Genial normal

This wonderful comedy deserves to be widely viewed; very funny, and one of the few films ever to film hockey the way those who love it really experience it. Few films have ever better represented upper Canadian humour. Riley and Coltrane have a wonderful chemistry, and the one-liners are side-splitting. Kenneth Walsh as the putatively dying coach is classic. Contrary to the LES BOYS films, this movie actually captures the look and feel of beer-league hockey. It also deals very funnily with the stress of working on the line (in this case at a beer-bottling plant), of the difficulty of dealing with assembly line production that just keeps on coming. I would recommend this film to anyone!

TB

If you're looking for a fun movie that will make you laugh, this is it.

Michael Riley gives a great performance as an ordinary guy who works at two hum-drum jobs and lives a pretty boring life. Robbie Coltrane comes into his life and changes it for the creative better. As always, Coltrane is over-the-top with his portrayal of a failed, but always hopeful restauranteur. The dialogue is witty especially from Kristina Nichol, who has a minor, but standout role. Eugene Lipinski, who also wrote the original story and co-wrote the screenplay, gives a hilarious performance as the jealous, slightly-psycho 'Hopeless.' Kenneth Welsh is equally funny as the obsessed-to-win hockey coach and boss.

The list of memorable performances goes on. The cinematography involves unique camera shots that are creative beyond what I've ever seen.

Definitely, a must see. I give it a 10 and a spot on my favorite movies of all time list.

Oh, so you want to see a *Canadian* film. Say, something set in a beer factory, and maybe in a hockey rink too. And something about "tiny, fizzy" little dreams, all going unfulfilled. And maybe add an American character who has big, bold, huge dreams, and imposes them on the main character. The only Canadian content that could possibly be added would be a cameo by Paul Henderson.

Also, you can see the Sam's on Yonge street in Toronto in one of the shots. Does it get any better than this?

No, it doesn't. This film rivals Hard Core Logo for Canadian content. So, like, see it. It's cool, eh?

Renzo Parachi (Michael Riley) is a quiet introvert working at the brewery under Charlie Glesby who coaches the employees in an amateur hockey league where Renzo is the goalie. He is alone after the death of his mother. He drives his father's cab during his off hours. One night, he picks up Alonzo Turner (Robbie Coltrane) in the cab and is forced to bring home the passed-out talkative drunk. He rents out his mother's room to Alonzo for the money to build his dream house. Denise works at the rink and is taken with the quiet goalie. Alonzo decides to start a lavish Italian restaurant with money found in Renzo's mother's record collection. He convinces Renzo to be the cross-dressing opera-singing headliner.

I didn't laugh. This quirky Canadian indie has a lot weird little touches. I like the characters. I love Coltrane and Riley. I simply didn't laugh. It's an odd little film and some of it is quite memorable. Riley doesn't fit the quiet type and Coltrane could be much funnier. The writing needs actual jokes. It's quirky without being funny. Some may enjoy it for some light fun. I'm somewhat blah about this.

You want conventional? Forget it! This film is for those who love a delightfully skewed view on life, in this case the so-called life of one Renzo Parachi. After the death of his mother, into his life comes a whirlwind of a well-meaning shyster in the form of Alonzo Turner (aka Robbie Coltrane), at once turning his life upside-down while simultaneously bringing out the inner opera-loving Renzo. This film ranks as one of my favourite films because of its delightfully skewed world that at the same time holds true to itself. Renzo can never be considered an everyman but, if we're honest, we can maybe hear an echo from somewhere within.

Well acted, well written, well shot and edited. If you're looking for formula comedy, you'd better off with some other film. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the ride.