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Really Surprised!

Great Film overall

Absolutely the worst movie.

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

I have seen the devastation of drug addiction - the pain it causes in families who have been touched by it and this film touched a chord in me. It is beside the point that it is low budget; it is beside the point that technically it does not measure up to the Hollywood movies; it is beside the point that maybe there aren't enough camera angles, something I would never even notice as a viewer; it is beside the point that it doesn't have cool special effects and a number of other high cost production perks; it is beside the point that there are no "big name Hollywood notables". However, it is the point that a group of people got together with whatever their talents, be they raw or experienced, great or small, to tell a story that has an impact. This is what counts in life. So, if you must judge this movie for what it lacks instead of the message it sends, you have missed the point.

Wow! I was so amazed by the poodle from Canada's comments that I decided that I had to comment. I am not usually the type to comment but I felt I had to as I don't think that this person was at the same film . I was blown away by Richard de Klerk's performance. He carried the movie and I am glad to see that I wasn't the only one that thought so, as he got a round of applause for his incredible performance at the fest. I definitely agree that the other performers were good as well. As a person in the industry I went into the theatre fully expecting a stellar directing job from the director of the film as many of the independent films at the fest showed, but I was sadly disappointed. As the end credits began to roll I started to analyze the work and found that really the actors are what made the movie. Had it not been for the talent of Richard de Klerk, Jovanna Huguet, Richard Johnson and Heather Feeney (and yes Colin Lawrence was great too, very sexy!) the film would not have been worth seeing as the directing was clearly not up to snuff and it was up to the actors to make up for it. There were shots that really weren't planned out right and scenes that could have been far better had they been directed differently. I say I hope Richard de Klerk continues to choose roles like this cause not only can he handle it he makes it look stellar!

Finally - a movie that doesn't show the stereotypical view of the drug business. Writer/director/producer Rick Alyea's vision is inspiring. He uses a very simple plot line and his lead character Robert (played by talented young actor Richard de Klerk) to show that not all who have chosen the path of wholesaling drugs are cold, pompous, hardened criminals. It is de Klerk's performance that fulfills the tag line: "For everyone with an addiction there is hope" as he embodies the human side of Robert's dilemma, whether to continue in his extremely lucrative illegal business or help his sister Janice (Jovanna Huguet, who gives a very believable performance of a drug addicted teen). The film was not only moving but enlightening. I'm sure many may be able to identify with this story, whether it is because they have been touched by drugs personally or through knowing someone with a drug addiction problem. I definitely recommend this movie.

Part of the game was an alright production. It did have a degree of marginality about it though. The technical side of things had issues but are tolerable for the most part. It was in the story side of things where the film ran into problems.The lead character of Robert (played by Richard DeKlerk) did not adequately establish his drug dealer edge side of his persona. Though DeKlerk did a reasonably good job in his performance, it just felt like the character lacked that swagger about him that really made us feel like he had that bad (criminal, tough, etc.) mentality in him. Though the focus of the film was not on that aspect of his character it was none the less lacking and seemed to take away from the believability of the character.The attempt to use the "grity" hand-held camera feel for the film was also not used quite to its best affect. Though tolerable for most of the film, some aspects (such as the first shot establishing the building) should perhaps have relied upon a more steady look. Overall though I guess it did create a certain stylized effect which was reasonably effective. The film simply needed to pull away from it at times though as to not disrupt the desired emotional tone.The doctor character did not seem all to well written in dialog or actions. It felt like doctor wanted to be the doctor from the Soprano's with an edge, I'm not quite sure. Whatever it was, it did not come off as a very believable character in this viewer's eyes. The silhouetted sequence was shot rather well though.Finally, the dialog in general could have used an objective critique before filming began. Line's such as "...we need trees on this team and you're just a bush," "...facts are concurrent with..." (Robert went from street thug to English Literature professor in a heartbeat), and "...the plot thickens..." (yes that was an actual line) were just to cliché or not suiting of character. What appeared on the screen seemed like a script that could have used a little more time in the ringer.Anyway, it is good to see homegrown talent getting recognition. Hopefully lessons will have been learned and future undertakings will show levels of maturation. Film is probably worth a look, if nothing else, if you're Canadian, at least check it out to support your own.