Real Time

I saw the 87-minute version of this film on The Movie Network.

If you don't guess the ending of this film in the first 10 or so minutes, then you're not thinking very hard.

Also, as other commentors have noted, the wandering Australian-American-British accent sported by Quaid is extremely distracting from the film, in a really bad way. What was the point of that? There is no need for the character to be Australian, or to have an Australian accent. But there are plenty of actual Australian actors who could have done the job well, if the accent is important. Were they all unavailable?

But I absolutely commend the filmmakers on being reasonably honest with their film. They don't hide the Canadian setting, or try to make it look like some generic US city (except for the bizarre license plate from no jurisdiction ... what's up with that?). It's so refreshing, and this is what we need to see more of in English Canadian cinema.

It could even be an OK film, except for that accent, and the too-obvious ending. Better luck next time, folks. I actually am looking forward to your next effort, despite the negative review.

I noticed a posting "Best film of the Toronto Film Festival" -- now that had to be one of the WORST film Festivals I have EVER heard of.

Randy Quaid and Jay Baruchel did their jobs as far as the acting goes, but come on??????? --- wheres the story? There is no way on this green earth that a hard ass hit man is going to go that route.

This was boring, long drawn out BS.... another total waste of time. -- What is with the film industry today? Has our economy gotten so bad that they have to stoop to low budget crap to infiltrate the market just to give us something to watch? Jeeeezzzzzzz Come ON PLEASE!!!!!!!.

How can anyone give this a 10?

3 at best.

Smart melancholic drama filled with clever dialog. Randy Quaid shows his chops as tough as nails hit man with a secret and Jay Baruchel is convincing as a beyond hope gambler with nothing to lose. The plot is uneventful but the chemistry between these two characters carries the story to its clever end.

A brief appearance by Jayne Eastwood as Andy's grandmother helps to carry the films theme of luck vs self determination in a short but enjoyable scene. I walked away feeling rewarded for my patience and thinking just a little.

Good stuff.

So I've never posted one of these User Comments, but I had to write about how much I loved this film. The story centers around the two very strong characters of Andy (Baruchel) and Reuben (Quaid). The entire journey kept me captivated from beginning to end (which is no simple feat after a week of festival fatigue) but nothing prepared me for the ending. I have to say, without exaggeration, this film had one of the most perfect and moving conclusions of any film I've ever seen. I won't give anything away here, but I find myself constantly tearing up and moved at the thought of what happens. Now, almost a day later, I still feel its messages and themes rushing through me. Not only is this ending so great, it will probably make a second viewing of this film an entirely different and even stronger experience. My hats off to the writer and director of this film. Damn good work.

2008 has been a stinker for films - it seems nothing has gelled or been original - was Wall.E really the highlight!?!? - so Real Time for me was kind of a nicer way to finish the year.

This is a tiny film - totally focused on the two main characters that just works. The enforcer, in a great turn by Randy Quaid, is there to kill a pathetic gambler, Andy, played by Canadian Jay Baruchel.

What makes this is the conversations, nothing Tarantino-like, but somehow they involve us and make us care.

At only 1 hour and 17 minutes this is short, but very well directed and most of all it is logical, neat, and the performances ring true. Honestly, one of the better films of the year, and I would recommend it as being a refreshing change from some of the garbage we've been served this year.