Repeaters

Yes, it is impossible to talk about Repeaters without mentioning Groundhog Day - a charming family film where a sardonic Bill Murray has to relive the same dull day again and again until he can find a way of somehow - literally - moving his life forwards.

Groundhog Day was a happy-go-lucky sort of affair, filled with light-hearted 'what if' scenarios. Here, in 'Repeaters,' we're presented with a similar premise, i.e. what happens if you're stuck in a day. However, the results are far from Groundhog-like.

This time there are three central characters who keep reliving the same day and they're all in a recovery centre, trying to get over various addictions. Then, once they discover their new 'power,' they hardly use it to help the homeless. Therefore we're treated to what people with very dubious morals would do if their day had absolutely no consequences whatsoever.

It's a great film. The performances are perfect from all characters, the setting it suitably gritty and it's not too long. However, it's not one for the faint-hearted. It covers pretty much all the nastiest adult themes you can think of, so, if you're looking for a 'feel-good' kind of movie, you better steer clear.

Bottom line: Groundhog Day + comedy = Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day + action = Source Code, whereas Groundhog Day and nastiness = Repeaters. Not one for everyone, but if you're looking for some gritty sci-fi/thriller, definitely give this one a go.

Where do I even start with this trash. Dear Arne Olson, Stop it. Just stop it. I can't begin to understand how a sane person could sit down to create a movie and think, "I have an idea. How about we make Groundhogs day. But this time it will be about a few drug abusing lunatics." The acting was amateur at best. I can't altogether blame the actors as the dialogue of the script likely resembled a high school play. The character's were very difficult to identify with in any way. What bother's me the most is that there are two people on earth, the writer, and the director who actually think that this is a real mind twisting, deep, original work of cinema. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone outside of an animal in a coma.

While the title does have more than one meaning, there is not that much depth in the characters. Of course you do know what the characters have to do to get out of their "rhythm". The question being, if they all really want to do that. Apart from the very straightforward story, some questions about morality (though not well played), the actors might be the weakest point here. Especially our main guy cannot convey any feeling as hard as he may be trying. But he's young so maybe he'll come around one day.

Amanda Crew tries, but doesn't have that interesting of a character either. Plus her "pivotal" scene does not convince entirely. Not to mention that she is too often passive than she should have been. Finally the third character might be the most interesting, but even he fails to bring the movie around on his own. Interesting, but nothing special (the twist at the end not really helping either)

The cast and crew of this film know what it takes to make an interesting movie. I was quite surprised to discover it was a Canadian thriller comprised of all Canadian actors and crew. I did not realize this until after I watched the movie and then checked out the movie's details on IMDb. Repeaters' repeating theme is sort of another take on Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray and though this duplication takes away from any claim Repeaters could have to originality the two movies are totally different in plot and genre. There are some unexplained parts in the storyline's flow but I do not think they are strong enough to throw the audience out of it's constant comprehension of the general stream. In other words Repeaters has the ability to entrance an audience and so thereby can be appreciated as a good, reasonable piece of movie entertainment. My congratulations go out to the crew and to the talented young actors for not engaging in melodrama but instead delivering a good, down-to-earth performance with excellent production effects. Let's see more of these 'way to do it' movies which appear so very together. Well done, cast and crew - 'you've got the feel'!

Three delinquents experience the same day over and over again. So what do they do?

Not much, really. The key is "Carston! Seven thirty." And so we go again. But from this enjoyable concept nothing clever or insightful ensues, and we end up with a midwestern family values story. Just like that other movie, but without Bill Murray's delightful cynicism.

What would it be like to live without consequences for your actions? A bit dull, mostly miserable, do the same. So, not much different from real life, which technically makes this a documentary.

This really needed some perverse behaviour from the characters, however foul according to the taste of the intended audience. Without the perversity it simply failed to explore the concept. The good guys were good, the bad guy was bad. Completely dull.

Pace, direction, editing all excellent, but concept cooked as flat as a pancake. I did like the actress with her slopey nose and woolly hat.