The pleasure it brings
I watched the film Marion Bridge last night and rather liked it. It was precisely what I want from my movies: quiet, introspective, and laced with shattered aspirations. Since it was a Canadian film, it was set in the Maritimes (I'm convinced that part of the country is over-represented in Canadian cinema. Maybe it's just an excuse to use "Song for the Mira", which is fine by me). What we basically get is segment of the lives of three sisters as they cope with the death of their mother. One of the most powerful aspects of this film is how the back story is only hinted at, mentioned briefly or in pieces. In that manner, it feels very natural.
Of course, the death of one parent is never considered enough to sustain a film, so we've also got some other things going on. The main character is a recovering addict, returned home to Sydney, NS from Toronto. Her older sister is reeling from a marriage in failure and her younger sister is totally isolated to a degree you wonder what's wrong with her. Add to the mix a daughter given up for adoption fifteen years ago, and you've got a sense of players in this movie.
About twenty minutes before the end, I realized that no men had been present in the film in any meaningful way. Molly Parker's character does get drunk once in the company of a couple of men, but they don't have more than four lines collectively. I think it's a testament to filmmaker that this conceit went almost entirely unnoticed.
At any rate, I think this is a film worth checking into.
1 comments:
Its because the Maritimes are just so loverly! Come visit me and you will see! As for Canadian film, did you know that the highest grossing Canadian film was Porky's? If you haven't seen it, well, don't rush out to grab it, as I am certain it is not your type of film. The film that took the top spot away from Porky's, however, is pretty amazing-Bon Cop, Bad Cop. Have you seen it yet? If not, you certainly should! Its a great film, not set in the Maritimes, but chock full of Canadian stereotypes, or at least, Upper Canadian stereotypes. Its very well done, although, I am not sure how well the stereotypes translate outside of Canada. Another one set in the Maritimes is Margaret's Museum. Interesting, although not one of my faves, as I felt a necessary element was missing, but still a good look at a certain type of Maritime life.
As to other Canadiana, and related to your Ark theme-have you read Not Wanted On the Voyage? I believe I may have suggested it once. It is by Timothy Findley, a very depressing author. He is one of my favourites. Read that book. Its wonderful, in that very depressing, horrendous sort of fashion.
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