New Waterford Girl

Allan Moyle, the director of "New Waterford Girl" captures the right atmosphere of a small town in Nova Scotia. He shows us how the people live in this isolated area. The life of the small village, with all its local characters, is presented by Mr. Moyle in a way that affects us into feeling for these people in that barren place.

The best thing going for this movie is the brilliant performance by Liane Balaban. She plays Moonie Pottie, a girl that wants to break away from the boredom of the town and go away to pursue her ambition. This young actress' face registers a lot of emotions going on inside Moonie's mind. She knows the only chance for her to get out of the mediocrity in which she lives is to become pregnant because invariably, those fallen girls are sent away to have their children.

Luckily for Moonie, she finds a friend in Lou, the rebel American teen ager who arrives from the Bronx to hide away with her mother and young brother. This is the only part that doesn't make much sense, but it's a diversion to the story that otherwise would be too confined to just the locals. Lou gives Moonie a confidence that the latter one didn't know she had. Moonie grows up helped by her friendship with the tomboyish Lou, who is too wise for her young age. Tara Spencer-Nairn does a wonderful job in recreating Lou Benzoa.

The film takes a while to click with the viewer, but it will stay in his mind for days after having seen it. The Pottie family is presided by Francis and Cookie. As played by Nicholas Campbell and the always excellent Mary Walsh, this family shows an inner strength, even at times of great crisis.

Andrew McCarthy is also seen briefly as the teacher that wants a better life for Moonie, who inspires her to break away from this small town. Cathy Moriarty plays, yet another, boxer's wife. She has nothing to do in the film.

This small movie will charm those willing to take a trip guided by the sure direction of Allan Moyle.

Funny, hip, and full of fresh faces. Crisp direction, and a quirky script that never lets you down. Some of the jokes may baffle you non-Canucks, but be brave and try a taste of our true national culture.

Proves once again that there's more to Atlantic Canadian film than "Anne of Green Gables".

My friend sent this movie home with me and one night, in boredom, I decided to watch it. I was really blown-away! This is small-town life in a nutshell. The lead actresses are superb. Tara Spencer-Nairn is truly a joy to watch. The story is slow, but wonderfully compelling. I enjoyed it so much I had to watch it again! A great film for a lazy Sunday or for anyone who grew-up in a small town.

I missed the first 30 minutes of this film when it was shown on Showcase Extra this afternoon. I ended up renting it at Blockbuster five hours later.

Yeah, so the characters might seem "over the top," but guess what? It's Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Canada's Hicksville where there really is nothing to do.

I loved this movie. There was something about it by just throwing the characters in from the side -- and Sweeney? He was just there and the audience is just put right in the middle of Mooney's chaotic life, wondering if she's ever going to get the heck out of there and fulfill her ambitions and dreams.

Okay, so it's no Spielberg. There's no Kiera Knightly or Brad Pitt in it. It's a bunch of no-name actors and a no-name director. But guess what? That's where its charm comes from. It's special and quirky and you sympathize with Mooney and Lou and everyone else. A lot is explained if you listen to what is being said, and the quips are pretty cute -- not great like "Snatch" or "Lock, Stock..." great, but cute. Memorable.

I'd suggest people see this. This is a great piece of Canadian film that I wish more knew about. It's a real hidden gem. And if you don't like it, you'll at least appreciate the life you live.

This movie inspired my trip to Cape Breton Island last year, because the scenery is so beautiful. I went to New Waterford and, suffice it to say, it is an even stranger town than the movie would make it appear. The movie was cute and melancholy, and Balban was pretty brilliant in the starring role. And movie with girls boxing ranks pretty high with me anyway.