2022 * Not Rated * 1h 39m An offbeat little Canadian indie flick that caught me off guard. You can tell it was made on a budget, but the interesting storyline, first-rate writing, and above average acting from a group of unknowns made it well worth watching. I'm not surprised it's won a bunch of awards. But I am surprised it's not better known.
Lawrence Kweller (Isaiah Lehtinen) is an overweight, nerdy film buff who dreams of studying filmmaking at NYU. He and his high school bud Matt Macarchuck (Percy Hynes White) are obsessed with Saturday Night Live and spend every Saturday night watching the show. When he finds out how much film school will cost, and at the urging of his mom Terri (Krista Bridges), he gets a job at the local video store (remember those?). He ends up having a falling out with his bud, and strikes up a friendship with the store manager Alana (Romina D'Ugo). There are some touching moments when the two open up to each other.
The movie has plenty of laughs, but it goes a lot deeper than that. It's a slightly different take on the high school coming-of-age film about a boy with some emotional issues that we could sure use a lot more of. It's original, unique, and totally entertaining.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Hoopla with your library card. Also to rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
