As we noted in our Stardom review, Denys Arcand directed 2 English-language films in between Jesus of Montréal and The Barbarian Invasions, Love and Human Remains was the first of those films.
Thomas Gibson, who also was in Stardom, plays David, a famous child actor who returns to Edmonton. The audience gathers things are bad when he says he makes more money as a waiter.
David, who is gay, and Candy (Ruth Marshall), David's heterosexual female roommate, are looking for love while a serial killer strikes their hometown of Edmonton. Candy debates about switching teams with Jerri (Joanne Vannicola) while David gets a much younger admirer Kane (Matthew Ferguson).
This film marked the cinematic debut of Mia Kirshner, who plays a dominatrix even though the actress was just 18. Her character Benita seems of a counsellor in the context of sex who seems wise beyond her years.
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There are a few Edmonton references thrown into the film, including Rose Bowl Pizza, gay bar Flashbacks, and the city's CFL team on TV within the film.
David acted on The Beavertons on the CBC. That should be a real show instead of a funny joke.
The love/sex/need for affection angles are much more enriching to the audience than the serial killer subplot. The subplot doesn't really add anything to the plot throughout most of the film. The reveal of the murderer is the element you will least likely remember a week after watching the film.
Canadian film review: Stardom
Those looking for a typical Denys Arcand experience will struggle with the idea since Arcand didn't write this film: Brad Fraser wrote the screenplay based off his stage play Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love. No disrespect to Fraser, but films where Arcand writes and directs have more of his signatures within the film.
Still the characters are interesting and well-written. Arcand does well with the material at hand. For those fans of Arcand's French-Canadian work, seeing Stardom as well as Love and Human Remains adds missing chapters in a more thorough fashion than say Denis Villeneuve's recent English language titles.
video credit: YouTube/Films du Québec
photo credit: Love and Human Remains
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