I hesitate to give a "best of all time" to any Canadian film, but Marion Bridge is one of my favourite Canadian films. I have seen the 2002 film a couple of times in the past but wanted to rewatch the film.
Agnes (Molly Parker) is the black sheep of sorts who returns home to Sydney, Nova Scotia from the big city in Toronto because her mother is sick.
Agnes has issues with cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. Her friends at the bar are surprised she was home because they didn't see her at the bar.
Her oldest sister Theresa (Rebecca Jenkins) isn't thrilled to see her youngest sister. The middle sister Louise (Stacy Smith) is mostly distracted by watching her hockey on TV.
Their mother Rose (Marguerite McNeil) is an alcoholic. As Agnes is trying to quit drinking and smoking, she makes sure her mother has alcohol and cigarettes.
There is a family secret or two. Agnes is intrigued by Joanie (Ellen Page); is she part of the family secret?
Agnes is trying to get her life back. Theresa spends a lot of time with her ex-husband. Louise has a friend with whom she is secretive.
So many films involve sibling structures where you don't believe they had a past. Director Wiebke von Carolsfeld shows us authentic sister relationships with warmth and awkwardness.
Parker is absolutely fun to watch at the peak of her craft. Her character is reassessing so much in her life. Her interactions with a young Page are fun. Someone please put them together in another film. Jenkins, who is also a singer in real life, is the complete opposite of her character in Wilby Wonderful. Theresa is a thankless role on a few levels. Jenkins embraces the negative nuances of the character with acting gusto. Smith has a much quieter role. You may recognize her from New Waterford Girl, another great Nova Scotia film.
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The film takes place in Sydney, Nova Scotia where Parker recently starred in Weirdos. The Cape Breton scenery is gorgeous; a true co-star of the film.
The dialogue is outstanding. To no one's surprise, Daniel MacIvor wrote the original play and the screenplay for the film. Marion Bridge won Best Canadian First Feature Film at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival. The film also marked Ellen Page's feature film debut.
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There is a beautiful Easter egg in the film involving The Five Senses (1999), a film where von Carolsfeld was an editor and stars Parker and MacIvor. I laughed a little too loud when I first saw the Easter egg. The people around me asked later why it was funny.
Marion Bridge is a family drama full of real and not an ounce of sap to be found. Strong acting and writing of people with a number of issues.
Americans can find Marion Bridge on Tubi with limited ads.
photo credit: Marion Bridge film
video credit: YouTube/OfficialBestOfFest
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