Waste of time

good back-story, and good acting

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

There have been many movies about life and issues in small towns, so in a sense there is nothing unique about this movie. But what this movie proves is that is doesn't always matter what the movie is about. What matters is how well the movie is made. As the header of this review states, this is the way movies should be made. From the outset I could tell that this was going to be a winner. The movie covers many different plot lines, and at the beginning they are all set up quite well, though you have to pay attention because there are many characters and issues. From then on the movie is easy to follow.I've noticed that at least sometimes movies by this company, film movement, have a name actor (I assume) to attract viewers. In this movie that's Sandra Oh, and she plays her role perfectly. As for the other actors, the casting is just right, the acting is excellent, the characters are believable, the script is superb, and the pacing is great. In short the movie is highly enjoyable with a very satisfying ending. No violence, nothing in your face, a very pleasant movie experience, with just the right amount of conflict and tension.

This is not a film for you if you like explosions, bombs, car pursuits, guns and drug. However, if you like quiet analyzes on everyday lives, carefully done portraits and human beings, then this could be your film. The lives of the characters are well portrayed, without obscene voyeurism. They're just your everyday people: The stressed real estate agent, the quiet divorced Policeman, the nice chap sign painter etc... But they're all unique in their own way, and this is why the film never falls into caricature. The "scandal" that threatens to be unleashed is finally more the town's blind conservatism, the film denounces. All told with a moving music and a delicate irony, this story of crossing destinies is a must-see. Especially the love story between Duck and Dan: It is a way more realistic view on gay life in a small town than Brokeback Mountain ever was...

Living in a small island where everyone seems to know everyone else, has its own rewards. It takes a certain type of person to enjoy that environment. The people of Wilby, a remote island off the Canadian mainland, are going through a dark period as there are cries how the gays have been gathering at the Watch, a remote area to do evil things, among other things. Some small minded islanders are crying foul, but is it really that bad?We are first introduced to Dan Jarvis, a closeted man, who is trying to kill himself. Whatever he tries to do, backfires on him. The chief of police, Buddy French, has a problem, Sandra Anderson, a girl he liked when he was younger, has come back to the island to settle down. Sandra wants to renew a love affair that has died long time ago. Emily, Sandra's daughter, sneaks to meet her boyfriend, who is making sexual demands of her. Buddy's wife, Carol, an uptight and driven real estate agent, wants to sell Dan's house to Mayor Fisher. Carol finds fault with the signs Duck MacDonald has done to promote a festival.All those trivial everyday life's moments in a small town are perfectly captured in this surprising comedy that has a bittersweet take on the island and the characters that we get to meet. The people in the story seem real. Nothing much happens in this island, yet, a lot of important things change the people we meet in a positive way.Daniel MacIvor has written and directed a delightful film which proves to be a delightful surprise. His screen play shows the easy pace and complicated lives in the small community where nothing seems to happen, yet, a lot goes on under its calm exterior. Mr. MacIvor has gotten a great ensemble performance from all the actors that appear in the film. Haven't we met people like the ones in the movie before?Sandra Oh, a wonderful actress, clearly shows her range the way she plays Carol French, a woman more interested in making a sale than calling an ambulance when she rescues Dan from a sure death. Rebecca Jenkins and Ellen Page, play Sandra and Emily with great ease. Their scenes together are marvelous. James Allodi's Dan is fine; he is never a caricature of a tormented man who can't see clearly. Paul Gross makes a good impression as the police chief. Callum Keith Rennie is excellent as the even tempered Duck."Wilby Wonderful" deserved a much better fate than what it probably received. This is Canadian cinema at its best. Thanks to the talented Daniel MacIvor for sharing with us this intimate portrait of an island and its people.

I saw this movie at the Calgary International Film Festival. Based on the description of the film and a cast with several quality actors to draw (particularly Sandra Oh), I was optimistic. However, seeing the film, I was sorely let down. The characters each were given a problem which was pretty much token, and not really explored in any depth. Character development beyond each issue (one per character, no more, no less) was sorely missing. Frankly, the writing was of high school creative writing quality at best, and the soundtrack was another glaring weak spot. (How long was the song over the opening credits?) (My sincere apologies to the film makers - I don't mean to trash the film but I was severely disappointed).