Trailer Park Boys: The Movie

I watched the "Trailer Park Boys: The Movie" Halifax Premiere on October 6 in a packed theater with the full cast in attendance. Notably in character was a bare chested Patrick Roach as "Randy". John Dunsworth as "Jim Lahey" patrolled the aisles in the theater checking to see if "anybody got a lil' drinky poo?" I know that laughter in a theater is contagious, but I really thought the movie was hilarious and I plan to purchase the movie DVD. I thought that Mike Smith as "Bubbles" probably got the biggest laughs, bringing the house down with the funniest one-liners and close-ups. Robb Wells as "Ricky" was terrific as the fast talking schemer and probably did the best acting. John Paul Tremblay as "Julian" had great screen presence as the quiet, burly, drink-toting enforcer.

The movie is all comedy, but it's a combo of slapstick, mocumentary, drama and action, and it even has its touching moments. I don't recall anything in the movie that needs to be taken seriously. The characters are at the bottom of the totem pole in life and their exceptionally poor ambition manages to exceed their ability, intelligence or education so they are unable to achieve any of their minimal goals. This cycles them between laziness, poverty and petty crime. Somehow, the characters don't really seem unhappy, since this is normal to them, and I guess that makes it feel okay for me to laugh at them.

I'm sorry to say I haven't been faithfully following the TV series, but I now am intent on working my way through the whole series on DVD to get caught up and that's something to look forward to. I know this will be a big hit in Canada, and I expect it to do very well in the USA and worldwide.

One of the great things about Trailer Park Boys on TV are the scripts. In a half hour format, they are cleaver and tight. The movie format with the given script only stretched it out and makes it flabby.

If the film had been conceived with the same snappy pace as the TV versions if would have been much better; perhaps four snappy subplots cleverly linked together. The film draws too much on previous TV episodes and needs more new material.

While the production values are better than the TV series, I don't think this works for the film either. TPB are down and dirty; no polish required.

Trailer Park Boys: The Movie is a feature length film of the television series Trailer Park Boys. Seeing as the ads and the film's trailer give away virtually nothing that will spoil the film I have decided not to give a plot synopsis and besides fans of the television series should know what they are in for and what to expect from the film. I first started watching the television show back in the fall of 2005 and only after a few episodes I was hooked and have been watching it ever since even if the episodes are re-runs. The show itself is like a comedy soap opera. In the first couple of episodes we are introduced to the main characters and more as the series goes on. The characters go through various humorous situations and some real life problems as well. Many would dismiss the show and call it vulgar and unappealing due to the language in the series and the occasional drug use and mild violence. To me while watching this show the three main characters Ricky, Julian and Bubbles grew on me and I started to like them and there were times when they would make me laugh and times when I would feel genuinely sorry for them. The series also has some of the most interesting side characters of any series I have ever seen as well. What I like about the show so much is that it is almost always constantly funny and keeps a smile on my face even if I have seen the same episode over and over again. The show is always entertaining and intriguing and never loses steam not even for a second. Also the show has a lot of heart. Family and friends are really important to these guys and deep down they care for each other and try to take care of one another and there are some episodes that are downright touching and heart warming. I 'am pleased to say that everything I liked about the series is there in this full length movie. The same great characters and side characters are there, there is humour, there is heart and it is entertaining from start to finish and it's just like watching a full length episode of the series, so overall I was not disappointed. If you are a fan of the television show then I can see no reason why you would not like the movie. And on the other hand if you are not a fan of the series the chances are great that you will not like the movie either. If you are however interested in the movie I do suggest you watch the show first to get acquainted with the characters and all the different things they have been through. The show is still on television and if you don't get that particular station you can find the episodes on DVD. Trailer Park Boys is one of my favourite television shows on the air right now, so seeing as the movie is just like the show or maybe even better than I'm sure you can understand why I loved this movie and consider it to be one of the best films of 2006. I applaud the cast and crew for making a great series and pulling off an excellent movie as well. Good job guys you made something great and fans like me will not be disappointed by this movie and like I said earlier it is one of the best films of the year and one of the best recent comedies of the last few years as well.

The cult TV show from Canada has really surprised me with how fresh the comedy has stayed throughout its six year duration. When I first heard about the jump to the big screen, I wasn't quite sure how to take it. Most half hour shows that get feature film updates really feel forced and dragged out like the writers took their next show idea and filled it up to last an hour and a half. With a show like "Trailer Park Boys" I sensed that something like this would happen, but thankfully I was wrong. Rather than expanding a short story thread, the creators actually seemed to have taken a full season arc and shortened it to make a movie. Trailer Park Boys: The Movie is then a tightened piece of work, with all the good parts kept at the expense of filler, to make it 100 minutes of pure insanity and hilarity.

A movie like this can only do justice if it keeps what works from the show. Our heroes, Julian and Ricky, need to go to jail at some point and come back to the trailer park right when the residents were getting used to the lack of trouble the two cause. Ricky then needs to win back his girlfriend Lucy, Julian needs to find a new masterminded crime to attempt, Jim Lahey has to find a reason to get the cops to arrest the misfits again, and Bubbles can enjoy some human friendship again, having only his cats to spend time with when the boys are gone. All the laughs and staples from the show are here to great effect. Now, while Showcase in Canada is a cable station with the swears and drinking allowed, it seems the filmmakers have decided to step it up even more for this movie. Lahey adds his favorite curse adjective to everything he says, (the least sense made the better), Ricky butchers the English language, Bubbles goes on his Tourettes rants, and with the addition of a strip club locale, nudity is very prevalent whereas non-existent in the show. The boys have pulled out all the stops for a crazy adventure of low-class criminals and the seedy activities they partake in for the love of friends and family.

It is great seeing John Paul Tremblay (Julian) and Robb Wells (Ricky) keeping their characters consistent with the show. The two have a great rapport and really shine as the brains and stupidity of the operation respectively. Their friend Bubbles is hilariously played as always by Mike Smith. His slow mannerisms and bottled up aggression always lead to laughs between his small vocal outbursts and his full on attack once his shack is destroyed. All the other regulars make appearances too, John Dunsworth the best of which plays his drunk park supervisor role to perfection. When he does a long take stare while downing an entire bottle of alcohol, I was dying of laughter just from the dedication to the scene. There has to be sacrifices of course for a jump like this, though, and that is at the expense of characters Cory and Trevor. This duo are great fun and foils to the boys in the show, but mostly wasted here in the film. Also, where was J-Roc? Youknowwattimsayin?! I really wish his role was bigger than the ten or so minutes he got.

Sure the film might not be as successful as the show, but it still delivers the big laughs and misplaced heartfelt moments as its originator. It was strange seeing the numerous inconsistencies to the show being that this is not a continuation after season 6, but an almost restart to gain a new fan base. I understand the reasoning here, but I feel that they could have kept it in context to the storyline with scenes of exposition from the show itself to help new viewers understand what was happening. Either way it was still enjoyable. Credit too to the Canadian support as always with cameos from Gord Downey and Alex Lifeson, along with the great soundtrack and hidden easter eggs. Between the numerous Hip songs, Our Lady Peace sampling (during J-Roc's rap), Tea Party instrumentals, and Rush titles hidden at the theatre (game machine was 2112, and the movie names based off songs), I had fun noticing them all. So, whether you are a fan of the show or just want to experience the craziness for the first time, Trailer Park Boys: The Movie is well worth your time.

Attended the US premiere last night here in Austin, as part of the SXSW Film Festival. Got a pic taken with my Canadian wife, Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles, which should tell you what a dork I am.... :) Overall, I agree with the comments here that the movie is okay for long-time TPB fans, but is kind of a watered down version, probably meant to not snow over the initial viewer. Some good laughs, but I think I have laughed as much at some of the individual episodes, each of which are about 30% the length of this. That being said, I am sure I will add the DVD to my collection.

In the Q&A after, the question was asked, "when can we see more TPB in the States?" I think Mike Clattenburg. was there answering, didn't pay much attention to the name when he was introduced, but the answer was that there simply is too much censorship here. He referenced the one season they tried, on BBCA, and I remember that debacle. Too many bleeps to follow the dialog. But one thing that kind of amazed me is that amazon.ca was not mentioned as a source to get all of the DVDs. A lot of my fellow film-goers didn't know this either. It's not network, but it is available....

Bonus: All the attendees last night were given complementary key-chains by Mike C... Yay!!!