The Life

This TV film is perhaps the best fictionalized anti-drug film ever made. In this feature, one often feels as a participant in the anti-drug crusade these Vancouver policemen undertake. At once, one also feels like an insider cruising the streets of downtown Vancouver's "junkville." The characters rapidly become like old acquaintances, and one sees both sides of the dilemma each time a character or situated is revisited. It is so realistic, at times the film seems more like a documentary. But the film makers were smart to cast Bruce Greenwood (of "Saving Julia" , "The Core", "Ararat" and "13 Days") as a recognizable actor, if not a full fledge Hollywood star, in the lead role.

Mr. Greenwood brings humanity, compassion, and depth to the character - far from being your average drug beat cop in North American movies. The other actors, both from the police group of the cast, and from the drug addicted group, give inspired performances. If I hadn't looked up the other actors film careers, I would have remained convinced they were real life junkies.

That said, none of the roles ever fall into caricature, or stereotype, and everyone's situation is presented without bias, and with none of the preaching possibly to be expected in such a powerful anti drug piece. This is one of those films which proves that there is a difference between Anglo Canada and the U.S.

And also that there is indeed a lot of exceptional talent in Canadian cinema. Mr. Greenwood is not the only example of this, though he's the best known, and a film like this needs at least one known name. From the voting, it seems like it has not been shown much. I expected many more votes and comments. Plus, I saw it on Cinemax Prime (Latin America) in Brazil, which is usually about 6 months behind its powerful U.S. parent, which also brings us HBO and HBO Plus and the rest.

If this film is showing in your cable or satellite area, by all means see it. Don't think it's just an anti-drug film, or "faux" documentary. Watch it for what it is: a poignant and perfectly acted slice of humanity.

This TV movie "The Life" brings reality of what really takes place 24 hours a day on the downtown east-side of Vancouver's city streets and back allies with people who struggle with drug addiction. Creator and producer Chris Haddock's TV series 'Da Vinci's Inquest' has quite an influence and a similar spin off in this TV movie. Based upon these true events there are police officers that are actually still down there walking the beat reaching out to those less fortunate helping the vulnerable, busting and arresting the drug dealers. Great cast and crew in producing and directing this film. A must watch! fmovies.org/watch/yGDQ0wd6-the-life.html

A very compelling touching and moving film.

Hi-ee everyone reading this,

Being a Transsexual escort in Montreal, Quebec, i have only heard of Vancouver's Downtown East Side. I never knew what it was like. No idea at all.

I saw "The Life" on TV last night and i was totally in awe. It is an amazing movie. It made me cry too, i was so touched. After seeing this film, i feel like i was actually there, in person. The acting is great, the setting is as dreary as the place can be. I can only wish that the Vancouver Police Force officers are really as caring and sensitive to these people in real life as they were in this movie. I wondered also if these people acting as junkies were real-life junkies. That's how good this film is, and realistic, too.

Much love.

Dahlia Babe Ailhad

xoxo

This Sunday morning (October 7th, 2 am) I watched "The Life" made by Producers Pierre Sarrazin and Chris Haddock and I was absolutely riveted by the show. The actors performances, the story lines and photography were excellent and kept me totally involved. I felt touched deeply by the sad stories of the street people who the two officers encountered, filmed and tried to assist. I absolutely had to stay up to watch it all!

This is the sort of programming that Canada does best, and nobody shows the gritty reality of life better than writers like Chris Haddock and Alan Di Fiore. They are not afraid to show the seamy underside of the streets and use actors that are not "pretty" but look appropriate for their roles. The other great thing about this type of Canadian programming is that it assumes viewers have intelligence and does not play down to us. I appreciate the intellectual approach as I find the endless shoot outs, chase scenes and violence on regular police shows become very wearisome. As long as there are writers and producers making this sort of show, they will have my support.

I just watched this movie, and I wish it could be shown to Cops around the world, to remind them of citizenship, community engagement, a hunger and desire to see positive change, and their role in that enterprise, and ... what have you ... It's a well-written movie with various sub-plots that puts a human face to the drug problem in our cities, and can go a long way to show cops what life on the beat could be like in solving urban/community problems.

I am challenged by the movie, and will start looking for it to buy. It is a good example of creative problem-solving for students of life. It also raises many salient issues about the fine line between condoning and 'worrking with' drug cultures versus just showing the bare facts to make a point, and hoping that people will get the point being made. It also shows the fine line between the 'investment' of tax dollars on such 'rehab' and hand-holding initiatives, versus doing what is conventionally expected from the police service, and not 'wasting' tax dollars on such unconventional initiatives.

As an educator, I find this to be a compelling movie that would be useful in debating issues including public budgeting/resource allocation, the police services, public service in general, community engagement, creative problem solving, change-making, ethics, leadership, etc...

Anyway, this movie in a word, is "excellent".