Wilby Wonderful

The charcters deal with pointless issues as though they were life-shattering decisions and all of them are shallow to the point of being totally unbeleivable.

The town of Wilby seems only to be occupied only with the characters with dialogue - all of who are cliches and this gives the film a stage-play feel to it. This is odd because plot and character devices from both "American Beauty" and even "Jaws" are easy to spot. The main stars, Paul Gross and Rebecca Jenkins generate a kind of anti-chemistry with every other character in the film, especially Ellen Page whose performance as the smart-but-misunderstood-diamond-in-the rough is laughably bad.

Callum Keith Rennie is the only stand-out in a movie that is otherwise amateurish in many ways. The only thing it gets full marks for is being recognizably Canadian by way of low technical quality and numerous plot holes, instances of poor acting, poor casting and childish outlooks.

It is important to support Canadian film, but not by abandoning critical judgement. This is not a good movie.


Simply Wonderful   March 31, 2005
Dave (Brantford, Ontario)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

A truly enjoyable film that is uniquely Canadian, it contains something which makes itself a diamond in the rough among modern day films - heart. Exploring the intracacies of numerous topics from a failing marriage to the complexities of untold love. This in depth exploration, in conjunction with excellent acting from the all-Canadian cast, makes this film truly wonderful.


'Wilby' Wonderful? Oh, it is.   March 22, 2005
Kat (Brantford, ON)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

A beautiful, simple, and gently humourous look at the shenanigans and goings-on of a small town in one day, "Wilby Wonderful" is simply that - wonderful. It's a perfect little gem of a film that not only has an all-star Canadian cast, but boasts witty and thoughtful writing, and emotive direction.

Covering such topics as the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter, a marriage on the brink of complete dissolution, and a love that dare not speak its name, "Wilby Wonderful" allows 'normal' people to shine in this curiously poignant and oftentimes hilarious movie - some memorable characters include the typically small-town, brashly outspoken mayor, a sign painter who's dyslexic, and a depressed man whose suicide attempts all seem to be thwarted at the worst times.

Most importantly, this film has something which so many movies lack - heart. The townsfolk of Wilby are easily recognizable, and in a way that seems uniquely Canadian, each person in Wilby seems to have about them a sense of unerring hope, a sort of quiet optimism that keeps them going.

Utterly and completely engrossing and spellbinding from beginning to end, "Wilby Wonderful" is quirky, entertaining, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Don't pass this one up.