Mount Pleasant

This truly disappointing film could easily be called "It's a hard knock life being middle-class in a turbulent housing market and having to slum it with the poor". Despite some very credible performances by some very decent Vancouver actors, the film suffers from dubious "not in my backyard /out of sight, out of mind" politics. I thought it strange at first that the vigilante goons who harass sex-trade workers and force them into less visible (more dangerous) areas were presented in such a heroic light, until I read that the director himself took part in this kind of activity. The script is overwrought, and riddled with Indy film clichés (with one notable scene clumsily lifted from Todd Solondz's Happiness).

The movie revolves around 3 families and how they tie in together living around the Mount Pleasant area. Since most people are familiar with the movie Crash I will say it has a similar style to it. It has a realistic feel and the actors do a decent job, but throughout the movie I kept feeling as if something was missing. Some of the events that happened brought emotion and others seemed kind of silly.

I won't give any spoilers or specifics, but I will say you will care about some characters more than others and not just because of the situations, but more so how they act.

If you get a chance to see this movie I'd recommend it because it's worth a viewing, but misses in being something you must see.

I am sure there is an inner city community in every large western city. I know this one well, because I grew up in it, worked in it and know it like my backhand. This trio of intertwining stories realistically depicts the complexity of this community. A strong community in the '70's, it had degenerated into a drug infested, prostitute roaming "no man's" land. Increasing pressures of gentrification thrust this rich mix of strong characters, compelling story lines and connections together. The character either repulse, enthrall or engage. Some of them do all three. I found the depiction of a young woman trapped by poverty and prostitution not only well scripted but expertly played by Katie Boland. The strong cast is complimented by an incredible director who has been able to extract compelling performances, including the incredible performance of Hayley Guiel, who was the most believable child performance I have seen. Benjamin Ratner, Shawn Doyle and Genevieve Buechner gave solid, enjoyable to watch performances that speak to both their craft and their excellent, intelligent writing. Enjoy the Vancouver references if you know the town, but don't miss this movie.

I saw the movie and loved it. Ben Ratner's character in it is pretty much me.

When we first moved into the area the place was rife with junkie hookers (like Katie Boalnd's character) and a variety of petty thieves constantly milling around looking for anything not nailed down (like the tool thief/pimp played by Tygh Runyan in the film).

We were broken into 11 times in the space of two years. The police, we found out, wouldn't bother showing up for Break-and-enter calls, much less "Hookers in the alley" calls...which left us with Night Patrol.

Night Patrol folks are not--as the above poster called them--"Vigilante Goons", their entire M.O is to just stand around with the Hooker until she decides to leave (They don't get a lot of business when guys in reflective vests stand there writing down the license plates of the Johns should they drive up).

In fact, the whole tone of the above poster's commentary seemed to be that poor, honest, hard-working, Drug-addled Hookers were being unfairly targeted by mean-spirited, violent lowlife home owners.

The fact that it's been the better part of two years since we've been broken into shows that a variety of tacks--including Night Patrol, "Zero Tolerance" for anyone suspicious lurking in the alleys and constant vigilance has started to bear fruit as far as cleaning the neighbourhood up.

Police will answer calls occasionally now! It's still not safe to leave anything unattended in your car, but the chances of finding used Hypodermic needles in your backseat seems at an all-time low.

The odd altercation still occurs with some shifty low-life, but with nothing like the frequency of previous years.

If all of this has made life hard for Drug-addled hookers and the Two bit Junkie thieves who sponge off them, well, I'm not going to cry myself to sleep over it.

Anyway, excellent movie all around. The quality up on the screen really shone.