We pitched the idea of a film to showcase the amazing female Canadian onscreen talent. I came across a Canadian film that has Sarah Polley, Emily Hampshire, Alison Pill, Alberta Watson, Leslie Hope, and Catherine O'Hara. My film idea is better.
The Life Before This has a gimmick. Lives take a tragic turn during a shootout at a coffee shop (yes, this is a Canadian film).
The film goes on to show us what would have happened if events ran differently before that fateful moment. So if you think you've seen the ending in the beginning, you have to see the whole film to find out the conclusion.
The ensemble concept means little screen time for any subplot. Polley and Hampshire have a scene together. Watson and O'Hara are in the same subplot.
Callum Keith Rennie has a small role as the brother of a main character.
The drama in the film is a bit over the top. The only common theme is that there is a lot of drama in these people's lives.
The idea that a small coffee shop would have that many souls with tragic turns in one location feels a bit much.
A Canadian film idea to showcase female Canadian acting talent
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The concept of a mass shooting in a coffee shop was quaint for the 1999 film. Unfortunately, the mass shooting at The Danforth as well as the van tragedy on Yonge Street in 2018 make the scenario not as quaint.
Director Jerry Ciccoritti and writer Semi Chellas take us on an intellectual exercise. The film mostly works with the performances giving the edge in a positive result.
The more you like the idea of fate and destiny, the more you will like this film. Or you could love those Canadian actors and want to see them regardless. You might also be interested who gets killed in the first scenario versus the end of the film.
If your curiosity is not enhanced, skip it and watch other Canadian films featuring those actors.
The Life Before This is currently available in the U.S. on Amazon Prime.
photo credit: The Life Before This film
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