The movie starts out slow. In fact I was ready to turn it off a few times and watch "Flying Nun" reruns. But it is just attempting to establish character, at least the character we normally see without secrets. The "action" takes place in an apartment building with 3 English speaking people living in French Canada. Louise (Emily Hampshire) lives alone with 2 cats with which she has bonded. The rest of her neighbors loathe her cats. She works at a local Chinese restaurant within walking distance.
Spencer (Scott Speedman) is a large blond confined to a wheel chair. We later find out he was married and his wife died in the same wreak that confined him to said chair. He is considered a hunk by the older women in the building and they suspect that he and Louise would one day get together. He loves fish (live or cooked). He has anger management issues which sometimes slip out. While he is in a wheel chair, his legs are normal as there appears to be no reason for him to be in the wheel chair.
Victor (Jay Baruchel) is the new guy in the building. He is a bit spastic and is irritating with his constant chatter. He develops a love for Emily which is not returned.
There is a serial killer in the city and Louise is obsessed with the thought as her friend at the cafe was a recent victim. The victim had a date that night with a large blond guy named "Roland." A large guy named "Roland" is also conducting the investigation. The French Canadian woman who lives in the building is shown in a bad light and provides some inner conflict.
As events unfolded and made the characters more interesting and improbable, I found myself still waiting for things to happen. Magnolia generally does the feel good Indie films with a fitting lame acoustical sound track. In this film they were clueless about a decent sound track, something that would have added to the film. I would not call this a "noir" film or a "thriller" as does the DVD hype. It is an indie with typical quirky characters, a movie heavy on building characters and light on action. Might make for a rental if you really love Indie films and cats.
F-bomb, sex, nudity. The rating claims "strong violence and graphic nudity" which are perhaps over statements. There is one violent scene without a close up and one weird nude scene with Emily Hampshire in the dark.
Spencer (Scott Speedman) is a large blond confined to a wheel chair. We later find out he was married and his wife died in the same wreak that confined him to said chair. He is considered a hunk by the older women in the building and they suspect that he and Louise would one day get together. He loves fish (live or cooked). He has anger management issues which sometimes slip out. While he is in a wheel chair, his legs are normal as there appears to be no reason for him to be in the wheel chair.
Victor (Jay Baruchel) is the new guy in the building. He is a bit spastic and is irritating with his constant chatter. He develops a love for Emily which is not returned.
There is a serial killer in the city and Louise is obsessed with the thought as her friend at the cafe was a recent victim. The victim had a date that night with a large blond guy named "Roland." A large guy named "Roland" is also conducting the investigation. The French Canadian woman who lives in the building is shown in a bad light and provides some inner conflict.
As events unfolded and made the characters more interesting and improbable, I found myself still waiting for things to happen. Magnolia generally does the feel good Indie films with a fitting lame acoustical sound track. In this film they were clueless about a decent sound track, something that would have added to the film. I would not call this a "noir" film or a "thriller" as does the DVD hype. It is an indie with typical quirky characters, a movie heavy on building characters and light on action. Might make for a rental if you really love Indie films and cats.
F-bomb, sex, nudity. The rating claims "strong violence and graphic nudity" which are perhaps over statements. There is one violent scene without a close up and one weird nude scene with Emily Hampshire in the dark.