A Great Film Which Could be Overlooked...

Every year, December 31st comes around, and every year a whole bunch of critics and pundits and moviegoers and average joes come out and claim "movie XXX was the best of the year!". I've always been one to spend some time reflecting, because I believe recent memories tend to taint views (which is why the Oscars barely ever recognize a movie which was released in January unless it had a limited LA release before the end of the previous year). I've had almost two months to mull over what my favorite movie of 1998 was, and the result may surprise you. It's a small Canadian film (US $2 Million budget) written and directed by Don McKellar called "Last Night". It's about how a group of characters spend the last six hours on Earth.

Don says it best, so I'll let him speak for himself:

"The world is ending once again. But this time, in my movie, there is no overburdened loner duking it out with the asteroid, no presidents, or generals turning the tables on extra-terrestrials. Those heroes are out there, somewhere, one hopes, but I was interested in the rest of us suckers -- hapless individuals who, with limited access to nuclear resources, would have to come to terms with the fast approaching finale."


The movie hasn't been distributed in the States yet (although I believe Lion's Gate will be distributing it there sometime this year), and I certainly hope it gets the attention it deserves. It has been shown at a number of festivals around the world, has received national distribution in Canada and has received outstanding reviews. Roger Ebert said, "a quiet rebuke to the overwrought end-of-the-world dramas like Deep Impact." At Cannes it won the Prix de la Juenesse, it was named best film by the Toronto Critics Association, was nominated for 11 Genie awards (Canadian equivalent of the Academy Awards), and McKellar took home the Jutra Award, which is given to the best new film director by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Since it hasn't been released Stateside yet, the only category it could have qualified for was Best Foreign Film (and it didn't get nominated). All I can say, is I hope it gets nominated for best picture next year. Needless to say, it's a critic's darling, but it could also be an audience darling with the right marketing.

Now, I'm not one to fall for a film simply because other people tell me to. I went to this movie hoping for something good (which is what I always do), and came out blown away. The movie stuck with me, and it's a testament to its staying power that it is now five months since I've been able to see the film, and it's still with me. I can remember every detail, every frame, and every touching line of dialogue. I can't wait to see it again! This movie lingers for a long time, and really makes you think. With only six hours left, what would YOU do?

In Canada the film was distributed by Odeon films (the distribution arm of Cineplex Odeon, known down south as Loews Odeon, I believe). In the US I understand Lion's Gate will be distributing it, but I could be wrong. Let me say this now so you don't miss it: If this film comes to your town, go see it. You will not be sorry. It is 90 minutes of the most moving, emotional drama I have ever seen on the big screen.

Now, I realize that this little push for a tiny film hasn't really had anything to do with DVD as of yet, but it will now. To Don McKellar, Lion's Gate, Odeon Films, anyone who'll listen, PLEASE, for God's sake, do a special edition DVD for this film. It deserves it, and there's so much that could be told. I can just imagine Don McKellar's audio commentary describing how you manage to make it look like a thirty story building is burning on a two million dollar budget (or maybe he just got lucky, and there was really a fire in the building?). I can already see the rough storyboards, and I'd love to see the trailer again! This is the kind of movie that invites commentary, and I'm sure that you could get some great interviews from the cast for the featurette. Put it all together, and this movie will receive the following it deserves. It will attain classic status, for now and eternity.

Until next time, go see a movie! (And I hope it's as good as Last Night)