New Waterford Girl

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.

Film doesn't get much better than Alan Moyle's very original "New Waterford Girl". That said, prospective viewers should understand that "New Waterford Girl" withholds much of its pleasure from the first viewing, be prepared to watch it at least three times which is not difficult because it is one of those films with unexpected depth that gets better with each viewing. Even your reaction to the cinematography will change with each viewing as the unremittingly grim visuals (subjects are often framed against gray skies and windswept beaches) which initially make you shiver become increasing beautiful.

The main character, 15 year old Moonie (Liane Balaban), is one of those freaks of genetics who occasionally spring up in unexpected places, whose comparative intelligence and ambition set them apart from family and peers. She loves her family but has simply outgrown the small Nova Scotia town of New Waterford and dreams of getting out. Once engaged and observant, she now drifts around town with her face in a book, having written off and distanced herself from everyone around her. Boys are attracted to Mooney (plausible since Balaban looks like a cross between Natalie Portman and Winona Rider) but she is focused on getting out rather than on boys. It is a dream part, as Balaban through behavior and voice-over must somehow balance Moonie's generally unpleasant demeanor and too soon maturity with the fragility and vulnerability of a young girl.

Enter new next door neighbor Lou Benzoa (Tara Spencer-Nairn) who has just moved to New Waterford from the Bronx with her mother (Cathy Moriarty). In homage to Moriarty's "Raging Bull" character, Lou's father is a jailed boxer who has taught Lou how to throw a punch. Lou is as extroverted and impulsive as Mooney is defensive and introspective. It is in the Moonie-Lou friendship that Moyle's film transcends the traditional female bonding story. Rather that fall into the trap of having the two girls immediately hit it off, Moonie is resistant. But Lou keeps trying and eventually Moonie comes around.

Lou immediately embraces the small town experience and her fresh perspective on the things that Mooney has stopped noticing begins to subtly change Mooney's feeling about her hometown. An especially beautiful scene involves Mooney joining in as her two sisters (if they look like sisters it is because they are played by actresses who are sisters-nice casting) sing a traditional song around a campfire. Mooney's internal conflict (and increasingly difficult decision) between staying or going is what the film is about but Moyle artfully soft-pedals this dynamic by packaging it around a humorous parallel story about Mooney's scheme to escape from New Waterford.

In this small Irish Catholic town the very mention of the blessed Virgin is enough to make potential sinners stop dead in their tracks. Much of the humor comes from Lou's ability to knock out boys with a sucker punch. The local girls enlist her as an agent of the blessed Virgin who can punish their two-timing boyfriends. In "Times Square" Moyne used a similar contrivance, having the two girls drop television sets from the Times Square rooftops. While both are mildly ridiculous, beneath the surface of each there is considerable food for thought as metaphors for issues raised by the films; in "New Waterford Girl" these include infidelity, sexual awakening, forbidden love, and small-minded parochialism.

"New Waterford Girl" is transcendent because of the pairing of Balaban and Spencer-Nairm. The two actresses not only hold their own with each other, they are perfect complements and Moyle skillfully uses reaction shots that allow them to enhance each other's performances.

WARNING: Although most of the technical production elements (cinematography, production design, editing) are excellent, the audio (at least on the DVD) is second rate (more accurately second to all). Many lines are a challenge to make out and several are simply unintelligible. While this does not ruin the film it definitely weakens it. The audio deficiency is compounded by the puzzling failure to provide a captioning option; someone should roast in hell for that omission. If ever a DVD needed subtitles this is the one. At least Showtime has provided subtitles in the version they are currently running. If you feel inspired you can find the script at (www.geocities.com/nwgmovie/index.html). The DVD lacks any useful special features; it has one trailer and a short (rather lame) featurette. Since there are no commentaries and the VHS version (also in widescreen) and cheaper, VHS might be the way to go.

The music is excellent, too bad no CD is available.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

I truly enjoyed this film. I'm usually not the type to like the girl coming to age films. But I loved this one probably because its not completely focused on the usual girl growing breast and realizing she's now a woman, story plot. Instead its about a girl that will do almost anything to get out of her small mining town. Including pretending to be a floozy and getting pregnant. I think the two lead actress (Liane Balaban and Tara Spencer Nairn)are great and I'm sure they will go far. If you like a good not so coming of age film check out this one I'm sure you will like it.

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.

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".