This year’s Canadian Cinema series features some high-profile titles, like HARD CORE LOGO 2, CLOUDBURST, and Canada’s official foreign language Oscar selection MONSIEUR LAZHAR. But there are a couple of lower profile movies screening in the fest’s final few days that are absolute gems.
AMY GEORGE is a poignant coming of age story from first-time filmmakers Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas. With their assured writing and confident direction, they are Canadian filmmakers to watch. Jesse is a 13-year-old who wants to be an artist. A book advises him: “You can never be a real artist until you have made love to a woman.” We may not be able to relate to the specifics of Jesse’s journey; however, we were all adolescents once, so we can relate to the generalities: the developing uncertain sexual feelings, the longing for freedom. Gabriel del Castillo Murray is a real find as Jesse (it’s his debut role!). Murray, like the movie itself, is a real charmer.
SERVITUDE was, for me, a really nice surprise. It’s a winning, crowd-pleasing comedy about the wait staff at a steakhouse, who have decided they’ve had enough of dealing with ungrateful, mean, selfish customers. If you’ve ever worked in the service industry (heck, if you’ve ever found yourself biting your tongue instead of saying what you really feel), you will relate to SERVITUDE.
SERVITUDE features Dave Foley, Enrico Colantoni, and Margot Kidder in fun supporting roles — wait til you get a look at Margot Kidder! But it’s the main cast of lesser known actors that carry the movie. The movie opens with a terrific tracking shot through the restaurant, efficiently introducing us to the setting and the main characters. I can’t really identify one of the actors as a scene-stealer; they all have moments that left me doubled over with laughter.
AMY GEORGE screens Thursday at 9 pm at The Plaza, and Saturday at 11:45 am at Eau Claire.
SERVITUDE screens at The Plaza on Friday at 7 pm.
Posted by Randy Perry.
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Calgary International Film Festival 2011 