Victoria Day is a coming-of-age story centered around Ben Spektor (Mark Rendall), a high school student in 1988 whose pubescent problems are dwarfed when a local teen goes missing. Despite the stigma surrounding the disappearance, the movie concentrates on Ben's reaction to the tragedy and how it affects his attitude towards everyday life. His romantic efforts become more complex than maybe he would like, his hockey team is mid-playoffs and lacking concentration (which Ben doesn't appear to care too much about given the
circumstances), and his immigrant parents are constantly pushing him to prove his worth. In one week, Ben must become a man; a situation that is both confusing and challenging for the poor teen.
I think the Anti-hero is effective in this application. Ben is not quite miserable enough to seem pathetic, and remains relatable despite his melancholy. He is a solid central character, and you can't help but hope he comes out on top. Setting him against the angst of the late eighties is also effective, besides being visually interesting.
The style borderlines '90's grunge, and creates beautiful cinematographic opportunities. Children of the '80's and '90's will pick up on significant allusions to the era (particularly Gretzky and the Oilers), and contemporary teens will find the characters universal enough to ally with today. This one is a thinker and a feeler, so be prepared to interpret subtext while you're enjoying the bush parties, fireworks, and hockey games. Ben's best friends provide the comic relief (which, yes, can be relieving at times), so don't assume this flick is all furrowed brows and crossed-arms. See it, and enjoy it for what it is.
Victoria Day is my pick for favorite Canadian screening, and is playing Saturday, September 26th (today) at The Globe Theater - Downstairs at 12:00PM, and Sunday, September 27th, same place, at 9:30PM.
