-of’s, an alternate ending, auditions, filmmaker commentaries, a photo gallery and a poster gallery. The disc also includes the Canadian exclusive special feature “Hank and Mike heckle the movie” and a dozen Easter Egg’s for you to find.
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Hank And Mike DVD Review By Erin V.
*** (out of 4)
Hank And Mike is the story of two blue-colour Easter Bunnies, who are laid off from their jobs because, A. Budget Cuts/Downsizing within Easter Enterprises, and B. They missed a house on thier route. Hank is a drinking, smoking, (not just tobacco), and partying Easter Bunny, who is always half asleep in front of the TV when Mike wakes him up to go hide Easter eggs on Easter morning. Mike on the other hand, happily hops out of bed when his alarm clock rings at 2:20 am for them to go out and do their job as Easter Bunnies. Mike could not be any different then Hank, as he enjoys his organic carrots, and being a hardworker at the job that he loves so much. It is the contrast between the two main characters, that really makes the movie work so well. An interesting note, is that this introduction to the two main characters and their plight, takes up the first 22 minutes of the movie, before the title card comes on. And it’s the perfect introdution. By the time everything starts happening, we already know the characters that we are dealing with, and for the remainder of the 86 minutes, we can just watch to see how it all turns out.
This movie is surprisingly quite good, and there is far more of a storyline than you may expect. After the movie, I saw the original 15 minute short film that this movie was based on. Hank and Mike were both drunk Easter Bunnies in that, and I found that it worked better with the contrast. It is interesting to see how this short evolved into a movie, as it really didn’t have much plotline more than the idea of two Easter Bunnies fired from their job, and getting drunk in a bar.
The interesting thing about Hank And Mike, is that you realize that you are watching a movie with the two main actors dressed in pink bunny suits. Then, you realize that they are not supposed to be in bunny suits - they are bunnies. The odd thing is that you just except this fact, and enjoy the movie. There were a few really rude scenes, sexual related nudity, etc., and the language throughout certainly deserves the 18A rating. This is not a kids movie, and would certainly not really be appropriate for those under at least fourteen, (or older as the rating suggests). Other than that though, I really enjoyed this movie. It is quite good, with this odd sort of Canadian feel to it.
The Hank And Mike DVD includes over 4 hours of extras, including deleted scenes, the original Hank And Mike short film, featuettes, a dozen Easter eggs for you to find, and much, much more. If you don’t mind the rudeness, this movie would be worth checking out. And if you rent it and love it, you just may have to get yourself a copy. This is the kind of thing that years from now could become a classic.
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Hank And Mike DVD Review By Nicole
**1/2 (out of 4)
When I first saw the trailer for Hank and Mike, I thought it would be a really bad movie. Surprisingly though, Hank and Mike is actually funny, in a really quirky and whimsical way. The movie follows Hank and Mike, two Easter bunnies who work for a sleazy company called Easter Enterprises. When the duo miss a house and the company downsizes, the bunnies are fired and in need of a new job. They try everything, from “butcher shop”, to delivery service, to working in a school, (and getting the kids hopped up on chocolate). However, when hank and Mike get too caught up in the temptations of the world, such as lust and a desire for material things, their lives hit rock bottom. Only when they learn to love and forgive others, instead of desiring things for themselves, do their lives come together again.
Despite the fact that Hank and Mike is a movie about Easter Bunnies it is in no way a family film. The language is strong, there are scenes of gratuitous female nudity in a sexual setting (my one objection to the film), as well as substance abuse. However, despite all the content, Hank and Mike is a very timely film with a good message. In this time of recession, Hank and Mike is a film that reminds us what is really important in life. This film takes a critical look at our culture of greed, the culture of death and the the temptations of the world, such as drugs, alcohol and sex. The contrast between Hank, the grumpy chain-smoking slacker bunny and Mike, the friendly more optimistic bunny who loves organic carrot smoothies, is very apparent. The overall message of the film is, even when things look bleak, the sun will shine through. This message fits well with the real meaning of Easter. (An added bonus is the Canadian production). Check this movie out around Easter, (just wait till the kids are in bed).
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Hank And Mike DVD Review By Maureen
**1/2 (out of 4)
Hank and Mike is one funny movie. This timely but quirky story about two Easter bunnies dealing with unemployment is so oddly believable that it’s sure to become a Canadian pop classic among the college crowd.
It’s interesting to watch how Hank, the bad bunny and Mike, the good bunny cope with the fallout of unemployment-a string of unsatisfactory temp jobs, no money, depression. Yes, they behave badly, but ultimately their friendship gets them through the tough times. When they choose to fight the evil Easter Enterprise corporation, the result is a perfect Easter ending.
Despite the pink fuzzy suits this is not a family Easter movie. The 18A rating is appropriate with the language and sexual content. The movie would have been just as funny without the few nude scenes, (the bunny are always in their fuzzy suits). There is also a lot of substance abuse in the storyline. I know the Easter bunny who delivers Easter goodies to my house never behaves like that.
There are a lot of Special Features on this DVD, (over 4 hours). I found it interesting to watch the original 15 minute Hank and Mike short film. The full length movie is way better. I know I’ll watch this one again next Easter. Skip the popcorn for this one, it’s much more enjoyable with a bowl of cheap Easter chocolate.
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Hank And Mike DVD Review By Tony
**1/2 (out of 4)
Hank and Mike were two easter bunnies created in 1998 by actors Thomas Michael and Paolo Mancini respectively along with director Matthiew Klinck, who had all worked together in sketches since the 7th grade in 1991. As seen in a strange short film of the time (included on the DVD) they were both dissolute characters drowning their sorrows after being fired from their job delivering chocolate eggs for Easter Enterprises. In the current film, Hank is still a jerk, but Mike has evolved into a sweet character. From the opening sequence it is apparent that these are really bunnies, not men in bunny suits, whose role in society is valued, though limited to one night of breaking and entering along their delivery route. Their boss Mr. Pan (Joe Mantegna), like his mythical namesake, is a lover of nature, painting au naturel women and playing a panpipe. His goal to spread Easter joy among the kids that still believe is challenged by the crass bottom line thinking of Conrad Hubriss, whose role is to downsize the “second tier” (in a commercial sense) Easter division of the parent holiday corporation. When Hank and Mike miss one home on their route, the public outcry puts them at the head of the layoff line, and they spend the next few months in a number of disastrous jobs. When Hubriss threatens to take over and replace chocolate eggs with advertising coated cardboard, Hank and Mike find a way to put things right and give Hubriss the comeuppance that his name deserves, in a boardroom scene reminiscent of Dogma (without the guns).
A film like this could easily have been a disaster. Fortunately, like the films of Kevin Smith, it generally works both despite and because of its weird premise, grossout humour, political incorrectness, and profanity (even to little kids who respond in kind). Like other successful comedy teams, such as Dante & Randall (Clerks), Felix & Oscar, Ernie & Bert, etc., Hank and Mike have lived together for so song that they are completely believable, and most importantly, likeable. The musical score is especially good, from the quirky opening egg delivery sequence to the songs, some of which were specially written as commentary (like a Greek chorus), notably during a surreal strip club sequence where Hubriss belts out his feelings to a lush accompaniment. We hope its Canadian provenance doesn’t stand in the way.
Along with the aforementioned short, the DVD has lots of the usual extras, which we hope to see soon.
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Consensus: Funny Easter movie with it’s own quirky heart. Fun to watch around Easter, just not for kids. **3/4 (Out of 4)
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Hank and Mike selling off their junk in Hank And Mike.
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Mike gets advice from Watermelon Man in Hank And Mike.
Opens in limited Canadian release: March 6th, 2009
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.
Running time: 97 minutes
Michael McGowan (dir.)
Cast: (in order of appearance)
Joshua Jackson as Ben Tyler
Peter Spence as Doctor
Gage Munroe as Young Ben
Liane Balaban as Samantha Pierce
Fiona Reid as Mary Tyler
Chuck Shamata as Gerald Tyler
Caroline Cave as Nancy Tyler
Campbell Scott as Narrator
Joshua Jackson as Ben in One Week.
Our reviews below:
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One Week Review By John C.
**** (out of 4)
“What would you do if you had one day, one week, or one month, to live?” Says the brilliant narration over the first scene of One Week. Ben Tyler has just learned he has stage-four cancer. Possessed by the urge to do what he feels he needs to do rather than what it would appear he should do, he sets out on what was meant to be a two-day motorcycle trip, but turns into a one week voyage for the west. From Toronto, Ontario to Tofino, British Columbia. As the rolls up rims on his Tim Horton's coffee cups, and tells some Newfoundland kids that he can’t assist them in finding the closest Canadian Tire, this is a very Canadian movie that probably won’t be watched across the border. But, in Canada it should be seen as a national treasure.
Every aspect of the film is Canadian. For once a film that has Toronto playing Toronto, and not standing-in for New York. The director, Michael McGowan, was born in Toronto, and also made Saint Ralph, which took place in Hamilton. Lead actors, Joshua Jackson and Lianne Balaban, are, respectively, from Vancouver and Toronto. The music, songs and score, are also all Canadian. The score, composed by Andrew Lockington who was born in Burlington, was recorded at the CBC on a piano that Glenn Gould played. There is a cameo by Canadian indie-folk artist Joel Plasskitt. You don’t get more Canadian than that.
The cinematography and scenery are breathtaking, and would make anyone appreciate our beautiful country. The aforementioned narrator works perfectly. Sometimes being profound and sometimes just mundane. I would place it as one of my favorite narration's, along with Stranger Than Fiction and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. We are told how one of Ben’s actions has unknowingly to him, affected and changed someone else's life, similar to the plot of a film like Magnolia. It makes us think that the choices the character is making are the right choices, even if they aren’t the obvious choice at the time.
One Week is at it’s heart a road movie, about one man taking a journey with his country. Canada is not just a background, but a second character, and it works wonderfully. Simple, yet profound, touching and moving, One Week is a timeless fable that should not be missed.
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One Week Review By Erin V.
**** (out of 4)
One Week is a very Canadian movie that is an inspiring piece of work. One Week tells the story of one week in the life of Ben, (Joshua Jackson), a man of in his 30’s engaged to be married, who finds out that he has cancer. Needing a break from everything, before becoming a patient, he spontaneously buys a motorcycle and what is intended to be 2 days to just get away from it all, becomes a quest to continue traveling west. Starting in Toronto, we see all kinds of Canadian landmarks along the way, as Ben journeys both across the country, and inside of himself.
The low key feeling of this movie was very fitting. The combination of the scenery, and the choices of songs made this movie something special. I believe that the director, Michael McGowan, said that he wanted to make a movie to show the beauty of this country, Canada. He has succeeded in showing the beauty of our country, as best as you can without seeing it for yourself. Watching this movie, as we travel with Ben across the country, it was amazing to see the contrast from the flat prairies to the rocky mountains. The depth in the theatre was amazing and there aren’t really words to describe seeing this wonderful country’s natural beauty on screen. I have never been out west myself, but it is one of my goals one day - to see this wonderful country from coast to coast myself.
I think what it was I loved about this movie was just watching everything together. The scenery, the landmarks, hearing the music, (original score by Andrew Lockington), and following this man’s journey across the country. He is looking for something that he must believe is there to have the strength to continue. I like the use of the narrator in this movie, sometimes narration doesn’t work, but here it does. We get a background of Ben’s life, not too much, but just enough to know where he’s at. The style of narration actually reminds me of the narrator in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It adds something being there, that is hard to make work, yet both of these films succeed. Especially here, the narrator becomes a character in himself. This being said, all of the actors are really good in One Week. Great work from everyone involved here.
To finish up, some movies are easier to write about then others, and others you just know how you feel about the movie. I know how I feel about this movie - this is a work of art that I hope will have a wider release, so that more can enjoy and experience it for themselves.
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One Week Review By Nicole
**** (out of 4)
It is a real treat to see a film that is entirely Canadian. Such is the case with One Week. This movie is about Ben, a man who, in his prime, is diagnosed with cancer. He is terrified, and briefly contemplate suicide. (This scene is somewhat disturbing, so sensitive viewers may want to close their eyes.) When the reality of what is happening kicks in however, Ben decides to go on an adventure. His fiancée, Samantha, however, would rather Ben stay in Toronto, and start cancer treatment right away. Ben doesn’t listen. He isn’t ready to be a patient. So he buys a second hand motorcycle, and heads off to explore Canada. On his way, Ben is about to give up and head back, but two young men, and a “roll up the rim to win” Tim Horton’s cup saying “Go west young man,” encourage Ben to keep going west.
On his way, Ben sees many things. He visits all the big whimsical landmarks along the way, such as the Big Nickel in Sudbury. He also takes in the sheer beauty of nature, the trees, the vast wheat fields, the Northern Lights, the Pacific Ocean, and Canadian animals, such as elk, bears, moose, and humpback whales. Ben also meets people along the way, and every person Ben encounters is for a reason. Somehow, in some uncanny way, Ben is either touched by, or touches the life of each person he meets. When Ben finally returns home, he realizes what he really wants in life.
I really enjoyed this film. The narration, reminiscent of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and is perfect for One Week. Much of Ben’s narrated inner thoughts are hilarious, and add a light feel to the film. The scenery in this movie is breathtakingly beautiful, and the score by Andrew Lockington is very gentle, and fits the mood perfectly. This movie reminds us all to slow down, and look at the beauty around us. After seeing this movie, I can’t wait to check out the rest of Canada. This movie is a little known gem that should definitely be seen.
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One Week Review By Maureen
**** (out of 4)
This movie is a real Canadian gem. The concept of what an individual would do if they knew they only had a short time to live in not unique. However, One Week is a uniquely Canadian look at the concept.
The movie opens with the main character Ben, (nicely played by Canadian actor Joshua Jackson), receiving a diagnosis of stage IV cancer. His first reaction is to imagine how he could end it all. Sensitive viewers might not like the close-up shot of his imagined death. This was the only part of the movie I didn’t like. His next response is to do what many of us might want to do - run. As he is running from the doctor’s office he stops at a garage where he decides to buy the second-hand motorcycle he had seen and thought about more then once. The movie gives us insight into Ben’s thoughts and his past through the use of a narrator. This device works really well in One Week. Some of the inner dialogue voiced by the narrator is laugh out loud funny without overshadowing the actual dialogue between the characters.
When Ben returns home from the doctor’s office with his new motorcycle, his fiancé Samantha, (also nicely played be Canadian actor Liane Balaban), tries to convince him to immediately start aggressive treatment of his cancer. However, Ben comes to the realization that he isn’t ready to be a patient yet and he needs to go on a motorcycle trip to sort out his thoughts. And in a typical Canadian moment, it’s when he ‘rolls up the rim’ of his Tim Horton’s coffee that he knows exactly what he needs to do - ‘Go west young man’.
Ben’s road trip from toronto to the west coast takes him to all sorts of Canadian tourist icons such as the Big Nickel and even a chance to kiss the Stanley Cup. The visuals on his roadtrip are beautiful. One Week has done a wonderful job in giving us a glimpse of how vast and beautiful Canada really is. The music be Canadian composer Andrew Lockington accompanies the trip in a nice low key way. I’m looking forward to the CD of this movie. Ben learns all sorts of things about himself and about what really matters on this roadtrip. The events that happen and the people he meets all connect and lead him and them exactly to where they need to be.
This movie is full of some really nice and some very funny moments. It never really moves into anything overly sentimental or sappy given the subject matter. The ending is satisfying and this viewer was left with a greater appreciation of Canada’s nature and character and the feeling that life really is meant to be experienced one moment at a time. I really like this movie and can’t wait to see it again. It makes me proud to be a Canadian and happy to be alive.
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One Week Review By Tony
**** (out of 4)
Ben Tyler (Joshua Jackson) is told he has cancer with a poor prognosis. He buys a vintage motorcycle and heads west. Throughout One Week, an offscreen voice narrates flashes of present thoughts and memories. Despite a nice fiancée Sam (Liane Balaban), a nice family and a decent if not ideal teaching job, Ben fears he never reached his potential This trip may be his last chance to take risks and experience “a lifetime each day” before entering treatment–effectively the end of life. Along the way from Toronto to Tofino, the people he meets affect him and he touches them in unexpected ways. An important supporting role is played by Canada’s magnificent scenery and quirky “world’s largest” landmarks, such as the Muskoka chair and Wawa goose, as well as iconic ones such as the Terry Fox monument and Stanley Cup.
I was previously not familiar with the work of Joshua Jackson, to my eyes a pleasant combination of Tobey MacGuire and Kiefer Sutherland. He pulls off this difficult role, often in closeups, with modest Canadian confidence. In her brief scenes, Liane Balaban is as good as we have come to expect. In their brief encounters with Ben the rest of the cast are all fine. The musical score featuring indie Canadian artists fits perfectly. Some original material by Andrew Lockington, based on keyboards, Irish pipes and wordless voices, is quite different from his previous symphonic score for City of Ember, whose main 5/4 theme reminded me of Mars by Holst. All the songs (not just clips) can be heard on the film website.
Just as in his previous film Saint Ralph, writer/director/producer Michael McGowan has shown that a well-told story from a specific place can have universal appeal. In his films, Canada is no stand in for Anywhere USA, with every licence plate taped over to hide its real location. Despite its tragic premise, One Week is too funny and life affirming to be depressing. A great Canadian film is the result.
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Joshua Jackson 'rolling up the rim' as Ben in One Week.
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Consensus: One Week is a film that celebrates being Canadian. Extremely well made, the acting, music and cinematography, etc. all work seamlessly together. Whether you're Canadian or not, this movie is worth seeing. If you get a chance, go see in theatres, if not, watch for it's release on DVD. **** (Out of 4)
Rated Canada 14A for substance abuse, and coarse language.
Running time: 95 minutes
Henry Bernadet and Myriam Verreault (dir.)
Alexis Drolet as Jérôme
David Bouchard as Pierre-Olivier
Anne-Sophie Tremblay Lamontagne as Kim
Yoann Linteau as Benoît (Paluche)
Sandra Jacques as Émilie Bégin
Micaël Minguy-Bédard as Nicolas
Yann Bernard as Kevin
Marc-Alexandre Paradis as Steve Labbé
Denis Marchand as Gaetan
Caroline Beauséjour as Isa
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À L’Ouest de Pluton (West of Pluto) Review By John C.
*** (out of 4)
West of Pluto follows 24 hours in the lives of twelve teenagers in Quebec. We watch as they talk, get stoned, get drunk and party. A lot of this is very funny and plays out like an artistic, french version of Superbad. We watch as they go through a regular school day. In one of the films most interesting scenes two girls debate whether or not Quebec should separate. I can’t see the film being watched outside of Canada, but if you get a chance, it’s worth seeing. I am not sure what age would watch it, teenagers or adults. I think that both would probably enjoy it. Teenagers will watch it on a more personal level and will easily relate to the characters, adults will probably watch it on a more observative level. The young actors all deliver good and believable performances, not really playing characters, as much as they are playing people. It was slightly confusing because some of the kids looked similar, so it will be interesting to watch the film a second time, now that I am familiar with the characters.
The DVD includes a French language version of the film with optional English subtitles. It also includes a gag reel, a photo gallery, interviews, deleted scenes and more. All special features are in French only.
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À L’Ouest de Pluton (West of Pluto) Review By Erin V.
*** (out of 4)
À L’Ouest de Pluton is an interesting film to watch. It is essentially a day in the life of a dozen 15 and 16 year olds in the suburbs of Québec City. The movie is a mix of humour and drama, and plays out like it is shot as a documentary. All of the characters are believable, and the young actors play them well. Many of the scenes are quite interesting to watch, such as when there is a debate between two girls at school, over whether or not Québec should be separate from the rest of Canada. This debate is interesting, and cool to watch, while there are others in here, that considering that the teenagers having them are stoned, are just plain funny.
I would recommend this film. The subtitles were easy enough to read, and still follow along with the movie. I think that this is a very interesting look at life for many, and it felt like the kind of indie film, that while may not be watched as much outside of Québec, or the rest of Canada for that matter, it is well made, and if you can, check it out.
Also included with the movie, (which is in French with, [optional], English subtitles), out-takes, photo gallery, interviews, deleted scenes, trailers, and much more.
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À L’Ouest de Pluton (West of Pluto) Review By Nicole
*** (out of 4)
N/A
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À L’Ouest de Pluton (West of Pluto) Review By Maureen
*** (out of 4)
N/A
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A L’ouest De Pluton Review By Tony
***1/2 (sur ****)
À l’Ouest de Pluton suit une journée dans la vie d’une dizaine d’adolescents de 15 et 16 ans de la banlieue de Québec (tourné à Charlesbourg). Au début, devant une salle de classe, chaque élève partage sa passion, soit l’astronomie, la musique, la danse, la cuisine, le skateboard, etc. Pendant la journée il ya des conversations entre les personnages sur plusiers sujets, entre des serieux, comme la souveraineté, et des niaiseux, parmi les punk rockers et les “stoners”– et il y a encore plus pendant la nuit. Une fête pour cinq ou six devient un désastre attendu par tout le monde, laissant une maison maganée et un frère ainé en colère incontrollable.
Quelque fois, entre les scènes écolières et domestiques, on voit des préparations et lancement d’un sonde spatiale vers la planète Pluton. Ironiquement, pendant les années de voyage, Pluton a perdu son statut, ne considerée plus qu’une planète “naine”, ni terrestre, comme les premières quatres, ni géante, comme les suivantes. Malgré l’intention des réalisateurs de montrer du symbolisme, peut être du banalité de notre existence dans l’univers, j’ai trouvé ces scènes une distraction.
Cependant, la production et la distribution de ce film étaient excellentes. Comme professeur d’école sécondaire (en retraite), j’ai connu ces gens. J’ai pu me tromper que je regardais un film documentaire plutôt que dramatisé. Il m’a fait rappeler les series DeGrassi, par example, aussi tout à fait canadien, et meilleur que n’importe quoi des é-u ou de la France. Comme déjà écrit, la seule chose que je n’aimais pas tellement était l’obsession avec l’astronomie, ce qui ma fait souvenir de l’orgueil qu’on attenderait dans des films de la France, par example.
Comme anglophone, je m’excuse de mon langage pas toujours idiomatique. Je suis souvent frustré par la difficulté que nous-autres, les produits d’une formation d’immersion française, avons avec la riche langue française canadienne que la plupart de nos professeurs ont refusé de partager. Ça fait que je le trouve presque impossible de tout comprendre sans sous-titres. Malheureusement la plupart des jurons basés sur une religion largement oubliée depuis la révolution tranquille sont mal traduits simplement en anglais avec “le mot f”.
En conclusion, je recommande ce film pour les adolescents, leur parents, professeurs, bien tout le monde. J’espère qu’il prendra place dans les écoles sécondaires à l'affiche du festival Reel Canada de films canadiens, par example.
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Consensus: À L’Ouest de Pluton is an interesting look at what could be the lives of a dozen teenagers in the suburbs of Québec City. It is well made, with good acting, and has an artistic indie feel to it. ***1/2 (Out of 4)
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‘One Movie, Five Views’, is an innovative new website with a different way of reviewing movies...
Each movie will be reviewed by a team of five reviewers. This way after leaving the theatre the group of reviewers will discuss the film, in the same way that any other filmgoers would. Each reviewer will then write their own review, and from the five reviews an overall consensus of the movie will be made. [Please note, that DVD reviews, Soundtrack reviews, and special features may not necessarily follow the same format.] We will also post other movie and entertainment related news periodically. All movies will be reviewed out of four stars.
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