Roadkill

This is a totally awesome film. I first saw it when I was 17 and I have watched it many times since, each time gaining something new out of it. Surprisingly philosophical, "Roadkill" will make you think about life, purpose and the universe, it will also make you laugh and, yes, it will make you hum along to it's rocking soundtrack too. From the atmospheric black and white cinematography, to the evocative landscapes of Northland Ontario, to the magnificent, likable and witty character realizations, this is a seminal film that takes an original slant to what could have been a dried out and dusty subject; every member of the cast and crew give superb performances and I love them for it. Can you tell that I'm a fan? Don't, however, expect anything of the same high standard from the kinda sequel "Hard Core Logo", which I found to be pretty lame indeed. In sum, "Roadkill" rules and, to be honest, no sequel (no matter how 'kinda') could ever do it justice.

I highly recommend this movie. It will probably not appeal to mainstream audiences, but that is to be expected. It's a brilliantly done low budget indie that may remind you of Tarantino, even though it was years before Reservoir Dogs. In fact, I'm surprised Tarantino hasn't acquired for Rolling Thunder(his distribution company). I know he's familiar with the director because he reportedly has the rights to one of his other films. You will have difficultly finding it in America. I recommend checking the internet auctions regularly. I assure you it is worth buying to see it, even if you only watch it once. Since it's so unknown in America, you can probably get it cheap as well. You may have noticed I haven't said anything yet about the plot. I think if I tell you plotlines you won't believe me. That's how "out-there" it is. And worth your time and money. Get this video.

'Roadkill' is the second best Canadian rock'n'roll movie ever. The best one, in case you're interested, is 'Hard Core Logo'. Both movies are directed by Bruce McDonald, and it is a pity that very few people outside Canada are familiar with his work. (I'm guessing very few people IN Canada are either, but such is the way of the world...). McDonald's collaborator writer/actor Don McKellar went on to make the brilliant end of the world movie 'Last Night' sans McDonald, but the two make a great team, as this movie, and the equally original and quirky 'Highway 61' show. 'Highway 61's star Valerie Buhagiar also stars here, but in quite a different role, as Ramona, the inexperienced and tentative assistant of a sleazy rock promoter, Roy Seth (Gerry Quigley). Seth sends Ramona on an errand, to round up the Children Of Paradise, a flaky rock band who are making a mess of their tour, and losing him money. As she doesn't drive, she enlists the help of Buddy (Larry Hudson) a chatty cabbie with a million rock'n'roll anecdotes. Ramona and Buddy eventually lose track of each other, and she ends up lost and broke in Ontario, the Children Of Paradise's runaway lead singer nowhere to be found. Ramona's adventures continue, and she makes some strange acquaintances along the way, not least of which Russel the wanna-be serial killer (Don McKellar). This is a very strange, dark and (mostly) unpredictable low budget gem that should appeal to fans of odd films like 'Roadside Prophets', 'Motorama', early Jarmusch and the Coen brothers. It may not be a masterpiece but it's still an overlooked little beauty, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Ramona (Valerie Buhagiar) is a meek worker at a Toronto record label. The rock band 'Children of Paradise' has gone off the deep end in Northern Ontario. The record label chief wants to terminate their tour. Ramona insists on going north to find them for her job despite not knowing how to drive. It's a strange odyssey. The lead singer Matthew has disappeared. On the road, she encounters various characters including roadkill filmmaker Bruce Shack (Bruce McDonald) and aspiring serial killer Russell (Don McKellar).

This is a black and white cult Canadian indie rock independent movie. It starts with a compelling guerrilla filming of the Toronto Passion Play. Director Bruce McDonald has a sizable supporting role. He's not a good actor but often, an indie can't find good enough actors. This does have the intriguing Buhagiar and the wonderful McKellar. She is able to hold the center and he has some brilliant turns. I wish he is in more of the movie. There is great indie music from the era and this is utterly memorable.

Ramona is sent to recover a rock band (Children of Paradise) which is in danger of missing its final tour date, and on her surreal and absurd trip meets several strange characters, most memorably a frustrated wannabe serial killer who is struggling to get his career off the ground, and who claims to have been driven to his choice by necessity ("what other options do I have? There's not a lot of opportunities up here for social mobility. I mean you can either become a hockey player or take up a life of crime. And I have weak ankles, so there you go") played by screenwriter Don McKellar in the role and film which launched his now prestigious career as actor and writer/director. It's a simple story, and the several plot strands are brought together in a scene near the end that is a real love it or hate it section of the film, apparently.

The film works in almost every regard- the mosaic-like, episodic nature of the narrative, the clever, witty dialogue and surreal situational dramedy which would become Don McKellar's biggest asset as writer, the immense soundtrack, even the direction by Bruce McDonald. "Roadkill" is, perhaps, my favorite ultra-low-budget film, simply because it's got an energy and verve that more than compensates for any flaws, and while it works brilliantly on its own terms, "Roadkill" is a conventionally flawed film, I suppose: there is some bad acting, and thanks to its non-existent budget and the fact that it was shot on 8mm, it doesn't look especially great. Still, one thing that struck me most on this latest viewing was how well-made the film is, all things considered. The editing works, even the potentially pretentious jump cuts, and there's some really good photography, especially considering the medium.

The most special thing about "Roadkill", perhaps, is that it isn't limited by the time or location it's set in, or when it was released. When I saw the film at age 18 at a screening populated mostly by people too young to have seen the film when it became a pre-Tarantino, pre-"Clerks" indie hit in 1989/1990, the enthusiasm the audience had for the film was palpable. There is an inspired energy about this film that makes even the superb screenplay seem insignificant in comparison to the conviction and enthusiasm the film was made with. When the film received a standing ovation at the end, it was out of sheer enthusiasm, and not out of polite respect.

The end result with this film is sure to be polarizing, and the humor probably won't work for a lot of people, but this is low budget gonzo film-making at its best, and to learn the whole story behind the film and the dubious methods of promotion those involved used (including getting the soundtrack on the Canadian charts by sneaking copies off record store shelves) one simply must listen to the commentary track on the DVD, which is easily as entertaining as the film itself, if not more. This is an essential piece of Canadian film, the birth of modern Canadian independent film-making, and in my estimation one of the most deserving winners of best Canadian film at the Toronto International Film Festival. The pseudo-sequel to this, "Highway 61", often feels like a pale imitation and has about a tenth of the charm, but it's still worth watching. The third film in McDonald's 'road trilogy', "Hard Core Logo" is nearly as good as "Roadkill" is, and more technically polished.